Flying to Beijing

[ferntree]

Another happy camper here! Flew SYD to HKG with QF then to PK with Dragonair. Pleasantly impressed with comfort and service.

 

[ajd]

just opened China Air, but they are Skyteam, so my gut feeling tells me I would have to buy the ticket through Qantas if I want my FF status advantages, but then QF does not offer direct flights

China Airlines (ROC) != Air China (PRC) (though Air China is still Star Alliance, not OW)

 

[Steady]

Which was the LCC? KA is full service.

My mistake - an assumption that KA is to CX what JQ is to QF. The experience I had was excellent

 

[yohy?!]

My mistake - an assumption that KA is to CX what JQ is to QF. The experience I had was excellent

KA is a bit of a hybrid airline, they were an upstart that CX acquired to stop them from competing with them in lucrative international routes.

CX mainly uses KA to maximise profits on leisure or lower traffic routes as their cost base is lower (although they do ply Mainland routes as they have a stronger/longer known brand than CX).

They do operate LCC style 320s in all economy config without entertainment and with limited F&B whilst also having 330s that comprise the latest CX long haul J seats used for Regional First class and the latest CX regional J seats for Business class.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They do operate LCC style 320s in all economy config without entertainment and with limited F&B

They have four of those A320s (out of 15). The rest of them are 2-class and being upgraded with IFE at each seat. Their 8 A321s are all new interior (and actually quite nice now).

But in general the seat pitch on the A320s is dire. Having OWR status or above gets you an exit row which is invaluable.

 

[verdi]

Hi,

sorry, my first question on AFF, so excuse me if this in the wrong thread.
But I have to fly to Beijing soon, and there are no direct flights. Passed through HK airport plenty of times before, and loving the first class lounge.
So question is, Fly Qantas from Sydney and connect through HK with Dragon Air or Hong Kong ailrines, or fly to Shanghai with Qantas and connect with China Eastern.
Anyone flown this route and able to advise

thanks in advance

I recently flew per hk pek business. I booked through cathay using Qantas ff for the points. per - hk cathay; hk to pek dragon air. pek to hk air china; hk to per cathay

be warned that if you intend flying this route with these airlines Qantas will not allocate points towards the air china leg even tho you book thro cathay and it is their connecting flight

agree with dave - bullets can be much quicker, easier and more comfortable in china

 

[Franky]

I recently flew per hk pek business. I booked through cathay using Qantas ff for the points. per - hk cathay; hk to pek dragon air. pek to hk air china; hk to per cathay

be warned that if you intend flying this route with these airlines Qantas will not allocate points towards the air china leg even tho you book thro cathay and it is their connecting flight

agree with dave - bullets can be much quicker, easier and more comfortable in china

You had me thinking for a while there, then the penny dropped about the bullets. Trains that is. They are good and when you weigh up the waiting, security, etc, makes the journey somewhat easier.

 

[Dave R32]

You had me thinking for a while there, then the penny dropped about the bullets. Trains that is. They are good and when you weigh up the waiting, security, etc, makes the journey somewhat easier.

Some of the meetings I have sat though over there......the lead bullets would be preferable !

Cheers
Dave.

 

[katiebell]

Having once flown QF via SYD to PEK I would never do it again: far better to make both flights international (eg via HKG) as the service, cabins and lounges are far better and not needing to clear customs and emigration/immigration at the transfer point removes the risks of delays and prolonged connection times (my only rtn to Aus via SYD had a minimum connection time of 4 hours and this was spent in the dom business lounge which was not nearly as nice as an international Flounge). Also, if we ever want decent international services from our local capital city airports we need to support them. QF seem determined to force pax tp fly via SYD.

 

[ajd]

Having once flown QF via SYD to PEK I would never do it again: far better to make both flights international (eg via HKG) as the service, cabins and lounges are far better and not needing to clear customs and emigration/immigration at the transfer point removes the risks of delays and prolonged connection times (my only rtn to Aus via SYD had a minimum connection time of 4 hours and this was spent in the dom business lounge which was not nearly as nice as an international Flounge). Also, if we ever want decent international services from our local capital city airports we need to support them. QF seem determined to force pax tp fly via SYD.

QF no longer operates to PEK, only PVG now.

 

[katiebell]

QF no longer operates to PEK, only PVG now.

Thanks for the info: I would never have known as I would never fly via SYD if at all possible. My point re departing Aus on an international flight and connecting int to int and not int to dom or vv remains the same.