Flying to Beijing

[Sunstar]

Hi,

sorry, my first question on AFF, so excuse me if this in the wrong thread.
But I have to fly to Beijing soon, and there are no direct flights. Passed through HK airport plenty of times before, and loving the first class lounge.
So question is, Fly Qantas from Sydney and connect through HK with Dragon Air or Hong Kong ailrines, or fly to Shanghai with Qantas and connect with China Eastern.
Anyone flown this route and able to advise

thanks in advance

 

[Dave R32]

Hi Sunstar,

I haven't flown the route you mention, however my advice is fly in from Hong Kong and avoid internal connections as long delays are common. I have recently done BNE - CAN - SHA return twice with 4 to 6 hour delays on the internal flights each time. I returned from BNE - SIN - PVG return last night with no delays experienced.

Internally in China I much prefer the fast rail to flying.

I hope this helps.

Cheers
Dave.

 

[Sunstar]

Thank you David, makes sense there is potential for that within China, but then which would you recommend out of HK to Beijing, Hong Kong Air or Dragon Air

 

[Dave R32]

Thank you David, makes sense there is potential for that within China, but then which would you recommend out of HK to Beijing, Hong Kong Air or Dragon Air

I flew Dragon Air from HGK to Taiwan in April and it was fine. I have never used Hong Kong air.

Cheers
Dave.

 

[yohy?!]

Avoid Hk airlines, they are a mainland carrier with a few reports of dubious practises. Dragonair is owned by Cathay and operates to similar standards, as well as being a oneworld affiliate.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Sunstar can't you connect with CX HKG-PEK? I personally will never get another KA flt if avoidable - but others hold different views - MEL is seriously in love with KA!

 

[Franky]

Avoid Hk airlines, they are a mainland carrier with a few reports of dubious practises. Dragonair is owned by Cathay and operates to similar standards, as well as being a oneworld affiliate.

Can vouch for DragonAir - though only a short flight, we were bumped Y to J Nanjing to Hong Kong after we had wished them a Happy National Day at checkin. Not to mention the bonus of being a OW carrier.

 

[Sunstar]

@ cruiser elite
I was thinking about that, and probably would have if it wasn't for the fact I can not put in a request for upgrade with points, and as off a year ago, earn less status and FF points

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi,

sorry, my first question on AFF, so excuse me if this in the wrong thread.
But I have to fly to Beijing soon, and there are no direct flights. Passed through HK airport plenty of times before, and loving the first class lounge.
So question is, Fly Qantas from Sydney and connect through HK with Dragon Air or Hong Kong ailrines, or fly to Shanghai with Qantas and connect with China Eastern.
Anyone flown this route and able to advise

thanks in advance

The easiest and simplest was would be to fly with Air China, non-stop Australia to Beijing. Short, fast, same level of comfort as QF or CX in both business and economy classes, although reduced beverage service in economy with just beer, wine and sodas available.

If you have to connect, HKG is a great place to do it, but beware of frequent delays into and out of China. Hong Kong airlines has a lounge if you are flying business class, but if you want the First lounge, you'll need to be on Dragonair.

if you avoid A320 services (of which I don't think there are any HKG-PEK), you will leave from the main terminal which is quick, simple and easy. A320/737s are often relegated to the off-site terminal, which involves mucking around to get there.

 

[Sunstar]

great, thanks for that
might look into China Air now

 

[Sunstar]

just opened China Air, but they are Skyteam, so my gut feeling tells me I would have to buy the ticket through Qantas if I want my FF status advantages, but then QF does not offer direct flights

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Star Alliance actually - can't see too many QF status credits / FF pts flowing your way if you go down this path Sunstar.

 

[Sunstar]

no, me neither, plus the dates I just punched in, they have no availability ? odd, one month out

 

[nonpop]

CX and KA is how we do it ... Or QF and KA if the price and schedule works. We find complementary upgrade success on CX to be high vs zero on QF. YMMV. But if just straight HKG then we shoot for QF.

 

[Sunstar]

Hi, if I may ask, are you Marco Polo member to get the upgrade on CX ?

 

[TonyHancock]

QF or CX to HKG and KA to PEK for me. I have flown HX without issue but prefer KA for lounge access at HKG as a OWE.

PVG is not even close to HKG as an airport if you have OW E or S status.

 

[Himeno]

AU-PEK? I'd connect onto CX at HKG, or if CX unavailable, via Japan with JL.
Avoid domestic Chinese flights whenever possible.

 

[Steady]

With a sample size of 1 (yesterday) I was very happy with QF / KA to PEK. There was a delay in HKG but an extra 1 - 2 hours in an F Lounge is not that bad.... Dragonair Y was very comfortable and I had my first welcome in 2 years and it was on a LCC !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

With a sample size of 1 (yesterday) I was very happy with QF / KA to PEK. There was a delay in HKG but an extra 1 - 2 hours in an F Lounge is not that bad.... Dragonair Y was very comfortable and I had my first welcome in 2 years and it was on a LCC !

Which was the LCC? KA is full service.

 

[smit0847]

Flown KA multiple times and was very pleased with them