Best, Most Reliable Airline Shanghai PVG- Hong Kong
Jan 21, 2015, 8:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 208
Best, Most Reliable Airline Shanghai PVG- Hong Kong
We will be taking a late Monday morning flight out of Shanghai PVG to Hong Kong and returning on a late afternoon/early evening flight from Hong Kong to PVG on a Thursday.
It looks like our choices for lower fares are China Eastern, Hong Kong Airlines, Dragonair and Cathay Pacific. (I don't think Cathay Pacific has very many nonstop flights, so that may be an issue.)
Is there an airline that is more reliable in terms of on-time departure/arrivals and any other tangible/intangible factors that may come into play?
It looks like our choices for lower fares are China Eastern, Hong Kong Airlines, Dragonair and Cathay Pacific. (I don't think Cathay Pacific has very many nonstop flights, so that may be an issue.)
Is there an airline that is more reliable in terms of on-time departure/arrivals and any other tangible/intangible factors that may come into play?
Jan 22, 2015, 2:56 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,222
We will be taking a late Monday morning flight out of Shanghai PVG to Hong Kong and returning on a late afternoon/early evening flight from Hong Kong to PVG on a Thursday.
It looks like our choices for lower fares are China Eastern, Hong Kong Airlines, Dragonair and Cathay Pacific. (I don't think Cathay Pacific has very many nonstop flights, so that may be an issue.)
Is there an airline that is more reliable in terms of on-time departure/arrivals and any other tangible/intangible factors that may come into play?
It looks like our choices for lower fares are China Eastern, Hong Kong Airlines, Dragonair and Cathay Pacific. (I don't think Cathay Pacific has very many nonstop flights, so that may be an issue.)
Is there an airline that is more reliable in terms of on-time departure/arrivals and any other tangible/intangible factors that may come into play?
Jan 22, 2015, 5:16 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,030
I don't know anyone who, when given the choice, does not fly ka/CX. It's not that we're especially wowed by the experience (though the lounges in hk are pretty nice); it's just that they're better than the rest. The large number of flights is also a plus on days when they aren't sold out because being able to switch can take some of the pain out of the delay problem. Furthermore, since the op is flying round trip, there's a decent chance that she'll be able to score an okay fare (I.e they really stick it to you on one way fares whereas spring, mu, and uo generally don't). Also check out kaholidays. Their air/hotel packages, when on offer, can make the marginal cost of the hotel very attractive.
Jan 22, 2015, 3:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
I've done this route many times with MU and KA.
Flights that depart first thing or early in the day have been relatively on time, while late afternoon, I don't remember a flight that was NOT late or delayed.
Flights that depart first thing or early in the day have been relatively on time, while late afternoon, I don't remember a flight that was NOT late or delayed.
Jan 24, 2015, 3:04 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 208
Thank you for the feedback. I will most likely book with Dragonair. However, their website is confusing as it suggests I can take an "unrestricted" number of checked bags for no additional fee.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
Jan 24, 2015, 8:46 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,030
Thank you for the feedback. I will most likely book with Dragonair. However, their website is confusing as it suggests I can take an "unrestricted" number of checked bags for no additional fee.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
Jan 25, 2015, 12:31 am
#7
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Location: HKG
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Thank you for the feedback. I will most likely book with Dragonair. However, their website is confusing as it suggests I can take an "unrestricted" number of checked bags for no additional fee.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
They go by weight. In economy, you get 20kg/44lb. You can divide up to 10 pieces, if you desire.
Jan 26, 2015, 2:14 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 407
I second this. If you want to ensure that you're not delayed, you should take the first or second flight of the day, when the pattern is not yet backed up and you don't have to wait for incoming aircraft. Sometimes, you do get lucky (I had a 6pm departure leave on time while the 5pm was delayed until 8pm - I think it was because our plane arrived while the 5pm's plane was delayed coming out of HKG), but generally speaking, if you fly after 5-6pm, you're playing with fire.
Jan 26, 2015, 4:10 pm
#9
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Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
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Thank you for the feedback. I will most likely book with Dragonair. However, their website is confusing as it suggests I can take an "unrestricted" number of checked bags for no additional fee.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
Am I reading that correctly? One checked bag per each of our family members is sufficient, but I would like to confirm there would be no charge for this.
I'd avoid the Dragonair A320s. The refurbished A321s are good however (but the A320/321 are very tight on legroom in coach).
Jan 27, 2015, 5:21 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
I second this. If you want to ensure that you're not delayed, you should take the first or second flight of the day, when the pattern is not yet backed up and you don't have to wait for incoming aircraft. Sometimes, you do get lucky (I had a 6pm departure leave on time while the 5pm was delayed until 8pm - I think it was because our plane arrived while the 5pm's plane was delayed coming out of HKG), but generally speaking, if you fly after 5-6pm, you're playing with fire.
Once the Kowloon HSR terminal is finished, thinking of switching to Hong Kong - Shanghai sleeper trains mostly.
Jan 27, 2015, 10:11 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
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Completely biased, but I felt like MU was ALWAYS delayed when I fly them domestic. International a lot better.
Jan 27, 2015, 10:19 pm
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,030
You're certainly not alone in your opinion of mu (they didn't get the "等方" nickname by accident). But, having Shanghai has a base plays a large role in their atrocious on-time record.
Jan 28, 2015, 11:15 pm
#14
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Feb 2, 2015, 8:13 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: AA, UA, BA
Posts: 70
http://www.dragonair.com/ka/en_HK/tr...n-baggage.html
They go by weight. In economy, you get 20kg/44lb. You can divide up to 10 pieces, if you desire.
They go by weight. In economy, you get 20kg/44lb. You can divide up to 10 pieces, if you desire.