JUNEYAO AIRLINES (Shenzhen Bao'an Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport)- A320 (FIRST CLASS)9/2/2012
Based at both Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, and Shanghai Pudong Airport, Juneyao Airlines is China's first private airline. Founded in 2005, the airline has a fleet of 22 aircraft (20 Airbus A320-200, and 2 Airbus A319 aircraft), flying to 32 destinations including Hong Kong.
Route: Shenzhen Bao’an Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Departure date and time of flight: August 2012 Flight Number: HO1112 IACO Callsign: AIR JUNEYAO IATA Code: HO Flight duration: 2 hours 20 minutes (turned out to be nearly 4 hours and 30 minutes hours with added delay!) Class: FIRST CLASS Aircraft type: Airbus A320-200 Aircraft Registration: B-6022 Punctuality of the flight: The plane was delayed for over two hour because of ‘military activity’ in the South China Sea area. This is not the first time such delays have occurred, and probably won’t be the last time either. The captain, an expat from Italy, informed me that the Chinese Air Force was performing sorties over the South China Sea in response to Japan claiming the purchase of the controversial Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. He claimed that the ATC had informed him that the fighter jets were doing sorties over places such as Suzhou (Guangfu), Wuxi and other nearby military airbases. So therefore we could not take-off, and even if we did then we would waste fuel by stacking over the Shanghai area. Any baggage issues: No issues- the bags arrived on time and in one piece. Juneyao Airlines allows upto one bag weighing 30kg in First Class. Comments on the check-in staff and any issues: The check-in staff were polite, smiled and very professional. There was no problem what so ever. I had arrived around two hours before departure. I had arrived at the airport at least an hour beforehand, and so there was no problem what so ever. It was nice to be early so then I could manage some aircraft shots. The morning rush hour was an indication of Shenzhen’s airport’s rapid growth in recent years. There were aircraft of all sizes ranging from a minute A318 up to the Boeing 747-400. Many international airlines have also started flying from Shenzhen airport in recent years, such Korean Airlines, Tiger Airways, Uni Air, SilkAir, UPS, FedEx, SF Express, Air Asia, and Asiana Airlines. Shenzhen airport’s new runway (16/34) which is located at least a mile away from the main terminal buildings over reclamation land started operations in July 2011. Once the new terminal 3 building is complete and open in late 2012 or early 2013, then it will make sense to use both runways (15/33, and 16/34). The new runway is able to accommodate all types of aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Juneyao Airline Lounge: The airline lounge used by Juneyao Airlines is not owned by the airline itself. Passengers flying with other airlines (except Air China, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines), also have access to this lounge. There is plenty of choice for food and drinks available. However, the interesting thing is that the toilets in the normal terminal building are far more cleaner and well suited than the old fashioned toilet they provided in the First Class lounge (the door did not close, the flash did not work, and basically it’s perhaps the next best thing after your average bog in the fields). Not as glamorous and flamboyant as other airline lounges. If I was you, I would rather go and use the airplane toilet (yes, it’s that bad). Comments regarding the pre-meal service: Just prior to departure, the cabin crew offered a wet towel, and a choice of drinks consisting of orange juice, apple juice, and water. After take-off, a variety of drinks (standard- tea, coffee, orange juice, apple juice, lemonade, or coca cola) were offered. As with most of the airlines in China, the drinks (coca cola, orange etc.) were all branded with the Juneyao Airlines logo. A packet of salted almonds was also provided. Comments regarding the first meal: Just prior to lunch being served, a wet hand towel was offered. Some of the passengers had already eaten their meal while on the ground, because they could not wait to eat as we were delayed. So I was one of the few passengers who wanted to experience the true flying in-flight meal service WHILE flying! On Juneyao Airlines, First Class passengers are offered a choice of time of when they would like to eat their meal. I ate my meal around about 30 minutes after departure. The meal tray consisted of the following: * Cold salad plate with fresh king prawns, creaser salad, chicken wings, and a wedge of lemon slice. * Warm bread from the basket * A plate of fresh fruit consisting of dragon fruit, melon, and watermelon * A choice of one of: chicken & rice, fish & rice, or pork & rice. I opted for the chicken & rice. First impressions were that the food is of good quality. Airline food in China is getting better by the day. The quantity was also just about right- not too much, and not too little either. Comments regarding the drinks service: A second round of drinks was offered after the meal. 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 IFE system. On the A320, the overhead screens come down when the safety announcement is made, and then they are hidden away for the rest of the flight. Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew: The staff were very professional, always had a smile on their faces and were quick to respond to any kind of request from the passengers. The Captain was kind enough to allow me into the flight deck before the flight, so I took the opportunity to take some good shots of the controls of this A320. Improvements that could be made: Perhaps have mood lighting when the aircraft is flying in between different time zones (morning, afternoon and evening) - hey, I could honestly find nothing else wrong with this flight! Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): The Airbus A320-300 belonging to Juneyao Airlines is clean, and had a fresh smell upon entering the cabin. The cabin consists of the trademark purple, burgundy and maroon colors on all the seats, and cushions. The dragon logo of the Juneyao Airlines brand is also proudly displayed on the cushions. There are eight seats in the First Class cabin, with a 2-2 configuration. Each First Class seat is 48.0-inch seat pitch and 21.0 inch width. There are 144 Economy Class seats in a 3-3 configuration. Each Economy Class seats provides a 31.0-inch pitch, and has a width of 19.0 inch. As per the words of the Captain, Juneyao Airlines provides one of the most comfortable first class seats on the Airbus A320 aircraft. Passengers in First Class are provided with cushy slippers, and earplugs. Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 8 Comments are closed.
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