China Eastern Airlines

OKA-PVG-CDG-LHR return in economy. CDG-LHR leg was serviced by Air France as part of their Sky Team agreement. Delays on most flights with some explanation but did not affect connecting flights. Cabin crew were robotic with very few smiles and very curt English. In-flight entertainment ranged from nothing to HD level in-seat monitors with an excellent choice of movies and games (CDG-PVG only). Was upgraded to business on the OKA-PVG flight and was pleasantly surprised by the food. The economy food was edible. Overall good value for money and much better than I was expecting having read the reviews here. The transit in PVG is an experience I never want to experience again but that is not China Eastern's fault. Would never travel via China again just because of that.

PVG-DEL-PVG in business class. Both flights on A330s but different configs and service levels. Outbound flight was an older plane with 2-2-2 seats that reclined to an angle and did not lie flat. FAs went about their work perfunctorily. The food was very bad - both options were like an economy class meal in terms of taste and quality. They did not have a dessert cart. IFE system had a fair selection of movies. Return flight was better with a newer plane and lie flat seats. FAs were professional and pleasant and spoke English better than the outbound flight. Meals were also tastier. The price for the flight is good but you get what you pay for and quality is uneven.

DXB-KMG 29 Dec 2012 Economy class. Ancient 767-300 still in Shanghai Airlines livery. Overhead video was not working and no audio entertainment provided for this 7 hour flight. 2 meals served both were good for economy class. Seats had generous pitch and were quite comfortable for economy class.

Shanghai-JFK non stop connection in Business Class. Overall an awful long flight. Only two direct flights one of them operated by China Eastern - that's why I ended up with them. Business Class not comparable with leading European or other Asian carriers. Very worn down no flat bed IFE outdated seats rather uncomfortable and service not really great. Overall an OK experience just because it's a non stop connection and much less time consuming compared to stopover connections. Overall experience is just OK not really worth the money though.

SYD-PEK-SYD in Business class via Shanghai Pudong airport. Positive parts are: Good value for money A330 SYD-PVG-SYD A321 PVG-PEK-PVG seats are comfortable angled flat bed proper business class seats for domestic legs as well food and drinks are good in all legs amenity kits are great for international flights not bad inflight entertainment system and you can accumulate sky team member points. Down sides: Consistent bad service in different countries and cities. During the flight it was fine nothing special and staff need more training for attention to details. Lounges in PVG are tiny and dark you have to pass boarding gate to get into the lounge so if boarding in process then you have to wait for 20-30 minutes to go down to the lounge.

SIN-JFK with a transit in Shanghai. Both flights departed on time and arrived early. Cabin clean but a little dated. No personal in-flight entertainment systems even though it was a 20-hour journey. Crew got the job done but did not go beyond that - spoke limited English. Meals served did not always correspond to time (whether at the origin or the destination) - on my flight from Singapore to Shanghai a full meal of rice/noodles was served 2 hours into take-off at 2am and no breakfast was served even though the flight was scheduled to land at 6am. Similarly the 14-hour flight from Shanghai to JFK only saw 2 meals served 2 hours after take-off and 2 hours before landing. Stereotypical airline food served somewhat tasteless but is not inedible. Best to bring your own food on board if you (1) are not inclined towards Chinese food (2) are picky or (3) are easily hungry. Toilets were clean. Many passengers (especially on the Shanghai-JFK leg) were loud and pushy. I had a decent experience with the airline but I probably would not fly with them again if I can afford it.

LHR to PVG. Main gripe is that there is no online check-in which mean turning up at airport 3.5 hrs before flight departs and having to queue to get a good seat. Airplane very clean and good first impression. Seat comfortable and legroom excellent (seat 32D). Service lacklustre without much attempt to be quick. Poor selection (no sparkling water and no white wine). Food edible but little thought for presentation or variety (cold starter warm main and yogurt). Served dinner twice (2hrs into flight and 1.5 hrs before landing when breakfast would have been more appropriate). Staff okay but not especially friendly or alert. Entertainment system excellent with HD-quality picture and lots of choice. Would have recommended but for lack of online checkin.

Beijing to Hong Kong via Kunming. When I checked in in Beijing was told my luggage will not be transferred to Hong Kong which meant that during my 1 hour transfer in Kunming I would have to take my luggage check in again for Hong Kong pass visa control and security control again. Arrived in Kunming on time but waited 10 mins inside the plane. I had to run to get my luggage go to the check in desk arrived 2 mins before the end of check in - told they could not register my luggage because it was too late. They finally let me go with my luggage in the cabin. When I arrived at the boarding gate I was told to hurry up! Finally left 15 mins late (some other passengers arrived after me). Arrived in Hong Kong another 10 mins wait in the plane. Otherwise the flight was good the hostesses were nice and polite the food was ok the seat comfortable.

Flew PEK-XIY. New Airbus A321. Departure was about 15 minutes late due to incoming aircraft being delayed due to ATC problems. Boarding quick but no special arrangements for Priority Customers. Overhead screens showing film in Chinese with very small English subtitles. Aircraft clean and tidy. Complimentary drink/snack offered during flight crew spoke some English and all announcements in Mandarin and English.

I flew from Tokyo Narita to Singapore via Shanghai and I definitely got what I paid for. Three out of my 4 flights were delayed and only one was explained since there were mechanical problems and it left 2.5 hours late. On my last flight we started boarding when we were supposed to be taking off and staff acted like it was normal (no explanation or apology given). The meals and staff were good; I would say the delays were the most aggravating. Probably won't travel with them again.