One way HKG - PEK - suggestions please

[zig]

I need to get to PEK to start a cruise which will finish in HKG.

At this stage I'm planning to book VS J SYD -HKG -SYD on points as there is no availability via QF awards. This leaves me with needing to book a one way flight to PEK.

I haven't flown this sector before and am not familiar with the airlines. I have looked at Dragonair and Air China websites so far, but would appreciate any suggestions on airlines / prices / reliability of airline / history of cancellation etc. On these airlines is it worth booking J for such a short flight?

 

[dajop]

I need to get to PEK to start a cruise which will finish in HKG.

At this stage I'm planning to book VS J SYD -HKG -SYD on points as there is no availability via QF awards. This leaves me with needing to book a one way flight to PEK.

I haven't flown this sector before and am not familiar with the airlines. I have looked at Dragonair and Air China websites so far, but would appreciate any suggestions on airlines / prices / reliability of airline / history of cancellation etc. On these airlines is it worth booking J for such a short flight?

Check out ctrip.com.cn for options as well. You stopping in HKG? If price is an issue, flying out of Shenzhen could be an option as well, or even if not go there and take a flight in First ... like US, many China dom flights are two class - economy/first.

Dragonair probably better than Air China/China Southern depending on aircraft type and age (avoid the old Air China 757's if you can - yuk!), but haven't flown any of the other chinese airlines. Now when I flew HKG-PEK (in J as part of return from SIN on CX), on the way up to PEK I scored the new J class config on the single daily CX operated flight, that was nice if you can get it.

 

[kamchatsky]

DragonAir is definitely better than Air China/China Southern.

Do you have any other programs that can redeem tickets to Air China or DragonAir?

 

[yohy?!]

Whilst flying from SZX saves you some cash on taxes I have colleagues from Hong Kong who prefer to depart from HKG when travelling to mainland China. Their reasoning being that domestic flights are far more likely to be subject to delays than international ones.

If this is not an issue your options SZX to PEK direct are Air China (Star Alliance), China Eastern, China Southern (Sky Team), Hainan Air and Shenzhen Airlines .

Otherwise for HKG to PEK direct you have China Eastern, Dragonair (OW), Cathay (OW) and Hong Kong Express.

If not going by Dragonair or Cathay definetely check out pricing though Elong or Ctrip, prices tend to decrease at 4 weeks from departure with specials on J also.

Personally if money were not an option I'd go for Dragonair or Cathay in J Otherwise Air China, China Eastern, China Souther and Shenzhen/Hainan should all be fine in Y for a short flight - Hong Kong Express has some very low prices but also a fairly poor reputation as a LCC.

 

[zig]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Money isn't really the key factor in the decision, so I will fly from HKG rather than Shenzen.

Your feedback has confirmed my thoughts about the airlines, and I will look at Cathay/Dragonair through the sites suggested.

 

[dajop]

Your feedback has confirmed my thoughts about the airlines, and I will look at Cathay/Dragonair through the sites suggested.

Just be careful when booking that you avoid the codeshares operated by CA (Air China), as all three operate interchangeably - and aside from CA being not as good, you would miss out on QFF pts FWIW!

 

[zig]

Just be careful when booking that you avoid the codeshares operated by CA (Air China), as all three operate interchangeably - and aside from CA being not as good, you would miss out on QFF pts FWIW!

Thanks, I had noticed that there was a lot of code sharing on the route, so I'll be making sure that I book the right one.

 

[AdamR]

I have travelled HKG to PEK on DragonAir in Y, and it was fine except for the boring transfer wait from my QF flight which arrived at 0530.

I also travelled internally in China on Air China in first class. Basically identical service and facilities to QF domestic business class. I highly recommend it if travelling internally because the price difference is very small (by Aus standards) and there is a massive advantage in being able to use the first/business checkin and security queues.

 

[munitalP]

Have you considered rail travel rather than air - sure it will take 2 days and an overnight in Shanghai, but First Class rail - a pleasant way to relax into your cruise...


munitalP

 

[zig]

Have you considered rail travel rather than air - sure it will take 2 days and an overnight in Shanghai, but First Class rail - a pleasant way to relax into your cruise...


munitalP

I did fleetingly consider it, but was under the impression that the standard of the trains wasn't great, but maybe I got this wrong? I'll have a browse online and see what I can find.

 

[Lucky_man]

I'd certainly also suggest Dragon/Cathay.

My usual choice when flying HKG-PVG (similar to HKG-PEK) is to pick the flights operated by A330 rather than A320 and then select first class.

 

[yohy?!]

I'd certainly also suggest Dragon/Cathay.

My usual choice when flying HKG-PVG (similar to HKG-PEK) is to pick the flights operated by A330 rather than A320 and then select first class.

Yes definetely go for widebodies in J...otherwise you might want to stick to single-aisle in Y to save some time.

 

[munitalP]

I did fleetingly consider it, but was under the impression that the standard of the trains wasn't great, but maybe I got this wrong? I'll have a browse online and see what I can find.

We did Shanghai / Beijing then a few days later Beijing / Harbin then a Harbin / Beijing overnight last December / Jan

The day trains, 1st class, excellent. I was concerned about the loos, well at least Mrs munitalP was, but the high speed trains have a mixture of euro and squat loos in the 1st class carriages. The were cleaned frequently as well. There is a small food service, we took our own, noodles and nibbles.

I recommend it - a great way to see China - well at least part of it anyway.

munitalP