SYD to YVR in J with MU - flight report

[Dr Ralph]

Flying for the first time with China Eastern Airlines, Sydney to Vancouver, with a 4 hour and 20 min stop over in Shanghai (Pudong).



Depart Sydney Saturday June 29 @ 11am on MU562 (Airbus Industrie A350-900).

Arrive Shanghai (Pudong) Saturday June 29 @ 7.20pm.

Depart Shanghai (Pudong) Saturday June 29 @ 11.40pm on MU597 (Airbus Industrie A330-200).

Arrive Vancouver Saturday June 29 @ 7.50pm.



Looking forward to trying the lounge in Pudong.



I'm assuming in Sydney that it's the Qantas Business Lounge?



I return via the same route about 3 weeks later. Anyone know anything about the lounge China Eastern uses in Vancouver?

 

[pauly7]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts have heard so many things about MU.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts have heard so many things about MU.

Good or bad things?

 

[madrooster]

As a general rule, beware that PVG does not normally permit any baggage to be through-checked irrespective of carrier.

The one exception is MU but only for certain flights. That list of flights is decided day by day and you will receive a pink transfer tag if they decide YVR is a destination that they'll do through-check for that day. Otherwise you'll need to clear immigration, collect your bags and re-check.

 

[Dr Ralph]

The one exception is MU but only for certain flights. That list of flights is decided day by day and you will receive a pink transfer tag if they decide YVR is a destination that they'll do through-check for that day. Otherwise you'll need to clear immigration, collect your bags and re-check.

Thanks.

I'd seen reports of this and am prepared for it. But I do not think it likely for this flight.

 

[ontheaisle]

I'm assuming in Sydney that it's the Qantas Business Lounge?

I believe you have the choice of the SkyTeam Lounge or Qantas Business Lounge.

I am also flying MU SYD-PVG-FRA in business next month so looking forward to your review. I'm planning to check out the SkyTeam Lounge for something different...

 

[Dr Ralph]

I believe you have the choice of the SkyTeam Lounge or Qantas Business Lounge.
...
I'm planning to check out the SkyTeam Lounge for something different...

I may do this as well. Recent review here:

Review: SkyTeam Lounge, Sydney

Following a well-timed renovation, Sydney's SkyTeam Lounge now greets travellers with a fresh look and feel.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just confirmed seats:

SYD to PVG 8L

PVG to YVR 6L

 

[Dr Ralph]

I see yesterday:

MU562 departed 11 minutes late from SYD and arrived 29 mins late into PVG.



MU597 departed PVG 10 minutes early but arrived 14 minutes late into YVR.

 

[cjd600]

Looking forward to the reviews with interest, given the amount of MU J awards that pop up from here (SYD) to Nth America

 

[Dr Ralph]

Looking forward to the reviews with interest, given the amount of MU J awards that pop up from here (SYD) to Nth America

Yep, mine is an award booking.

Usually get a CX award booking into North America, but none were available this time around.

 

[ontheaisle]

Mine is an award booking too - couldn't resist the very reasonable $250 in taxes and the flight times worked well for me. CX or JL would have been my preferred choices but no availability.

On the upside, CE paid J on sale is often quite reasonably priced when compared to PE from the top tier airlines so will be good to see if it could be a viable option (my personal travel budget unfortunately doesn't stretch to paid J, lol)

 

[madrooster]

For YVR travel... one should not look past the very reasonable CI J fares ex-AU. About $4000 return.

 

[BriarFlyer]

I'm also watching this TR with interest, given the availability of award seats into North America (in particular.)

 

[Denali]

Pulling up a chair for story time!

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

Looking forward to this report as I have an award booking to Okinawa via PVG coming up this November!
I am hoping my bags can be checked through all the way

 

[Dr Ralph]

Tried to check in online earlier today, I'm hoping the China Eastern website is not indicative of the flight experience I am going to have!

Complete fail is the easiest way to describe the experience. Now I'm completely locked out of the system.

 

[ontheaisle]

I don't think you can check in online if it wasn't a ticket purchased directly from China Eastern?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I don't think you can check in online if it wasn't a ticket purchased directly from China Eastern?

China Eastern system suggested this could be done.

After about 20 minutes I got through to selecting seats. Then it all collapsed and I was completely locked out.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Anyone know how long before the flight check in opens for China Eastern at SYD?

And/or can I actually check in at the Qantas business desk?