Is Air China Domestic Business Class worth the extra $$
Greetings
I will be in China for July and August this year. I have arranged to fly in to PVG from YYZ on AC in J and we will fly out of HKG to YYZ also on AC in J. I've not decided on an in country itinerary yet, but I am wondering if it is worthwhile to spring for domestic J/F on China Airlines or is it just more money for the same seat?
Is there a difference in the pre-boarding procedures, lounge access etc? I am a *G so will I gain anything? One of the segments I am considering is PEK-LXA which is a pretty long flight. Certainly when I was working I would do my level best to get up front for an equivalent length flight like YYZ-LAX.
I've been to China in the past, but it has been 10 years since my last trip, so everything is new again.
Any advice on flight arrangements will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
DF
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....airline economics: The only industry where the value of a perishable goes up as the best before date approaches....
There often is lounge access although I don't regard the lounges as very luxurious.
Boarding priority in many cases, but it doesn't always work, although at Pudong, you're often down on the plane level when you go to the lounge so can wander over to the gate as early as you want.
Seats are bigger and there is some food service.
Generally I would say, depending on fare differentials -- tickets bought locally are all discounted -- it could be worth it.
I know at some airports when your plane is at a bus gate, they'll put you in a small van so you don't have to ride the bus with the peasants - er, I mean, others.
J class it is. I remember 20 years ago I was flying from Beijing to Guanzhou in an old CAAC IL-28 and we were diverted to Wuhan due to severe Thunderstorms. We sat on the ground for nearly 6 hours waiting for the weather to pass. As foreign VIP's we were treated to the lounge and were served tea and refreshments while the peasants sat out in a waiting room that looked more like a bus station.
I know its a little different these days when the age of the fleet rivals any carrier in the west and the airports are either new or refurbished. I surmise that Xi'an being designated as XIY instead of SIA when I was there last indicates a new airport.
DF
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....airline economics: The only industry where the value of a perishable goes up as the best before date approaches....
Generally I would say, depending on fare differentials -- tickets bought locally are all discounted -- it could be worth it.
This is key. J might only be 30% higher than Y, but is often 5 times as much as the lowest available eco fares. So, when Y is all that's available, buying up makes quite a bit of sense; less so, when there are cheap seats on offer. I generally only entertain J or F when eco is 8折 or above.
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The difference can be (in real money) so small so that I always travel C or F. The fast track at the airport, more space on board, the extra car in PEK to a tarmac position and at the end of the day the extra miles is well worth the money. The last F-Class I did was on an Air China A340 from PEK to PVG and I paid about 200 Euro all in. Economy would have been 140 Euro, not even worth thinking about....
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i think it is worth it. i flew more than 20 times from sha to pek in a year and in the beginning i was in econ and it was ok, but flying business/first especially in domestic it is much more relaxed sure, the lounges are not the same as other international carriers but better than waiting at the gate. Especially on the sha-pek route they will treat you as a king (from my experience).
Yup I went an booked J/F for PEK-LXA segment for an additional 1200 RMB per person. Since I am booking through CITS I am assuming that their bulk Y rates are pretty heavily discounted so the difference between Y and F in China is significantly better than the difference between say a B fare and C fare on Air Canada for a similar seg length.
Thanks
DF
__________________
....airline economics: The only industry where the value of a perishable goes up as the best before date approaches....
Just took an Air China flight yesterday in fact and didn't notice a difference. If you're Star Alliance Gold, you get to enjoy all the same benefits flying economy as business / first. See my trip report on Intra-China travel that I just posted. You'll get a better seat and better food in business, but that's really about it. At least your ticket was relatively cheap, so it's all good.
Last edited by jmc123; Apr 14, 09 at 10:54 am..
Reason: typo
i didn't know chinese airlines were selling F/C seats at discount. is the no-discount-policy on first/business changed?
As you acknowledge, discounts on F and C are very rare in China. The only exception I can think of is that when doing paid upgrades, many agents are willing to deal (i.e. difference between Y and F, rather than the fare paid and F).
If I'm paying, I almost never consider flying J or F Chinese domestic--it's just not that great and I've grown accustomed to being a cheap-skate here--I'd rather spend the extra cash on a great meal and massage at my destination. However, I might make an exception to this in busy times where only high-fare economy was available and the flight was at least 3 hours.
