Flying to Hanoi, advice appreciated
Discussion
Morning all.
As per the title i'm after hints and tips for a flight to Hanoi.
Unlike quite a few of you on here I don't fly that often( scares the crap out of me)and very,very rarely go long haul.
What i'm after if someone can spare 5 minutes is the best airline to fly with,airport to fly from and when should I book.
Leaving in November for 12 days,based in the midlands.
Probably looking at cattle class but open to suggestions.
Any help would be much appreciated.
As per the title i'm after hints and tips for a flight to Hanoi.
Unlike quite a few of you on here I don't fly that often( scares the crap out of me)and very,very rarely go long haul.
What i'm after if someone can spare 5 minutes is the best airline to fly with,airport to fly from and when should I book.
Leaving in November for 12 days,based in the midlands.
Probably looking at cattle class but open to suggestions.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Lots of search sites out there. Return London Heathrow to Hanoi with China Southern is £488 -
https://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flight-search/LON-H...
https://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flight-search/LON-H...
I'd consider spending a little more for a Birmingham\Manchester departure, with either Emirates or Qatar. I've flown China Southern before, adequate at best, inedible food on the chinese leg.
If you're only going for 12 days you don't need a Visa, or a Visa on Arrival. Just go straight to passport control with your return flight tickets.
https://vietnamvisa.govt.vn/british-citizens/
If you're only going for 12 days you don't need a Visa, or a Visa on Arrival. Just go straight to passport control with your return flight tickets.
https://vietnamvisa.govt.vn/british-citizens/
Google flights will allow you to compare prices and timing options for a variety of airlines from a variety of starting points. You can then filter out the stupidly long connection (anything over say 4hrs) and multi stop results.
Vietnam airlines fly direct from Heathrow although they alternate each day between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, so might involve a connection in HCMC depending on your dates.
Avoid the cheap Chinese airlines. You get what you pay for. Qatar or Emirates from Birmingham would probably be the most convenient for you.
Vietnam airlines fly direct from Heathrow although they alternate each day between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, so might involve a connection in HCMC depending on your dates.
Avoid the cheap Chinese airlines. You get what you pay for. Qatar or Emirates from Birmingham would probably be the most convenient for you.
Emirates would be my choice as above. BHX>DXB>HAN. A380 to DXB and then 777 to HAN.
Its about 7hrs to DXB and then another 5 to HAN. Plus any transfer time. (2.5hrs ish)
Be aware its about 1 hour longer on each leg on the return due to the head winds.
Emirates dont offer premium economy on many routes so its most likely economy or business.
If business is not busy they usually offer you an upgrade (cabin only) for about £500 per flight about 4 days before departure.
I would probably see how you do with economy on the way out and then if you wanted to upgrade on the way back you will probably be able to do so just keep checking your email in the days before your flight.
I did MAN>DXB>BKK in economy in November and it was fine. Food was good, they did 3 full drinks services on the outbound which I thought was very generous. Leg room was ok, not great but better than low cost airlines.
However on the return which is next week we have opted to upgrade to business on the DXB>MAN leg. I think thats where the best value will be and as its a night flight hopefully able to sleep and reduce the jet lag a good bit.
HTH
Its about 7hrs to DXB and then another 5 to HAN. Plus any transfer time. (2.5hrs ish)
Be aware its about 1 hour longer on each leg on the return due to the head winds.
Emirates dont offer premium economy on many routes so its most likely economy or business.
If business is not busy they usually offer you an upgrade (cabin only) for about £500 per flight about 4 days before departure.
I would probably see how you do with economy on the way out and then if you wanted to upgrade on the way back you will probably be able to do so just keep checking your email in the days before your flight.
I did MAN>DXB>BKK in economy in November and it was fine. Food was good, they did 3 full drinks services on the outbound which I thought was very generous. Leg room was ok, not great but better than low cost airlines.
However on the return which is next week we have opted to upgrade to business on the DXB>MAN leg. I think thats where the best value will be and as its a night flight hopefully able to sleep and reduce the jet lag a good bit.
HTH
Vietnam... there are 2 ways to play it, direct on Vietnam Air, or Emirates/ Ethiad with a few hours break in UAE. Air Vietnam are a really good airline dont be afraid of using them.
I would take the UAE stop as a slight preference, but this is because I like to have an hour or 2 leg stretch, I would usually just go with the lowest cost option.
Bit Left field option, China Eastern/ Southern are actually good airlines in general and can sometimes be dirt cheap, pre Covid I got a return Saigon for less that £250!! but some of the layovers are horrible. If you have the time and dont mind sitting in an airport for an age they are worth considering, if vastly less than the other options.
Enjoy, Vietnam is an amazing place. If you are going to Hue https://madamthu.com/ is an amazing tourist friendly but very authentic restaurant.
I would take the UAE stop as a slight preference, but this is because I like to have an hour or 2 leg stretch, I would usually just go with the lowest cost option.
Bit Left field option, China Eastern/ Southern are actually good airlines in general and can sometimes be dirt cheap, pre Covid I got a return Saigon for less that £250!! but some of the layovers are horrible. If you have the time and dont mind sitting in an airport for an age they are worth considering, if vastly less than the other options.
Enjoy, Vietnam is an amazing place. If you are going to Hue https://madamthu.com/ is an amazing tourist friendly but very authentic restaurant.
Edited by nikaiyo2 on Monday 15th January 08:49
Did Vietnam Air PE a while ago. Not bad. Not great but not bad.
Eva Air Air known for their Economy quality. I flew PE with them direct to BKK and it was superb.
Don't be afraid, outside of Russia and the Phillapines modern airlines are very safe and just because its a developing country doesn't mean they are less so. They all have to comply with the same safety and maintenance regulations. You'll be safer on internal flights than on a Vietnamese bus :-)
P.s. I've always flown to BKK then Nam due to wanting to go to BKK anyhow. Then cheap Vietjet Air flight into Nam.
If you are claustrophobic avoid Vietjet Air short hops , they cram the seats in !
Unless you are skint I second avoiding cheap Chinese Airlines. s
ttest flight ever China Air long haul. They certainly don't cater for people with normal length legs, for starters. Did the whole flight with a pillow cover on my head to escape it all.
Eva Air Air known for their Economy quality. I flew PE with them direct to BKK and it was superb.
Don't be afraid, outside of Russia and the Phillapines modern airlines are very safe and just because its a developing country doesn't mean they are less so. They all have to comply with the same safety and maintenance regulations. You'll be safer on internal flights than on a Vietnamese bus :-)
P.s. I've always flown to BKK then Nam due to wanting to go to BKK anyhow. Then cheap Vietjet Air flight into Nam.
If you are claustrophobic avoid Vietjet Air short hops , they cram the seats in !
Unless you are skint I second avoiding cheap Chinese Airlines. s
ttest flight ever China Air long haul. They certainly don't cater for people with normal length legs, for starters. Did the whole flight with a pillow cover on my head to escape it all.Edited by Griffith4ever on Monday 15th January 09:15
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