Is anyone game to fly Air China/China Southern etc etc?

[Jobu]

Which is better for long haul international business class: Air China International (CA) or China Southern Airlines (CZ)?

(I believe both in an A330).

 

[Carlous Moochous]

I just flew CZ from Sydney to Guangzhou on the A330. My trip report is posted in the trip report section but my blog has the photos and trip report too: InFlight CZ326: Sydney to Guangzhou . Haven't flown Air China but you can compare the CZ side of the A330 from my trip report.

As for safety, I must admit I was worried before, but after flying them the whole routine was very similar to any other airline - and they are the third biggest in the world now - you can't get to that level if you have planes falling out of the sky on a regular basis so I'm sure their safety is fine. I also read that they have just recruited a bunch of overseas pilots too if that makes anyone feel safer.

 

[darklight]

I fly CZ fairly often, safety wise I think it's no different from any other airline. Their aircraft do seem less ancient than the Qantas 744s I've flown on lately. As for comfort, well it depends on the cabin class. Business class service I found to be very good, very attentive, and with good meals. They could do with updating the not-quite-flat beds in their 777 J cabin.

 

[justin23]

I';m looking at China Southern to fly to Central Asia via Guangzhou and Urumqi. Otherwise the most direct routes are not so direct and cost a fortune. I'm thinking i might splurge for premium economy though, at least to Urumqi.

 

[Carlous Moochous]

I';m looking at China Southern to fly to Central Asia via Guangzhou and Urumqi. Otherwise the most direct routes are not so direct and cost a fortune. I'm thinking i might splurge for premium economy though, at least to Urumqi.

I was in First domestically and the rows behind me were "premium economy"... They looked the same as the economy seats, albeit with slightly more legroom.. For the A319 its 31" in Y or 35-36" in Y+. Premium Economy on CZ is probably more comparable to United's Economy Plus rather than a real premium economy product. If the price difference isn't too much and you need the extra little bit of legroom, go for it, but if it was a lot more expensive I'd give it a miss or pay more again and sit in first where at least the seat is bigger. My first review is here: http://www.carlousmoochous.com/2011/inflight-cz3260-guangzhou-to-guilin/ (also in the trip reports section) if you want to see what that is like if the price difference isn't too prohibitive.

 

[justin23]

I was in First domestically and the rows behind me were "premium economy"... They looked the same as the economy seats, albeit with slightly more legroom.. For the A319 its 31" in Y or 35-36" in Y+. Premium Economy on CZ is probably more comparable to United's Economy Plus rather than a real premium economy product. If the price difference isn't too much and you need the extra little bit of legroom, go for it, but if it was a lot more expensive I'd give it a miss or pay more again and sit in first where at least the seat is bigger. My first review is here: InFlight: CZ3260 Guangzhou to Guilin (also in the trip reports section) if you want to see what that is like if the price difference isn't too prohibitive.

Thanks. As i normally fly one world, where i know how to get the better seats, but flying a new airline not in one world is more daunting lol. But the $1500 return fare SYD-CAN-URC-ASB and then FRU-URC-CAN-SYD includes premium SYD to URC and vice versa!! So i'll ask for a business class fare and see how much it costs. I think CZ are also getting me a room for the night on the way back with a stopover in CAN.

So I'm not complaining, especially to where I'm going!

 

[wilco]

Thanks. As i normally fly one world, where i know how to get the better seats, but flying a new airline not in one world is more daunting lol. But the $1500 return fare SYD-CAN-URC-ASB and then FRU-URC-CAN-SYD includes premium SYD to URC and vice versa!! So i'll ask for a business class fare and see how much it costs. I think CZ are also getting me a room for the night on the way back with a stopover in CAN.

So I'm not complaining, especially to where I'm going!

No offence, but I wouldnt be too excited by this. CZ may be getting you a "room" but id be expecting it to be just that. A room. They will probably want you to share it with 3 other passengers as well. When it comes to any sort of service, they are NOTHING like first rate, western airlines and have a lot to learn before a reconsider my EU style blacklist travel ban.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Kinda agree with last poster - o/n rooms with Chinese carriers should be avoided wherever possible - beds will certainly be Freddy Flintstone types - hard as a slab of concrete - well in my experience that always have been.

But I am more than happy to fly CZ, CA, MU anytime if they have the most suitable flight for my requirements.

 

[pagingjoan]

OK if you flew in April you might have struck a much sh*ttier plane than they now use.

As for the wine not being cold - neither was the Taittinger Champagne - I complained about it being warm and they brought me a replacement 10 mins later that was as flat as a cough carters hat.

I went to the galley to check it was even champagne and they showed me how they poured it from the bottle into a large polystyrene cup full of ice and let it sit for 10 minutes before pouring it into a glass and bringining it to - that explained why it was so flat. After that episode as soon as I boarded it was straight to galley to show FA how to chill champagne first - oh I told them forget the white wine and beer - just get the champers cold.

Apologies for this being so far away from your post, CE - but I just tripped over your message and it gave me the best laugh! That is, in the category of laughing in the face of tragedy!

As a Champagne freak, it gives me some comfort to know the essential regime to be followed if and when I next fly that airline.

It was a wonderful word picture. Thanks for the entertainment.
PJ