china southern - do i dare do it

[mikal1988]

hi guys

so iv decided i want to head to europe and use paris CDG as my entry and exit point

china southern have fares for the time i want for around the $1100 mark

has anyone flown china southern?? was it alright for LHI economy

i checked seat guru and it says that all seats have seat back entertainment, can anyone whos actually been on the planes back this up

my home airport is MEL and would prefer the flight with one stop in china outbound and inbound

i look forward to your replies

thanks

 

[cove]

Someone has to otherwise we will never know. I think it is your opportunity!

 

[Fantic125]

I've flown China Southern (CZ) a few times and found them quite good.

Most of the flights have been within China (into and out of Guangzhou, their home base), but I have flown with them recently from Guangzhou to Seoul.

They have just taken delivery of an A380, one of the first (I think) of the Chinese based carriers to do so.

 

[samh004]

There are some reviews of J in the related threads at the bottom of this thread, and I'm sure search might pull a few more up.




 

[medhead]

My BiL's boss used to fly to china a fair bit with China Southern. He no longer does so after a scary mid air experience. Based on what was described I wouldn't fly with them.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[mannej]

My BiL's boss used to fly to china a fair bit with China Southern. He no longer does so after a scary mid air experience. Based on what was described I wouldn't fly with them.

Dare I ask?

 

[medhead]

Dare I ask?

Sure, but grains of salt required. I did get this from the boss first hand. Anyway, apparently the aircraft dived while cruising for no apparent reason. Stopped diving after a while and they just kept flying with nothing more being said.

Grains of salt because I'm not sure how they knew it dived and it would be hard to know what the aircraft is doing without external visual cues. But then there was an air crash investigation episode about an aircraft (from China somewhere) that plunged from the sky for no apparent reason when flying to LAX.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[spudseamus]

Sure, but grains of salt required. I did get this from the boss first hand. Anyway, apparently the aircraft dived while cruising for no apparent reason. Stopped diving after a while and they just kept flying with nothing more being said.

Grains of salt because I'm not sure how they knew it dived and it would be hard to know what the aircraft is doing without external visual cues. But then there was an air crash investigation episode about an aircraft (from China somewhere) that plunged from the sky for no apparent reason when flying to LAX.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

Like the Qantas one did here??

 

[MH_fan]

I've heard that they're fine in the air but it's the transit in CAN which is a pain but I believe it's the same for any transit through a mainland Chinese airport. If you're budget-conscious, $1100 for a return airfare to Europe is an absolute bargain!

 

[spudseamus]

I would have an 18 hr layover on the flight I want to take!!:shock:

 

[Must...Fly!]

The solution I've come up for solving problems like this is rather simple.

I just ask myself
1) Will I regret stepping on board this aircraft
2) While in transit, will I wish I had spent the extra $xx_ to get to my destination sooner/less transit time?

If the answer is Yes to #1 and/or No to #2, the other option is best!

 

[kelkel]

The solution I've come up for solving problems like this is rather simple.

I just ask myself
1) Will I regret stepping on board this aircraft
2) While in transit, will I wish I had spent the extra $xx_ to get to my destination sooner/less transit time?

If the answer is Yes to #1 and/or No to #2, the other option is best!

I've booked the $1100 fare to CDG. Does anyone know the visa requirements for transiting Guangzhou? I've got a 6 hour layover so I would like to go through immigration and have a bit of a look round. I've finding conflicting information whether I need a visa or not to do this.

 

[Fantic125]

To get from the airport to Guangzhou central takes at least 1 hour. IMHO I wouldn't bother.

Others may disagree.

 

[KLN]

if it's any consolation, i know they are trying to recruit Australian pilots at the moment.

 

[moa999]

I think all Chinese airports have a 48-hr transit Visa on Arrival for Australian citizens. Some threads on FT about it from memory.
I would have investigated previously but have used an APEC card on a prior transit

Did CZ Y domestically recently and they were ok.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....back-all-three-alliances-34713.html#post53670

and a First domestic blog here:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../china-southern-domestic-first-can-34909.html

 

[MH_fan]

I would have an 18 hr layover on the flight I want to take!!:shock:

Yikes! That is an extraordinarily long layover. I'd pay a bit more to avoid that!

 

[spudseamus]

$2500 more ?:shock:

 

[SeatBackForward]

Are China Southern overhauling their routes sometime soon this year? I'm looking for flights for a relative who wants to go SYD to BHY (Beihai). If they travelled this month, there are direct flights SYD-CAN-BHY and return. If selecting May, its a minimum 3 or 4 hops through Beijing or Shanghai!

 

[sxdatou]

China Southern is one of the best choice for OZs going to China. From Guangzhou you can do any two cities/open jaw. China Southern is so big, vitally they fly to anywhere in China. Also, China Southern's FFP uses kilometre not mile for their mileage calculation. Two or three return trips (40K) to China will give you silver status, which gives you lounge access everywhere whenever you fly with them. Also if your transit time is more than 8 hours, they will provide accommodation. Which hotel depends on your elite status.

They are improving and it's unfair to compare them with CX/SQ for kangaroo route. But really, its cheap! and with food! and China Southern will give you Skyteam status. Way better than budget carriers like Airasia.

 

[Jama]

I would not set foot in a China Southern aircraft again if it was free. Saving money by flying with them was the worst choice I ever made.