The last time I took a flight of this length was when I went to Thailand in 2023. That was in everyday economy, except I paid the extra for a bulkhead seat (unnecessarily, it turns out, for the outbound because the lady at check-in took pity on me and switched me to an exit row that was extremely cold).

Anyhoo, today I’m on a 787 Dreamliner in Vietnam Airlines premium economy. Legroom is rather a given, 42” (100cm) pitch and in a 2-3-2 layout. It’s pretty nice, definitely would not have gained much by paying extra for the bulkhead this time. There’s a decent recline and leg rest (that my legs don’t really touch).

First impressions of the 787 (having never flown one before): much quieter than anything I’m used to. The fancy electronic window shade is just that, fancy, but it’s dark outside now anyway.

There’s a slight issue that when both seats in front are fully reclined, the gap to extract myself from the window seat is pretty small thanks to the hefty armrest/AV system storage. That AV system is smooth in operation, but the choice isn’t the best and I didn’t find anything I really want to watch anyway.

Having been parked in 789 economy for the final hop from HCMC to Hanoi, that would have been unbearable for 11 hours. Ultimately though I didn’t get the “premium” experience that it’s sold as.