CA pulls out of PVG to MEL/SYD

[Melburnian1]

Here is the AFF gazette article on flight costs:

The Cost of Operating a Commercial Flight

Using the formula shows a cost of A$39193 to operate a one way flight MEL - PEK, lower than I'd have thought.

If true (and fuel and other costs vary), this means for 301 passengers an average revenue of only A$130 per seat is required, which seems low. Bear in mind that our fares include airport taxes and charges, the A$60 departure tax and sometimes a departure tax at the other end.

 

[docjames]

Hopefully an opportunity for QF or VA to fly MEL-PVG (wishful thinking i suppose).

 

[Melburnian1]

Hopefully an opportunity for QF or VA to fly MEL-PVG (wishful thinking i suppose).

Maybe doubtful, given higher seat costs of Australian carriers. I daresay mainland Chinese carriers aren't paying per hour for staff what the Oz-domiciled airlines do. And yields are low on routes with lots of mainland Chinese holidaymakers.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Don't ever assume those that play during the day can't continue to play on and on MEL - some people do have stamina.

I admit I can no longer do so well on the 24 hours without sleep thing

Hopefully an opportunity for QF or VA to fly MEL-PVG (wishful thinking i suppose).

MU is double daily on the PVG-MEL. Huge premium cabin on their 777s with F6 and J65 (compared to CA's J36 only). Probably no need for the competition from CAAC's perspective.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Here is the AFF gazette article on flight costs:

The Cost of Operating a Commercial Flight

Thanks! That's the one. Even at $200 one way for the ultra cheap deals to China atm, throw in 10 paying business class passengers and you have a nice profit!

 

[jase05]

I admit I can no longer do so well on the 24 hours without sleep thing



MU is double daily on the PVG-MEL. Huge premium cabin on their 777s with F6 and J65 (compared to CA's J36 only). Probably no need for the competition from CAAC's perspective.

One of those daily’s is now the 787 which has J26 only.

 

[Kremmen]

But you look for different things CE Air China's A330 beds are notably long, have no cubbies for your feet, and good padding. And non-stop flights that allow a good 7-8 hours of sleep. While the soft product offerings are not the same as SQ, the service is pretty hard to complain about.

I only just noticed the news and agree with all the above. CA is one of the most underrated J experiences. I can't think of another airline on which I can fully stretch out and have neither my head nor toes touching either end, unless I fly in F instead. The wide cushion for feet is great. I first flew the route last year and hoped to do it again. There are some decent connections to other *A carriers, making it a decent way to get a flight on points to the USA or Europe and a longer flight from PVG to Australia than from SIN (or even BKK), making it vastly superior for getting a full night's sleep.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I only just noticed the news and agree with all the above. CA is one of the most underrated J experiences.

Seriously? How many other cartiers have you experienced J? CA are so far behind the top tier Asian carriers they will not be missed!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Seriously? How many other cartiers have you experienced J? CA are so far behind the top tier Asian carriers they will not be missed!

kremmen is talking about the bed. It is one of the best out there, second only to the Apex Suites (which are also very long with unrestrcited footwells). Full-front facing seats may lack privacy, but they are good for tall people.

It's all about different priorities for different people. I want a non-stop flight for sleep (Air China delivers.) Others will want to transfer via a connecting hub on shorter flights for the experience.

As for the service, I imagine part of that is the rapport between passenger and crew. Just about any airline can deliver top service if that rapport is there.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yep you still pumping them up MEL when it is a dog of a service - and you still want to sleep your life away - each to their own of course!

 

[Melburnian1]

...As for the service, I imagine part of that is the rapport between passenger and crew. Just about any airline can deliver top service if that rapport is there.

Which is why whenever possible, I endeavour to talk to the crew (not if they're super busy though).

Establishing eye contact and treating them as individuals works wonders.

But on CA, language barrier may be a big problem. I have not flown on mainland Chinese carriers.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

But on CA, language barrier may be a big problem. I have not flown on mainland Chinese carriers.

Mainland Chinese Carrier flight crews are FABULOUS - their intent to serve and please is SENSATIONAL - where they fall down is they just lack the polish of top tier carriers and do not understand Western wants, needs and desires - their F & B offerings are regularly just way below acceptable - especially the B - of course no biggie to ‘Captain Snooze’

 

[MEL_Traveller]

...their F & B offerings are regularly just way below acceptable - especially the B - of course no biggie to ‘Captain Snooze’

Too right I can have a non-stop flight and have a case of Krug delivered to my door for for the same price as a ticket on SQ.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Too right I can have a non-stop flight and have a case of Krug delivered to my door for for the same price as a ticket on SQ.

You still flogging a dead horse MEL - I thought months back we went through how shootful CA arr timings into PVG for a night out were where you love to ‘hit the ground running’ - your words not mine - and yep my apologies we are always going to see things through diff lenses as we source our tix in diff ways.

 

[Kremmen]

Seriously? How many other cartiers have you experienced J?

17, at quick count, plus a few more in F.
Apart from being one of the best flat beds, CA also keeps the cabin temperature decent. Sometimes some of those "top tier" Asian carriers keep their cabins just short of volcanic ash temperature. Way more important to be comfortable than have premium hoity-toity champagne.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Well you certa

17, at quick count, plus a few more in F.
Apart from being one of the best flat beds, CA also keeps the cabin temperature decent. Sometimes some of those "top tier" Asian carriers keep their cabins just short of volcanic ash temperature. Way more important to be comfortable than have premium hoity-toity champagne.

Well you won’t get hoity toity Champs on CA - only time I flew them they had 2 botts of average Champs for I think 26 pax in J - that’s a sniff each by my calcs - and a G & T - 7ozs if straight Gin cause they had no Tonic in board - yes they will be sorely missed

 

[Kremmen]

Well you won’t get hoity toity Champs on CA

Don't care. Great bed, comfortable cabin, oh, and Maggie Beer ice cream.
Still, PVG can be horrible to transit, so I'll try PEK this year instead.