Shanghai Airlines

Shanghai Hongqiao-Lijiang on old B737 early morning flight (7.40am) however still delayed for 2 hrs due to air traffic control (according to Shanghai Airlines). Seat and leg room is very narrow and uncomfortable simple breakfast and low-quality beverages were served for this 4hrs flight no entertainment.

July 2012 Shanghai to Melbourne. Business class. Overall the flight was good but the attention to takeoff and landing procedures was appalling. We had many people using Ipads and other devises while takeoff and landing. Luggage on the floor that should have been in a locker again during takeoff. There was absolutely no in-flight entertainment and the seats were old and even though they reclined back the leg rest was uncomfortable. We were offered drinks with a meal but no more. The planes were old and very tired. When I asked about an express customs card they had absolutely idea of what I was talking about as some of the staff really struggled with English.

SHA-HKG on a 4 years old Boeing 737-800 (B-5370) delayed for 4 hours without explanation. Check-in staff in Hongqiao airport were very rude and unwilling to speak in English. Seat pitch was ok due to emergency exit row but the cabin looks worn and toilet was very dirty and dark. Cabin crew look tired and again speak no English. Food consisted of a "Handmade" sandwich which appeared totally unacceptable. I will try to avoid Shanghai Airlines at all costs.

2am departure from Phuket to Shanghai. Flight was good no problems aircraft old still had ashtrays on the arm rest no inflight entertainment. Yes I would use this airline again.

TNA-SHA on quite new and very clean 737-800. Seats were comfortable and emergency row legroom was very good. Service on the 1 hour 20 minute flight was very good cabin staff quite friendly and had good English skills. A hot meal and snack was served on the flight and 2 serves of drinks. Very good value for money on time.

The flight from Nanjing to Beijing took off on time and landed on time as scheduled. Staff were not very attentive but spoke good English and were very polite. Inflight meals were excellent and much better than I expected. The aircraft we flew on looked a bit tired and had a basic cabin and seats but seats had plenty of leg room. One thing that let the airline down was the lack of inflight entertainment but it was only a short flight so this did not matter as much. Overall I am happy with my experience with Shanghai Airlines.

Shanghai to Melbourne - 1.5 h delay before boarding and after boarding was closed another delay of 2hrs. It was a China Eastern flight operated by Shanghai Airlines. Interior was from the 80's and when the passenger in front of me reclined his seat into a sleeping position the back was on my knees. The food looked very poor. This was my first and last long range flight with China Eastern/Shanghai Airlines.

PEK to HGH in Economy. Slight delay out of PEK but otherwise uneventful flight save for the very loud passengers which I suppose is not the airline's fault. Airline offered a meal on the 2 hour flight which was nice. IFE was on main screens with all Chinese programming.

Fly with FM frequently on Shanghai-Taiyuan Shanghai-Changsha and Shanghai-Kunming. More or less delayed for 30-50 minutes each time. Shanghai Airlines joined Star Alliance in 2007 then Skyteam in 2011 they didn't improved their quality and still stay at the 2-star/budget airline standard. Nothing to eat for meal bad quality of drinks for domestic travel China Southern (CZ) is much better.

Harbin-Shanghai on B737. Seat was fine inflight entertainment non-existent. Food wise was typical Chinese snacks and drink rounds sufficient. Flight attendants were prompt in responding to requests. It was followed by another flight Shanghai-Singapore on B767. The seat was fine inflight entertainment was minimal. Food wise was again Chinese snacks. I don't mind flying China Eastern/Shanghai Airlines due to cheap airfares however inflight entertainment could be improved upon.