Emirates is putting its Airbus A350 on every one of its Vietnam flights by December 1. That brings Premium Economy to Hanoi for the first time, and doubles A350 service to Ho Chi Minh City starting this Sunday.
Emirates announced the changes from Hanoi on October 28. Once they take effect, all four of its daily flights between Dubai and Vietnam will use the same aircraft and the same three-cabin layout.
The schedule changes
There are two steps.
- From November 1: Emirates adds a second daily A350 flight between Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City. It runs as EK364/365.
- From December 1: both daily Dubai–Hanoi flights, EK394/395 and EK388/389, switch to the A350.
Emirates did not publish departure times in the release. If you already hold a ticket on one of these flight numbers, check your booking for a new seat assignment, since the cabin layout will change.
What the A350 offers
Emirates' A350 seats 298 people in three cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy. There is no First Class on this plane.
Business Class uses a 1-2-1 layout, so every seat has direct aisle access. The seats fold into fully flat beds. Emirates says each one has a personal minibar, wireless charging and a small display area for snacks.
Premium Economy is the bigger news for Hanoi. Emirates describes leather recliners with extra legroom, in-seat charging and a 13.3-inch screen. Amenity kits are handed out on select flights. The airline also pours Chandon Vintage Brut 2017 in this cabin, which it calls exclusive to Emirates worldwide.
In Economy, Emirates says the A350 has a redesigned cabin, extra legroom and 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens running its ice entertainment system.
Why Premium Economy matters on this route
Dubai to Hanoi is a long flight, and most travelers from Vietnam to Europe, Africa or the Americas will connect in Dubai onto a second long flight. A middle cabin gives them a real option between a standard Economy seat and a much pricier Business fare.
Emirates has been rolling Premium Economy out across its network as more A350s and retrofitted aircraft arrive. We covered the same move on its Mauritius flights earlier this month.
One thing Premium Economy does not usually buy you on Emirates is lounge access. Travelers in that cabin should check their fare rules, or plan to rely on status or a lounge membership instead.
Where to wait before your flight
In Dubai, Business Class passengers on Emirates use the airline's own lounges in Terminal 3. They include the Emirates Business Class Lounge (A), the Emirates Business Class Lounge (B) and the Emirates Business Class Lounge (C). All three have bars and many showers, which helps on a long connection.
In Vietnam, the release does not say which lounge Emirates uses. Lounge Frog lists independent options in both international terminals. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Rose Business Lounge in Terminal 2 takes Priority Pass and DragonPass. In Hanoi, the SH Premium Lounge (East Wing) in Terminal 2 accepts Priority Pass, DragonPass and LoungeKey. Confirm with Emirates which lounge is assigned to your flight before you go.
Emirates says tickets are on sale through its website, its app and travel agents. The airline also notes that some Vietnamese travelers may qualify for a UAE visa on arrival if they hold certain residence permits, or US, UK or Schengen visas. Conditions apply, so check before you fly.
For more on the carrier's network and fleet, see our Emirates airline page.
