Air China

My wife and I flew from Melbourne to Munich return via Shanghai and Beijing in July/August 2012. Apart from the delays in mainland China on both legs Air China was actually very good for the low return air fares paid. I wouldn't fly with them again purely on the basis of the long transit delays at Shanghai and Beijing.

After my much delayed China Eastern flight to Qingdao (see posting under China Eastern) I changed my approach and took an evening flight to Qingdao with Air China. As a Star Alliance Gold member I checked in hassle free at the Business Class check in and proceeded to the Air China lounge in Shanghai Hongqaio airport. Lounge well stocked with drinks and hot food. Boarding on time small delay taking off but landed on time. Return trip also took off on time but no meal service due to turbulence but who needs feeding during a 80 minute flight. We even had an announcement from the flight deck in both Mandarin and English. Arrived Shanghai Hongqaio on time. Overall a good flight at a reasonable price.

3.5 hours waiting in a parked plane before flight being cancelled at 03.30 am due to engine failure. Air China flies in a new spare part from Beijing and the flight is 13 hours delayed with no information and no help in booking new connecting flights. No one at the information desk from 04.00 am to 12.00 pm and passports were confiscated to make sure we did not leave the airport. No reply on supplied phone numbers. Security check 3 times before finally boarding no safety demonstration before take-off and no one to show passengers around when arriving at Beijing. By far my worst experience with any airline.

Shanghai Pudong-Chengdu on first class with A320 flight delayed 15 minutes but still arrived on time cabin crew friendly and polite good inflight service seat comfortable and did manage to sleep for more than 1.5hrs food awful and quality is far below the CX/JL/NH/SQ economy class food!

My wife and I flew Oslo (Norway) to Sydney (Australia) in January/February 2013. Departed Oslo on Jan 17 returned Feb 18 from Sydney. Outbound we had an A330 from Stockholm to Beijing. Plane was acceptable and comparable to the other airlines we had used however the service was worse. The crew seemed uninterested the food was nothing special and beverages extremely limited and served out of sync with food. Beijing to Sydney on a Boeing 777-300. The plane was ok but service identical to the one we had between Stockholm and Beijing. Very disappointing. On return a Boeing 777-300 from Sydney to Beijing. The experience was repeated. Service was very disappointing and beverages served late and very limited except for water. Beijing to Stockholm an Airbus A330. Legroom was more limited than the former A330 and selection of audio/video very limited. Service was somewhat better and beverages was served right after food however very limited. On the positive side was the opportunity to use the Air China transit lounge however this did not compensate for the low quality service. Overall we were very disappointed with this trip and we will probably never use Air China again.

HKG–PEK last month on an A330-300. I am beginning to think that all the Chinese airlines don't keep a very good schedule because this flight was late leaving as have all other Chinese operated airline flights we have been on for our trip. Upon boarding we both noticed that the FA’s were very nice and extremely helpful to us. Aircraft was either new or had been refurbished because everything was spotless. After takeoff the FA’s began there services. The drinks available were limited. The most popular American whiskey in the world was not available so we had to accept lesser things. The food was good and all the services were done well. The FA’s English was sometimes not too good but both sides were able to make the other understood.

CTU–HKG. Last month my wife and I traveled from Chengdu to Hong Kong. Their price was a little more expensive than others but their schedule was much better than anyone else. Check in at CTU was very efficient as was security there. Once we reached the assigned gate we were told that there was a gate change but it was just across the terminal - no problem. Then the flight was called and we found that we had to go downstairs and onto a bus to be transported to the plane. After riding all around Chengdu airport (which is large) we finally reached our plane. Of course it was parked at a remote place and we had to climb stairs to the cabin. Upon entering the aircraft we found it to be a newer 737-800 with plenty of space for everything. The FA’s were very polite and their English was good. The services were efficient and the meals and beverages were good and tasty.

Beijing (PEK) - San Francisco (SFO). Aircraft was a 15 year old 747. Cabin amenities were showing their age. Seats were the new kind and were quite comfy and could recline well. Lack of entertainment was troubling but I had brought my own entertainment. Food was average and was edible but could be better. Overall a not bad flight.

CGK-PEK-SHA v.v. (CA 978 CA 1549 CA 1832 CA 977). All flights were on-time with short transit time in Xiamen airport for immigration clearance except the PEK-CGK sector which was delayed up to 3 hours with no explanation (I guess that was due to snow and weather). Meals on board so-so except from PEK to Xiamen which was totally tasteless. Crew service not bad some looked happy and dedicated to their job others just take it for granted. If you aren't too bothered with service quality Air China can be an option.

CA105/CA106 Dalian (ZYTL) - Hong Kong (VHHH). Classified as an international flight but the service is not good. Food and beverages are the same as a Chinese domestic flight. The only entertainment is some small TVs.