Bamboo Airways B787-9 business class

HANOI-LONDON

- Tom Otley

BACKGROUND Bamboo Airways is a private airline that launched in 2017 and has quickly expanded, with domestic flights to 21 out of Vietnam's 22 airports and an increasing roster of international services such as London and Sydney. Its long-haul routes are served with a small fleet of B787 Dreamliners, which were originally intended for Hainan Airways.

The airline launched weekly flights between London Heathrow and Hanoi in March - this is a review of the return flight. The outbound flight review is available on businesstraveller.com, and there are video reviews of both on our YouTube channel.

On October 29, the carrier suspended the Hanoi-London Heathrow route, launching a Hanoi-Gatwick service instead. Ho Chi Minh City-Gatwick flights also launched in December.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS I arrived at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport at midnight for the 0215 departure on QH23, a flight time of 11 hours and 25 minutes. There was a long queue at the economy check-in but, thankfully, the premium queue was much shorter and we were quickly checked in. To get airside you have your passport and boarding card inspected at check-in, just before security, and then again just after security, though there were only a few passengers around at this time so it didn't take long. Shoes and watches have to be removed for security.

LOUNGE Business class passengers have access to the Song Hong lounge, which is shared with many airlines but is a good size and wasn't full during my visit. It had a range of hot and cold food, soft drinks and alcohol including spirits and wine.

BOARDING It was a long walk out to Gate 36, even with automatic walkways, and once we got there boarding had already started (this was around 0130). Once on board, I was guided to my seat and my jacket was taken and hung in the forward wardrobe.