I have same sentiments as others as well.
Flew first PEK-LAX July 1 (also HKG-PEK before that).
A few observations:
1. Ground staff service really need work. No recognition for premium passengers. Stuck in line for that extra US security before boarding, before finally able to flag down a staff, and ask if i'm allowed to skip the line
I also flew HKG-PEK before pek-lax, and it's even worse. It's like a zoo. No separate line for premium.
Though the good thing is they provide escort once i landed in PEK. She escorted me from plane, immigration, check-in, all the way to the lounge.
Also, i just noticed, apparently FC passenger entitled to golf cart ride in PEK. I just read it in a sign when i was about to board. Guess you could ask in the lounge about this service.
2. FC lounge in PEK is very large. But food offerings is pretty terrible. Wifi, not sure what happened, i just couldn't make it to work. Maybe it's too slow?
Shower room is really, really tiny.
3. On the plane, hard products really good. Really spacious as well. I slept really well.
Pajama was really nice, style-wise. Amenity kit is L'occitane.
Movie/TV selections is decent, and control is pretty comprehensive, though slow at times.
Load was 3/8.
4. Food was mostly a miss. Though presentation is much better than the other pics i saw before. Certainly FC worthy (presentation that is).
5. Service most of the time is good. But no top-up offered unless asked. No proactive offer of snack/drink.
Overall, if the comparison is against United, no questions i'd definitely pick CA. But to be fair, i've only flown once on either
Originally Posted by
faithwins
Hi All-
Sorry it has taken so long to reply, I'm still hoping to do a more in-depth trip report later, but for now just wanted to get a mini-review on the flight.
I took the LAX-PEK redeye leaving LAX around 1:40am
A few notes:
-For those whom are debating between United and Air China on this route, I would rate Air China's product FAR above that of Uniteds (from my 773ER experience as least)
-Hard Product is one of the best in the sky. Photo's don't do it justice.
- Love the table! Slides from under the TV vs armrest.
- Bed was huge and high quality bedding. Although no doors on suite, offered good privacy. Managed around 6 hours of sleep.
-Service much better than Uniteds, although that is often not hard to beat. The one thing I would say is that it is typical Asian "subservient service". It still rivals that of other top carriers. English level as mentioned before by others wasn't perfect but enough to get by. They were excellent at top ups, and when I awoke twice throughout the night an FA was there within seconds offering food/water/drinks/etc.
-Load 7/8: 4 Westerners, 3 Chinese
-Very nice pajamas given
-Balmy Amenity Kit
-Only major negative thing was the food. It wasn't great, and the fact they didn't serve breakfast (just another dinner) in the morning, was odd and unappealing. A shame really, as that would have, in my book, put the flight on par with other Asian carriers.
-Oddly, the seat belt sign was kept on the entire 13 hour flight, with minimal turbulence. The FAs made no attempt to stop people getting up freely and walking about the cabin.
Photos do more than words, so I've attached a link to a web album to view.
https://picasaweb.google.com/faithwi...eat=directlink
Will be happy to answer any questions as well!