China Airlines

They changed my flight schedule more than 5 times prior to the flight date. After my initial outbound flight from London Heathrow I wasn't too upset. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and the fact that I had in-flight entertainment for both the 9-hour and 4-hour flights. However on the inbound flight back to London I was extremely disappointed with the fact that there wasn't any in-flight entertainment after being pleasantly surprised during the outbound. The connecting flight was scheduled much too early and the logistics in Beijing Airport meant that we had to be specifically rushed through. I was initially worried that my luggage would not be able to make the transfer but after the hour's delay I was hopeful! In the end my luggage got left in Beijing and after arriving on a Friday my luggage got to me on Sunday. Overall the seats were alright but not quite right either - other airlines like Qatar are better. The food was not bad but the drinks did not have enough variety. The hospitality was very good actually which was a surprise to everyone who asked!

Sydney to Shanghai return overall it's worth the money (relatively cheaper than others) food is edible plane is quite new toilets clean throughout the flight and seats are wide enough for average height passengers. Only concern is the staff service I did not see anyone smile throughout the entire flight.

Vancouver to Beijing really needed to upgrade their cabin entertainment systems. The controls were dirty and buttons was unresponsive. Their food was awful. All of my baggage was delayed during the round trip. Never flying Air China again.

SYD-PEK-LHR return. 1st and last trip with Air China. Hostess handed out glass of champagne/orange on boarding but walked past me 3 times until I finally had to stop her and ask for a drink. Ordered Chinese food from SYD-PEK totally tasteless and no salt/pepper to add. Same awful food PEK-LHR. Only time we saw the stewardesses was when they brought water/juice round which was not often. Their English was very poor no smiles announcements very unclear. 7.5hr wait in PEK. Beijing airport very short on shops/facilities. Food in Air China lounge at PEK just about edible. After having to get someone from reception to unlock shower I was very disappointed. Had to go through security again at PEK even though in transit. Had Chinese option again from LHR-PEK and that was actually passable but none of the meals were bigger/better than other airline economy airlines. Air China has to use Alliance lounge at LHR which had very tasty/varied food/drinks. On the return trip LHR-SYD I chose Western for the last meal (breakfast) and that was quite nice. Had 5 hr. wait at Beijing. I was able to have a Baileys drink from SYD-LHR but when I asked for one from LHR-SYD was told it was only available to 1st class passengers. The only good thing was the fully flat beds try to book row 11 as it's the only one where the feet part does not narrow to the width of 2 feet side by side! Very limited choice of Western movies. The seatbelt signs were left on even when there was no turbulence and staff did not encourage people to open the window shades even in daylight. I have flown Business class to London with Singapore Airlines and Thai and am afraid that Air China is by far the worst airline I've ever flown with.

We travelled from UK to Australia via Beijing and visa versa. Staff were quite stand offish and didn't speak English very well a smile would have been nice. 2 meals supplied were very poor and no English option available. Meals were very basic and no snacks offered. Drinks only offered during meals and they only came round a few times with water. Entertainment was poor very dated films. Beijing airport: staff had no idea what they were doing and caused complete chaos amongst passengers. We passed through baggage control which took 2 hrs only to walk down 24 steps to go through the same thing again. Then transferred onto plane to Australia and service was exactly the same. Return was the same treatment it was -9 in Beijing and hence it was also -9 in the airport the air- conditioning was full blast. The flight to the UK was slightly better only because the staff spoke a little more English. We had to close the blinds even though it was a daytime flight. All in all our Air China experience was not a good one.

Travelled Air China as it was the cheapest at the time flight on time and no delays first leg of journey on A340 not too bad and food reasonable but second leg Shanghai to Sydney plane was old food inedible and cold. No drinks provided other than with meals air hostesses command of English poor. On the way back food was awful on both legs full of very badly behaved children asked for an alcoholic drink and was told could only have one with dinner entertainment system antiquated no really up to date movies too many Chinese ones and very temperamental system. Would be worth paying extra for a better trip as on a long haul flight its needed.

China Airlines uses old- seats (no flat-bed) flights for European-Asian routes. Compare with other airlines seats offered such as Eva air Korean Air Cathay Pacific Air France Japan Airlines are much better CI flights really need serious improvement. The seat in front of you can recline on you. This makes the whole journey very uncomfortable: difficult to work and difficult to get out of your seat. Food is good but the service is very slow. You don't receive hot towels in the morning and no hot drinks were offered while breakfast being served. Lounges at Taipei and Bangkok airports are not very clean. The receptionists are friendly enough but the lounges are not exactly business-friendly. If you have connection flights luggage cannot be guaranteed on arrival. Even when travelling on Business Class no compensation is offered for late arrival of luggage. Flight attendants are generally friendly. Entertainment channels are inadequate and the TV screen is very out-dated.

I have flown Air China Business class for many years. I have always found the staff more than courteous and helpful. On seating was handed a juice/wine and hot towel. This is a night flight. No problem getting coffee/tea at any time. Eat western food and is generally ok. Could do with some improvement. Staff always coming back to see if you need more coffee/tea. Inflight entertainment fair. Seats fold to straight bed and very comfortable. Got a good nights sleep. Staff very helpful in morning with coffee before breakfast.

Shanghai-Frankfurt Jan 13th. Plane left on time. Flight attendant kind and helpful. Got an aisle seat in the first row of the cabin and had plenty of space for my legs. That were the good points. English announcements spoken with an incomprehensible beginner's accent. Movie choice again very violence dominated mostly Chinese audio quality very low. Food was a shame in comparison to even average Chinese cuisine. Though it was a day time flight blinds had to be closed all day. Got a headache having to read all day by means of the dim seat lighting. Worst was the cabin temperature (my watch showed between 16° and 18°). Almost everybody put on his/her coat which sadly did not prevent from the AC which streamed constantly down to the aisle seats. Entered the plane in a sound condition left it with heavy sinus irritations. This decreases the value for money very much. I would not recommend.

CA998 YVR to PEK then CA969 to SIN then back again a few weeks later. These flights employ well-used A330s. Flights smooth and on time. However my economy seat was narrow and very poorly padded - little better than a city bus. The entertainment system was old and tired with a limited selection of movies. Flight attendants did the basics but disappeared for long periods. They did however keep the toilets very clean. Loading procedures were amateur and chaotic as if the ground staff were improvising. Individual staff were OK but as a group they lacked management. This unpleasantness was magnified by the loading at Beijing. For reasons unknown the SIN and YVR flights had to load using buses out to the tarmac (when gates at the main terminal were obviously available). This is not appropriate for a large plane at capacity. Beijing airport is a liability as a hub. It is very large dreary inefficient and immersed in a toxic smog. Moreover as a passenger in international transit I had to go through a passport check and then through the general security check. This gobbled up most of the 3 hours I had for my connection which I almost missed. Unacceptable. Avoid this place.