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Trip Verified | Hanoi to Dubai via Guangzhou on E190 and A330, respectively. Check-in in Hanoi was quick, smooth, and professional. I bought 6 huge paintings the previous night in Hanoi old city and brought them with me for further destinations in central Africa. Things worked out better than feared. They allowed me to send this hugely oversized luggage the whole way to Khartoum – they needed 2-3 guys to fit them in as we travel on small aircraft. China Southern check-in staff overruled those rigid guys working in Noi Bai Airport services checking in odd-sized luggage. They use the Sky Team-lounge in Hanoi which is good but provisions cannot at all match the glamorous design and interior facing the runways. Still no champagne, less brands of beer, food offerings are shrinking and wines offered are sub-par. No fresh coffee and fruits display only contains the cheapest of the cheapest fruits: watermelon, papaya, guava, etc. Neither pineapple, mango, jackfruits, nor durian. Very stingy. Flights well announced on media, arrived and departure punctually. Outstanding airline as compared to most other China mainland carriers. Onboard, very sparse offering, but caring FAs. Had 6 seats in a 2 rows 1-2 configuration by myself. They only loaded 1 business class meal. No alcohol onboard except they load 4 beers/pax in business class. The new lounges in Guangzhou are almost on pair with those of Cathay in Hong Kong. I had a sleeping room for some 3 hours with excellent sleeping facilities, including true eiderdown duvets. 2nd flight on a much larger A330 was close to perfect. Take off champagne. Lie flat bed-chairs in staggered configuration of 1-2-1. WiFi onboard working well but restricted according to Chinese laws (Google, facebook etc. not allowed). Food and caring very good. Got loads of lamb-chops which is my favourite onboard. Good wines and excellent teas. Poor beers and soft drinks. FAs are very attentive, but misunderstandings with Westerners are frequent. Fine amenities, good IFE. Flights on time. On the 2nd flight a person onboard died of unknown causes, incident were untold until doors opened in Dubai as emergency staff entering the aircraft asked for the “dead person”.