Marc - Fatcow - Travel the World with me

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 Airline Reviews, Reviews

Review VietJet Air Bangkok – Hanoi – Bangkok

Review VietJet Air Bangkok - Hanoi - Bangkok

Before we start with the Review of VietJet Air we dive a bit into the history of the airline. You can skip right here to the Review of VietJet Air.

Do not confuse this airline with Thai Vietjet Air. This is an associate company of the Vietnamese airline.

VietJet Air was founded in 2007. Due to the global economic crisis of the late 2000s and some regulatory issues, it took till December of 2011 for the official launch and first flight.

Starting with a flight from to Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, the airline expanded to more airports in Vietnam. The first international flight was on the 9th of February 2013 from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok.

At the time of writing, VietJet Air serves 23 domestic and 10 international destinations. To give you an idea on how fast they grew over the last few years I have a few passenger numbers for you: The carrier carried its 10 millionth passenger in December 2014, and the 25 millionth passenger in December 2015!

They have a codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines and Thai Vietjet Air.

VietJet Air Review

This review is from my flight from Bankok to Hanoi and from Hanoi to Bangkok. Travel Dates: November 8th 2018 and December 3rd 2018

Website & Booking Management

Let’s take a look at the website first.
https://www.vietjetair.com (This link brings you to the English version of the website). Keep in mind that I review this airline as Budget Airline. You get a seat and 7 Kg of carry on luggage and that is all that is included in the regular ticket price.
If you want to take extra luggage or a meal you have to pay extra. Sadly even some of the big “Regular Airlines” picked up that stupid idea as well. Some want to charge for carry on luggage as well. What is next??

But let’s go ahead and open that website!

I filled the form on the right with name and dates. You can choose from a few currencies but for this review we use US$. If your travel date is not fixed and you are a bit flexible I recommend that you click the “Find lowest fare” box! You will see why in the next picture.

We selected the 12th to fly but look it is cheaper at the 13th. In this case, it might not be too much to change your mind but sometimes you have 50 or more US $ around your dates and if you have the time – 50 $ are 130 Bia Hoi at the street in Hanoi!!!

Take a look at that!
You can bring 7 Kg of carry on baggage and that is it. But you can at last change the flight, date, and route. So if for any reason you have to fly later or change plans you do not have to trash the ticket. Of course, you have to pay for it. The same goes if you want to sell the ticket to somebody in case you cannot fly at all.
For the rest, you have to pay as well: Seat selection, meal and checked baggage.

This is the cheapest option VietJet Air offers. Still, you can do anything that you can with the Eco Fare as well. The only difference is the change of name.

Travel like a Boss!
With VietJet Air you can! They call it Skyboss and this one is loaded.
If you want to get to this option make sure you do not tick the “Find lowes fare?” box!!
You get 10 Kg carry-on and 30 Kg checked baggage. Can choose a seat and have priority check-in and probably boarding as well.
Nice: VIP Lounge and since they operate from BKK to Vietnam you can go in the lounge there.
No refund – the same with all options.

Booking Summary

Lets choose the Eco fare for this example.
All the happiness is gone after you look over into the yellow field. Even with two flight for only 18.06 US$, the total is already 108.63!

Let us populate the personal information fields so we can get to the next page – the Add Ons.

You do not have to book a seat and pay for it – you will get a seat for sure. But if you like you have the following options:

Premium Seats: 6.70 US$
Front Seat: 4 US$ These seats are like regular seats but you will be out a bit before the passengers that sit in the back of the plane and it is less noisy!
Exit Row Seat: 6.70 US$ More legroom
Standard Seat: 4 US$ Pay for one of those does only make sense if you want to be 100% sure that you sit on the window or aisle or in the middle if you like. Or if you are a group and want/need to sit together or close.

But the 12 A and F have a lot of leg room for example. So let’s take them as well.

Seats and food might not be important but usually, you do bring a bag that you check in.
You get the following options:

15 Kg: 12 US$
20 Kg: 15 US$
25 Kg: 20 US$
30 Kg: 25 US$
35 Kg: 31 US$
40 Kg. 36 US$

We choose 15 Kg and the system will add 2 x 12 US$ to our total.

This brings us to 150 US$ with everything or 128 US$ for the flight with a 15 Kg bag.

All of this is quite standard. Food options are OK but what if you want Vegetarian food? There is only one option as far as I see. That is poor. But we get to this later.

Booking is easy and you clearly see where your money goes. It works and you can pay easy. Of course, it is a Budget Airline and you have to pay for everything extra which is the new normal. But this is not part of the review since we reviewed VietJet Air as Budget Airline.

I give this section 3,7 stars

Web Site and Online Booking

 3.7/5

Check-In & Boarding

Check-In
That is the same old Check-In as with every airline. You get to the airport and find your counter. There you get in line with the other travelers. When it is your turn you give your passport and put your bags on the scale. Do not forget to leave without your luggage receipt!

Boarding
Sometimes it works better and sometimes not. If you ever took a plane out of New Delhi, for example, you might remember that nobody cares about the lady at the desk. She can say “Now we like to invite our 1st Class and Business Class customers to board” as long as she wants. Everybody will run and block the gate as soon as they hear boarding started. Unless I really have an experience I remember the Check-In will not be part of the review.

VietJet Air Seating

The nice girl at the Check-In gave me a free Exit Row Seat! Thank you!!

Plenty of space

VietJet Air Seat

The view a few minutes after takeoff from BKK. As you can see I was sitting in front of the turbine. Which is strange as usually, the exit row in the middle is at the wings. But not so in an Airbus 321 which is fine with me. Look at the next picture – the noise check from the flight Bangkok – Hanoi and the flight back from Hanoi to Bangkok!

This is from my exit row seat in front of the turbine.

And this one is from my flight back from a seat behind the turbine. Quite a difference. So if you can choose – sit in front of the turbine.
Nice extra: Turbulence affects the front of the plane way less so you get this on on top!

Our plane almost ready for boarding

Regular Seat VietJet Air. I am 6’7” or 203 cm tall. I can not move but it is OK since the flight was not long. On the way back the not so nice young lady at the airport wanted 6 US$ extra for the exit row so I skipped it.

My seat was just behind the wings – you can see the shadow.

The lake close to Hoa Binh

If you are small the seating is good – but I am not and this is my review! I can only give 2.5 stars

Seating

 2.5/5

Food & Beverages

This is a Budget Airline and you have to pay for your food and the beverages. If you preorder you get a 20% discount. So if you think you want to eat in the air you better order online. This way you also make sure you get the food you want!

VietJet Air Menue

The only Vegetarian option I found – Vegetarian Congee.

If the food is not included with the ticket it is never cheap. The same goes for the drinks. Compared to Europe the flight is also quite expensive so I was surprised about the prices for International flights. Not a big difference to what you have to pay at budget airlines in Europe. And why is the food more expensive when I fly to Thailand??
Only one vegetarian option is not enough.
On the other hand side, they had 2 different menus on the way to and from Vietnam. So if you eat you do not have the same options which is nice! I give 3 stars for the Food & Beverage options.

Food & Beverages

 3/5

Cabin Crew

Service was friendly and I do not remember anything unpleasant.
But I do not remember anything nice as well. Let’s say they did their job.
I give 3 stars.

Cabin Crew

 3/5

VietJet Air Review
Website and Booking Management	3.7 Star
Seating	2.5 Star
Food & Beverages	3 Star
Cabin Crew	3 Star

VietJet Air Rating:

 3/5

3 Stars look like not a lot but I would fly VietJet Air again if the price is right. The flight from Bangkok to Hanoi is short enough to cope with seating. If you are smaller or let’s say you are in the range of “normal height” and fit you will be happy with this airline.

How was your experience with VietJet Air? Please let me know in the comments below!

October 8, 2018December 14, 2018 Airline Reviews, Reviews

Review Kuwait Airways Economy Class Frankfurt – Bangkok – Frankfurt

Review Kuwait Airways Economy Class Frankfurt – Bangkok

Before we start with the Review of Kuwait Airways we dive a bit into the history of the airline. You can skip right here to the Review of Kuwait Airways.

Kuwait Airways or in Arabic: الخطوط الجوية الكويتية‎, al-Xuṭūṭ al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiyah is the national carrier of Kuwait. Kuwait Airways is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.
In 1953 a group of Kuwaiti businessmen founded Kuwait National Airways. The government took a 50% interest. A five-year management contract was signed with British International Airlines (BIA) a BOAC subsidiary in Kuwait that operated charter flights and provided maintenance services. Operations started finally on the 16th of March in 1954. In July 1955, the name Kuwait Airways was adopted. BIA was taken over by Kuwait Airways in April 1959.
In February of 2017, the Government of Kuwait took over Kuwait Airways.

Original Kuwait Airlines Logo

The Kuwait Airways logo was sketched 1958 from the then acting CEO Harry Pusey. He was inspired by a bird ready to leave a tree branch.

While designing the logo, I had to review the company’s image and develop a new logo and brand identity. Therefore the bird with its beak held high, reflecting my hope that to whichever destinations Kuwait Airlines aircraft may fly, it must always be safe in the sky and there must not be any accidents.

Harry Pusey Tweet

The New Kuwait Airlines Logo

The airline revamped its livery in October 2016.

A new paint scheme on the planes started with the first of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs they took over at Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ Headquarters, in Seattle, USA.

An official launch event for the new design was held at the same time. Kuwait Airways presented new Uniforms and an updated bird logo.

You can see the bird taking off on the back and tail of the new Boeing 777-300ER. The first delivery of the new 777-300ER touched down in Kuwait in December 2016. The total order was 10 planes and the last one was delivered in the Fall of 2017.
Further additions to the fleet will include 15 Airbus A320neo’s and 10 Airbus A350s. Their delivery is scheduled to start in 2019. Once the delivery of the new aircraft is concluded, Kuwait Airways said it will sport the youngest commercial airline fleet in the world.

Review Kuwait Airways Frankfurt – Bangkok – Frankfurt

This review is from my flight from Frankfurt to Kuwait and from Kuwait to Bangkok.

Travel Dates: December 17th 2017 and May 3rd 2018

Website and Booking Management

Let’s take a look at Kuwait Air’s website (https://www.kuwaitairways.com) first. I only review the part that you would use after you book your flight. If you book with the airline or not does of course not matter. You will get your 6 digit Booking Reference or your E-TICKET Number in the confirmation email.

On the website, you will find the tab Manage Booking. From there you click on Manage Booking again. This brings you to a new page where you can book all the extras like Seat Selection, Meal Selection if you require or want a special meal like Vegetarian, Vegan or Halal and many more. You find another button for Special Service. This would be a Wheel Chair.

Now it is time to choose some seats and the meal if you do not want the food options they will have on the flight. In my case, it is a Vegetarian meal without dairy products. Let’s do that:

So far so good. There could be a button on the first tab of the Meal Selection to have the same meal for the trip. But if you like different food it only takes a minute to complete the whole trip.

As you can see – all of the above was free of charge which I do like a lot. Usually, a non-standard meal is free with every airline as long as you do not fly Low-Cost Carriers. But free seat selection – especially the seats with more legroom are long gone on a lot of airlines.
So far this is 5 Star!

 5/5

Baggage and Carry-On Luggage

The baggage allowance on Kuwait Airways:
Royal Class 3 pieces (32kgs each piece) Maximum dimension 300cm / 118inch
First Class 2 pieces (32kgs each piece) Maximum dimension 300cm / 118inch
Business Class 2 pieces (32kgs each piece) Maximum dimension 158cm / 65inch
Economy Class 2 pieces (23kgs each piece) Maximum dimension 158cm / 65inch
Infants on each class 1 (10kgs) not exceeding total dimensions 115 cms or 45 inches.
Maximum dimension: length + width + height

The normal CHECK-IN Bag should be within: Length 90cm / Width 65cm / Height 75cm. Everything bigger is considered cargo and you have to pay extra.

Free Carry-On Baggage
Royal, First, and Business Class 1 piece not to exceed 11 Kgs. One small Laptop Bag
Economy Class One piece not to exceed 7 Kgs. One small Laptop Bag to be placed under the seat in front.
This is 5 Star!

 5/5

Check-In & Boarding

Check-In
That is the same old Check-In as with every airline. You get to the airport and depending on the size of it have to walk, take a bus, the Skytrain or whatever kind of connection they offer between terminals. After that, you go to the counters and get in line with the other travelers. When it is your turn you give your passport and put your bags on the scale. Do not forget to leave without your luggage receipt!

Boarding
Sometimes it works better and sometimes not. If you ever took a plane out of New Delhi you might remember that nobody cares about the lady at the desk. She can say “Now we like to invite our 1st Class and Business Class customers to board” as long as she wants. Everybody will run and block the gate. Unless I really have an experience I remember the Check-In will not be part of the review.

Economy Cabin Seat Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways Boing 777-300ER Economy Class comes with a 3-3-3 seating configuration. 3 seats on the left, 3 seats in the middle and 3 seats on the right side of the plane. Personally, I prefer a 2-5-2 configuration. This way only the passenger in the middle of the plane has to climb over 2 other passengers to get to the toilet or get something out of his bag. Of course only if the plane is full. And if the plane is not full you leave the seats in the middle empty. Or let’s say you are a family traveling with two or three children. What is better than to have them between the parents? Both can attend to them which is not possible if you have 2 children in a 3-3-3 configuration.
The Economy Class Seat has a width of 46cm (18″) and a pitch of 81cm (32-35″)
The Business Class Seat has a width of 56cm (22″) and a pitch/bed length of 193cm (76″)
The First Class Seat has a width of 61cm (24″) and a pitch/bed length of 203cm (80″)

The plane was less than a year old and the seats one of the latest ones on the market. Nothing to complain here.

The same goes for the lavatories.

Lets talk about legroom
I am 203 cm which is something like 6 Feet 7 Inches. Take a look at this picture how much space was left even for me in a standard seat!

I had the Exit Row on three of my 4 flights and one time I could switch from my seat in the first row of the cabin. Less space than the Exit Row but still much better.

Strange – if you fly the plane is relatively quiet compared to other planes. But if you look at the numbers it is quite average.
Anyhow I give 5 Stars for Seating and the cabin!

 5/5

Kuwait Airways Economy Class Meals

I choose the Vegetarian option without Dairy. Many more to choose from and of course they have the regular meals as well.

Nothing to call home about if you ask me. The food was OK but that was it. Kuwait Airways is a Dry Airline so there was no Alcohol to choose. Since I do not mind a Beer to sip while looking at clouds or a glas of Red with my food.
I can only give 3.5 Stars for the food. With alcoholic beverages, it would be 4.5 stars. But I know that this is a dry airline when I book it – still I like to fly with them! And I guess it is healthy for a change 🙂

 3.5/5

Kuwait Airways Economy Class In-Flight Entertainment System

The screen comes with a USB port to charge your device. The seat has another one if you need to charge your Phone and Tablet for example. If you play a game with your seat neighbor you can plug two headphones on the screen.

There are a few hundred movies to choose – plenty of them in English. On top of that TV-Series and Documentaries.

The screen shows you the time you have left till arriving at the airport. If your flight time is shorter than the movie you choose the in-flight system will give you a warning if you still want to see the movie.

I give 5 Stars for the entertainment system.

 5/5

Customer Service

Service does not only mean the service you receive while in the air. It is the service you get while still on the ground as well. This part is about Customer Service on the ground.

Since I book 6-month tickets and I do book them fairly early the flight plan does change sometimes. I had this 2 times with Kuwait. The flight to Kuwait and Bangkok changed one hour back or forth which does not matter. But two times they booked me with a very inconvenient layover time in Kuwait on the way back. From 4 hours or less to 15 hours. I have no clue who does things like that.

Last year I called an agent in Kuwait since I was still in Thailand. That took some time but worked well.

This year I tried to call their service phone in Germany, Switzerland, Kuwait, and the USA. Was lucky in the USA but the connection dropped only a minute before we were done. The next agent could not understand my request and put me back in the loop. REALLY??

In the end, I reached somebody at the airport office of Kuwait Airways in Frankfurt. He gave me the email of the city office. Only hours later my flight was changed back to the same date with the 4 hours layover again. Reaching nobody on the phone in 3 out of 4 countries is not acceptable!

I can only give one star for the Customer Service of Kuwait Airlines

 1/5

Cabin Crew

The cabin crew was always there when I needed them. The flight attendant working my aisle was walking the seats from time to time so there was no need to buzz them.
Service was friendly and I do not remember anything unpleasant.

 4/5

Summary of my Review for Kuwait Airlines

Kuwait Air Review
Website and Booking Management	5 Star
Baggage and Carry-On Luggage	5 Star
Seating	5 Star
Meals	3.5 Star
Entertainment System	5 Star
Customer Service	1 Star
Cabin Crew	4 Star

 4/5

My rating of Kuwait Airlines: 4 Stars

What do you think of Kuwait Airways? Please let me know in the comment section!

Marc

I like to travel and I like to snap pictures! My mother got me a Eurorail ticket when I was 15 and together with 2 friends we adventured into France. This was the beginning of a new addiction. On this site, I want to share some tips and trips with you! Now I am on the road for more than 6 months every year. Visiting old friends and making new friends while exploring this big blue ball. My Blog with a lot of travel pictures: https://hastenteufel.name