Asiana Club - SEL to SHA?

Anyone know when this route will begin?

Nevermind. I found that it should start Oct. 28.

Looks like it is available for bookings since yesterday or early today.

Rather a bit rush given 9 days left till the inaugural.

Chinese government's approval is still on-going, that is why this happens. Other than OZ, no airliners confirmed schedule yet. I think even Chinese side didn't even pick either CZ or Shanghai airline to fly this route yet. (or am I wrong)

That's China. Looks slow, but once decided, move very fast.

Any ideas about the lounge in PVG? Nothing is listed on the OZ site...

At PVG you can use the NH lounge, the SQ lounge, and soon (as of Dec 12) the FM lounge. According to the *A info on its website OZ contracts with another airline for a lounge.

Sorry, that was a typo on my part... I meant lounge in SHA (Hongqiao, not Pudong).

The ANA website (http://www.ana.co.jp/int/checkin/lounge/other/sha/index_biz.html)lists a "business class lounge" oppisite gates 11 & 12. I expect OZ will use this too.

Chinese government's approval is still on-going, that is why this happens. Other than OZ, no airliners confirmed schedule yet. I think even Chinese side didn't even pick either CZ or Shanghai airline to fly this route yet. (or am I wrong)

That's China. Looks slow, but once decided, move very fast.

Korean Air has confirmed their sked but not yet approved nor ok for sale.

China government (actually some Chinese air traffic control center?) announced to both OZ and KE that change schedule to AFTERNOON instead of morning due to SHA airport's crowdness in the morning. So Asiana and Korean air will change its schedule soon, and will lose lots of business travelers to ICN-PVG, no doubtly. Now D-5.

From October 28, 2007 Gimpo - Hongqiao 530 miles

KE 6815 GMP/SHA 1600/1700 A333 (F12/C28/Y256)
OZ 3615 GMP/SHA 1615/1715 A321 (C12/Y165)
FM 824 GMP/SHA 1920/2005 B757 (Shanghai?)
MU 512 GMP/SHA 1940/2025 A333 (C38/Y262)

FM 823 SHA/GMP 1530/1820 B757
MU 511 SHA/GMP 1545/1835 A333
KE 6816 SHA/GMP 1800/2055 A333
OZ 3625 SHA/GMP 1815/2105 A321

its just great to have international service back at the close-in airport. when i moved here in 2001 we had great service. course the govt wanted the money flowing into PVG but its so far out. even takes a long time if you use MAGLEV...........hooray...........

The OZ Honqgiao - Gimpo flight time looks good. Early dinner in the Honqgiao area and then straight to the hotel (and/or Noraebang) in Seoul.

Returning is not so convenient due to rush hour at both ends but easily allows for dinner around Honqgiao or elsewhere in central Shanghai.

Why not a larger plane with F on this route?

From October 28, 2007 Gimpo - Hongqiao 530 miles

KE 6815 GMP/SHA 1600/1700 A333 (F12/C28/Y256)
OZ 3615 GMP/SHA 1615/1715 A321 (C12/Y165)
FM 824 GMP/SHA 1920/2005 B757 (Shanghai?)
MU 512 GMP/SHA 1940/2025 A333 (C38/Y262)

FM 823 SHA/GMP 1530/1820 B757
MU 511 SHA/GMP 1545/1835 A333
KE 6816 SHA/GMP 1800/2055 A333
OZ 3625 SHA/GMP 1815/2105 A321

FM = Shanghai Airlines.

They operate the 767 aircraft on this route. An alternative option to Asiana once Shanghai joins Star on 12DEC07.

Looks like Asiana will put 767 on this route from Jan or Feb 2008.

Perhaps Hongqiao is crowded in the morning, but could they really not find any morning slots for the GMP services? It seems that we're missing a whole morning bank of flights, needed to make this route really convenient.

Perhaps Hongqiao is crowded in the morning, but could they really not find any morning slots for the GMP services? It seems that we're missing a whole morning bank of flights, needed to make this route really convenient.

Yeah. I don't understand the logic on that one, except Asian countries are definitely not early risers. There is no traffic in Seoul until 9:00AM.
Soju hangovers I suppose.

Perhaps Hongqiao is crowded in the morning, but could they really not find any morning slots for the GMP services? It seems that we're missing a whole morning bank of flights, needed to make this route really convenient.

Yeah. I don't understand the logic on that one, except Asian countries are definitely not early risers. There is no traffic in Seoul until 9:00AM.
Soju hangovers I suppose.

yes big article about the flights in monday's Shanghai Daily. They really had to fight Beijing to get the flights at all and goverment would only allow off-peak flights. That's Beijing lots of publicity value in it but when you read the fine print.......well it's still China..........

Yeah. I don't understand the logic on that one, except Asian countries are definitely not early risers. There is no traffic in Seoul until 9:00AM.
Soju hangovers I suppose.

As far as I know Korean new recruits are required to arrive at the office at 5-6am in the beginning to test their spirit. I've also done several 3.30 am departures from provincial Korean cities to arrive in Seoul for 8am morning meetings because we couldn't get there by plane on time.

yes big article about the flights in monday's Shanghai Daily. They really had to fight Beijing to get the flights at all and goverment would only allow off-peak flights. That's Beijing lots of publicity value in it but when you read the fine print.......well it's still China..........

Why should Chinese authorities value flights to Japan and Korea more than domestic prime routes?

Is Shanghai Hongqiaoi-Taiyaun or Yantai really a prime route?

Chinese authorities should value these sevices because international flights support international business and investment, a key driver of China's success.

Is Shanghai Hongqiaoi-Taiyaun or Yantai really a prime route?

Chinese authorities should value these sevices because international flights support international business and investment, a key driver of China's success.

There are several other international airports in the area being developed including Suzhou and Wuxi that can take flights from neighbouring countries.

The bottom line: It would be ideal to have morning flights as well but let's be happy there are "city airport" flights Seoul - Shanghai at all.