Air China Business Class Review Lax to Beijing

I know that it's still early in the year and that I've still got a lot of flying to practice, only I've got a hunch that People's republic of china Eastern business organization class will be my biggest surprise of 2020.

The corporeality of negativity I've heard almost this airline over the years is borderline comical. From rude crew members to horrible food – I was fully expecting this 14.5 hr flight to Shanghai to be the worst experience ever.

Just you know what? I survived. Quite comfortably and well-fed thank you very much. Nope – it wasn't perfect, merely never in one case did I have to threaten anyone with a tearful and overly-dramatic "I'm never gonna fly this airline once again!" because things didn't get my mode.

If that's non a ringing endorsement for a quality business organisation form product, I don't know what is.

MU586
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) – Shanghai, China (PVG)
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Aircraft: 777-39P/ER
Registration: B-7343
Duration: 14 hours 24 minutes
Seat: 16A (business organization)

Red china Eastern 777-300/ER side view illustration by Norebbo.com. Past the way, I promise they got a really proficient deal on that livery pattern.

Our route from LAX to PVG today as MU586

My video review for this Communist china Eastern business concern class flight over to Shanghai

About of you probably aren't even going to observe, just this video was a fairly significant one for me. This is because it was the kickoff e'er video that I shot in 4K, and it makes me feel really good to take some other giant bound forward in the overall quality of my videos.

That's not to say that I didn't have any problems along the way yet. It turns out that my encephalon wasn't fully onboard with my dedication to 4K during the filming process, and at that place were several clips that I mistakenly shot in 2.7K (simply like always). Therefore, I was unable to edit and render the video in the ultra-high resolution that I was hoping for. Oh well – next time.

Do I even have to mention that I sourced the music for this video through Epidemic Audio? Probably non, but I'g going to anyhow. Regular readers of my blog already know of my dearest affair with them, and stuffing my videos full of music from their catalog is something that I'm always very proud to practice.

Please notation: some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. This means that I will get paid a commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of them.

How much did I pay for this flying to PVG?

In a give-and-take: not very much. Well, that'southward iii words (I know), but the corporeality that I paid was then little that I consider it to exist just ane. I've been sitting on a very big stockpile of American Express Membership Advantage points for over a year now, and I decided that it was finally time to get large and first cashing some of them in. This China Eastern concern grade ticket was obtained using Delta SkyMiles, which I converted at a 1:ane ratio from Membership Rewards.

The total expenditure was 85,000 SkyMiles plus $135.30 in taxes and fees. An "ok" cost to pay in my opinion, though I'k never a big fan of paying fees on award tickets. Still, I got a very good 15 60 minutes business class experience out of it, and then I tin't actually complain all that much.

If y'all're curious how I've been able to aggregate such a big stockpile of Membership Rewards points, well – simply take a look at all the airline reviews that I've posted over the past ii years or so. Each and every ane of those flights was purchased using my American Express Platinum Menu, which e'er earns me 5X points on all airfare spend.

It should be noted that the $135 in taxes and fees that I paid for this business class reward redemption did not count as airfare spend. Therefore, I used my American Limited Bluish Concern Carte du jour which earns me 2X points on all purchases. So I still managed to eek out 270 points out of this purchase – which is better than nothing I guess.

Pros and cons of China Eastern business grade

You lot know, earlier taking this flight I was thinking that the "cons" section of this review was going to exist massively huge. I was really and so worried near it that information technology had me wondering how I was going to format it all on the blog. I hate lopsided content!

Thankfully this was a really good flight and I didn't take to stress out too much nearly trying to brand this cons section fit into the format of this article without pulling my teeth out.

Pros

• The business class cabin on the 777–200 ER was spotless and clean. Like, almost "make new airplane" clean.
• Speaking of the seats, the textures and materials were of very high-quality and it felt like a very premium product.
• The motel crew was more welcoming and engaging compared to the cabin crews I've experienced on other Chinese airlines (I'm talking near you Xiamen Air and Hainan).
• China Eastern business class fares are mostly lower than other airlines, so it may behoove you to scour the deals over on Google Flights earlier pulling the trigger  on an outrageous fare on Mainland china Pacific or something.

Cons

• While I considered the meal service to exist skillful overall, the master course of the dejeuner service was quite bad. I opted for the chicken breast, which was incredibly dry and rubbery.
• The timing of the pre-landing meal service was naught short of odd. It was served 4 hours prior to landing, which made information technology seem more like a mid flying snack than annihilation else. I was hungry again by the time nosotros landed!
• I've already mentioned that I've heard mixed reviews about this airline – which tells me that they aren't always equally good equally they were on this detail flying.

Full transcript of my video for this flying to Shanghai (with pics!)

Hold on just a 2nd. I completely underestimated how long it was gonna take to walk from concluding two to the Tom Bradley International Last here at LAX, and the Communist china Eastern portion of this video will begin in a moment. Please stand up by…

There we go! Anyway, my name is Scott, I'm the founder and author of sanspotter.com, and I only arrived at LAX on a flight upwardly from San Diego to take hold of Communist china Eastern flight number 586 to Shanghai.

Yes, I know. It was completely foolish of me to do this simply as the Coronavirus was starting to spread, but – since when take I always been sensible? Speaking of being sensible, information technology probably would have more sense for the guy ahead of me to have checked in a large box instead of suitcases (yes, you can bank check a box as luggage). Simply what practice I know? I hardly e'er travel with more than a backpack.

You know, I've heard some really bad things well-nigh People's republic of china Eastern over the years, just seeing fresh flowers, chairs, and complimentary bottled water here in the business class queue was…disruptive.

I hateful, I came hither expecting the worst, only things seem to be starting off quite well thank you very much.

Only first, a brief stop at the KAL Lounge

Unmistakably LAX. I dearest this place! And no, I'm not but saying that because I am on my manner up to what is arguably the best lounge in the entire drome.

Gratis food in the KAL Lounge. Um…accept they identified any foods that help to protect against being infected with the Coronavirus nevertheless?

To exist honest, I wasn't aware of the severity of the state of affairs in China yet so I went with a generous helping of wieners. And stuff.

By the way, I highly recommend the Korean Air Lounge here at LAX. If yous want in, the easiest fashion to practise it is to sign upward for Priority Laissez passer. Become x% off by using this link!

The pre-boarding experience

There she is. The airplane the internet told me to avoid at all costs.

I'm non picky though, and I was very much looking forward to experiencing China Eastern business form for my myself.

I was non, however, looking forrad to the automated boarding system here at the gate. These machines hate me, and for that – I hate *them*.

Then, just to analyze, I've really heard mixed reactions about Mainland china Eastern over the years. Some reviews have been positive, while others have painted them as the worst airline on the face of the globe.

I'm staying positive though. It's been a fun morning filled with bottled water, swanky lounges, and weiners….so: so far then adept.

Yes, I know. Instead of filming all the b-scroll for the video, information technology  probably would've behooved me to gear up off in search of a face mask or two to set myself for what was happening in Cathay at the moment.

The boarding procedure for Communist china Eastern flight number 586 to Shanghai

I swear to god these machines hate me. If I can't get through, well – cheers for watching, and I'll catch you lot in the next ane…

I made it through! And nope. I don't intendance at all about all the negative reviews I've read about China Eastern over the years. I chose to write airline reviews for a living considering I like experiencing both the skillful and the bad, and even if this is bad…it'due south gonna be practiced. Expect…

The Mainland china Eastern 777-300/ER business concern class cabin. Colour me impressed! Does this look like a dumpy business class product to yous? More importantly: Rory? I wanna know what you recollect near this!

My seat for the 14 hour flight to Shanghai. I'm telling you what: my morning time is but getting better and ameliorate!

And now: the SANspotter "butt" test. Information technology's kind of like a taste test, simply with my bu…ooh…this is…quite skillful!

Is there anything more than satisfying equally earthworks through an assiduities kit while economy class passengers walk by?

I'm NOT antisocial on economic system passengers past the way. Y'all know I fly economy a lot, so I was definitely appreciating both the awkwardness and rarity of this special moment.

When the in flying carte du jour is blimp with inserts, yous just know it's gonna exist skillful. A brief look at the choices for today'due south flight to Shanghai elevated my satisfaction level upwardly a few notches.

And, but so yous know, It'southward not like I needed that boost or anything since I've essentially been satisfied since the wiener situation back in the lounge.

I should also mention that at that place was an extensive wine list every bit well, which…well…ahh, screw it. I'm not fancy enough to fully appreciate a wine list anyhow.

Power ports! The USB hole didn't work, just the electric outlet did. l/50 ain't bad I guess.

Miscellaneous seat details (because I know a lot of yous are into that sort of thing).

Ok, so the tally so far this morn is: flowers, bottled water, swanky lounges, tasty wieners, comfortable seats, and an impressive in flight menu.

When does the bad stuff start happening?

Alright. Another question: What are your thoughts on crying babies in long haul business form? I'yard non anti baby or anything but there'due south a very angry newborn a few rows back and it's gonna be a very long 14 hours to Shanghai I think.

In the air now and officially on the manner to China

Well, nosotros didn't ditch in the ocean on takeoff. That'south a good sign I guess. I might as well first accepting the fact that China Eastern isn't as bad as everyone says they are.

Now THIS is my kind of plane bathroom.

Aye, this is technically the starting time grade lavatory, and as a lowly business concern grade passenger I'one thousand *technically" non supposed to be in here, simply wilted flowers or non, this is dope.

This is the video entertainment system. Information technology was ok. There's not a huge pick of movies and TV shows, simply…

…at least it was more than satisfying than these cheap headphones (which were not noise canceling by the style).

What was the meal service similar?

The meal service started exactly 47 minutes subsequently deviation, consisting of a basin of sweet corn chowder soup accompanied by crab legs and bacon rolls. Garlic bread on the side of grade, and…did I mention the bacon?

Think when I asked when the bad stuff was going to offset happening? Well, here we go. This entrée looked ok, but I'm willing to bet anything that the tires on the main landing gear of this 777 were more tender and ply able than this slab of stale out chicken chest. It wasn't good.

"What'south some other discussion for rubbery?"

The fruit and cheese plate organization. OCD satisfaction level: 10.

Speaking of high levels of satisfaction, this chocolate mousse cake erased any and all thoughts of rubbery craven breast swirling around in my head at the moment.

And just when I thought I couldn't *perchance* inject whatsoever more than sugar into my veins…this little guy appeared on my tray tabular array out of nowhere.

A few hours of remainder and relaxation

It's kind of hard to see in this dark pic of the economy cabin, only this flight was 100% total today despite the developments of the Coronavirus in Cathay. As yous can run across, information technology didn't really stop people from traveling when all this started.

Looking back on this footage at present makes me realize how foolish of me it was to go to Prc trip at this time.

Granted, the coronavirus state of affairs hadn't really blown up at this point, but it still should take given me real cause for business concern.

Anyway, look at me go! Every bit you can see, I learned a matter or two about business grade bedding products after thoroughly embarrassing myself on Cathay Pacific back in November, and I've totally got this situation under control today.

The second repast service (don't call it a pre-landing repast)

Now this was odd. Nosotros've still got 4 hours to go, and they just turned on the cabin lights. The hell? Turns out it was because they were serving a mid flight snack – which was interesting because I've never seen it and then formalized before.

It was a huge meal by the manner, and…you know me. Put food in forepart of me at whatever hour in any state of affairs and I'll eat information technology. I swear to god I'k part canis familiaris or something.

The chief course. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to relieve room for the pre-landing meal or not…

The arrival into Shanghai

Fast forrad about 3 hours, and I gauge that mid flying snack was actually the pre-landing meal. Yeah, nosotros're on the descent into Shanghai now, and I don't think we're gonna meet any more than food on this flight. The dog in me was highly disappointed.

Ahh, I actually do cherish these precious moments in the sky. Wait…isn't that the proper noun of a really expert YouTube channel or something? Why yes it is! How well-nigh that for a butter-smooth shoutout to my buddy Neil's YouTube channel? lol

And so what's the verdict on China Eastern business organisation class? Quite bluntly, despite the rubbery chicken and the odd timing of the pre landing meal, it was actually a really adept feel. Not quite Japanese or Korean airline good, but proficient enough for me to recommend information technology highly to anyone looking for a comfortable ride to Cathay and back. Later the Coronavirus goes away of course.

Welcome to Shanghai! And you know what? How almost a warm welcome to all of my ridiculously awesome Patrons too? I'k always happy to run into both Shanghai AND my patrons, though Shanghai isn't give me much in terms of a warm welcome today'south it seems.

I can't say the same about my Patrons though. Eric Shoell, Riley Wingo, and everyone else – they're always rad, any day, any fourth dimension.

Thanks for coming along with me on Prc Airlines flight number 586 today, and I hope y'all'll stay tuned for my next post, which features a very tight economy course product on another Chinese airline I've never flown before.

Until and so, thank you for reading, and I'll catch you in the side by side one.

FAQs almost flying China Eastern business organization class

True story: writing an FAQ about Red china Eastern business class is something that I've been wanting to do for a very long time. Non only because information technology would requite me a legitimate alibi to answer questions from curious travelers most this airline, but considering I've always wanted to see for myself what it was really similar.

The following is a list of the most ofttimes asked questions I've received from readers about Prc Eastern over the years:

Tin China Eastern cabin crews speak English very well?

I will say this: the entire motel coiffure on this particular flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai spoke English at nearly native levels. This is in stark contrast to my Xiamen Air flight from LA to Xiamen last yr, where the coiffure and I could barely understand each other.

As a matter of fact, of all the flights on Chinese carriers that I've ever taken in my life, this was the best in terms of English proficiency of the crew.

Just how good are the cabin crews? Exercise they offer world class levels of service?

Yes, I realize this is actually 2 questions rolled up into one, just I decided to lump them together since they were so like. Anyway, the best way to describe the levels of service in Mainland china Eastern business grade is to say that it'due south better than what you get on the American carriers, simply not quite as skilful as what you would expect on a Korean airline like Asiana (or a Japanese airline like JAL).

I was quite satisfied with the cabin coiffure on this long 14.v hour flight, and they were proactive and attentive all the fashion through. My biggest criticism would be the fact that they seemed then robotic and impersonal most of the fourth dimension. However, in my feel, this is typical for Chinese airlines.

On a scale of 1 to 5, how would I charge per unit the nutrient?

Equally you saw in the transcript and pictures above, the nutrient on this particular flying wasn't all that remarkable. The titbit and dessert were perfectly fine, only the main course (craven) was extremely dry and rubbery – well-nigh to the point of being inedible.

Based on this one feel, I would say that the overall dining experience was 3 stars out of 5. Note that I would accept just given information technology 2 stars if the motel crew wasn't and so attentive and efficient.

What nearly the seats? What rating would I give those on a scale of 1 to v?

I'k going with a solid score of 4 on this ane. The seats in China Eastern business class (especially on the 777 that I flew) were far better than my expectations, with premium materials and a comfortable configuration.

Note that these are the same seats plant in other business class cabins on other airlines (such as Mainland china Pacific and American Airlines), so it's not similar you're getting a completely unique seating experience on Communist china Eastern.

What's a reasonable price to pay for China Eastern business concern class between the Usa and China?

This is a highly subjective question, I know, but I'grand going to answer it anyway. While some people like to argue that business organisation class isn't worth it at any price, I tend to hang out with the camp of people who consider it to be worthy of a somewhat hefty premium.

If you were forcing me to put a price tag on what I think business class between LA and Shanghai is worth on this airline, I would say $3750. That's a round-trip price BTW, and I'd have to think long and hard about paying any more than that for this product out of my own pocket.

I should as well annotation that even though I think that this product is worth most $4000, I am nowhere near being able to afford something like that. I'm just proverb that if I had the coin and I was comparing it to other airlines, that's what I would wait to pay.

Is the in-flight amusement whatsoever skilful?

Again, this is a very subjective question, only I'm just going to answer it by saying "meh". It's not very frequently that I tin't notice annihilation to scout on a in-flight video entertainment system, but I was really struggling to observe something interesting on this flight over to China.

It got so bad at one indicate that I merely turned the screen off and pulled out my laptop instead to get some work done. FYI, if you're looking to be thoroughly entertained on flights between the US and People's republic of china, look no farther than Communist china Pacific and their Studio CX video entertainment organization.

How does People's republic of china Eastern compare to business concern grade products from other Chinese airlines?

So far in my SANspotter flight career, I've had the opportunity to try business class on four different Chinese airlines: Air China, People's republic of china Airlines, Xiamen Air, and at present, Communist china Eastern. The easy respond is that information technology's actually hard for me to rate each of these airlines against ane some other, since they all seemed to exist pretty much the same to me – in the same fashion that US airlines are mostly copycats of one another.

If I was forced to brand a determination though, I would rate my red china Eastern experience to a higher place all the others. Not considering the service was that much amend (information technology wasn't), but considering the English language proficiency of the cabin coiffure was the best I've experienced then far. Business class is a lot more fun when you don't have to use hand gestures and facial expressions to communicate IMHO.

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Source: https://www.sanspotter.com/china-eastern-business-class/

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