SYD-Beijing

[laffer]

Does anyone else think it a little strange that QF does not fly direct to Beijing from Sydney?

I would usually prefer to fly QF on this route but as they do not offer a direct flight, I am thinking about my options. Would be interested how others find the CN airlines on this route? The other half is reluctant and I think we will end up going via HK which can be with either QF or CX. CX is a few hundred dollars cheaper so I presume we will end up going with them but I would be interested to hear others experiences in getting to Beijing from Australia.

 

[samh004]

From a little later this year you can fly via SIN on JQi (in business if you like) to PEK. I realise that’s no where near direct, but will be an option later on. QF clearly doesn’t see much of a market for a direct SYD service.

 

[nlagalle]

Does anyone else think it a little strange that QF does not fly direct to Beijing from Sydney?

I would usually prefer to fly QF on this route but as they do not offer a direct flight, I am thinking about my options. Would be interested how others find the CN airlines on this route? The other half is reluctant and I think we will end up going via HK which can be with either QF or CX. CX is a few hundred dollars cheaper so I presume we will end up going with them but I would be interested to hear others experiences in getting to Beijing from Australia.

QF used to fly this route, but it stopped in around April 2009 IIRC. I flew SYD-PEK return for the Olympics in 2008. A330-300 was the aircraft of choice. If i was travelling there again I'd go via HKG.

 

[dajop]

I would usually prefer to fly QF on this route but as they do not offer a direct flight, I am thinking about my options. Would be interested how others find the CN airlines on this route? The other half is reluctant and I think we will end up going via HK which can be with either QF or CX. CX is a few hundred dollars cheaper so I presume we will end up going with them but I would be interested to hear others experiences in getting to Beijing from Australia.

There are plenty of options. QF fly to Shanghai and codeshare on China Eastern between Shanghai and Beijing. There are the SE Asian options (SQ, MH), which surprisingly aren't that big a detour, Asiana or Korean via Seoul and if you want to stick to OW - not sure, but even JL via Tokyo may be possible. There are of course the Chinese carriers (Air China does non-stop service SYD-PEK), and whilst they're perfectly fine for domestic China flights, I am a little wary of on longer haul - but have no experience on them for longer flights so this may or may not be unfounded. Which leads us to CX, which seems to be the logical choice.

From a little later this year you can fly via SIN on JQi (in business if you like) to PEK. I realise that’s no where near direct, but will be an option later on. QF clearly doesn’t see much of a market for a direct SYD service.

That would be just insanity ... SYD-MEL-SIN-PEK and vv. with 2 overnights and 11 hrs stopover in SIN on the return!

 

[laffer]

CX is looking the likely option and that is fine but I am surprised that QF do not think they can make this route work. I know alot of business is done out of Shanghai but still I would have thought there would be enough of a demand to make PKG a goer.

I have to say (and I have said this before) the limitation of the QF international network (direct flights) gets exposed more and more as I look to travel to other destinations apart from the usual LHR/LAX etc.

Using Singapore as a hub with SQ becomes more and more attractive to me.

 

[nlagalle]

CX is looking the likely option and that is fine but I am surprised that QF do not think they can make this route work. I know alot of business is done out of Shanghai but still I would have thought there would be enough of a demand to make PKG a goer.

I have to say (and I have said this before) the limitation of the QF international network (direct flights) gets exposed more and more as I look to travel to other destinations apart from the usual LHR/LAX etc.

Using Singapore as a hub with SQ becomes more and more attractive to me.

My flight home was fully booked (ok it was 3 days after the games finished) but going over there were a lot of spare seats. So it doesn't surprise me at all that the route didn't get a lot of traffic.

Personally I'd hub through HKG and use CX, but then I like HKG better than SIN..

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Would be interested how others find the CN airlines on this route? The other half is reluctant and I think we will end up going via HK which can be with either QF or CX. CX is a few hundred dollars cheaper so I presume we will end up going with them but I would be interested to hear others experiences in getting to Beijing from Australia.

What class - J or Y?

If J - several options - SQ, CX, MU, CA, PAL, GA - I have flown them all - have had acceptable experiences with all - SQ / CX fabulous - PAL good - MU / CA / GA acceptable.

Would never fly MU, CA, PAL or GA in Y - NEVER.

Some really competitive prices from several carriers if you are prepared to think non-Qantas.