SHANGHAI AIRLINES (Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Beijing Capital Airport), BOEING 757-200, FIRST CLASS

Route: Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Beijing Capital Airport

Departure date and time of flight: 13:30pm in November 2012

Flight Number: FM9103

Flight duration: 2 hours 20 minutes

Class: First Class

Aircraft type: Boeing 757-200

Punctuality of the flight:

The flight departed around 30 minutes late due to the late arrival of the in-coming flight. The majority of the flights coming in from Beijing are normally delayed because of the heavy traffic at Beijing Air Traffic. On the way to Beijing I took a photo of the sky over the city, and there were at least 15 jet stream contrails! I fondly recall that Geneva and London seem to have so many jet stream contrails.

Any baggage issues:

No issues- I only had hand luggage. On Shanghai Airlines, First Class passengers can carry up to 40kg of luggage.

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues:

I was originally scheduled to fly on China Eastern Airlines on their brand new Airbus A330 aircraft on this domestic route. However, 2 hours prior to the flight time I was informed by the airline that the flight had been cancelled because of some ‘technical’ issues. Therefore, I was reassigned to this Shanghai Airlines flight because China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines have a code-share agreement. 

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Just drinks (non-alcoholic), and including tea and coffee. 

Comments regarding the first meal: 

For this two-hour flight, a light refreshment was offered in the First Class cabin.

A tray containing hot dishes including:

1.     Char shew crisp
2.     Egg yolk in a white bun
3.     Orange flavoured rice cake
4.     Coffee flavoured rice cake
5.     Passion fruit mousse cake
6.     Platter of seasonal fruit

Bread from the basket was offered as well. I took a soft bread bun.

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. In all there were a choice of 37 drinks in the First Class cabin. These included soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, coffee, wine, beer, and liquors. If that was not enough then try opting for a glass of fresh milk or herbal tea.

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 Shanghai Airlines  and were very welcoming. The passengers in First Class were kept well informed of any delays, and even the weather situation in Shanghai.

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

The ageing Boeing 757 aircraft belonging to Shanghai Airlines had a seat configuration of 2-2 in First Class, and a configuration of 3-3 in Economy Class. The plane was not clean and the toilets showed signs of an aged plane- quite easily in fact as it had the old 1980s style toilet as opposed to the new toilet that most modern aircraft have.

The cabin crew told me that in a few years the aging 757s will be replaced with Airbus A330 or even the Boeing 787; and the remaining 757s will be re-configured into cargo aircraft.

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): 9