China - Shanghai-Lijiang 1st China Eastern or Shanghai Airlines?

Hi.

I'm taking a 1st class domestic China flight on a 737 between Shanghai and Lijiang. Which airline is recommended: China Eastern or Shanghai Airlines?

thanks.

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Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Check the flight numbers and operating carrier.

China Eastern (mu) and Shanghai Airlines (fm) are one company. It's likely that only one of them actually operates the flight.
Chances are that FM plane is still using the original (and now hopelessly old) interior.

I would suggest using China Southern. Their customer service seems to be the best of the mainland carriers. Also, some of their domestic flights are marketed as FC and some as business, but the only difference seems to be about $10. IME they have new clean planes, with nice wide FC seats, not at all like Eurobusiness, for example. On my flights, I was given some very nice slippers.

thanks for the reply.

Wvj: I think you are right. The flight numbers match up. Guess it doesn't make much difference who I go with then.

Obscure: This is about Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern...not China Southern...:td:

You do realize that there's no reason to be scared of Chinese Y.....

I would suggest using China Southern. Their customer service seems to be the best of the mainland carriers. Also, some of their domestic flights are marketed as FC and some as business, but the only difference seems to be about $10. IME they have new clean planes, with nice wide FC seats, not at all like Eurobusiness, for example. On my flights, I was given some very nice slippers.

TMK, there is only one flight per day between PVG and LJG (hope I got that code right), and CZ, FM, and MU all put flight numbers on it, so it really doesn't matter which one you book.

You do realize that there's no reason to be scared of Chinese Y.....

+1, but be prepared to be pushed/shoved when boarding and to be very very hot.

+1, but be prepared to be pushed/shoved when boarding and to be very very hot.

On the bright side, you'll have space in the overhead bin for your carryon, your seatmate will likely fit in his own seat and not spill into yours, and you'll get a meal....which may feature Mystery Dining....but something will be served. :)

On the bright side, you'll have space in the overhead bin for your carryon, your seatmate will likely fit in his own seat and not spill into yours, and you'll get a meal....which may feature Mystery Dining....but something will be served. :)

True, I actually looked forward to meals on Chinese flights, better than nothing and excuses of a flight being too short that you get in the US.

True, I actually looked forward to meals on Chinese flights, better than nothing and excuses of a flight being too short that you get in the US.

While I won't go so far as to say I look forward to meals on domestic Chinese flights, I will say that on my last flight a couple of weeks ago--CA WUH-PEK in Y, I had a nice experience with this. Morning flight leaving 08:25 duration about 2 hours. Had hot breakfast choice of western (eggs/sausage/hash browns) or Chinese (noodles with Pork). I hate eggs and love breakfast noodles so took the Chinese and it was piping hot and tasty, also had a decent soft roll, very nice fresh fruit plate, lemon yoghurt, and a preserved plum. Only thing missing was a slice of chocolate cake. (Jiejie does not wish to hear from wags who would point out this was breakfast service--chocolate cake is appropriate at all times, on all airline meals. :p) And importantly....served with pleasantness and politeness despite a full flight and heavy cabin crew workload.

Ya, domestic China flights are actually much nicer than US domestic nowadays!

Even on short flights, there is a meal/snack of some sort.
The hot meals can be quite tasty too.


While I won't go so far as to say I look forward to meals on domestic Chinese flights, I will say that on my last flight a couple of weeks ago--CA WUH-PEK in Y, I had a nice experience with this. Morning flight leaving 08:25 duration about 2 hours. Had hot breakfast choice of western (eggs/sausage/hash browns) or Chinese (noodles with Pork). I hate eggs and love breakfast noodles so took the Chinese and it was piping hot and tasty, also had a decent soft roll, very nice fresh fruit plate, lemon yoghurt, and a preserved plum. Only thing missing was a slice of chocolate cake. (Jiejie does not wish to hear from wags who would point out this was breakfast service--chocolate cake is appropriate at all times, on all airline meals. :p) And importantly....served with pleasantness and politeness despite a full flight and heavy cabin crew workload.