Air China Review (Shanghai Pudong to Beijing Capital)

An Air China Boeing 737-700 at Beijing Capital airport: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Route: Shanghai Pudong Airport to Beijing Capital

Departure date and time of flight: 22:25pm on the 13th August 2006

Flight Number: CA1856

Flight duration: 2 hours 05 minutes (With delay it was 4 hours 10 minutes!!)

Class: Economy Class

Aircraft type: Boeing 767-200

Punctuality of the flight:

The flight departed two hours late- no reasons given. All the passengers were asked to sit and just wait. They put on “Tom and Jerry” on the IFE screens to keep everyone amused!

Any baggage issues:

No issues- the bags arrived on time and in one piece.

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues:

No check-in issues. I took the Maglev train from downtown Shanghai to Pudong airport, and arrived well in advance.

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Drinks (including alcoholic – only Tsingtao beer!), and including tea and coffee.  

Comments regarding the first meal:

Just a packet of peanuts and a biscuit. It wasn't enough to fill.

Comments regarding the drinks service:

A second round of drinks were offered after the meal. No alcohol, but plenty of milk, coffee and tea.

Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any):

None

Comments regarding the second meal (if any):

None

Comments on the in-flight system (if any):

None

Improvements that could be made:

Perhaps have more cleaner toilets, and a better in-flight service.

Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort):

The 767-200 aircraft had a seat configuration of 3-3-3 with an all economy seat set up. The plane was not clean and the toilets were not clean too. All in all it was a bad experience for all the passengers on this flight. We arrived in Beijing at 2 in the morning.

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 2