SYD to YVR in J with MU - flight report

[MEL_Traveller]

Hopefully the lounge in PVG is in better shape.

Well.... it will be interesting to hear Dr R's take on the PVG lounge. Most Chinese airport lounges aren't much to write home about. The new Air China lounge at PVG T2 is about the nicest I have been in. Looks ok. Food so so.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Wi fi in lounge very slow and I keep on getting disconnected.

 

[I love to travel]

Wi fi in lounge very slow and I keep on getting disconnected.

Travel safely

 

[jase05]

Wi fi in lounge very slow and I keep on getting disconnected.

Yes WiFi is very patchy there. Sorry to hear about the lounge. As I mentioned earlier the food can vary greatly between visits but I’ve never seen it dirty or filthy before. I would definitely make them aware of it.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Yes WiFi is very patchy there. Sorry to hear about the lounge. As I mentioned earlier the food can vary greatly between visits but I’ve never seen it dirty or filthy before. I would definitely make them aware of it.

I have done so.

I've seen cleaner toilets in third world countries.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just about to leave the lounge and head to the gate. No announcements made for any flight in the lounge.

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

Safe travels mate!

 

[ontheaisle]

Plane configuration to YVR has changed. At check-in was told business is 2-2-2. Online check-in showed 1-2-1. I've opted for the centre 2 seats.

Did they swap out the A350 for the A330?

 

[jase05]

Did they swap out the A350 for the A330?

Their A330’s have a few configurations. Their newer product has the 1-2-1 seating so I’d guess that has been subbed out for one of the older aircraft

 

[Dr Ralph]

Arrived China. Left 45 mins late from SYD. Arrived PVR 30 mins late.

Detailed report will follow. But in short I wouldn't pay for a flight with China Eastern if other airlines like Qantas were the same price and flew the same route. At a 50% discount you'd consider it. Service is below average. Mrs Dr Ralph called it sub optimal. She noticed more than I did that as some of the few Westerners on the flight we were treated differently. I'd put it down to miscommunication but she has indicated it was more than that.

I'd also take CX award flights or any other airlines I could to the US before thinking about MU flights. But if MU is all that's available it's an adequate, if disappointing, product. I would use them again, albeit, with much lower expectations.

YVR leg still to come.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Lounge review for Shanghai and trip reports will have to come later. Internet in the lounge in PVR is dodgy as anything! Too easy to forget how many websites we take for granted are blocked in China. Surprised AFF is on the blocked list!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hopefully this was a one flight in terms of service. Usually the crew on Chinese carriers are pretty good, albeit they are limited by the soft product they have to offer compared to others.

 

[Dr Ralph]

SYD to PVR - the seating, entertainment system.

Overall I though the seat was reasonable. A little narrow around the feet - knees area made it difficult to lie on your side. But a fully flat bed is possible.

Entertainment system was extremely disappointing. There was a total of 4 tv shows/series. Quite a lot of Chinese language movies. A number of the titles stated that they were in English but this did not prove to be correct.

 

[Dr Ralph]

 

[Dr Ralph]

 

[Dr Ralph]

 

[Dr Ralph]

 

[Dr Ralph]

First time I've come across a shoulder belt.

 

[Dr Ralph]

 

[Dr Ralph]

Correct. There is some information here for pax that have their bags through checked: What happens to Shanghai airport transit passengers | China Guide

This might give you some guide about how to find your way through the transfer formalities, including express security if your connection becomes tight.

This was pretty much exactly what happened. Thanks for the heads up. I know I would have been questioning the sign for transfers had I not known about it.