Air China biz class
Aug 21, 2019, 8:42 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 207
I took CTS/PEK/FRA C class last week.
CTS/PEK was A330-300. Compared with B777(PEK/FRA), C class seat of A330 is better because of square ottoman. B777 is triangle ottoman, then it's hard to move legs when you lay down.IEF is ok, but compared with B777, less kind of movies.Crew may bring only orange juice and water as welcome drink, but you can order champagne.
During the flight, everyone was quiet. Sleeping or watching movies. Lavatory was always clean. I saw that young crews cleaned it often. You should try Oolong tea. I have had Oolong tea many time, but never had such great aroma and taste on the plane before.
Since July, transit at PEK became quite easy. passport control is machine. just scan your passport & boarding pass and take your face pic then gate open. security is normal but not long. In my case, it took only 15 minutes between got off the machine and crossed the security check.*You have a charger, must less than 100 Wh. If your charger doesn't mention how many Wh, it'll be confiscated at security check.
First class lounge was quiet always. Shower was only one at a male WC(I don't know female WC). Small but clean.All amenities there. Hair dryer too.Dim Sum buffet, noodle stand there.Crews' English skills are poor, but except it, I really enjoyed flying with CA.
CTS/PEK was A330-300. Compared with B777(PEK/FRA), C class seat of A330 is better because of square ottoman. B777 is triangle ottoman, then it's hard to move legs when you lay down.IEF is ok, but compared with B777, less kind of movies.Crew may bring only orange juice and water as welcome drink, but you can order champagne.
During the flight, everyone was quiet. Sleeping or watching movies. Lavatory was always clean. I saw that young crews cleaned it often. You should try Oolong tea. I have had Oolong tea many time, but never had such great aroma and taste on the plane before.
Since July, transit at PEK became quite easy. passport control is machine. just scan your passport & boarding pass and take your face pic then gate open. security is normal but not long. In my case, it took only 15 minutes between got off the machine and crossed the security check.*You have a charger, must less than 100 Wh. If your charger doesn't mention how many Wh, it'll be confiscated at security check.
First class lounge was quiet always. Shower was only one at a male WC(I don't know female WC). Small but clean.All amenities there. Hair dryer too.Dim Sum buffet, noodle stand there.Crews' English skills are poor, but except it, I really enjoyed flying with CA.
Thank you.
Aug 21, 2019, 8:44 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 207
PP gets you access to both. They are on opposite sides of the middle of the terminal; 2 minute walk between them. If you were in J then looking out across the center of the terminal you could look right into the F lounge just above and beyond the Irish bar down below.
As noted by all, they are identical with F having slightly upgraded food. They do have showers (or a shower); it's fine but small. I'll give away a secret: both lounges also have private day bed cubicles in the back corner, with a (hard) twin bed, chair, and night stand. You have to ask front desk for those, but there's often at least one open because it seems almost nobody even notices them.
I am fond of that lounge. It doesn't rival even the best business class lounges I've seen, but it's still not objectively bad.
As noted by all, they are identical with F having slightly upgraded food. They do have showers (or a shower); it's fine but small. I'll give away a secret: both lounges also have private day bed cubicles in the back corner, with a (hard) twin bed, chair, and night stand. You have to ask front desk for those, but there's often at least one open because it seems almost nobody even notices them.
I am fond of that lounge. It doesn't rival even the best business class lounges I've seen, but it's still not objectively bad.
Thank you.
Aug 21, 2019, 9:09 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: FRA
Programs: *G
Posts: 169
We fly from ORD on UAL and connect to DEL on CA. What measures do we have to go thru to get too the lounge? I assume its a security check only correct? I am actually looking f/w to flying them too. For some reason I get the feeling it should be good. In any case its not too long a flight.
Thank you.
Thank you.
After the security check, the first class lounge is middle left(not too much left).
You can find the sign soon.
one more tip.
If you take a seat 11 or 14(first row each comportment) you cannot watch IFE on taking off and landing. and monitor is smaller.
Last edited by daiseiko; Aug 21, 2019 at 9:14 am
Aug 21, 2019, 1:53 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: UL, TG
Posts: 29
Has anyone who has transited PEK recently noted whether security has become quicker. I'll be passing through next Friday 30TH around 4pm.
last time I was there it took ages to pass through.
I have a large laptop with associated charger. Not sure of the specs or anything. Is there likely to be any problem taking on board.
Also my connecting flight is on a 737-800 . The only pre-bookable seat is 2L. And the flight is full in business class. Front row is blocked but all unallocated at the moment.
Does anyone have any experience of this seat. Ease of entry/exit when someone else is seated next to you. Also what is the likelihood of being able to snag a front row seat once at PEK. And where the best place to ask/try. E.g. lounge, ticket desk, or transfer desk or other.
I have *S silver through Thai ROP if that makes any difference though I dont think it does.
thanks for the info 're the use of first class lounge will be interesting to see if can access there no problem
last time I was there it took ages to pass through.
I have a large laptop with associated charger. Not sure of the specs or anything. Is there likely to be any problem taking on board.
Also my connecting flight is on a 737-800 . The only pre-bookable seat is 2L. And the flight is full in business class. Front row is blocked but all unallocated at the moment.
Does anyone have any experience of this seat. Ease of entry/exit when someone else is seated next to you. Also what is the likelihood of being able to snag a front row seat once at PEK. And where the best place to ask/try. E.g. lounge, ticket desk, or transfer desk or other.
I have *S silver through Thai ROP if that makes any difference though I dont think it does.
thanks for the info 're the use of first class lounge will be interesting to see if can access there no problem
Aug 23, 2019, 5:11 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Has anyone who has transited PEK recently noted whether security has become quicker. I'll be passing through next Friday 30TH around 4pm.
last time I was there it took ages to pass through.
thanks for the info 're the use of first class lounge will be interesting to see if can access there no problem
last time I was there it took ages to pass through.
thanks for the info 're the use of first class lounge will be interesting to see if can access there no problem
Aug 26, 2019, 4:19 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 172
I took CTS/PEK/FRA C class last week.
CTS/PEK was A330-300. Compared with B777(PEK/FRA), C class seat of A330 is better because of square ottoman. B777 is triangle ottoman, then it's hard to move legs when you lay down.IEF is ok, but compared with B777, less kind of movies.Crew may bring only orange juice and water as welcome drink, but you can order champagne.
During the flight, everyone was quiet. Sleeping or watching movies. Lavatory was always clean. I saw that young crews cleaned it often. You should try Oolong tea. I have had Oolong tea many time, but never had such great aroma and taste on the plane before.
Since July, transit at PEK became quite easy. passport control is machine. just scan your passport & boarding pass and take your face pic then gate open. security is normal but not long. In my case, it took only 15 minutes between got off the machine and crossed the security check.*You have a charger, must less than 100 Wh. If your charger doesn't mention how many Wh, it'll be confiscated at security check.
First class lounge was quiet always. Shower was only one at a male WC(I don't know female WC). Small but clean.All amenities there. Hair dryer too.Dim Sum buffet, noodle stand there.Crews' English skills are poor, but except it, I really enjoyed flying with CA.
CTS/PEK was A330-300. Compared with B777(PEK/FRA), C class seat of A330 is better because of square ottoman. B777 is triangle ottoman, then it's hard to move legs when you lay down.IEF is ok, but compared with B777, less kind of movies.Crew may bring only orange juice and water as welcome drink, but you can order champagne.
During the flight, everyone was quiet. Sleeping or watching movies. Lavatory was always clean. I saw that young crews cleaned it often. You should try Oolong tea. I have had Oolong tea many time, but never had such great aroma and taste on the plane before.
Since July, transit at PEK became quite easy. passport control is machine. just scan your passport & boarding pass and take your face pic then gate open. security is normal but not long. In my case, it took only 15 minutes between got off the machine and crossed the security check.*You have a charger, must less than 100 Wh. If your charger doesn't mention how many Wh, it'll be confiscated at security check.
First class lounge was quiet always. Shower was only one at a male WC(I don't know female WC). Small but clean.All amenities there. Hair dryer too.Dim Sum buffet, noodle stand there.Crews' English skills are poor, but except it, I really enjoyed flying with CA.
It's true that C class is better on A330 than B777 because of IFE and square ottoman.
I was incredibly surprised by Air China's C service, especially for ground service.
For my round trip, with a 11 hours stopover at PEK, CA offered me driver towards the center from the airport and back.
For the return journey, with 7 hours of stopover, i chose a free hotel with breakfast. A member of staff accompanied me from the finger through immigration to the hotel shuttle.
The service on board is improving considerably. Their English is betterand better, the meals are quite decent and the staff is very kind.
Aug 29, 2019, 7:09 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
I took FCO/PEK/SYD return yesterday.
It's true that C class is better on A330 than B777 because of IFE and square ottoman.
I was incredibly surprised by Air China's C service, especially for ground service.
For my round trip, with a 11 hours stopover at PEK, CA offered me driver towards the center from the airport and back.
For the return journey, with 7 hours of stopover, i chose a free hotel with breakfast. A member of staff accompanied me from the finger through immigration to the hotel shuttle.
The service on board is improving considerably. Their English is betterand better, the meals are quite decent and the staff is very kind.
It's true that C class is better on A330 than B777 because of IFE and square ottoman.
I was incredibly surprised by Air China's C service, especially for ground service.
For my round trip, with a 11 hours stopover at PEK, CA offered me driver towards the center from the airport and back.
For the return journey, with 7 hours of stopover, i chose a free hotel with breakfast. A member of staff accompanied me from the finger through immigration to the hotel shuttle.
The service on board is improving considerably. Their English is betterand better, the meals are quite decent and the staff is very kind.
Aug 30, 2019, 12:56 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 172
We are transiting PEK to and from Auckland and New York in December. They called to confirm that we get a "first class" hotel for our layover going; we're to call back for the return leg, as they had not yet renewed their hotel contracts for 2020 (we're flying back on 2 January). Can anyone advise how we get our hotel and, ideally, the royal escort treatment described above? I know there is a transit desk, but i don't know if business class passengers go through a different process.
I received the confirmation of the hotel 10 days before arriving in Beijing. Two days before Air China sent an email saying: "Air China has launched a new inbound guide service for premium layover passengers. We’d like to invite you to try out this service during your trip, and have booked the inbound guide service for you on flight CA174 on Aug 25th, 2019. After your flight arrives at Beijing, the guide will greet you at the bridge crossing or remote shuttle bus stop."
As soon as we got off the plane, on the bridge, there was an Air China employee with a sign with our names. He accompanied us throughout the immigration process. First you need to scan your fingerprints and pick up your receipt, give it to the officer at 24-72-144 hours free transit visa desk and then go to passport control. Then you simply have to exit. The shuttle to the hotel is located outside the terminal on the left of the exit. The Air China employee, however, is always with you. We could do it by ourselves because we already knew the airport and the procedures, but it is not bad as a service for those arriving for the first time.
Business class passengers don't have a dedicated queue at immigration but it's quite fast to go out
Sep 5, 2019, 4:00 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: FRA
Programs: *G
Posts: 169
I call Air China to book a transit hotel and on the next day, got a confirmation of Crown Plaza Airport Hotel Beijing by mail.
After arrived at the PEK airport, just went to a shuttle bus stop. You don't need to stop at the transfer desk at the Air China arrival hall.
You can find a big hotel name logo mini bus at the shuttle bus stop.
It takes 40min to the hotel because of stop at terminal 2.
My flight was at 2:30am and a receptionist said that shuttle bus was every 30min. then I tried to take a 0:30am bus.
I was waiting outside but bus didn't come. I asked the same receptionist, then he said to ask a concierge.
The concierge said, during late night, not every 30min, but every one hour. then I have to take a shuttle at 1am or taxi.
Reception and concierge desks are just on the right side and left side in a same lobby, however, no communication even such things.
Finally, concierge arranged a shuttle bus departure a bit earlier and direct to the departure level at terminal 3(usually shuttle bus stops at the arrival hall).
Hotel room was quite good, and Air China service for that was quite good(book a room in advance!), but watch out the shuttle bus schedule.
Ask the concierge on the right side in the lobby if you leave in the night.
After arrived at the PEK airport, just went to a shuttle bus stop. You don't need to stop at the transfer desk at the Air China arrival hall.
You can find a big hotel name logo mini bus at the shuttle bus stop.
It takes 40min to the hotel because of stop at terminal 2.
My flight was at 2:30am and a receptionist said that shuttle bus was every 30min. then I tried to take a 0:30am bus.
I was waiting outside but bus didn't come. I asked the same receptionist, then he said to ask a concierge.
The concierge said, during late night, not every 30min, but every one hour. then I have to take a shuttle at 1am or taxi.
Reception and concierge desks are just on the right side and left side in a same lobby, however, no communication even such things.
Finally, concierge arranged a shuttle bus departure a bit earlier and direct to the departure level at terminal 3(usually shuttle bus stops at the arrival hall).
Hotel room was quite good, and Air China service for that was quite good(book a room in advance!), but watch out the shuttle bus schedule.
Ask the concierge on the right side in the lobby if you leave in the night.
Sep 5, 2019, 9:55 am
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
I call Air China to book a transit hotel and on the next day, got a confirmation of Crown Plaza Airport Hotel Beijing by mail.
After arrived at the PEK airport, just went to a shuttle bus stop. You don't need to stop at the transfer desk at the Air China arrival hall.
You can find a big hotel name logo mini bus at the shuttle bus stop.
It takes 40min to the hotel because of stop at terminal 2.
After arrived at the PEK airport, just went to a shuttle bus stop. You don't need to stop at the transfer desk at the Air China arrival hall.
You can find a big hotel name logo mini bus at the shuttle bus stop.
It takes 40min to the hotel because of stop at terminal 2.
Sep 6, 2019, 12:52 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: FRA
Programs: *G
Posts: 169
Sep 6, 2019, 10:15 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 207
Sep 8, 2019, 12:26 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
The "first class hotel" is always the CROWNE PLAZA BEIJING AIRPORT for business class as written on the website.
I received the confirmation of the hotel 10 days before arriving in Beijing. Two days before Air China sent an email saying: "Air China has launched a new inbound guide service for premium layover passengers. We’d like to invite you to try out this service during your trip, and have booked the inbound guide service for you on flight CA174 on Aug 25th, 2019. After your flight arrives at Beijing, the guide will greet you at the bridge crossing or remote shuttle bus stop."
As soon as we got off the plane, on the bridge, there was an Air China employee with a sign with our names. He accompanied us throughout the immigration process. First you need to scan your fingerprints and pick up your receipt, give it to the officer at 24-72-144 hours free transit visa desk and then go to passport control. Then you simply have to exit. The shuttle to the hotel is located outside the terminal on the left of the exit. The Air China employee, however, is always with you. We could do it by ourselves because we already knew the airport and the procedures, but it is not bad as a service for those arriving for the first time.
Business class passengers don't have a dedicated queue at immigration but it's quite fast to go out
I received the confirmation of the hotel 10 days before arriving in Beijing. Two days before Air China sent an email saying: "Air China has launched a new inbound guide service for premium layover passengers. We’d like to invite you to try out this service during your trip, and have booked the inbound guide service for you on flight CA174 on Aug 25th, 2019. After your flight arrives at Beijing, the guide will greet you at the bridge crossing or remote shuttle bus stop."
As soon as we got off the plane, on the bridge, there was an Air China employee with a sign with our names. He accompanied us throughout the immigration process. First you need to scan your fingerprints and pick up your receipt, give it to the officer at 24-72-144 hours free transit visa desk and then go to passport control. Then you simply have to exit. The shuttle to the hotel is located outside the terminal on the left of the exit. The Air China employee, however, is always with you. We could do it by ourselves because we already knew the airport and the procedures, but it is not bad as a service for those arriving for the first time.
Business class passengers don't have a dedicated queue at immigration but it's quite fast to go out