anaidross

But this is not available for "R" booking class it seems. http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/info/f...sport_c4.shtml

flyerwoof

dutchgirlDH

To Australia as well? Haven't been able to find this, do you have more information?

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

It's 2700 Euros. Although you can mix that up a bit and fly one way premium economy and the other way business (bringing it down to about Euro2100). Available all year, even in peak departure periods of July and August. Open jaws (including to Auckland) permitted. The downside is the long layovers in TPE for some flight combinations, but CI provides a hotel.

Itamax

I did book this service with AIR CHINA several time, before they even had a meet and greet service where one of their stuff was meeting you at the exit of the plane and escort you until the car with driver who was taking you to your hotel ( used in 2017) , free chauffeured transfer still available and is valid for most of booking class including this one for flights Europe, America, Africa and Oceania V.V. https://www.airchina.it/IT/GB/booking/chauffer/ . You can book this service online or even calling their customer service in Europe and it will be done in seconds. Hope this help

JFSV

Horatio

Outbound
Munich, Munich International Airport (MUC) - Auckland, Auckland
International Airport (AKL)
Business Flex
Miles: R : 125% R : 125%
Booking Class: R R
Change Penalty Fee
(Each passenger): Before Flight Departure:80EUR After Flight
Departure:150EUR
Refund penalty fee
(Each passenger): 150EUR

Inbound
Auckland, Auckland International Airport (AKL) - Munich, Munich
International Airport (MUC)
Business Flex
Miles: R : 125% R : 125%
Booking Class: R R
Change Penalty Fee
(Each passenger): Before Flight Departure:80EUR After Flight
Departure:150EUR
Refund penalty fee
(Each passenger): 150EUR

jbfield

I arrived in PEK earlier this week - landed late at 15:50, by the time we got off the runway, parked at our remote bay and got aboard the bus, it was 16:10. At immigration (with Visa On Arrival stamp in hand) at 16:30, through the slow immigration queue and onto the airport express train at about 17:45. Had enough time for a wonder around some hutongs in the dark and then back to the airport for the midnight departure. The inbound arrival process was unrelaxing, but once in the city I was relaxed. Note, the last Airport Express train from the city to the airport leaves around 10pm, and from the airport to the city around 11pm. No problem with the transit time at immigration, just the time it took to get through immigration.

Food is poor to dreadful; special meals being the latter. Mine was not cooked and the staff didn't speak much English so couldn't understand what the problem was.
Bring your own salt and pepper too...


LHR-PEK, Dinner. Average. Starter (salad with side salad). The Main salad dish tasted ok once sauce added.

LHR-PEK, Dinner. Very Poor. Ordered: Indian Vegetarian Received: Gluten Free Vegan Served Cold...(in error)

LHR-PEK, Dinner. Very Poor. Side Serving of Bread (Garlic Bread). Served Uncooked (in error)

LHR-PEK, Breakfast Reasonable. (served at 4pm local time)

LHR-PEK, Breakfast + with additional "Western Vegetarian Dinner" Requested (Macaroni plus Cheese) Average. (served at 4pm local time)

PEK-SIN, Breakfast. Poor. Ordered: Indian Vegetarian Received: Gluten Free Vegan (Served 4am local time - crew originally planned to serve at 3am local time).

Overall - for the price (£1200) of a lie-flat seat to sleep in long-haul, and with some spare time to accommodate the connection, I would do it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to position in Europe, nor if I didn't need the miles.
I would also only do it if there weren't better alternatives around.

Cancellations aside, note that the change fee they quote is only for the 'first change' you make. I made a change to a previous booking (you have to telephone to do so), paid the change fee and then learnt that new conditions now applied with a new, significantly higher change fee now applicable, despite the same fare bucket. Note also that making a change is not instantaneous; the call centre have to email you a quote within about 24 hours of your call; you must then email a reply to the quote along with ID to accept it; takes about 2 days!

Note these sales usually restrict maximum stay to 3 months.

flyerwoof

It appears there are still dates with very low J prices available. See screenshot below for travel in August from Frankfurt to Melbourne: outbound 7 August, return 21, 23 or 25 August (although is 1988 rather than 1700)

flyerwoof

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

jbfield - yikes!

Unfortunately many airlines these days are going to the lowest common denominator for special meals... the 'vegan' being used as a catch-all for all vegetarian choices (cost saving no doubt). Air China is not the only one. But serving cold is unusual.

Salt and pepper is available on request... they use it to make bloddy marys.

For the regular menu the choices aren't spectacular, but are edible.

flyerCO

How is CA nowadays? I've refused to fly them for years. Curious if they're any better?

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

This whole thread is recent. It will give you an idea of CA.

Bed - excellent. Service - excellent (but may have limited English). Food and IFE not so good (but IFE is no worse than say NH).

flyerwoof

I agree with this assessment having flown 8 x CA J long haul flights (on 777s and 330s) this year. Decent length flat beds (especially A330 which has no foot cubby) and service is decent. I have always found the manager and maybe 1-2 others have excellent english. Food and IFE not so strong, although the beverage offering seems to be improved. Pol Roger served on long haul consistently. On flights to/from Australia they offer Paringa Estate Shiraz which retails for US$30-40 per bottle and is outstanding. French wine seems to be served on routes to/from Europe. I avoid the great wall wines. All the usual spirits, non-alcoholic drinks and a very impressive tea menu are available.

delfindo

Flew FRA-AKL-FRA last month, foot cubby too tight for me but got used to it after 2 flights. Excellent service, picked the Chinese options, like flying in a Chinese restaurant (music, purple colours, the food, tea etc). Recommended.