I am flying them SHA-PEK in a week or so, in F, on an A340. I will certainly report on my experience.

In the meantime, does anyone know if they participate in any FF plan? I know Air China participates with NW and China Southern with DL, but wasn't sure about China Eastern. (And they don't seem to have an english language website, so I can't check there!)

Finally, how is Hongqiao Airport? This is different from the new international airport at Pudong (PVG), which I am flying into on UA.

Hong Qiao is much closer to the city. The airport is a dump. Try not to get tricked by the guys outside the arrival gate. Get a hotel pickup if your Mandarin is not up to scratch.

Cathay has points sharing with China Easter. However the flight is very short and probaly wont be more than 500 points. China Eastern is a crap airline but there isnt much choice on intl carriers between the two cities.

As I recall, the latest service upgrade is that almost all FA's are now tall enough to actually close the overhead bins before takeoff! Have fun.

Your racist comment is neither cute nor funny, NancyD.

Should we talk about how caucasian FA's shouldn't lift their arms to pack overheads for fear of letting out their body odor?

While Hong Qiao is not as glitzy as the new airports in PEK and SHA, I would not call it a dump. I look forward to your trip report!

I flew 'em PEK-SHA a few years ago in Y on an MD-11... loooved the inflight meal... mystery meat, a huge scallion and noodles all covered with greyish gravy. NO WAY I was going to touch it. The green "happy joy jelly" dessert ...uhmm...item was at least good for a laugh.

Good thing you're flying 'em in F. I was in Y, tried to pay for a J upgrade at the airport... the gate agents didn't understand and just issued me my boarding pass. I asked the FAs on the flight and they said they couldn't upgrade me. I said I understood, and thanked them. I went to sit down but they asked me to wait a second. What they did next utterly amazed and embarrassed me.... they cleared out the rest of my row! They went over to the fully packed center row and started yelling something... the rest of the pax then got up, went to other seats that the FAs pointed out, and smiled throughout the entire thing! The purser (I'm guessing) then proudly pointed me to the now empty row... blushing profusely I sat down. It was interesting to say the least!

P.S. ETOPS01, since when did height become a race issue? As far as I know, being 'vertically challenged' is an affliction that spans members of all races. Now YOUR comment, that was racist. Being 'odiferously enhanced' is an affliction that spans members of all races as well.

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 11-12-2001).]

ETOPS - I have been on flights where the attendants were too short to close the bins. Although I mean no offense, I am embarrassed to be considered racist and I apologize profoundly. BTW, do you know if I am Caucasian?




[This message has been edited by NancyD (edited 11-12-2001).]

Nancy,

I wouldnt worry too much about it. You've apologized and that should be enough. While I am not the sole judge of what is good versus what is not -- I didn't take offense at your comment and it seems that most others didn't either.

Actually in China they have always had a minimum height for all fa's so I find your comments hard to believe. I think you may be confusing Chinese Airlines with American airlines?