Vietnam Airlines
 

Any recent experiences with Vietnam Airlines, SFO to Hanoi? Any comparisons to United? And is Singapore a superior experience in Coach (not Business)?
Thanks for your comments.

Vietnam Airlines do not fly to the US. The flight you see is most likely the codeshare on China Airlines. You fly CI SFO-TPE, then VN TPE-HAN.

Long haul, I've used SIA only in business.

But on short-haul flights, their economy service has been extraordinary. Really good (Chinese) food that tasted as if a cook had been involved and was in phenomenal quantities. Sensible attitude to booze. Extraordinarily helpful ground staff at Changi.

Personally, I'm no fan of their flight staff, who always strike me as a bunch of Stepford wives. But they're attitde-free, reasonably personable, and helpful in economy. Every time.

Anglo-Saxon airlines can have jollier staff - but hit them on a bad day and they can (sorry. Will) make your life hell. SIA staff just keep on being just fine.

SQ definitely provides a better experience than UA. You'll probably fly SFO-HKG. While both use 744, UA doesn't have personal video screens. And UA's 744 interior really look tired. And food is also better on SQ.

But of course, there's the price difference; and most SQ discount fares don't earn UA Mileage Plus miles. And if you're UA Premiere, you'll get more legroom in the E+ seats.

I have flown plenty of times SQ in coach and I find them great and good value, I enjoy the great seatback entertainment and food is quite good.