Air China's new 777-300ER seats
Jun 23, 12, 3:33 pm
#76
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 977
That should be a glitch. CA's 777-200 are the base version and do not have the range for PEK-LAX non stop.
Jul 5, 12, 5:25 pm
#77
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 542
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
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
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!
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!
Jul 6, 12, 2:07 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
I will be on the Air China 777-300ER first at the end of the month. I will take pics and make a full report.
to top that off I will give direct input on the food and catering to their kitchens since I have an appointment with them while I am in PEK They will be doing a tasting for me as well in that time, so I can possibly help get the message to them about catering issues if I see them directly, or anything specific needs to be relayed from other customers.
feel free to private message me any inputs or suggestions on that, I rarely check this other carriers board so I may miss if you have such input.
to top that off I will give direct input on the food and catering to their kitchens since I have an appointment with them while I am in PEK
They will be doing a tasting for me as well in that time, so I can possibly help get the message to them about catering issues if I see them directly, or anything specific needs to be relayed from other customers.feel free to private message me any inputs or suggestions on that, I rarely check this other carriers board so I may miss if you have such input.
Jul 6, 12, 3:27 pm
#80
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,161
Jul 6, 12, 3:29 pm
#81
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,161
I will be on the Air China 777-300ER first at the end of the month. I will take pics and make a full report.
to top that off I will give direct input on the food and catering to their kitchens since I have an appointment with them while I am in PEK They will be doing a tasting for me as well in that time, so I can possibly help get the message to them about catering issues if I see them directly, or anything specific needs to be relayed from other customers.
feel free to private message me any inputs or suggestions on that, I rarely check this other carriers board so I may miss if you have such input.
to top that off I will give direct input on the food and catering to their kitchens since I have an appointment with them while I am in PEK
They will be doing a tasting for me as well in that time, so I can possibly help get the message to them about catering issues if I see them directly, or anything specific needs to be relayed from other customers.feel free to private message me any inputs or suggestions on that, I rarely check this other carriers board so I may miss if you have such input.
Jul 6, 12, 6:18 pm
#82
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 542
Jul 6, 12, 7:34 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 39,096
If they could simply cater from Kenny Rogers Roasters, I would be happy as a clam (having to get that stuff landside is a major drag; the security people don't know what to make of mashed potatoes).
Jul 7, 12, 2:02 am
#84
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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I would agree they need to at least refresh it more often, but the dumplings they put out weren't bad.
the others I saw just eating.....cup o soup, yea bit odd to eat ramen noodles at the lounge.
I am coming from a US centric perspective, their food offerings were better than most in the us
I have a 7 hour layover on my way in so I am sure I will get my fill of current offerings to give a very good spill on what could be done.
Jul 7, 12, 5:09 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 39,096
What time of day was this? 2 years ago I was in the Business lounge (which the dining areas meet up, and have the exact same thing), and they put out only for a short time some dumplings, they were fresh, but gone quickly.
I would agree they need to at least refresh it more often, but the dumplings they put out weren't bad.
the others I saw just eating.....cup o soup, yea bit odd to eat ramen noodles at the lounge.
I am coming from a US centric perspective, their food offerings were better than most in the us
I have a 7 hour layover on my way in so I am sure I will get my fill of current offerings to give a very good spill on what could be done.
I would agree they need to at least refresh it more often, but the dumplings they put out weren't bad.
the others I saw just eating.....cup o soup, yea bit odd to eat ramen noodles at the lounge.
I am coming from a US centric perspective, their food offerings were better than most in the us
I have a 7 hour layover on my way in so I am sure I will get my fill of current offerings to give a very good spill on what could be done.
Jul 7, 12, 7:34 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
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Posts: 23,478
Jul 7, 12, 10:30 am
#87
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, AZ Exec, MR Titanium, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond, National EE
Posts: 3,833
Aug 10, 12, 11:41 pm
#90
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 146
