United Airlines or Air China to Beijing?
Jun 16, 2017, 8:37 pm
#16
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
XIY would not be possible for UA without the DreamLiner (B787), but it's 3x3x3 seating, so can be tight.
There have been reports of some CA FA not really speaking English very well, but my one and only flight was on A321 from PVG to NRT (thank you United for cancelling my PVG-SFO nonstop
) and they even allowed me to sit in an exit row.I'm sure others with more recent experience and actual CA longhaul experience will chime in shortly.
Jun 23, 2017, 8:59 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
I have not flown CA but I can tell you that of the UA routes, I would prefer flying IAD-PEK if you are going to be sitting in coach. The pmUA 777-200ER that is used on that route will be more comfortable than the pmCO 787-9 that will be on SFO-XIY in back.
If you were flying business class, then I would suggest the opposite.
If you were flying business class, then I would suggest the opposite.
Jun 23, 2017, 9:46 pm
#18
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
I have not flown CA but I can tell you that of the UA routes, I would prefer flying IAD-PEK if you are going to be sitting in coach. The pmUA 777-200ER that is used on that route will be more comfortable than the pmCO 787-9 that will be on SFO-XIY in back.
If you were flying business class, then I would suggest the opposite.
If you were flying business class, then I would suggest the opposite.
Jul 7, 2017, 11:12 am
#22
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Dec 13, 2017, 12:20 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 63
Can I bump this thread once more to ask which line would be recommended (Air China or United) if I'm planning on flying J? No experience with business class at all as of yet, but thinking about booking this for the potential for actually sleeping and not being totally wrecked on the far side!
Prices are comparable - and SURPRISINGLY reasonable!
Ending in Beijing, so no transfer in PEK necessary. Routing through EWR on the way out and ORD on the way back with United. Through EWR in both directions with Air China.
Prices are comparable - and SURPRISINGLY reasonable!
Ending in Beijing, so no transfer in PEK necessary. Routing through EWR on the way out and ORD on the way back with United. Through EWR in both directions with Air China.
Dec 27, 2017, 9:11 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,882
Is CA allowing passengers to use their phones in flight now? If the restriction has not been lifted (and there is a rumor that the lifting is imminent), it is good to remind people because many rely on their phones for music and videos in flight. I heard an earful a few months back after a European business colleague took CA to Shanghai from FRA.
Jan 14, 2018, 2:04 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
To make matters worse, CA’s inflight options were woeful. A bunch of straight-to-DVD movies from 2014. Flight wasn’t awful—just tired and outdated.
Jan 15, 2018, 3:32 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: San Diego, CA & Shanghai, China
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 52
Air China, as the flag carrier airline of China, is now overly protected by the government, so I would say the in-flight & ground service is not competitive to other airlines.
Although also being state-owned enterprises, MU,CZ,HU are much better than CA.
I solely choose United when travelling in the US, but I think UA is better than CA.
Although also being state-owned enterprises, MU,CZ,HU are much better than CA.
I solely choose United when travelling in the US, but I think UA is better than CA.