CA: Germany to Australia ~€1700
Feb 6, 2019, 2:20 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: LEJ
Programs: BA GGL IHG PlatAMB HH Dia
Posts: 344
Feb 6, 2019, 11:25 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
I'll wait for something OW, however I could be tempted to book CAI-DPS-CAI on the TK 789 for USD $1,194. New 1-2-1 layout in bus class. https://www.google.com/flights#flt=C...8*2.AUD.168508
Last edited by Grace B; Feb 6, 2019 at 11:32 pm
Feb 7, 2019, 1:31 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
It's all much of a muchness. The full forward seats on Air China are a step up from Lufthansa's or United's offerings (the 2-2-2 angled in pairs towards the aisle or window). And TBH they are pretty much just as private as reverse herringbone. Only the Qsuites or Apex Suites would offer more privacy in terms of eye contact.
Feb 7, 2019, 1:58 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: OZ*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 51
Feb 7, 2019, 2:12 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: ROP Gold
Posts: 1,292
Recently, I also got bombarded with the Chinese New Year greeting on the TV non-stop before take-off (with an hour's delay) and landing.
But the in-flight service is good I would say.
Feb 7, 2019, 3:22 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
Feb 7, 2019, 3:36 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: QF, TK, VA, SQ
Posts: 695
Edit: Or per direction?
If it's per person I might just bite the bullet and see if anything better doesn't come along!
Last edited by pythonisman; Feb 7, 2019 at 3:46 am
Feb 7, 2019, 5:39 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
If they allow you in. Multiple reports now that 'short' stays of under 8 hours being routinely refused an entry permit. Stays up to 12-15 hours are also getting refused an entry permit. Having a pre-booked tour may help, so might a pre-booked hotel (unless you have a visa)
Feb 7, 2019, 5:45 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: OZ*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 51
I recently did this trip (December 2018) from LHR - MEL on CA with a 8 hour layover each way. Left the airport both times with no issues, although need to allow about 2h from landing to collect the layover visa to leave the airport and clear immigration (two different queues). CA provides you a driver (free of charge for J pax) that will take you pretty much anywhere in Beijing and then another driver will return to collect you. You just need to give them an address for drop off and pick up (we just used centrally located hotels). For a Great Wall trip (which is doable with an 8hour layover) you can book specific layover tours, where a driver collects you from PEK, takes you to the wall (Mutianyu section is the closest) and then returns you to the airport with time for a shower before your next leg.