FM or CZ?
 

Learned peoples - Shanghai Airlines FM9356 or China Southern CZ3021 CAN-NKG 02/03/2011 13:30 - 15:30 - both showing RMB2,120 on eLong - which should I choose?

If you want to save your employer some cash, consider:

1) sucking it up in Y on FM9356 (for a mere Y310)
2) or taking one of the many flights that has A fares on offer (y1180)

Back on topic, I'm 99% sure that those two flights are actually the same flight. If they aren't I would go with FM personally, but I have lots of friends who swear CZ is the best airline in China now.

Not the same flight--FM codeshares with MU on this one. CZ different, just running on similar time frame. BTW, you sure that's not CZ3821?

Given that recovery from FM IRROPS might be more problematic on a nonendorseable ticket than same on CZ, if price is pretty much the same, I'd go for CZ as they have more backup flights in case options are needed, and CAN is their big hub. In any case, I find CZ one of the better domestics to fly.

You might want to recheck those prices, looks like lots of things have just plummeted for travel in March.

I am the employer - it comes out of my pocket.

Travelling MEL-SIN 16:45-21:25 on Mar 1 - SIN-CAN 08:10-12.05 on Mar 2 - so 13:30 earliest flight I can take - I will have 2 large luggage and do not want the problems / costs of paying excess - I need to get to NKG as soon as I can.Have done my fair share of cramped Chinese Y.As I say times don't suitNo they are seperate flights - checked this morning CZ3821 now showing RMB1,770 - the simple question was - which of these 2 flights will offer best quality experience?

Correctamundo - typo - thanks for your input guys.

Ok. I was convinced they were the same because of the identical aircraft type, departure time, and arrival time. Furthermore, CZ and MU codeshare with each other on lots of flights, and FM is part of CZ now.

As much as I dislike CZ, I'm inclined to agree with jiejie on going with them in this case.

My original post was slightly misleading - there is actually a 5 minute time diff on arrival for these flights - have booked CZ - RMB1,770 + RMB120 I think

I think you mean MU?

Yes. Sorry about that mental slip.

Bummer
 

Bummer - after booking CZ3821 CAN 13:30 / NKG 15:30 RMB1,770 - I get email from eLong that that flight changed to CZ3507 CAN 16:10 / NKG 18:15 - so now have to book FM9356 CAN 13:30 / NKG 15:35 RMB2,120

You might (or might not) be able to compel Elong to pick up the difference.

I would not hold my breath on that one - eLong quoted me 30-45 days for CC refund as I had to cancel original booking and re-book - what the Lord giveth some other jerk taketh away