Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18345 posts, RR: 56 Posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 951 times:
Hi All,
I am going to Taiwan in June, and CA is by far the cheapest - at least if I use its new LGW-PEK service.
But what is CA like? What of its food and 330s? While I will also read, do they have good IFE?
Likely a stupid (but important) question, but as I have never been to China (besides Hong Kong), I presume I do not need a Chinese visa to connect in PEK? (As an aside, I didn't when flying SU via SVO.)
What is viewing like within PEK's Terminal 3? I don't take photos or registrations, but I do enjoy watching the movements.
Thanks,
James.
[Edited 2012-01-29 05:32:13]
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EZYAirbus From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 2431 posts, RR: 56 Reply 1, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 925 times:
Friend of mine is in Melbourne at moment for the tennis, he flew Air China LHR-PEK-MEL and he said its the best airline he has flown on, cheap tickets, excellent food and IFE kept him entertained all the way.
LAX888 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2010, 208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 866 times:
It all depends what aircraft is being used. Their new A330 have IFE and are quite nice. Service is ok, however English can be a problem at times to understand. I found I received much better service when I spoke in Mandarin to them. Food also depends. It is usually pretty much catered to the Chinese passenger and can seem strange for Europeans if not inedible. I heard alcoholic beverages are quite limited, however this does not bother me as I do not drink much during a flight.
Transfer at T3 should not require a visa and they would not sell this ticket if they would need a passenger to have a visa. However check with their office to be sure.
T3 is quite nice but spotting is soso. How long is your transit? The airport has a bit of a lousy air-conditioning system. In summer it is quite warm and in winter it is on the cold side. However everything is new and nice otherwise.
If you are a member in a *A FFP you can get miles with them.
Did you check if it is cheaper to buy a ticket to HKG and then a separate ticket between HKG and TPE?
Akiestar From Philippines, joined May 2009, 303 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 839 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Thread starter): Likely a stupid (but important) question, but as I have never been to China (besides Hong Kong), I presume I do not need a Chinese visa to connect in PEK?
Quoting LAX888 (Reply 2): Transfer at T3 should not require a visa and they would not sell this ticket if they would need a passenger to have a visa.
At PEK, immigration authorities will give you a 24-hour "stay pass" (in Chinese, 停留许可) which is stamped to your passport. If your layover is long enough, you can even leave the airport and go see Beijing if you want to.
LAXintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 18928 posts, RR: 52 Reply 4, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 786 times:
Atleast here in Los Angeles, Air China along with the other mainland China carriers are known by the local travel community as a far secondary and low end budget travel option. CA certainly focuses much more on lower end ethnic sales and its clientele shows.
I don't think they are bad perse, however you rarely hear raving positive comments of them either. With all the new aircraft they are buying I suppose the product is not terrible either, but its likely not much more than a bland means of transportation between A and B.
Btw - since you are going to Taiwan, don't carriers like CI and BR have promotions ex the UK? Here in the US, CI especially is quite aggressive on pricing. Suggest you also look to ethnic consolidators for their offers.
[Edited 2012-01-29 21:57:42]
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WROORD From United States of America, joined Mar 2009, 606 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 672 times:
I flew them intra China and they were average. Flights are usually on time, you get a meal. Leg room may be a problem as some aircraft are fitted for Chinese pax.
alsberg From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 131 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 655 times:
I've got SFO-PEK and PEK-SFO booked on them in April. On the reservation it says 747. I assume I'm in for a not so nice flight? (Y Class) In 2009 I flew them LAX-PEK-ULN-PEK-SFO and I remember there service being fine. I remember thinking how much better than the UA tatl service on an old worn out 777 from IAD-FRA they were. Last spring I flew LAX-ICN-HAN REP-ICN-LAX on OS, and I don't expect them to be nearly as good as OS however for crossing the Pacific
LOWS From Austria, joined Oct 2011, 611 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 642 times:
Quoting alsberg (Reply 7): Last spring I flew LAX-ICN-HAN REP-ICN-LAX on OS, and I don't expect them to be nearly as good as OS however for crossing the Pacific
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