Air China to Europe - transit visa required?

[shearsense]

While looking for flights to Europe in December, I notice most of the cheapest * Alliance options seem to be with CA. However most options seem to have two stops listed. On closer inspection, these seem to be both within China - normally Shanghai followed by a sector to Beijing. There is no mention of visa requirements. Do CA have an arrangement for visa free transit between Shanghai and Beijing on Australia to Europe flights? Anybody taken these flights before?

 

[Wezza]

No visa is needed providing you aren't in China for more than 24 hours. I know this for sure because my girlfriend recently came from Russia on China Southern, Moscow-Urumqi-Guangzhou-Sydney and never required a transit visa.

 

[shearsense]

Thanks for the info!

And she didn't go through Customs and Immigration?

 

[eastwest101]

And further questions for Wezza - on the transit from Russia through China to Aus - was she an Australian citizen or another nationality? Does this matter, as far as China customs & immigration?

 

[Wezza]

Thanks for the info!

And she didn't go through Customs and Immigration?

Yes you pass through customs & immigration at both airports because the flight within China is essentially a domestic flight. You get a special transit without visa stamp in your passport.

And further questions for Wezza - on the transit from Russia through China to Aus - was she an Australian citizen or another nationality? Does this matter, as far as China customs & immigration?

She's a Russian citizen, but no it doesn't matter. The same rules apply for Australian passport holders.

I've also transitted China before on Air China but it was only 1 stop through Beijing. It's very simple.

 

[eastwest101]

Thanks for the info - I was looking at doing the same with passport holders from different countries so useful info there....

 

[shearsense]

Good one - thanks

 

[eastwest101]

Once Air China and China Southern et al get the equipment and connections/services right - to do one-stops Aus to Europe I can see a lot of problems for Qantas/Emirates, Ethiad, Singapore, Cathay Pacific and BA in the future...

 

[Wezza]

Well Air China are starting 77W serviced on CA174 SYD-PEK next month I think it is. The product on board looks pretty good. I'll use them again for the right price. Last time I flew SYD-PEK-SVO return for $1330!

 

[jetlagger]

Once Air China and China Southern et al get the equipment and connections/services right - to do one-stops Aus to Europe I can see a lot of problems for Qantas/Emirates, Ethiad, Singapore, Cathay Pacific and BA in the future...

Though there is somehow a remarkable (current) difference in product & service taking price out of the equation with the above statement.

 

[eastwest101]

Though there is somehow a remarkable (current) difference in product & service taking price out of the equation with the above statement.

I take your point that the customer service has a way to go - particularly in regional intra-China flights. But consider that you can fly return to Europe on CA for $1330 in a cramped Y A330 then BSI interior B747-400 or pay $2000 to fly return to Europe on EK also cramped in Y (777 then A380) - note similar flights on SG vary from $2000 to $2500 return in Y. That is a pretty big difference in price - I would imagine that the difference in price would be even larger if looking at J fares.

 

[Wezza]

Actually, the Air China A332 & 772 cabins are far from cramped, I was quite surprised. Admittedly the 772 cabins are pretty outdated but they're getting phased out soon anyway.

 

[eastwest101]

Actually, the Air China A332 & 772 cabins are far from cramped, I was quite surprised. Admittedly the 772 cabins are pretty outdated but they're getting phased out soon anyway.

You are correct:

AC A332 Y seat pitch 34" & width 18"
AC B772 Y seat pitch 32"-33" & width 18"

vs

EK B777 Y seat pitch 31"-34" & width 17.5" (total lottery in EK B777's as they seem to have about a bazillion different versions)
EK A380 Y seat pitch 32" & width 17.5"

So apparently some people would be paying at least $700 more for 1-2" less legroom and 0.5" less seat width.

 

[jetlagger]

You are correct:

AC A332 Y seat pitch 34" & width 18"
AC B772 Y seat pitch 32"-33" & width 18"

vs

EK B777 Y seat pitch 31"-34" & width 17.5" (total lottery in EK B777's as they seem to have about a bazillion different versions)
EK A380 Y seat pitch 32" & width 17.5"

So apparently some people would be paying at least $700 more for 1-2" less legroom and 0.5" less seat width.

Nice observations about seat comfort, how about the safety & service factors ?

 

[eastwest101]

Nice observations about seat comfort, how about the safety & service factors ?

I don't know - I haven't flown them myself - but have flown China Southern - but Wezza may have some opinions to share.

 

[jetlagger]

I don't know - I haven't flown them myself - but have flown China Southern - but Wezza may have some opinions to share.

Likewise.. Look forward to the responses..

 

[Wezza]

Seat comfort is actually quite good! Also, the pilot on both SYD-PEK & PEK-SYD was Australian and the aircraft was in good condition. I noticed on the PEK-SVO leg that the toilet wasn't so clean towards the end of the flight though. The service on board was fine, all of the staff spoke some degree of English. For the price, I can't really complain. I'm going back to Russia again in a few weeks and I did check the fares with Air China but they were more expensive than Singapore Airlines this time, so the decision to fly on SQ was a no brainer.

 

[jetlagger]

Seat comfort is actually quite good! Also, the pilot on both SYD-PEK & PEK-SYD was Australian and the aircraft was in good condition. I noticed on the PEK-SVO leg that the toilet wasn't so clean towards the end of the flight though. The service on board was fine, all of the staff spoke some degree of English. For the price, I can't really complain. I'm going back to Russia again in a few weeks and I did check the fares with Air China but they were more expensive than Singapore Airlines this time, so the decision to fly on SQ was a no brainer.

Wezza,
Thanks for the update.. nice to hear.
Report in for your Russia trip too - if time avails.
Cheers,
jl

 

[Wezza]

I should be able to find time to put something together, I'm there for 3 months. We're having a little break in Thailand over xmas and new year too.

 

[eastwest101]

Yes I would be keen to hear how things go as well. I do also note that if your budget is really tight, and you can somehow get to Bali for free/ or cheap, that you can do the monster 20hr trip in a Transaero B767 (I guess there is a fuel stop) for $1100 return. Or if you can get to Bangkok for free/cheap then Tranaero fly B747's to Moscow, not sure of the prices there but imagine would be pretty competative.

Incidently - Transaero has the worst booking site I have seen, if you pick a day where a flight is unavaliable (presumably not flying) then you get a helpful error message in russian which then sends you on an endless loop back to the same error message again. This will stop me whingeing about the VA web site.