REVIEW: BAMBOO AIRWAYS, LONDON HEATHROW TO HANOI
(business class)
Check us in
Despite an extremely busy airport, we skipped the snaking queue and headed straight to the business class desk where we were checked in swiftly. Luggage allowances on Bamboo AIrways are generous in business, with 45kgs of hold and 10kgs of hand luggage for adults and children over two. Our bags were tagged ‘priority’ to come off first on arrival; we were also able to use Fast Track to go through security (it all helps).
Lounging around
Bamboo Airways passengers in business or first can use the One Lounge which has a quiet zone, large bar, hot desking for business travellers, loos, showers and a spa for pre-take-off massages. Despite it being a Sunday morning, the lounge was super busy on our arrival with queues to enter and get a drink from the bar. Staff shortages meant that the spa wasn’t open. We managed to grab a quick English breakfast from a hot buffet station and a glass of Prosecco from the bar before heading to our gate. A dedicated Bamboo Airways lounge is – we are told - set to open when the airline moves to Gatwick Airport. Having used several internal Bamboo Airways lounges on our trip (pictured above), we can highly recommend them.
Tell us about the aircraft
We flew on a 787-9 Boeing Dreamliner with mood lighting that changes to reflect the time of day on arrival – helpful for kids who can’t regulate sleep patterns with time differences. Our plane had two sections: business class and economy. Business consisted of 10 rows of 46” lie-flat beds in a 1x2x1 configuration; we saw young children sharing this space with an adult to prevent them feeling abandoned (they are large). There’s plenty of storage space under the seat in front of you (kick off your shoes and pop on the slippers provided) and in your arm rest; hang your coat on the hook provided. We were handed a leather zip-up Bamboo Airways amenity kit containing a toothbrush/paste, socks, foldable hairbrush/ comb, mouthwash and an eye mask, as well as a pair of headphones. The USB port for phone charging is behind you. Seats move down at the touch of a button to create a completely lie-flat seat for sleeping – use the velvety thick blanket and pillow to help you drift off.
Keep us entertained
Flatscreen 18” TVs show a limited choice of movies (30), TV series’ (four), documentaries and music; track your flight with the flight path information. There are a few options for younger and older children but not sufficient to keep them occupied on an 11-hour flight. There’s an inflight magazine for adults with a section in English, too; the rest is in Vietnamese. I’d recommend bringing things to keep children of all ages entertained – from toys and rattles for babies to devices with pre-downloaded TV programmes and movies for older children and tweens (there was no wi-fi on our particular aircraft).
Feed us
We were offered a choic,e of green juice, orange juice or water as soon as we boarded; a glass of fizz never goes amiss when you’re travelling business class. Dinner was a white tablecloth, silver cutlery affair with selections made from a menu on an iPad beforehand. Our appetizer of potato cubes with mustard mayo, starter of chicken and fennel salad, and main course of grilled salmon with cous-cous and a lemon dressing was delicious. We washed this down with a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. A dessert trolley then came down the aisle with a selection of mini desserts and cheeses to choose from. Baby food needs to be booked 24 hours in advance; meals for children differ according to the route but they can generally tuck into soft rolls, slices of cake, noodles and fruit juices.
Verdict
There’s an on-going debate about children travelling in business class but those airlines that allow it need to do all they can to make their journey go smoothly (or risk disturbing other passengers). Mini amenity kits and slippers, smaller headphones, dedicated children’s menus, an abundance of snacks, a few colouring books and more TV options would help enormously. Wi-fi would have helped my daughter stay occupied via YouTube, too - but I’m sure this will come. Having a lie-flat bed on a long-haul flight is a dream, however; the aircraft is brand spanking new, the staff were fabulous, and our dinner was noteworthy. Just a few things to tweak and Bamboo Airways will be flying high.