For those who don't know Skytrax awards are basically purchased. Basically you contract them for "consulting" and poof you get a star. Pay for enough "consulting" and you win best in class. This is well documented at this point.
I was already done with Vietravel Airlines after your check-in experience! What a shambolic process you had to endure and the 1hr wait would already have rattled me so much 🤬 Especially having flown Vietjet now myself, I don’t know what on earth the point of this airline is, when Vietjet does everything so efficient, have so many destinations, many different service options and are reliable. Oh well, I guess it won’t take long until they put themself out of business with this kind of service. Thank you for another great review Kevin 🙏🏼
Exactly this. I’ve been flying VJ almost since they were established and never understood the amount of hate they get. For what they are, they’re pretty damn good!
Up to your usual totally honest review. It must have cost them so much ❤to achieve the award that they can no longer afford another thing other than water. Keep up the good work, Kevin 😊😊
Thank you for your review. I flew Vietnam Airlines in December 2022 from Da Nang to Incheon. I thought that was a horrific experience. This is a new low.
Just rode Vietravel from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. 1.) They cancelled my flight 2 days before and moved me to the next days flight. 2.) They also asked me to sign the limited liability release 3.) They seem to use our flight as a promotional video/ad or something, with one female vietnamese being "served" by the FA and a some photographers taking videos/photos.
Based on my experience, Viatravel went all out in 2022, bagged all the awards... then decided to cut back in major ways. When I used them from Hanoi to Da Nang the Check - In had the shortest line at the airport and they provided a bag of mixed nuts as a snack... not much but for the same price as Vietjet it was a "deal" back then
Years ago I used to go to BKK and check-in online before arriving to BKK airport on my return on Thai Airways. There was always a long line for the regular check-in and one check-in for internet check-ins. People would sometimes think I had jumped the queue, because I would just rock on up to the empty kiosk and get my bags checked in immediately and was given a paper boarding pass.
Thanks for sharing this random airline. Regarding 4:43 I think it's not marked as limited release. It should have a check mark in the square to have it marked as limited release as far as I know. With LH and KLM it shows the same
08:52, lovely A320 by Lao Airlines... You should come to Laos, but preferably to Luangprabang. Lao Airlines flies their ATR72 to LPQ, however you are better off with Bangkok Airways and their A320 or, for a fraction of the price, Air Asia from DMK.
They are ridiculous in their service and IMHO you were too linient with your scoring. The laughable policy on your luggage and their facist decision to mark it in this manner even without your consent is outrageous. The only highlight of the flight was the breathtaking approach to the destination. Safe travels.
But did your bag arrive safely though? It flipped my radar when they forced everyone to sign the limited liability release and I was thinking that they routinely damage/lose bags.
I cant get enough of your content. Honest review with a hint of sarcasm keeps me watching till the end. I wonder if you will get into the banned list like another travel content creator recently and find the one day you might not be welcomed at an IHG hotel ....😅
Gosh Kevin the adventures you go through! Thank you for posting this as it helps travelers like me to be aware of such terrible experiences and airlines. Random question. Is the BKK airport Suvarnabhum or SuvarnabhumI? I always assumed later (given its similarity to the word in Sanskrit and Hindi) but I could be wrong.
Very weird with this limited release procedure. Don't think it's valid without your signature. As always keep up with the good work and thank you for the informative review!
I never believe star ratings as I've found the same airline being great outbound and terrible on the return flight. The ground crew at check are the first to set the tone of the experience, if they try to force rules that don't apply, and I've had from British Airways so it's not just the small guys. Really a padlock means the zip is broken, I thought it meant security from anyone tampering with it. I live under the flight past for SGN and have never heard of Vietravel, nor my Vietnamese wife who travels about 8 times per year. I have friends come by for sundowner beers on my roof garden and never has a Vietravel aircraft been spotted and remarked on. Must check out landing times and put a special watch out for them. Thanks for posting and stay safe. Thumbs up.
I was on Vietravel on 30th August from SGN-BKK and I will not use them again. Couldn't believe that they fly straight through cumulonimbus cloud while other airlines avoid it at all cost. also my baggage came very late. 40 mins after the arrival.
We were in that same line, too. I told my companion to watch our luggage, and i found out Singapore Airlines' bag drop had very few people in line and was not part of that Vietnam airline. How pissed would i have been to wait in a line i wasn't meant to be in😂
I’m totally planning to do the same thing on my next trip to Bangkok from Saigon, “just to experience the new airlines lol” But so glad I see this videos now, Sgn airport itself is already boring enough, cannot stand any other delay for more than an hour lol
Not just Viettravel....I recently flew a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines called Pacific Airlines from HCM to Phu Quoc. The pilot landing that morning hit the runway at Phu Quoc so hard I am surprised the landing gear didn't collapse.
I flew in January 2024 from Hanoi to BKK using VietTravel. I wasn't asked to sign a waiver. Your experience sounds like a knee jerk reaction by a middle manager in BKK, that was thankfully overruled by someone higher up.
Haha The Amazing Race used to be my favorite show like… 15 years ago. As soon as they started a new season and coordinated the flight FOR the contestants, I checked out. At that point may as well be The Amazing Race to the Airport 😂
The limited liability release issue gives me the feeling that the airline is trying to cheat their way out of their responsibility to handle luggage with care. Certainly taking advantage of, as you mentioned, the considerable portion of their clientle who are first time/infrequent travellers. The lengths they are willing to go, insulting passengers for having padlocks on a seemingly well-packed bag, is a very big turnoff
I had THE worst experience recently on my first ( and hopefully only ) flight with Air Asia , from Manila tom Cebu , seemed easy , but it was delay after delay for " all " thier flights , and they kept changing the gate also , luggage issues also, very incompetent ....I had Air Asia for my return flght to Manila also, the day before my departure I received email from Air Asia stating "8"hour delay for my return flight , I immediately got online and booked a flight with Cebu Philippines airlines and had zero issues ....
To be fair, that's Air Asia Philippines which is known to be the... let's say least reliable of the portfolio of airlines, which are all run separately. Air Asia Malaysia is a well oiled machine.
That is very very (very) far from the truth. Last year Bangkok had over 22m visitors, more than any other city. Hong Kong didn't come close to the top 10.
They’re less than half the size they were meant to be by now. I think we’ve passed the growing pains phase and have already hit the “cut costs because capital is running low” phase…
I think that's all can they be ranked to top 5 Airlines when they scam there customers I don't think Skytrax actually gave them the award the liers are not very good at it at all
Generally the lightest quality non-zip bags are at least 5kg. I fly a lot of low cost airlines and try to check in bags as little as possible- so for my longer trips, a lighter zip bag is a must. I have one non-zip bag which is nice for short leisure trips.
Worst airline ever They cancelled the ticket right 1 day before the plan, and even sent the message at late night. -> I tried to contact to the service, but no one get & calls more than 3 hours, and i gave up. -> I complained in the airport, and the staffs are never say sorry, and they keep telling the price will be refunded with no any offer. -> They don't refunded for many days and i sent the email, and they replied that wait until 15 business days -> Even 22 business days passed but they still not refunded the ticket they cancelled. This airline is horrible and so stupid management. They don't care about the customer or take care the complaints which caused by their faults. I hate Vietjet with similar issue, and i tried this airline, and they doing the same shits. Trust me, its worth to use Vietnam airline with pay more money.
Just. Come home from saigon Vietnam Air line,going. Out was. Fine. The. Return. Was. Terrible. Premium economy BIG. WAST OF. MONIE , THE. stewards ,men &. Women . Let the economy passengers. Walk through the isle to the use the toilet. Seat. Was broken. Food was burnt. Dry , Stay. Well. Away ,
For those who don't know Skytrax awards are basically purchased. Basically you contract them for "consulting" and poof you get a star. Pay for enough "consulting" and you win best in class. This is well documented at this point.
Lufthansa being the 5 star poster child lol.
@@tfft oh yes lol
@@tfft☠️☠️☠️
Ask yourself why it's also named scamtrax😂
Houston IAH being the poster child as airports goes. Absolutely abysmal for a developed-world airport, yet...Skytrax loves them.
I was already done with Vietravel Airlines after your check-in experience! What a shambolic process you had to endure and the 1hr wait would already have rattled me so much 🤬 Especially having flown Vietjet now myself, I don’t know what on earth the point of this airline is, when Vietjet does everything so efficient, have so many destinations, many different service options and are reliable. Oh well, I guess it won’t take long until they put themself out of business with this kind of service. Thank you for another great review Kevin 🙏🏼
Exactly this. I’ve been flying VJ almost since they were established and never understood the amount of hate they get. For what they are, they’re pretty damn good!
I LOVE your channel. I love the fact that it focuses on the flights themselves instead of the person 😊
Yes I promise I’m not nearly as interesting as a crappy new airline 😂
Up to your usual totally honest review. It must have cost them so much ❤to achieve the award that they can no longer afford another thing other than water. Keep up the good work, Kevin 😊😊
Yes it seems they’re following the Philippine Airlines model for awards haha.
Thank you for your review. I flew Vietnam Airlines in December 2022 from Da Nang to Incheon. I thought that was a horrific experience. This is a new low.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Thanks!
Thanks very much for the support ❤️
Just rode Vietravel from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
1.) They cancelled my flight 2 days before and moved me to the next days flight.
2.) They also asked me to sign the limited liability release
3.) They seem to use our flight as a promotional video/ad or something, with one female vietnamese being "served" by the FA and a some photographers taking videos/photos.
Sounds about right lol.
Based on my experience, Viatravel went all out in 2022, bagged all the awards... then decided to cut back in major ways. When I used them from Hanoi to Da Nang the Check - In had the shortest line at the airport and they provided a bag of mixed nuts as a snack... not much but for the same price as Vietjet it was a "deal" back then
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Years ago I used to go to BKK and check-in online before arriving to BKK airport on my return on Thai Airways. There was always a long line for the regular check-in and one check-in for internet check-ins. People would sometimes think I had jumped the queue, because I would just rock on up to the empty kiosk and get my bags checked in immediately and was given a paper boarding pass.
Yes, but not all airlines have online checkin :)
seems like somebody at Vietravel had a cousin at Skytrax
Everyone has a cousin at Skytrax! Haha
Thanks for sharing this random airline. Regarding 4:43 I think it's not marked as limited release. It should have a check mark in the square to have it marked as limited release as far as I know. With LH and KLM it shows the same
Once the pax signs it, then can check any box they please…
The forcing singing the limited release thing also happened to me before when flying with Air Asia Indonesia dan Garuda Indonesia.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
08:52, lovely A320 by Lao Airlines... You should come to Laos, but preferably to Luangprabang. Lao Airlines flies their ATR72 to LPQ, however you are better off with Bangkok Airways and their A320 or, for a fraction of the price, Air Asia from DMK.
Would love to try Lao!
They are ridiculous in their service and IMHO you were too linient with your scoring. The laughable policy on your luggage and their facist decision to mark it in this manner even without your consent is outrageous. The only highlight of the flight was the breathtaking approach to the destination. Safe travels.
Gotta try to keep the score fair and relative! Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks for watching 🩴
Always up with an honest content!!
Trying!
It’s the best.. we always look for your reviews before booking any hotels
What a nightmare!thanks for taking one… for the team😉😉😉
My pleasure 😅
Tried that Freebird airline already flying to / from SGN?
That is a leased aircraft for Vietjet.
Those are 4 leased aircraft by Vietjet for Tết.
But did your bag arrive safely though? It flipped my radar when they forced everyone to sign the limited liability release and I was thinking that they routinely damage/lose bags.
Yes, it did.
Im going to guess, that weird flight route was for scenic purposes? Since its a travel agency. Good to know what airline to avoid now.
Aaaaaah maybe THAT was the story!
I cant get enough of your content. Honest review with a hint of sarcasm keeps me watching till the end. I wonder if you will get into the banned list like another travel content creator recently and find the one day you might not be welcomed at an IHG hotel ....😅
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Gosh Kevin the adventures you go through! Thank you for posting this as it helps travelers like me to be aware of such terrible experiences and airlines.
Random question. Is the BKK airport Suvarnabhum or SuvarnabhumI? I always assumed later (given its similarity to the word in Sanskrit and Hindi) but I could be wrong.
Spelled Suvarnabhumi, pronounced su-wana-phum. Thanks for watching 🩴
Great video, one airline to avoid. last time I flew into Saigon was a weird approach.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Very weird with this limited release procedure.
Don't think it's valid without your signature.
As always keep up with the good work and thank you for the informative review!
Appreciate that!
Oh dear. Flying with them from da nang to Hanoi next month. Fingers crossed. 😂
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
How was it?
@gbrown9694 how was your experience?
I appreciated the Mekong Delta video!
Glad you enjoyed!
I never believe star ratings as I've found the same airline being great outbound and terrible on the return flight. The ground crew at check are the first to set the tone of the experience, if they try to force rules that don't apply, and I've had from British Airways so it's not just the small guys. Really a padlock means the zip is broken, I thought it meant security from anyone tampering with it.
I live under the flight past for SGN and have never heard of Vietravel, nor my Vietnamese wife who travels about 8 times per year. I have friends come by for sundowner beers on my roof garden and never has a Vietravel aircraft been spotted and remarked on. Must check out landing times and put a special watch out for them. Thanks for posting and stay safe. Thumbs up.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I was on Vietravel on 30th August from SGN-BKK and I will not use them again. Couldn't believe that they fly straight through cumulonimbus cloud while other airlines avoid it at all cost. also my baggage came very late. 40 mins after the arrival.
I fly through cumulonimbus clouds many times a year. It's not always up to the crew if the risk isn't deemed high.
I'm Vietnamese and I never choose Viettravel. I always choose Vietnam airline, vietjet or bamboo. How on earth can they earn skytrax award 😂
🤷🏼♂️
Me and my wife flew to Da Nang using Viettravel. It was alright since it's a small airline.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
We were in that same line, too. I told my companion to watch our luggage, and i found out Singapore Airlines' bag drop had very few people in line and was not part of that Vietnam airline. How pissed would i have been to wait in a line i wasn't meant to be in😂
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Yes. Mildly entertaining for sure!
Appreciate that!
I’m totally planning to do the same thing on my next trip to Bangkok from Saigon, “just to experience the new airlines lol”
But so glad I see this videos now, Sgn airport itself is already boring enough, cannot stand any other delay for more than an hour lol
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Not just Viettravel....I recently flew a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines called Pacific Airlines from HCM to Phu Quoc. The pilot landing that morning hit the runway at Phu Quoc so hard I am surprised the landing gear didn't collapse.
Yup, Pacific has been around for many many years. Likely not the pilots fault for a harder than normal landing though. Thanks for watching 🩴
I flew in January 2024 from Hanoi to BKK using VietTravel. I wasn't asked to sign a waiver. Your experience sounds like a knee jerk reaction by a middle manager in BKK, that was thankfully overruled by someone higher up.
Could be- a couple other comments mentioned the same thing though.
Always entertaining... Rarely mild.
I don’t know why this comment first made me read it as a tagline for a live music taco stand 😂
i remember watching the recent season of the Amazing Race that the first three teams were at the tail due to their flight riding viettravel.
Haha The Amazing Race used to be my favorite show like… 15 years ago. As soon as they started a new season and coordinated the flight FOR the contestants, I checked out. At that point may as well be The Amazing Race to the Airport 😂
0:55 it’s B500 + toll around B100.
Not with promos, which there are always many lol.
The limited liability release issue gives me the feeling that the airline is trying to cheat their way out of their responsibility to handle luggage with care. Certainly taking advantage of, as you mentioned, the considerable portion of their clientle who are first time/infrequent travellers. The lengths they are willing to go, insulting passengers for having padlocks on a seemingly well-packed bag, is a very big turnoff
Thanks for watching 🩴
I had THE worst experience recently on my first ( and hopefully only ) flight with Air Asia , from Manila tom Cebu , seemed easy , but it was delay after delay for " all " thier flights , and they kept changing the gate also , luggage issues also, very incompetent ....I had Air Asia for my return flght to Manila also, the day before my departure I received email from Air Asia stating "8"hour delay for my return flight , I immediately got online and booked a flight with Cebu Philippines airlines and had zero issues ....
To be fair, that's Air Asia Philippines which is known to be the... let's say least reliable of the portfolio of airlines, which are all run separately. Air Asia Malaysia is a well oiled machine.
Thank You ✈️
Thanks for watching 🩴
7:18 woww, inflight story teller😮 If that so, I want a massage service
You’ll need to get on a VS flight back to the 90s 😅
I do sort of miss, "Am I expert? You decide." 🙂
Think of it this way, a year from now, you’ll miss “I’ll let the rest speak for itself…” 😅
I’m not dismissing the swimming option right off the bat…….
Walking too...
Swimming 😂😂😂 thanks Kevin
lol no prob :)
The fact one of only 2 plus points is that you arrived alive is telling ........
I try to give them credit!
Super long lines when check in by the problem tour group
No it wasn't lol
Bangkok used to be the most visited city in the world. Hong Kong took the lead though.
That is very very (very) far from the truth. Last year Bangkok had over 22m visitors, more than any other city. Hong Kong didn't come close to the top 10.
@@tfft where did you get the data? As I found Hong Kong is the most visited city in the world in 2023 with 26.6 million international visitors.
Just a matter of time before they shut down
I give it 18 months.
Their prices seem no better than Vietnam air!?
Depends on the route, of course.
How does an airline like this earn any awards LMAO 😅
💸💸💸
Ewww sounds like a scam of an airline. Thanks for the heads up… PS. Very surprised about a higher than expected score TBH
Gotta keep the scores in perspective!
You have less knee room in SIA due to the entertainment box under the seat
Last I checked my knees aren’t under the seat 🙃
Well skytrax has been really bad with their rating recently so no surprise here haha😂
Recently = Since they began? Lol
I tried to rub my phone screen off not realising that the airplane body was so grubby . Should be called grubbyair
Ooh or "GRUBAIR"... say it with a French accent and it sounds fancy!
seems like a very nice airline.
Thanks for watching 🩴
A score of 69 seems exceedingly generous. Did Skytrax pass you some cash? 🤣
Keep in mind it's a $70 flight on a low cost carrier. They did actually fly me to my destination lol.
Vietnam airline is much better served.
Thanks for watching 🩴
S-C-A-M-T-R-A-C-K strikes again! lol
Well at least you’re not bitter lol
I will swim hahahaha
Best to keep fit! lol
I feel that you're griping about relatively small things. They got you thete safely at a very low price.
If I signed the baggage waiver and then my bag was damaged, I’d be SOL. Trying to scam pax is not a small thing.
I can honestly say it’s a fairly new operation with standard growing pains, give it another year or 2.
They’re less than half the size they were meant to be by now. I think we’ve passed the growing pains phase and have already hit the “cut costs because capital is running low” phase…
@@tfft then they’re going to be the Thomas Cook of Asia
They sound like a complete mess! I must try to remember to avoid them ... if only I can remember which "Viet" I should be avoiding!
The one that only flies to 6 places lol
I think that's all can they be ranked to top 5 Airlines when they scam there customers I don't think Skytrax actually gave them the award the liers are not very good at it at all
You’re assuming Skytrax is an actual award and now a scam itself lol.
With your line of job reviewing airlines, you will be in and out of airports quite frequently. Why not invest in a quality non zipper luggage.
Generally the lightest quality non-zip bags are at least 5kg. I fly a lot of low cost airlines and try to check in bags as little as possible- so for my longer trips, a lighter zip bag is a must. I have one non-zip bag which is nice for short leisure trips.
The best vnmese airline is Bamboo Airlines
Weird thing to say about an airline that has stopped all flights.
They only suspended international operations.
Underwhelming really doesn’t do it justice - just blah
The airline, I hope 😂
Worst airline ever
They cancelled the ticket right 1 day before the plan, and even sent the message at late night.
-> I tried to contact to the service, but no one get & calls more than 3 hours, and i gave up.
-> I complained in the airport, and the staffs are never say sorry, and they keep telling the price will be refunded with no any offer.
-> They don't refunded for many days and i sent the email, and they replied that wait until 15 business days
-> Even 22 business days passed but they still not refunded the ticket they cancelled.
This airline is horrible and so stupid management. They don't care about the customer or take care the complaints which caused by their faults.
I hate Vietjet with similar issue, and i tried this airline, and they doing the same shits.
Trust me, its worth to use Vietnam airline with pay more money.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I only fly premium
Well aren't you special lol
Just. Come home from saigon Vietnam Air line,going. Out was. Fine. The. Return. Was. Terrible. Premium economy BIG. WAST OF. MONIE , THE. stewards ,men &. Women . Let the economy passengers. Walk through the isle to the use the toilet. Seat. Was broken. Food was burnt. Dry , Stay. Well. Away ,
Sounds like you got the version of Premium Economy which is just economy seats with extra legroom.
Lucky, you are still alive. At least, the airplane didn’t drop from the sky. I don’t trust anything came from Việt Nam!
U landed 25R VVTS
Woops
@@tfft slightly pedantic on my part there 😅