January 7th, 2008
Air China (CA)
YVR – PEK
CA992, 11 hours 55 minutes, 8494KM (5278 miles)
Airbus 330 wide-body

Air China, the newest Star Alliance member operates a premium cabin from Vancouver to Beijing, branded as “Capital Pavilion”. I was quite excited to try Air China’s business class service as it was something new from Air Canada, and Beijing Capital airport offers good connections to other parts of the country. The last time I experienced Air China on international routes was almost a decade ago, so I expected to see improved cabin and service.

Airport

The Vancouver International Airport is relatively packed on the Monday morning. Check-in at the dedicated Business Class counter however was efficient with two people in front of me. I was offered a choice of seats, priority tag for checked luggage, elite security sticker, and an invitation to Air China’s contracted lounge, the Plaza Premium lounge.

Airport security asked that laptops to be scanned separately from carry-on, however there was no ridiculous shoes-and-ziplocs carnival. The process took less than three minutes.

At first I wanted to use the Maple Leaf Lounge, however it was packed so the reception sent me to their overflow facility – the same Plaza Premium Air China uses. The Plaza Premium is the contract lounge for Korean Airlines, Oasis Hong Kong, and several others at YVR, it also sells access for CAD$35. I believe this is a PriorityPass location. The lounge is spacious, with nap rooms, computers, and hot food. The food is quite mediocre, consisting of reheated Asian fare, and a salad bar that no one seem to have touched. Alcoholic drinks are only available upon request. The lounge is located right next to a smoking room so it was convenient for me to catch a puff with a friend who works at the airport.

Boarding

After spending an hour so on emails, phone calls, boarding has commenced. The lines were busy and there was no signage for business or status passengers, however the gate agent allowed me to jump the queue.

The front business cabin had a light load, and with the 2-2-2 setup, passengers were spaced out. Towels and a choice of champagne, orange juice, and water were offered along with English and Chinese newspapers.

[To be continued]