China Eastern Airlines Review - Flight Ratings
Routes Shanghai (Hongqiao/Pudong) hub serving 200+ destinations across Asia, Europe, North America and Africa.
Selina Chen 陈丽明 EN ⇄ 中文 · Frequent flyer · Trade & sourcing - One of the cheapest carriers in Asia on both domestic and international fares
- Easy, multilingual website that makes booking and comparing fares simple
- Decent in-flight entertainment on international routes plus free meals and drinks
- Attentive cabin crew who mostly speak international languages
- Seats on older aircraft are worn, uncomfortable and don't always recline
- In-flight entertainment is thin on domestic and regional flights
- Phones aren't permitted even in airplane mode, with no explanation given
Our personal China Eastern Airlines review
China Eastern is the second-biggest airline in China, based at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and flying both domestic and international routes. China Eastern Airlines serves over 200 destinations across Asia, Europe, North America and Africa, with fleets configured for economy, business and first class.
After flying a few Chinese carriers, we were keen to try China Eastern, the Shanghai-based airline known for competitive fares between Europe and Australia. The journey started in Beijing and check-in was quick and simple. On boarding, staff greeted us at the door and showed us to our seat. The cabin was full, but once everyone was seated the door closed and the safety briefing ran. One quirk of this carrier: phones aren’t allowed even in airplane mode, though tablets and laptops are fine, an odd rule they could at least explain. Overall, the journey was smooth and trouble-free.
What are the pros
- Price. China Eastern is one of the cheapest airlines in Asia, on both domestic and international fares. If you are travelling on a budget, it is worth a look, its first-class fares can even undercut economy on other regional carriers.
- Easy booking. The website loads well and is straightforward, so you can book from home or the office without hassle, in a choice of languages.
- Fare transparency. You can see available tickets and fares side by side to pick the cheapest option, with all rules, promotions and offers listed on the site.
- Entertainment. Long-haul flights are well served with music, ceiling screens and seat-back TVs, though these are limited to international routes; domestic and regional flights have little to none.
- Food. Free in-flight meals and drinks with a list of options, mostly Chinese and Asian dishes.
- Crew. Flight attendants are attentive and most speak international languages, which makes communication easy.
What are the cons
- The seats are not very comfortable and fall short of international standards. Older aircraft have worn seats that don’t recline, leaving you stuck in one position for hours. The airline is working to upgrade seating and amenities, but it remains the main weak point.
China Eastern Airlines safety
On safety there is little to worry about. China Eastern is one of the safest airlines in China, with a modern, sophisticated fleet. As with most major airlines, the risk is very low and flying remains one of the safest ways to travel.
Conclusion
China Eastern is one of the best budget airlines in China. Apart from the dated seats, everything else stacks up well. If you want a cheap flight within Asia, you will likely come away wondering how the fares can be so low, and not feeling short-changed.
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superinterpreter · selina@mychinainterpreter.com · Xiamen, China · UTC+8
