China Eastern Airlines

HGH-PEK. The oldish but well maintained A320 was very clean and despite the high load factor (99%) cabin crew was keeping smile and worked in efficient way. Nevertheless the hot meal as a dinner was disgusting like every time flying this carrier. Leg room was ok but the best thing were those friendly men sitting next to me. Best value for money definitely will fly again.

Sydney to Vancouver via Shanghai. I travel extensively and the service punctuality food and checking in was up there with the best! On 2 of the 4 legs there was no entertainment but with tablets and ipads what does that really matter especially when you are saving a considerable amount on the airfare. The food was first rate and the service great every flight was on time.

SIN-PVG-SIN in economy class. A330 SIN-PVG which was quite a new plane comfortable seats with personal IFE flight departed on time and arrived on time. Flight attendant's service attitude need much improvement. They just 'throw' the food to you which was quite a shock to me. PVG-SIN A340-600 delayed for half an hour without any announcement neither apologize when in the plane. It was an old plane with no personal IFE. I flew with MU because of cheap tickets else I would rather pay a little more for better service and inflight experience.

HKG-PVG-SYD all flights delayed and no personal entertainment. Although it costs HK$1000 cheaper than Virgin Atlantic direct flight the overall ranking was much more worse.

JFK to BKK via PVG in Business class. Good service and food. Old style business class recliner seats with about 160 degrees of recline and adequate space. Cotton duvet and pillows are nice but the plane was not very clean. Flight attendants are ok. PVG transfer involved a longish walk and convoluted lines but was not bad. The PVG lounge was crowded and with uncomfortable seats and OK food. Overall good value for money.

Recently flew from Shanghai Hongqaio to Qingdao on MU 5525 scheduled to depart at 08.30 am. Flight boarded on time and in common with all Chinese domestic carriers the cabin crew hustled passengers to get their gear into the overhead locker and take ones seat. Doors closed at around 08.25 am then we sat and sat and sat for 5 hours. Reason given was runway congestion at Hongqaio (a constant nightmare at this airport). After about 2 hours the food trolley was rolled out and the boxes containing bread cake and some nuts were handed out along with some drinks. We eventually took off 5 hours later. The 1hr 20 minute flight to Qingdao was uneventful. This is my 11th year of domestic flights in China and its always the same flying north in winter from Hongqaio airport.

Check-in was uneventful in FRA used the Sakura lounge (JAL). The business class product on this new A330-200 was superb. The business class section is divided in 2 sections: 18 and 12 pax in a 2x2x2 configuration giving a very cosy and warm atmosphere plenty of space. This aircraft is equipped with proper full flat bed. The bed is a good 2 meter long about 50 cm wide (maybe more) the seat fairly wide (although narrower than SQ) which should not be a problem. We had all the amenities you can expect and a very soft comforter and pillow. The food was pretty good. we were offered a pre-dinner drink and a selection of Chinese style or western style food was available. The crew was available during the whole flight at the snap of a finger. The only negative points is that we were rushed through the meal. We had to slow down to make them understand there was no rush! Although the crew was nice trying their best to be polite and use proper English to get understood some lacked the elegance to provide a high standard service. The entertainment system was pretty good a large screen great picture and good selection of movies. Overall it was a very relaxing flight very good value for money in Business Class.

PVG-DPS-PVG on the Airbus 330-200. Proper full flat bed. Good service although rushed through the meal again but we made sure the crew understood we wanted to eat slowly! Very comfy seat providing a good 6 hour rest. On these regional flights you don't get the full onboard amenities but it was ok. The blanket could be longer as it does not fully cover your body when lying down. The crew was nice always trying to help. English is not their strength - but the experience was good. I would fly with them again in business class as their fully flat bed was very comfy.

London to Sydney via Shanghai and return. All sectors on A330. Full flat bed on 3 sectors older cabin with good recline on Sydney to Shanghai sector. Two sectors on time one with 90 mins delay one with 60 mins - acceptable in my book. Plenty of choice of entertainment even for four long sectors on AVOD. Service from cabin crew was mostly charming and efficient but sometimes let down by difficulty with English. Food was variable but generally very good. Skyteam lounge in LHR very good Qantas lounge in Sydney excellent but China Eastern lounges in Pudong very poor. Overall four very pleasant flights and the flat beds with duvet and pyjamas a nice surprise. Considering the price I paid was equivalent to Premium Economy on BA Virgin or Cathay it was outstanding value for money.

Beijing to Shanghai on 25th Feb 2013. ETD was 10.00 pm but flight left at 00.30 hrs. Circled around Shanghai for half an hour before being diverted to Hangzhou due to bad weather. Landed Hangzhou 02.30. Door not opened for an hour. Mayhem at counter. Hotels offered at 04.30 and buses for those who wanted to take train to Shanghai as flight was uncertain. This is the third time I have had such an experience with China Eastern and it's sister airline Shanghai Airline. The worst participants in the SkyTeam along with Delta.