Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Shanghai Airlines

Has anyone ever flown Shanghai Airlines? I booked an award ticket from HKG to PVG and the only carrier that had availability was Shanghai Airlines. The website looked a bit scary, but I wanted to see first hand if anyone has any experience on this flight and/or with this airline.

Thanks!

Has anyone ever flown Shanghai Airlines? I booked an award ticket from HKG to PVG and the only carrier that had availability was Shanghai Airlines. The website looked a bit scary, but I wanted to see first hand if anyone has any experience on this flight and/or with this airline.

Thanks!

They're fine (for a 2 hr. flight). Check the China forum for more comments. Rankings differ between poster, but for me they're number two after China Eastern (MU).

Shanghai Airlines (FM) are absolutely fine. They're not Singapore Airlines in service terms, but the planes are safe and well maintained to international standards. The fact they have made it into the Star Alliance should give you some additional reassurance.

The English language websites of many Chinese companies look "scary", though that is simply because most of their customers at the moment are Chinese. It is not a reflection of how good or bad the company is (you should see some of the shockingly bad Chinese language websites some major western firms operate, including airlines).

Shanghai Airline is good in service but the aircraft tends to be old compared to MU. In China, usually the smaller airlines provide good service.

Shanghai Airline is good in service but the aircraft tends to be old compared to MU. In China, usually the smaller airlines provide good service.


Shanghai Airlines has relatively old 757's and 767's though these are well maintained and in most cases leased from large western financing companies.

Their 737's, on the other hand, are next generation models and actually quite new.

China Eastern has some rather old MD90's and A300's in circulation, but it's A320 family and A330/340 aircraft are pretty modern.

I would add that both carriers have aircraft that are towards the younger end of the age range of planes flown by the likes of Delta and American Airlines. I have no hesitation flying either airline.

FM is using 767 (1 daily) and 738 (3 daily) on this route, MU is using 332, 346, 340 (-300?), and a number of 321 on this route. Beside Airbus vs Boeing, no big difference on age of these metal really.

MU service is not very consistant, because there've been served by a number of sub-companies (only the 346 and 332 are Shanghai based). As a regional airline, FM is all Shanghai based crew, so very consistant.