Chinese airlines are generally sub par US Airlines, so very subpar Australian airlines.
Everything on the plane feels just a little off - eg. the China Eastern J seats look like a cathay style J seat, but everything is just a little not quite right. Like they have installed rip offs.
Food is nothing to remember, so if that is your thing look elsewhere. Lounges, nothing to remember. Entertainment also nothing to remember.
If it is simply about lying flat, then it might be fine, but if you're in economy, fly another airline.
Looks like theres a few people who feel strongly that Chinese airlines are up to the same standard as others and want to express this by talking down my opinion.
I understand people can see chinese airlines as being ok, especially if they are used to flying chinese airlines. I understand people have different reference points. The reality is though, it's a big step down compared to the big players flying to Europe (CX, EK, SQ, QF, etc). If the price is right then maybe it's worth going a Chinese airline, but if theres not much of a difference then there's absolutely no point.
Fwiw, I'm going to be flying air Asia to KUL later this year since it will be about 1/3 the price of MH.
My experiences have been with Air China in business class. The worst part is long layovers in Beijing (PEK). Their product is mostly good, food is ok, IFE is poor, PEK lounges are a bit below par but by no means “terrible”.
Their FA’s really try hard. They aren’t as polished as many (serving champagne warm and whisky by the full glass as examples) but they will do their very best to meet your needs.
They have been significantly cheaper that SQ, TG and others on the kangaroo route and I flew with them a lot. Now I buy my tickets originating in Europe and SQ beats them on price so on this basis I prefer to fly via SIN.
No need to trouble yourself with worrying about carriers as you could do QF out of Sydney then Finnair AY out of Beijing to Europe via Helsinki but must make sure you choose well and that you are on their Airbus A350 or A359 sorry I can't remember but one is set much nicer aircraft to fly. Beijing as a stopover is only a more attractive idea if you can avail yourself of the 72 hour transit visa free system so that you can see the sights and do some shopping but the airport is miles away, you will need to organise transport to and from the airport/hotel as the taxis are notoriously bad and don't speak English but for just one day stopover and staying at or near the airport isn't enough as there is not much that you can do, especially if you arrive very late at night ex Syd and must leave the following morning, but if you still want to do it, the best thing is to arrive on a QF flight late at night book a hotel overnight near the airport and then check out by 11am and spend all day at the Arts District Beijing 678 which is world famous and is very close to the airport and you can get your hotel to book a taxi to take you there. BA also flies direct to LHR from BJS but AY is way cheaper, their economy service is excellent, their biz product is sadly not that luxurious but still comfortable and way, way cheaper than their Oneworld counterparts.
I’ve just booked VS from LHR to PVG and am stopping over for 2 nights in Shanghai. Hopefully there will be plenty of stuff to do (any ideas are welcome). We’re then flying Cathay Dragon to HKG and then to SYD in QF F. Looking forward to it - even if the QF reviews suggest it’s not the best!
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 127
Chinese airlines are generally sub par US Airlines, so very subpar Australian airlines.
pkjames
pkjames
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jan 2017
Total posts 44
while al like a zoo at peak times, the mu #36 lounge at pvg and the cz lounge at baiyun t2 makes the qf biz lounge like a joke.
brettepi
brettepi
Member since 10 Jul 2017
Total posts 86
sing or hk a better option
PCHammond
PCHammond
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 24 Aug 2017
Total posts 22
Looks like theres a few people who feel strongly that Chinese airlines are up to the same standard as others and want to express this by talking down my opinion.
sydunipete
sydunipete
Member since 31 Dec 2014
Total posts 3
My experiences have been with Air China in business class. The worst part is long layovers in Beijing (PEK). Their product is mostly good, food is ok, IFE is poor, PEK lounges are a bit below par but by no means “terrible”.
1Worldfreqflyer
1Worldfreqflyer
Member since 29 Jun 2016
Total posts 15
No need to trouble yourself with worrying about carriers as you could do QF out of Sydney then Finnair AY out of Beijing to Europe via Helsinki but must make sure you choose well and that you are on their Airbus A350 or A359 sorry I can't remember but one is set much nicer aircraft to fly. Beijing as a stopover is only a more attractive idea if you can avail yourself of the 72 hour transit visa free system so that you can see the sights and do some shopping but the airport is miles away, you will need to organise transport to and from the airport/hotel as the taxis are notoriously bad and don't speak English but for just one day stopover and staying at or near the airport isn't enough as there is not much that you can do, especially if you arrive very late at night ex Syd and must leave the following morning, but if you still want to do it, the best thing is to arrive on a QF flight late at night book a hotel overnight near the airport and then check out by 11am and spend all day at the Arts District Beijing 678 which is world famous and is very close to the airport and you can get your hotel to book a taxi to take you there. BA also flies direct to LHR from BJS but AY is way cheaper, their economy service is excellent, their biz product is sadly not that luxurious but still comfortable and way, way cheaper than their Oneworld counterparts.
Richrrrd
Richrrrd
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Flying Club (Gold)
Member since 24 Jul 2013
Total posts 19
I’ve just booked VS from LHR to PVG and am stopping over for 2 nights in Shanghai. Hopefully there will be plenty of stuff to do (any ideas are welcome). We’re then flying Cathay Dragon to HKG and then to SYD in QF F. Looking forward to it - even if the QF reviews suggest it’s not the best!
paulkaz
paulkaz
Member since 01 Mar 2011
Total posts 32
Here's a review of Stockholm Frankfurt Beijing Sydney return on Air China business class.