Vietnam Airlines operates Airbus A350-900s on long-haul routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo and Seoul. The A350 fleet has two different Business Class products and two Premium Economy layouts, which makes seat selection especially important.
This guide covers:
- A350-900 Type 1 - Stelia Solstys staggered 1-2-1 Business, 3-3-3 Premium Economy
- A350-900 Type 2 - Safran Cirrus III reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 Business, 2-4-2 Premium Economy
We'll show you how to identify your A350 version and pick the best seats in Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
A350-900 Cabin Layout Overview
Cabin Layout Summary
| Cabin |
A350 Version |
Layout |
Seat Count |
Key Features |
| Business (Type 1) | A350-900 Type 1 | 1-2-1 staggered | 29 | Stelia Solstys; all aisle access; older Business product |
| Business (Type 2) | A350-900 Type 2 | 1-2-1 herringbone | 29 | Safran Cirrus III; reverse-herringbone angled to window; newer seat |
| Premium Economy (Type 1) | A350-900 Type 1 | 3-3-3 | 45 | Rows 20-24; same width as Economy, more pitch |
| Premium Economy (Type 2) | A350-900 Type 2 | 2-4-2 | 36 | Rows 20-23; window pairs with just two seats each |
| Economy | A350-900 | 3-3-3 | 231-240 | 31-32" pitch; two Economy cabin sections |
Configurations:
- A350 Type 1: 29J / 45W / 231Y
- A350 Type 2: 29J / 36W / 240Y
How to Identify Your A350 Configuration
Your seat map is the easiest way to see which A350 you're on.
Version Clues on the Seat Map
| Version |
Clues on Seat Map |
Typical Notes |
| A350-900 Type 1 | Premium Economy shows 45 seats in 3-3-3 (rows 20-24) | First A350s delivered; older Business and PE product |
| A350-900 Type 2 | Premium Economy shows 36 seats in 2-4-2 (rows 20-23) | VN-A890 onwards; majority of current A350 long-haul flights |
If you have a choice, prioritise:
A350-900 Type 2 > A350-900 Type 1
Business Class - A350-900 Type 1 (Stelia Solstys)
Layout & Key Features
- 29 seats in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration
- Forward-facing seats alternate between window-closer and aisle-closer positions
- All seats have direct aisle access
- Fully-flat beds with decent storage
- Odd rows (1, 3, 5, 7): window seats closer to window
- Even rows (2, 4, 6): window seats closer to aisle
Best Business Seats - A350 Type 1
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Most private solo | 2A, 4A, 6A, 2K, 4K, 6K | Even-row window seats positioned closer to the window with more separation from the aisle |
| Best for couples | 3D-G, 5D-G | Odd-row centre pairs sit closer together; divider can be lowered |
| Quietest | 4A, 4K, 5A, 5K | Mid-cabin rows away from forward galley (row 1) and rear galley before Premium Economy |
| Quick service | 1A, 1K | First row served first; window privacy maintained |
Business Seats to Avoid - A350 Type 1
| Category |
Seats |
Why |
| Front row centre | 1D, 1G | Adjacent to forward galley; crew activity and light throughout flight |
| Last row | 7A, 7D, 7G, 7K | Closest to galley and lavatory cluster before Premium Economy |
Business Class - A350-900 Type 2 (Safran Cirrus III)
Layout & Key Features
- 29 seats in reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 configuration
- All seats angle toward the window with direct aisle access
- Industry-standard product found on Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and others
- Widely considered the better A350 Business product
- Even-row window seats (2A, 4A, 6A, 2K, 4K, 6K) are "true window" positions with maximum privacy
Best Business Seats - A350 Type 2
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Most private solo | 2A, 4A, 6A, 2K, 4K, 6K | Even-row window seats in herringbone are "true window" positions with wrap-around shell |
| Best for couples | 3D-G, 5D-G | Centre pairs can lower the divider for conversation and dining together |
| Quietest | 3A, 3K, 4A, 4K, 5A, 5K | Mid-cabin away from both galleys |
| Mini-cabin feel | 6A, 6K, 7A, 7K | Rear rows have fewer passengers ahead; quieter during boarding and cruise |
Business Seats to Avoid - A350 Type 2
| Category |
Seats |
Why |
| Front row | 1A, 1D, 1G, 1K | Galley proximity with crew movement and light; bassinet positions at 1D and 1G |
| Last row centre | 7D, 7G | Adjacent to rear galley; more disturbance from service prep |
Premium Economy - A350-900
Premium Economy is available on both A350 versions, but the layout makes a big difference.
Premium Economy - A350 Type 1 (3-3-3)
- 45 seats in rows 20-24 in 3-3-3 configuration
- Same seat width as Economy but with increased pitch and recline
- Passengers report this cabin feels similar to Economy - less differentiation than Type 2
- Middle seats (B, E, F, J) have no window or aisle access
Best Premium Economy Seats - A350 Type 1
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Best for couples | 20A-B, 20J-K | Front row window pairs; first served and extra floor space at bulkhead |
| Best for solo | 20A, 20K, 21A, 21K | Window seats in forward rows; wall to lean against and early service |
| Quietest | 21A, 21K, 22A, 22K | Away from bulkhead activity and last-row proximity to Economy |
Premium Economy Seats to Avoid - A350 Type 1
| Category |
Seats |
Why |
| Middle of middle | Any E or F seat | No window, no aisle - trapped in centre of 3-3-3 |
| Last row | 24A-K all seats | Limited recline; directly in front of Economy cabin |
| Bassinet bulkhead | 20D, 20E, 20F | Bassinet positions mean higher likelihood of infants |
Premium Economy - A350 Type 2 (2-4-2)
- 36 seats in rows 20-23 in 2-4-2 configuration
- Window pairs (A-C and H-K) have only 2 seats - significant advantage over centre block
- This is the better Premium Economy layout and worth seeking out
Best Premium Economy Seats - A350 Type 2
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Best for couples | 20A-C, 20H-K | Bulkhead window pairs with extra legroom; only one neighbour each |
| Best for solo | 21A, 22A, 21K, 22K | Window in two-seat section - maximum privacy in Premium Economy |
| Quietest | 21A-C, 22A-C, 21H-K, 22H-K | Window pairs away from bulkhead activity and last-row noise |
Premium Economy Seats to Avoid - A350 Type 2
| Category |
Seats |
Why |
| Centre block | 20D-G, 21D-G, 22D-G, 23D-G | Four seats across means middle passengers (E-F) are completely trapped |
| Last row | 23A-K all seats | Limited recline; proximity to Economy cabin behind |
| Bassinet bulkhead | 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G | Bassinet positions; higher likelihood of infants |
Economy Class - A350-900
Layout & Comfort Basics
- A350: 231-240 seats in 3-3-3 across two cabin sections
- Seat width approximately 17-18", pitch 31-32"
- A350 cabin is slightly wider and quieter than the 787
Best Economy Seats - A350
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Exit row legroom | 31A, 31B, 31C, 31H, 31J, 31K | Emergency exit with significantly more pitch; fixed armrests; may not recline |
| Bulkhead legroom | 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E, 25F, 25H, 25J, 25K | First Economy row with extra knee room; tray table in armrest |
| Forward cabin quiet | 26A, 26K, 27A, 27K, 28A, 28K | Window seats in forward Economy; less foot traffic; served earlier |
| Best windows | Any A or K seat rows 26-35 | A350 windows larger than 787; good alignment in forward Economy section |
Economy Seats to Avoid - A350
| Category |
Seats |
Why |
| Last rows | Final 3 rows of each section | Limited or no recline; lavatory queue noise and odours |
| Lavatory-adjacent | 30D, 30E, 30F | Directly beside mid-cabin lavatories with door noise |
| Middle of middle | Any E or F seat | No window, no aisle - worst position in 3-3-3 |
Known A350 Quirks & Cabin Notes
| Quirk / Note |
Details |
| Type 2 identification | Aircraft VN-A890 and later typically have Type 2 with Cirrus III Business and 2-4-2 Premium Economy; check seat map to confirm. |
| Premium Economy value | On Type 2 (2-4-2), Premium Economy offers a meaningful upgrade. On Type 1 (3-3-3), the difference from Economy is modest. |
| A350 vs 787 comfort | A350 is wider and quieter; if you can choose between A350 and 787-9, pick the A350 for Economy comfort. |
| WiFi | Available on most long-haul A350s; packages vary by duration and data. |
Best A350 Seats Overall - Quick Reference
| Cabin / Version |
Best Seats |
| Business - A350 Type 1 | Solo: 2A, 4A, 6A, 2K, 4K, 6K; Couples: 3D-G, 5D-G |
| Business - A350 Type 2 | Solo: 2A, 4A, 6A, 2K, 4K, 6K; Couples: 3D-G, 5D-G |
| Premium Economy Type 2 | 20A-C, 20H-K for bulkhead legroom; 21A, 21K for solo privacy |
| Premium Economy Type 1 | 20A-B, 20J-K for couples; 21A, 21K for solo; avoid middle seats |
| Economy | Exit rows for legroom; forward cabin rows 26-28 for quiet; avoid last rows |
Related Seat Guides on SeatCompare
If you're comparing Vietnam's A350 to other widebodies, you may also find these useful:
Vietnam Airlines A350 - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which A350 version I'm on?
Check the Premium Economy section on the seat map:
- If it shows 45 seats in 3-3-3 (rows 20-24), you have Type 1.
- If it shows 36 seats in 2-4-2 (rows 20-23), you have Type 2 with the better Business and Premium Economy products.
Is Premium Economy worth the upgrade on the A350?
On A350 Type 2 (2-4-2), yes - the window pairs (A-C or H-K) offer real privacy with only one neighbour.
On A350 Type 1 (3-3-3), the upgrade is marginal and feels like slightly better Economy. It can be worth it on long overnight flights if the price difference is small.
Which A350 seats are best for overnight flights to Europe?
In Business, aim for even-row window seats (2A, 4A, 6A, 2K, 4K, 6K) on either A350 type for maximum privacy and good sleep. In Premium Economy Type 2, window pairs in rows 21-22 offer a good balance of legroom and quiet.
