BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Posted (10 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 8670 times:
Hello dear A.Netters, welcome to latest installment in my quest to travel on the China Southern A380, at that time the newest carrier to add this super jumbo to it’s fast growing fleet.
Following a later night than planned in the bar, the alarm went of at 6, much earlier than I needed but I figured get up and start spotting.
The views from my room were pretty good, once the light improved later in the day, you could get some decent spotting done from here.
The hotel shuttle bus back to the airport was packed, so much so that a number of us had to stand, no matter, must have been only 5 minutes if that from the hotel to the terminal.
There are now two terminals here at PVG, just shows how much air travel has grown in China since my last visit some eight years ago, back then the original terminal building was sufficient.
Poor quality shot of the airlines and terminal operations
T1
T2
Possibly decent views for spotting if in the right room?
Lot’s of Chevy advertising here
Couple of shots outside terminal 1, a very cold wind blowing this morning, it was nice to get inside.
Not a great view from the drop off area
25-02-2012
MU5129
PVG-PEK
A320-200 B-6716
Seat 7A First Class
1st Flight on this aircraft, 115th A320 Flight flight (1st flight on a Chinese assembled A320)
Sch Dep 09:20 Sch Arr 11:45
Act Dep 09:36 Arr 11:27
Feeling quite happy about getting back on an A300 after so many years,I decided to splash out and upgrade to First class, this was easily done after a short wait in line at the domestic ticketing desk. During the wait numerous people cut the line to ask the service staff questions, quite a lack of etiquette, but nothing unusual in China from my experience.
The dedicated First and Business class check-in counters were just around the corner from the domestic ticketing desk, there is a chap at the entrance checking your credentials to see if you are entitled to check-in here.
Whilst waiting in line, a chap decided to cut in front of me, rather rude I thought, then when it was his ‘turn’ to proceed forward to check-in, he walked off, not sure what he was doing, anyway, I checked in without issues in a few moments, on the desk top there were electronic seat maps, I gave no thought to the 3-3 layout shown on the screen……. given my boarding pass along with a lounge invitation.
I took a few pictures of the terminal before proceeding through security.
FIDS
Note to spotters, the only spotting areas are through glass at the sides of the terminal, these can also be seen from the outside as seen in my pictures above, though it can get very cold out there.
Security was painless, moments later I was airside.
Traffic was slow at this time, after noting down a few registrations I headed to the lounge, taking a few pictures en-route.
Interestingly the lounge is accessed via a boarding gate, seems a little odd - the lounge is at the bottom on the right as you go down the escalator.
Looking up from where I had come
Greeted at the lounge by two lounge agents and upon asking was advised that boarding class were made in the lounge, quite good since I'd not seen signs for gate 204 – I later discovered that it was a remote stand.
This particular lounge, MU has others here too, is a small affair, lacks any views, I don't think the others do either, but it has a small selection of snacks and drinks, quite adequate for a short wait, there was actually more food here than yesterday's UA lounge in NRT.
A bit early for a beer, well at least for me.....
Coffee is best this morning, actually ok too.
The airport has free wifi so I logged in and checked a few e-mails, they quickly build up when you are not online all the time, tried to log onto FB too but it would not load, had the same problem in the hotel the previous night.
Boarding was called at 08:45, I enquired at the desk as to where to proceed, she advised to wait a moment, they told me to follow her colleague who would lead us, there were a few other passengers also on this flight, to the gate.
Off we go to find gate 204….
Interesting lounge
We were led to gate 12 where we went down the jetway
our escort tore the stub off our boarding passes then directed us outside and down the stairs on the jetway, at the bottom of the stairs a minibus was awaiting out arrival.
Once we were all aboard we had a short ride
before stopping for some other either JCL or elite status passengers, once they were aboard we set of on a ramp tour to our aircraft.
Shots en-route.
This short ride was great, I furiously wrote down every registration I could, hence the lack of pictures, I'll check them off on my cheat sheet so see what I need later.
I could see 2 China Eastern A300's on the remote stands, we drove past one and continued towards the other before passing that too, hmm not good, ok and past a company A340 without steps so not that, bugger, we pulled up next to an A320, what a disappointment, I felt really miffed.
To fill you in, I only flew into PVG to get on this particular flight as it was operated by an A300, I could have flown direct NRT-PEK on NH and saved the hotel and flight cost, oh well, crap happens from time to time.
Boarding passes were checked at the bottom of the steps, by now the economy bus had pulled up so there was a fair bit of pushing and shoving as people tried to get to the steps.
Greeted at the door by two smiling female FA's, one quite pretty, I headed towards my seat, I actually passed it in error, not before feeling robbed about the A300 and the upgrade I had paid for was now giving me an economy seat, then I quickly realised economy started with row 30, looking to my right, the last row of business, two rows in a 2-2 layout, is in fact row 7, ah, got it!
Legroom shot
Each First class seat has a pillow and blanket along with a set of slippers, I'm sure the latter will end up in my bag....
View outside from my seat
During boarding hot towels were distributed along with a pre departure drink, a choice of water, OJ or a mixed juice drink, I took the latter as it looked more like a cocktail! - quite nice it was too.
Newspaper including an English language one were offered but I declined.
Passengers still boarding, this is a full flight today!
Forward cabin view
View across the cabin
Last passengers boarded and the front door was closed at 09:17, pushed off stand 7 minutes later with the safety demo playing, and repeated afterwards this time in English.
Orders for drinks and breakfast were taken during taxi, choice was a shrimp dumpling thing or pork in a sauce with noodles, I opted for the latter and sparkling water, a bit early for the hard stuff.
A relatively short taxi, passing a maintenance area, several Jade Cargo 747-400's in storage along with various other planes, note the SAS 737, a former CA machine.
Short wait for a landing Shanghai Airlines MD-11 freighter then rolled into the active and motored down the runway, passing the cargo terminal on the left.
Wheels up at 09:36.
China Eastern reading material
One of the FA's soon handed out drinks, my sparkling water turned out to be soda water, I don't recall having had that before.
View outside
Soon after the drinks, thick linens were laid on tray tables and meals delivered, not a bad first impression.
The cutlery was decent quality, the cutlery had a nice weight about it, I think the spoon might not see another inflight service……
The fruit was fresh but the meat, supposedly pork, was quite fatty, I had to cut a fair bit off it, apart from that it was quite tasty, thought there should have been salt and pepper on the tray.
After my tray had been cleared I asked for a green tea, I took another later too, whilst this was being delivered the FA also advised me we would be arriving early at 11:30.
I spent the remainder of the flight putting this together along with drinking tea and looking out the window.
Not much to see outside really, quite smoggy below, whilst you could just about see main roads and some buildings, the views were quite poor.
Bathroom shot
This was quite a bumpy flight, there were several occasions where the seal belt sign went back on and people requested to return to their seats.
As we approached the Beijing area the visibility increased dramatically, such that I could actually see clearly.
Descent had well and truly started, I’d been so transfixed to looking outside I’d not really been paying attention!
Wheel’s down early @ 11:27 on runway 01 – passing AY & LH as we vacate the runway
Not an everyday sight
Pulling onto stand
One last look at my machine as I head into Terminal 2.
All in all I enjoyed my flight with China Eastern, a real shame the A300 got downgraded to an A320, but on the flip side it was at least assembled in China.
I'd like to try out MU on a longhaul in JCL one day to see how they perform on a longer flight.
I have a day and a half spotting here before the main reason for the trip, the China Southern A380, that report is up next but not until August now, more flying and another TR to join the backlog.
I hope you have enjoyed this quick trip, feel free to drop and comments or ask any questions.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): This particular lounge, MU has others here too, is a small affair, lacks any views, I don't think the others do either, but it has a small selection of snacks and drinks, quite adequate for a short wait, there was actually more food here than yesterday's UA lounge in NRT.
Not difficult to score higher ranking when battling against UA. Some nice drink and light snack/fruit usually does fine for me and keeps me busy in those lounges
Like P. would say, it's always beer o' clock somewhere, and since you're a British citizen, why not?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): I could see 2 China Eastern A300's on the remote stands, we drove past one and continued towards the other before passing that too, hmm not good, ok and past a company A340 without steps so not that, bugger, we pulled up next to an A320, what a disappointment, I felt really miffed.
Ouch, that hurts. Far from home for something special, and then playing a loosing game
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): I could have flown direct NRT-PEK on NH and saved the hotel and flight cost, oh well, crap happens from time to time.
At least you could do some more spotting, which is always good for you
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): I think the spoon might not see another inflight service……
Haha... as so many spoons had the same faith I encountered with them during flights. So, how does 'she' feel to serve at high-tea?
Mark, lovely report, and MU does a great job, on the ground, friendly crews, informative, priority boarding and dedicated bus. I'm positively surprised.
Regards
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (10 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 8544 times:
Nice to see another Chinese report Mark!
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): There are now two terminals here at PVG, just shows how much air travel has grown in China since my last visit some eight years ago, back then the original terminal building was sufficient.
I'm shocked that PEK has risen from #30 of the World's busiest airports when I first came to China in 2003, to #2 last year...crazy growth!
Ha, China is the promised land. Most Chinese have no idea about reputations of Western companies, so all sorts advertise over there. I saw loads of ads in Shanghai for "Roewe" cars, aparently a "major" UK car maker!
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): Feeling quite happy about getting back on an A300 after so many years,I decided to splash out and upgrade to First class
There are some nice upgrade deals in China. I can remember choosing an MU 330 over an identically timed/priced CZ A300....doh!
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): Interestingly the lounge is accessed via a boarding gate, seems a little odd - the lounge is at the bottom on the right as you go down the escalator.
I remember flying SK C PVG-CPH back in 2004 and using those downstairs lounges - was about a 5 metre walk to the gate
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): The airport has free wifi so I logged in and checked a few e-mails, they quickly build up when you are not online all the time, tried to log onto FB too but it would not load, had the same problem in the hotel the previous night.
FB is blocked in China - you need to use a proxy.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): One of the FA's soon handed out drinks, my sparkling water turned out to be soda water, I don't recall having had that before.
You got Schwepps!!! Air China serve Watson's water
aflyingkiwi From New Zealand, joined Nov 2010, 488 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (10 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 8028 times:
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the enjoyable read. We don't get too many reports about Chinese airlines on the forum.
Disappointing to hear that you weren't able to catch a A300. I guess a Chinese built A320 is a small compromise. Service on MU didn't look too bad, they could definitely do worse on a relatively short leg like PVG-PEK.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 6, posted (10 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 7976 times:
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): before sleeping this one pops on top of the list, so why not giving it priority now I'm here also
- Well that's very kind of you to stay up Eric
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): At least they collect the rubbish, not everywhere they do in China
- That's a very good point!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
(1st flight on a Chinese assembled A320)
So, how did that feel?
- No different really
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Not difficult to score higher ranking when battling against UA
- True!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Like P. would say, it's always beer o' clock somewhere, and since you're a British citizen, why not
- Well I know P would have and normally I would have but it was just a tad too early for my liking.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
I could see 2 China Eastern A300's on the remote stands, we drove past one and continued towards the other before passing that too, hmm not good, ok and past a company A340 without steps so not that, bugger, we pulled up next to an A320, what a disappointment, I felt really miffed.
Ouch, that hurts. Far from home for something special, and then playing a loosing game
- Ouch indeed
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
I could have flown direct NRT-PEK on NH and saved the hotel and flight cost, oh well, crap happens from time to time.
At least you could do some more spotting, which is always good for you
- That is true though I would have liked to have made a few more to make it feel more worth it.
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 1): Mark, lovely report, and MU does a great job, on the ground, friendly crews, informative, priority boarding and dedicated bus. I'm positively surprised.
- I was too, got off the plane feeling quite relaxed, so mush have been a good flight.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 2): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
There are now two terminals here at PVG, just shows how much air travel has grown in China since my last visit some eight years ago, back then the original terminal building was sufficient.
I'm shocked that PEK has risen from #30 of the World's busiest airports when I first came to China in 2003, to #2 last year...crazy growth!
- I know, it's amazing.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 2): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
Lot’s of Chevy advertising here
Ha, China is the promised land. Most Chinese have no idea about reputations of Western companies, so all sorts advertise over there. I saw loads of ads in Shanghai for "Roewe" cars, aparently a "major" UK car maker!
- Never saw that myself. is that perhaps a bad transaltion of Rover? - I saw a few odd looking Rover's whilst I was there.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 2): There are some nice upgrade deals in China. I can remember choosing an MU 330 over an identically timed/priced CZ A300....doh!
- Hmm, looking back........
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 2): FB is blocked in China - you need to use a proxy.
- I thought that might be the issue.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 2): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
One of the FA's soon handed out drinks, my sparkling water turned out to be soda water, I don't recall having had that before.
You got Schwepps!!! Air China serve Watson's water
- Is Schwepps better than Watson's? - I assume so as I've never heard of the latter.
Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 3): Pretty cool you got to fly a Chinese built A320, id imagine it wouldnt feel much different to any other A320.
- I never even noticed until I check the reg, so no different.
Quoting 767747 (Reply 4): A shame about you not getting on the A300!
- I know
Quoting 767747 (Reply 4): MU looks okay, food looks fine, nothing too special, but a nice way to fly from PVG-PEK.
- Indeed, nothing special as you say, but not a bad way to spend a few hours in the air.
...at least something. Does it say "Made in China" on the safety card?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): I could see 2 China Eastern A300's on the remote stands, we drove past one and continued towards the other before passing that too, hmm not good, ok and past a company A340 without steps so not that, bugger, we pulled up next to an A320, what a disappointment, I felt really miffed.
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1735 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (10 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 6725 times:
Hi Mark,
Good to see Shanghai PVG featured here--it's a shame you didn't get on the A300 as it's getting more and more rare in the world... Anyway, it seems like you could've avoided the night spent in Shanghai had you known. Bad luck I guess.... It looks like I'll pass through Shanghai early January, but nothing booked yet.
As for comments:
I didn't hear many positive reviews of lounges in PVG unfortunately.
That minibus looks from another time, to be honest... Doesn't fit with the scenery too well, haha.
Yeah, fb isn't easily accessible from within China... You know, the great firewall and all...
Anyway, great report, Mark, thanks for taking the time to write it up!
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1672 posts, RR: 15 Reply 11, posted (10 months 6 days ago) and read 6329 times:
Hey Mark, nice report!
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): at that time the newest carrier to add this super jumbo to it’s fast growing fleet.
Any plans on catching the MH A380? Maybe something to combine with your return segment on the 787
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): The views from my room were pretty good, once the light improved later in the day, you could get some decent spotting done from here.
Must say, quite a nice view. Although that smog looks quite thick, so I wouldn't want to be spending more time there than necessary. Btw was the Maglev noisy?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): ,I decided to splash out and upgrade to First class, this was easily done after a short wait in line at the domestic ticketing desk
That's nice, never knew such option existed on chinese domestic flights. How much did you pay for the upgrade?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): During the wait numerous people cut the line to ask the service staff questions, quite a lack of etiquette, but nothing unusual in China from my experience.
For a british citizen, I'm sure that must've been excruciating.
But you are right, the chinese are perhaps the worst on the planet at queueing, much the same as the moroccans. In such countries, I just go with the flow and cut the queues too!
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 12, posted (10 months 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6119 times:
Good morning Mark,
A nice report to read on this (finally!) sunny Sunday morning. It looks like you had a decent flight on domestic First Class. Do you mind telling me how much you paid for the upgrade?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): Possibly decent views for spotting if in the right room?
Probably. I could not find anything about spotting on TripAdvisor.
JQflightie From Australia, joined Mar 2009, 880 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (10 months 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 5912 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): I'd like to try out MU on a longhaul in JCL one day to see how they perform on a longer flight.
Thanks for that review, great photo's. Im about to fly MU next month (AUG) KUL-PVG-LHR i'll be doing a trip report and posting pictures. I will be on a A320 KUL-PVG and then thier new A330-200 with the nice new lie-flat beds PVG-LHR.
Next Trip: PER-DPS-LOP-CGK-KUL-PVG-LHR, LCY-MAD-VLC, BCN-LYS-TLS-IST-JED-KUL-SGN-CAN-MEL
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 14, posted (10 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5860 times:
Hi Mark,
Good to see another part of your Asia trip, a nice appetizer for the main course that should follow! Shame about the equipment change though.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): Following a later night than planned in the bar, the alarm went of at 6, much earlier than I needed but I figured get up and start spotting.
Haha, this is the way it always goes! I've missed one flight (well daytrip actually = 3 flights) and almost missed a few for the very same reason - had a bucketful too much and slept, slept, slept.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): There are now two terminals here at PVG, just shows how much air travel has grown in China since my last visit some eight years ago, back then the original terminal building was sufficient.
They also built a second runway during that period, the Chinese are crazy builders.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): Feeling quite happy about getting back on an A300 after so many years,I decided to splash out and upgrade to First class, this was easily done after a short wait in line at the domestic ticketing desk.
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): bugger, we pulled up next to an A320, what a disappointment, I felt really miffed.
Oh dear, what a disappointment. I can understand how disappointed you must've felt. But things like this happen, not like it's never happened to me...
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): I quickly realised economy started with row 30, looking to my right, the last row of business, two rows in a 2-2 layout, is in fact row 7, ah, got it!
That's very odd. Maybe it helps with equipment changes or something.
What's that weird box in the middle? It looks like an IFE box but there's no personal IFE?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): The fruit was fresh but the meat, supposedly pork, was quite fatty, I had to cut a fair bit off it, apart from that it was quite tasty, thought there should have been salt and pepper on the tray.
That looks quite nice, although not exactly First Class standard I think. Did you happen to see what was served back in Economy?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): As we approached the Beijing area the visibility increased dramatically, such that I could actually see clearly.
Well February is the best month for that, the skies are clear and the air crisp and thus the visibility great. Try in the summer and you'll hardly see anything. I remember landing there in the beginning of June and we saw the ground half a second before touching down on the runway...
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1415 posts, RR: 17 Reply 15, posted (10 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 5847 times:
Hi Mark
Great next installment of your trip to the Far East. Last time I flew China Eastern was on their MD-11 from Beijing to Pudong. I've never been so scared in my life.
In any case, it's a real shame you got an aircraft change, when in fact you'd only journeyed on that route to get the A300. I hate it when that happens! But as you say, a Chinese-built A320 is not a bad item to have in your log book either.
The seats and cabin on the A320 look rather nice, but I can't really say I'm too impressed by the meal you got.
ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, RR: 54 Reply 16, posted (10 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 5795 times:
Great report Mark!
Too bad you missed that A300 though! I would have probably planned such a trip for the same reason, and i too would have been so pissed had an A320 turned up at the gate instead! ..
But i am still quite interested in trying China Eastern out. Many are of the opinion that it is the worst airline in China, but i don't care for some reason
I think service seemed quite adequate for the length of your flight though the fatty pork isn't my thing! ..I take it MU offers only F and Y on narrow-bodies?
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Cheers,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 17, posted (10 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 5619 times:
Hello Mark
Great report there.
Too bad you did not get the A300 and had the rather boring 320 instead.
Nice to see about the upgrade, MUs J class looks pretty good, like the high quality meal and US domestic F-style seats.
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (10 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 5350 times:
Hi, Mark,
great to follow up you´re further Asia travels.
Such a shame not to catch the MU A300, but anyway MU looks not that bad.
Looking forward to more A380 reading stuff.
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1188 posts, RR: 29 Reply 19, posted (10 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 5167 times:
Hello Mark,
Nice short report! A man on a mission that partly failed, bummer that. But I hope the A380 flight was still on, I’m as well keen to read about that one. I didn’t know btw that Airbuses were assembled in China as well? Do they cater only for the Chinese market then or a larger region?
Yes indeed, I wonder what the concept behind it is. Food, drinks or just a separate place to be at ease?
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): we drove past one and continued towards the other before passing that too, hmm not good, ok and past a company A340 without steps so not that, bugger, we pulled up next to an A320, what a disappointment, I felt really miffed.
Not good...
Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter): by now the economy bus had pulled up so there was a fair bit of pushing and shoving as people tried to get to the steps.
Didn’t you 1st classers were allowed priority to climb the stairs?
palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1051 posts, RR: 16 Reply 20, posted (10 months 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 4828 times:
Hi Mark
Bugger! Sorry you missed the A300 - a shame about the substitution. Still, nevertheless a great summary of your domestic experience with MU. Airport infrastructure in China has come a long way so fast by the looks of things. Amazing to see the transformation. That new terminal in PEK is stunning.
Interesting to see the Delayed Flight lounge too - I guess you read about the systemic air traffic delays in China these days caused by all sorts of things - weather, the sheer volume of planes now in the sky and the odd PLA military exercise!
Service onboard the A320 looked pretty good actually. Looking forward the next instalment.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6087 posts, RR: 56 Reply 21, posted (9 months 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 4387 times:
Hi Mark!
Thanks for another great report with great pictures!
Many thanks also for the tips on spotting locations in the report; I still hope to go there some day. Perhaps next year in April.....
Too bad you missed out on the A300 but the meal looks great for such a flight.
I flew SHA-PEK in 2001 on a 733 in Y and it was still a nice flight. China Eastern is a nice airline in Y on short haul flights. Not sure how they are on long haul flights. Think they may need to improve there from what I have read.
Looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24924 posts, RR: 60 Reply 22, posted (9 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 4036 times:
Hey Mark great report as always Something interesting for sure.
Never seen a delayed flight lounge before. Is it where you go for mis connections or a place to get refreshments if your flight is delayed ? Interesting concept.
celestar From Singapore, joined Jul 2001, 245 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (9 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 3905 times:
Good and interesting trip report.
I am a huge fan of Airbus A300 and A310, more so with A300. I recalled a flight I took long ago with MU from Shanghai to Shenzhen together with my colleague, who sit next to me. Half way through the journey, the seat fell apart, it was an old looking plane, obviously not well maintained. The seat absolutely refused to return to its normal position and just in the lied down position. Since I am a rotund size, the FA while trying to hold back their laughter, help me to the rear to another open seat, which interestingly enough, was also broken in the similar fashion! I have to be reseated twice.
MU is just like any other PRC airlines. The issue is you cannot get a consistent service from them. However, on the bright side, at the very least, all PRC airlines seems to have pretty good safety record, which to me, is quite amazing!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 11): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
ried to log onto FB too but it would not load, had the same problem in the hotel the previous night.
That's not really surprising since Facebook is banned in China
- Being a bit new to FB I never knew that at the time
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 11): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
Not an everyday sight
A rare type indeed! Perhaps an objective for your future missions?
- Love to but not likely at the moment.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 12): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
Not a great view from the drop off area
I do not want to be around there during hot summertime.
- Can you imagine the smell?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 12): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
Security was painless, moments later I was airside.
Is liquid ban imposed on domestic flights?
- Not sure, I am in the habit of removing liquids these days.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 12): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
I took the latter as it looked more like a cocktail! - quite nice it was too.
Could you figure out the ingredients? Was it alcoholic?
Clean and tidy. By the way, what’s the pink thing on the left?
- It's a flower holder.
Quoting JQflightie (Reply 13): Im about to fly MU next month (AUG) KUL-PVG-LHR i'll be doing a trip report and posting pictures. I will be on a A320 KUL-PVG and then thier new A330-200 with the nice new lie-flat beds PVG-LHR.
- Excellent, looking forward to that one!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Good to see another part of your Asia trip, a nice appetizer for the main course that should follow! Shame about the equipment change though.
- Thanks and tell me about it!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
Following a later night than planned in the bar, the alarm went of at 6, much earlier than I needed but I figured get up and start spotting.
Haha, this is the way it always goes! I've missed one flight (well daytrip actually = 3 flights) and almost missed a few for the very same reason - had a bucketful too much and slept, slept, slept.
- No missed a flight yet but it could be easily done.
What's that weird box in the middle? It looks like an IFE box but there's no personal IFE?
- You know, not a clue!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
The fruit was fresh but the meat, supposedly pork, was quite fatty, I had to cut a fair bit off it, apart from that it was quite tasty, thought there should have been salt and pepper on the tray.
That looks quite nice, although not exactly First Class standard I think. Did you happen to see what was served back in Economy?
- Food and prep decent enough, not real F but ok, not sure what got dished up down back.
Quoting ronerone (Reply 16): Too bad you missed that A300 though! I would have probably planned such a trip for the same reason, and i too would have been so pissed had an A320 turned up at the gate instead! ..
- Well it just seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up, oh well!
Quoting ronerone (Reply 16): But i am still quite interested in trying China Eastern out. Many are of the opinion that it is the worst airline in China, but i don't care for some reason
- Despite the aircraft change I thought they were pretty good, I'd happily fly with them again.
Quoting ronerone (Reply 16): I take it MU offers only F and Y on narrow-bodies?
- I assume so, unless they place a 346 on a domestic run.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 19): A man on a mission that partly failed, bummer that
- Yep, that's me!
Quoting sultanils (Reply 19): I didn’t know btw that Airbuses were assembled in China as well? Do they cater only for the Chinese market then or a larger region?
- Just A320's and only for the Chinese market at this time.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 19): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
I gave no thought to the 3-3 layout shown on the screen
I wonder had you noticed this first, would you have upgraded yourself nonetheless?
- It would have been too late by that time.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 19): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
a few pictures of the terminal
That ceiling looks kinda weird with those spikes and ropes coming out. It looks like a medieval torture apparatus of some sorts.
- Yes, I can imagine these closing in on you like some Indiana Jones film!
Yes indeed, I wonder what the concept behind it is. Food, drinks or just a separate place to be at ease?
- Not sure, should have peeked in.....
Quoting sultanils (Reply 19): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
by now the economy bus had pulled up so there was a fair bit of pushing and shoving as people tried to get to the steps.
Didn’t you 1st classers were allowed priority to climb the stairs?
- Nope, no priority boarding here.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 19): Quoting BA319-131 (Thread starter):
China Eastern reading material
Only in Chinese or in English as well?
- Both if I recall correctly.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 20): Bugger! Sorry you missed the A300 - a shame about the substitution
- I know, what a detour for nothing really!
Quoting palmjet (Reply 20): That new terminal in PEK is stunning.
- Indeed, is superb!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 21): Thanks for another great report with great pictures!
- Thanks for reading Lars.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 21): Many thanks also for the tips on spotting locations in the report; I still hope to go there some day.
- No worries, anytime.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 22): Never seen a delayed flight lounge before. Is it where you go for mis connections or a place to get refreshments if your flight is delayed ? Interesting concept.
Quoting celestar (Reply 23): MU is just like any other PRC airlines. The issue is you cannot get a consistent service from them. However, on the bright side, at the very least, all PRC airlines seems to have pretty good safety record, which to me, is quite amazing!
25 lukeyboy95: HI Mark. Yet again another nice and consistent report from you. It is no reflection on your report but I felt quite bleached after that read. I am all
26 abrelosojos: Mark, Catching up on a bunch of reports, and yours teased with the promise 300 ... though, my disappointment could never match what you felt! Anyways,
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