China Eastern/Qantas codeshare - for a laugh

[gadabout]

I recently took a flight with a QF number but actually run by China Eastern (MU). When I checked in at BNE and tried to have my boarding pass issued for the MU flight (originating from SYD), it could not be done. After 2 more Qantas desks in Sydney, I eventually managed to obtain the boarding pass at the MU desk in a remote part of Sydney International terminal. The MU business-class on-board service was about as good as economy in premium airlines: for example, an apparently extensive lunch menu but in fact only one of the printed offerings was actually available. Further, fortunately I speak basic Mandarin, because the cabin attendants had even less basic English. Never again with QF/MU.

 

[odysseus]

And if business is like economy meals, guess what that makes economy meals.

Having tried the same China Eastern/QF codeshare earlier this year although in economy, I actively avoid it now, and am unlikely to fly them again. The first airline meal I've ever been served that was inedible. And the service standard onboard was atrocious.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the price point is important here. Friend of mine had a short notice trip to China a couple weeks ago... MU was asking $3600 return, Qantas $5200. MU offering brand new 777s with full flats. Is a meal worth $1600?

 

[moa999]

Am surprised they don't at least have one FA with decent English on Aus flights, or maybe they decided your Mandarin was good enough

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have never flown MU Y fro/to Oz but I have flown their J several times - hard product initially somewhat questionable - new J hard product more than acceptable - soft product is never going to be SQ or CX std - but IME intent of crew to serve and please impeccable - they may lack polish of top tier Asian carriers but OMG did they try.

I would fly their J on Oz routes any day - and I never struck a crew that didn't have decent English. However I would never contemplate inter long haul on any Chinese carrier - obviously YMMV.

 

[Dalescott]

Flew with MU, when they started flying into Aus. The plane was a Shanghai Airlines on wet lease. It was a laugh, coughpit door open for the flight, FA spilt a full glass of coke onto a passenger and his brand new laptop, doing it no good at all. As for white wine, and got a full bottle of warm, yes warn white wine and two glass. Returned the warm white wine, and asked for red wine. Which was chilled, but only slightly, it was Cote de Rhone and 10 years old. Absolutely lovely, and a total joy. Finished to the bottle and asked for a second, not as good as the first. This was Cote De Rhone, but five years old. Flight was cheap, and the FA's English was ni near none existant.