Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32Vietnam Airlines ROUTE & TIME Hong Kong to Hanoi, 90-minutes duration, daily flights. AIRCRAFT Airbus A330, Lotusmiles loyalty scheme ON THE GROUND Hong Kong International Airport is one of the best in the world. Check‑in, security and passport control are seamless on this trip, with minimal waiting time and nothing unexpected. Vietnam Airlines is part of the Skyteam Alliance and members have access to the lounge near Gate 15. Departure gate 520 is on the lower level of terminal one, a short walk from security. LUGGAGE 20kg checked baggage. 7kg carry on. SEAT Economy seat 39k, window, 2–4–2 layout, 31 inches (79 centimetres) seat pitch, 18 inches (46 centimetres) seat width. Standard legroom with a free seat next to me. The cabin is clean without obvious wear and tear. CABIN SERVICE Like many Asian airline staff, the cabin crew on this flight are well presented and all smiles. Service is attentive, if a little perfunctory. AC power but no USB facility for charging phone and laptop direct. ENTERTAINMENT Our seatbacks are fitted with easily navigable touch-screens. There are no movies but on such a short flight TV is adequate. Alongside news and current affairs from Hong Kong, there are some all-time Western favourites such as Flight of the Concords and Downton Abbey. EAT & DRINK Fried rice or cheese pasta is the basic choice for our mid-flight meal, which is served in a plastic-free throwaway cardboard box. After a quick peek at my neighbour’s pasta, I opt for rice. It’s a little heavy on khaki peas, and it contains more shrimp than our oceans can afford to part with, but it’s tasty enough. A separate box has a medley of fresh dragonfruit, watermelon and pineapple, a mini chocolate cupcake and an orange fruit box drink — plenty of sustenance for a short flight. BOTTOM LINE No frills or fuss — but no short cuts either. This is the kind of comfort and service expected from a short-haul flight with mid-range pricing. I arrived in Hanoi feeling very much at ease. This is the way all flights should be, a mutually equitable exchange, like a good handshake. Reviewed by Penny Watson who travelled at her own expense. 160916_AW17_AsiaCruisingSale_GoExploreMag_235x135mm_PRINToutlined.pdf 1 16/09/2016 2:07 PM Flight report