VIP passengers can check in at new Vietnam Airlines lounge at HCMC airport

It is meant for VIPs (very important persons), CIPs (commercially important persons) and the carrier’s Golden Lotus Plus Platinum members, Million Milers and business class travelers.

Normally lounges are for passengers to drink and dine after completing check-in, while the new model allows them to enter a dedicated check-in lounge isolated from the public terminal area.

A customer checks in at Vietnam Airlines' Check-in Lounge in Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Thi Ha

Staff manage all check-in processes and luggage handling while passengers unwind before their flight. THe lounge is situated at the main entrance of Terminal 3, with six check-in counters and 40 seats.

To operate the lounge, Vietnam Airlines has partnered with ground handling services, aviation security and customs.

Dang Anh Tuan, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, said this model is currently offered by only a few five-star airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific.

"This marks a step toward Vietnam Airlines’ goal of achieving five-star standards."

The airline plans to offer this service next at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, Da Nang International Airport and Dong Nai’s Long Thanh International Airport when it opens.

Globally, airlines report that while business class and elite members constitute less than 10% of passengers, they generate 20-30% of revenues and enhance their brand.