China Eastern Airlines (Shenzhen to Shanghai Hongqiao) AIRBUS A300B4-600R

A China Eastern Airlines Airbus A320 parked at Guilin Airport: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Route: Shenzhen Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport

Departure date and time of flight: 10:30am on the 20th June

Flight Number: MU5314

Flight duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Class: Economy class

Aircraft type: Airbus A300B4-600R

Punctuality of the flight:

The flight departed and landed on time (rare).

Any baggage issues:

No issues- the bags arrived on time and in one piece. I had to check in 26KG of extra luggage at Shenzhen airport (around about 49KG in total). The total price for this came to 450RMB (approx 40 GBP Sterling). Unlike other airports in China, at Shenzhen airport they do give you a receipt for your extra baggage. Perhaps it was a special case as Shenzhen is going to be hosting the 2011 Universaide in august so the local government wants everything to be efficient and according to international standards.

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues:

The check-in staff were polite, and very professional. There was no problem what so ever.

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Choice of drinks (standard- tea, coffee, orange juice, apple juice, lemonade or coca cola). There was no alcohol served on this flight as alcohol is not served on domestic flights in China. I asked for orange juice, and a coffee. The orange juice was provided from a carton of a local brand (not Dole!), and the coffee was instant (but drinkable). 

Comments regarding the first meal:

A lovely colourful cardboard box was presented with the following contents:

1.     A plain bread bun (boring and simple...would have tasted better if they had provided us with butter)
2.     A muffin (either a blueberry or strawberry)
3.     A preserved packet of pickle (OK...nothing special...went really well with the ‘boring’ plain bread bun!)
4.     A small packet of preserved strawberry jam (it was good, but there was no butter to go with the meal!)

The box came with a printed message on the top: ‘For love, for you’. It was sweet...but the food wasn’t.

The best part of the meal was the HOT and delicious options of: either chicken with rice, or beef with rice. I opted for the chicken with rice. The chicken was tender and well cooked, while both the rice and the vegetables were of an edible quality. Though it was not the kind of quality you would get on most international carriers outside of China, but still very edible and delicious.

Comments regarding the drinks service:

A second round of drinks was offered after the meal. No alcohol was served.

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):

There was no in-flight entertainment system installed on this aircraft, as the aircraft was old. China Eastern Airlines operate a mixture of old and new aircraft. Normally, the older aircraft are used on domestic routes.

Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew:

The staff were very proud of their brand image and represented their airline at the highest level possible. When under a situation of high pressure, the staff seemed to act with professionalism and integrity. 

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

China Eastern Airlines have improved quite a lot on most aspects of their aircraft interior. This includes the aircraft seating, the smell of the interior cabin, the cleanliness of the aircraft toilets, and the general positive attitude of the cabin crew members.

The seats in Economy Class on the Airbus A300 have a pitch of 32 inches recline, and are 17.8 inches wide.

Business Class seats on the Airbus A300 have a pitch of 58 inches recline, and are 20 inches wide.

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 8