 Route: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Guiyang Airport Departure date of flight: December 31 2014, 7pm Flight number: CZ6170 Flight duration: 2 hours 40 minutes Class: Premium Economy Class Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800 Punctuality of the flight: The flight departed on time on a rainy and dark evening in Hangzhou. This was rare because even under normal weather conditions, most flights are delayed in China, and for the flight to depart to depart on time during rain was something to cheer about, I guess. Any baggage issues: No issues- I only had hand luggage. Comments on the check-in staff and any issues: No check in issues. Everything went perfectly smoothly at check-in at Hangzhou Airport. The check-in gates for domestic flights to second and third tier cities, such as Guiyang are located in the A-section of the departures building (though this may change later). For an airport the size of Hangzhou, it is somewhat underused and quieter than it should be (the international departures terminal is practically dead quiet 80% of the time). Comments regarding the pre-meal service: Herbal Chinese tea, orange juice and some other drinks, including tea and coffee. Comments regarding the first meal: For this two-hour flight, a choice of two dishes (Chinese) for dinner. One was noodles with seafood, or chicken with rice. I opted to take the chicken with rice. The main hot dish contained delicious rice, along with various bits of chicken cubes- quite edible for a short-haul flight. A tray containing the following was included:
The above dishes were accompanied with tea or coffee (and beer if needed). Comments regarding the drinks service: A second round of drinks were offered before (orange juice and water), during, and after the meal. Plenty of milk, coffee, and tea. There was also local Yanjing beer (Guangzhou brand). Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any): None Comments regarding the second meal (if any): None Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew: The cabin crew seemed proud to work for China Southern Airlines, and were very welcoming. Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): The China Southern Airlines Boeing 737-800 uses: Economy Class/Premium Economy Class seats have a pitch of 32 inches, and a width of 18 inches First Class seats have a pitch of 38 inches, and a width of 21 inches Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 10  Photo Copyright Navjot Singh  Route: Chongqing International Airport to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Departure date of flight: 29 December 2014 Flight Number: MF8416 Flight duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Class: Economy Class Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800 Punctuality of the flight: The flight departed around five minutes late due to heavy air traffic control around the Hangzhou area because of fog. Once we got started there was hardly any sign of any delays, and it actually turned out to be a smooth flight. Any baggage issues: No issues- I only had hand luggage. Comments on the check-in staff and any issues: No check in issues. Comments regarding the pre-meal service: Just drinks, and including tea and coffee. Comments regarding the first meal: For this two-hour flight, there were just a couple of buns, a packet of pickles. The above dishes were accompanied with tea or coffee. Comments regarding the drinks service: A second round of drinks were offered before (orange juice and water), during, and after the meal. Plenty of milk, coffee, and tea. Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any): None Comments on the professionalism of the cabin crew: The cabin crew seemed proud to work for Xiamen Airlines, and were very welcoming. Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): The brand new B737-800 aircraft belonging to Xiame Airlines had a seat configuration of 2-2 in First Class, and a configuration of 3-3 in Economy Class. The plane was very clean, felt fresh, and the toilets showed signs of a new plane out of the factory. Economy Class seats have a pitch of 32 inches, and a width of 18 inches (139 seats) First Class seats have a pitch of 38 inches, and a width of 21 inches (20 seats). Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 10  Photo Copyright Navjot Singh  Photo Copyright Navjot Singh  Photo Copyright Navjot Singh  Photo Copyright Navjot Singh China Southern Airlines (Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Chongqing Jiabei Airport), AIRBUS A321-20012/26/2014
 Route: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Chongqing International Airport Departure date of flight: 28 December 2014 Flight Number: CZ8180 Flight duration: 2 hours 40 minutes Class: Economy Class Aircraft type: Airbus A321 Punctuality of the flight: The flight departed around five minutes late due to heavy air traffic control around the Hangzhou area because of fog. Once we got started there was hardly any sign of any delays, and it actually turned out to be a smooth flight. Any baggage issues: No issues- I only had hand luggage. Comments on the check-in staff and any issues: No check in issues. Everything went perfectly smoothly at Hangzhou Airport. The best way to ge Comments regarding the pre-meal service: Just drinks, and including tea and coffee. Comments regarding the first meal: For this two-hour flight, a choice of two dishes (both Chinese) for dinner. One was noodles with beef, or pork with rice. I opted to take the pork with rice. The shredded pork and the white rice tasted delicious. China Southern Airlines in-flight catering has improved a lot in recent years. A tray containing the following was included:
The above dishes were accompanied with tea or coffee (and beer if needed). Comments regarding the drinks service: A second round of drinks were offered before (orange juice and water), during, and after the meal. Plenty of milk, coffee, and tea. Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any): None Comments on the professionalism of the cabin crew: The cabin crew seemed proud to work for China Southern Airlines, and were very welcoming. Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): The brand new A321 aircraft belonging to China Southern Airlines had a seat configuration of 2-2 in First Class, and a configuration of 3-3 in Economy Class. The plane was very clean, felt fresh, and the toilets showed signs of a new plane out of the factory. Economy Class seats have a pitch of 32 inches, and a width of 18 inches (139 seats) First Class seats have a pitch of 38 inches, and a width of 21 inches (20 seats). Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 10  |
 Navjot Singh inside an Airbus A320 cockpit of British Airways at Heathrow Airport About Airline PRThis is a special section on Airline Branding, and Airline Public Relations written by me on all the flights I have been fortunate enough to have been on. These are not records taken from somewhere else, but are actual flights I have been on. Most of the flight trips are officially sponsored by the airline companies in order to promote their certain routes, and aircraft. Airline promotion and PR related work in the aviation industry is one of my expertise. 
Navjot Singh at a Chinese Military Airfield
Watch exclusive videos below taken in the cockpit of a Boeing 777-300ER in-flight over Chinese Airspace.
Special thanks goes to Turkish Airlines B777-300ER Cockpit Video 1B777-300ER Cockpit Video 2
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