Air China

PEK-FRA on 777 economy. Seats were fine and the inflight entertainment system was nice although most of the entertainment was Asian. Staff were unfriendly and uncommunicative. Toilets were not cleaned during the flight and they were very dirty towards the end. No alcohol served after the main meal. The food was also quite sad.

Flew Beijing direct to JFK. A 13.5 hour flight with 2 terrible meals no personal television screens and just a few screens dotted around. Unfortunately Air China use videotapes to show films and so the picture was crackly. Very little room and a most uncomfortable experience. Additionally flight attendants spend most of the flight behind a curtain trying to get some sleep. On the return flight there was a 4 hour delay. No apology or explanation. On our arrival in Beijing we were kept waiting for 1.5 hours for our baggage while employees were standing around laughing and joking amongst themselves.

Melbourne to Shanghai then onto London return. Booked Air China due to them being $1500 less than any other flights to the UK. The food entertainment and service weren't top class but for the price they were good. We had to transfer between flights at Shanghai but staff helped us with every aspect. Due to reading the comments on here we were prepared with our own snacks and some entertainment which I would advise. Would definitely fly them again.

Hong Kong-Paris via Beijing. Price of this trip was excellent. The first 3 flights were on comfortable planes while the final leg from Beijing to HKG was on an old leased Air Macau plane which was rather cramped. Food isn't great but flights were on time and the air hostesses excellent. Movie selection is spartan but I took an ipod so didn't mind. The one curious policy is that Air China keep the fasten seat belt signs on throughout the flights. Would certainly fly again if price remains at least $HK 1500 lower than its competitors.

SFO-PEK in economy. Rebooked on CA after UA delay. In terms of seating not enough legroom but was made better because flight was relatively empty and my wife and I had an extra seat between us. Food was low average about the same standards as UA economy transpacific flights. Their wine selection was small and there were no spirits offered. Soft drink selection very minimal as well. Plane was uncomfortably warm but FAs did turn down the temperature after I requested. Entertainment was on the big screen and mostly Chinese programming. Their domestic flights w/in china are very comfortable with excellent service but their international flights are very bare-boned.

ATH-MUC-PEK-MUC-ATH on time A332. The older a/c had bad IFE with only 6 movies and no feet support. Seats comfortable pillow and blanket supplied but no amenities pouch. The flight attendants made the difference - fluent in English and eager to help. There were 2 selections of food Western and Asian.

DUS-PEK-MNL return. 2.5 hours delay to PEK in DUS. Unfriendly flight attendants food acceptable. On the return PEK to DUS no beer or red wine left after 30 min. However red wine served again with the second meal. I tried to complain but flight attendants just laughed and try to make a joke of it. Would not recommend.

HKG-BJS on A321. Old looking plane but was clean and modern on the inside similar to domestic travel in Australia. Delayed on the ground in HKG for 2 hours due to "cargo loading" but made up time in the air. Crew were friendly but didn't speak English.

Vancouver to Beijing return in economy. My vegetarian meal was quite good and the service good. Pillows and blankets provided as were earphones. The downside being the movies were not on demand and as such I did not watch them. Both flights on time. My only complaint would be the lack of on demand video and I would suggest the bathroom floors be mopped (this seems to be an issue on all long haul flights I have been on).

Vancouver to Hong Kong Via Beijing. Seating was comfortable food good and the stewardess polite. Our flight leaving Vancouver was delayed 3 hours so could not make our connecting flight to HKG. Arrangements made for free accommodation in Beijing. When we got to Beijing the transfer station misdirected us. Afterwards I found out there was an Air China official looking after other passengers who were also delayed. We had to wait another 2-3 hours for other delayed passengers to pick up their luggage. It seems that Air China need to improve procedures to deal with delayed passengers in Beijing.