2 Months to Departure

I hate wasting money on flights!  I’d rather skimp a bit on flying and use the saved dollars on actually holidaying.  However, despite being a penny-pincher, since I have been living in Oz, when I searched online for the lowest priced flights back to the UK, without fail I would always skip over the 2 cheapest airlines.

The Chinese ones!

Their terrible reputation preceded them:

• No leg room;
• Bad food;
• Horror stories of getting stranded in China;
• Plus a trillion other reasons.

So, even if I saved a few 100 dollars, a tight-arse like me thought it just wasn’t worth the risk to fly with them.

On a previous trip, I discovered it is very easy to get a 144-hour Chinese visa at Beijing airport.  Due to the lack of travel adventures this year I desperately needed to tag something onto my pilgrimage home, so this time when searching for my flights, due to the limited choice, I decided to remove the Chinese airline filter and finally took the plunge and booked Air China.  To spend a few days in Beijing seemed well worth sacrificing some comfort.

Gulp!!!

Beijing Airport

1 Week to Departure

To secure a window seat, I always check-in online a few days prior to flying.  This year was an impossible challenge.  My first attempt, as I hadn’t booked my flight directly with Air China, my computer simply said, no can do.

Day of Departure

Hence I was ecstatic on the day of my departure when Expedia sent me a link to check-in online.  2nd check-in attempt just sent me to a website of Chinese hieroglyphics.  3rd attempt, woo hoo, I actually got directed to an English site and my window seat seemed to be in sight.  To then be presented with a ghastly error stating that the site is experiencing abnormalities and to try again later.  Doh!!!  My jubilation of being able to check-in online was short-lived and reluctantly I had to admit defeat.

Was this a sign of things to come?

I headed to the airport seat-less.  On arrival, I joined the huge queue of Chinese heading to their motherland.  I thought here we go.  However, I was pleasantly surprised, the queue moved pretty quick and the lady at the front desk was very friendly and helpful.  I was extremely happy to have a quick check-in and more importantly, my window seat.

China from Above

On the Plane

Boarding was extremely efficient.  I think I’d go so far as to say it was one of my quickest considering the number of passengers.  Looking around the plane I already felt I was in Beijing as there were only a handful of other westerners.  I took my prized window seat.  It was a wee bit cramped, but I didn’t think it was worse than any other airline.  However, I did find the seat hard and uncomfortable, and to be honest that is my biggest complaint.  I was initially worried about how I was going to survive nearly 24 hours on a seat like this.  But with my blanket, pillows and naturally padded bottom, I did manage to get a bit comfortable and even catch some shuteye.  And to my relief the 2nd flight the seat was much comfier.

Beef and Rice Take 1

For my 1st dinner, I opted for rice and beef.  I was pleasantly surprised it was edible. My 1st breakfast of omelette, bacon and baked beans was also pretty tasty.  For my 2nd breakfast, I opted again for an omelette as I couldn’t face congee, a Chinese rice porridge. This breakfast was not so good, the hash browns were oozing in oil and so, I stuck to the sides of croissant and fruit.  For my 2nd dinner, rice and beef, again!  Overall food was ok, but is that all they know how to cook?

Omelette, beef and rice?

Beef and Rice Take 2

My window seat paid dividends on my final leg.  As I looked out of the window, dreaming of one day being down there, exploring the silk route, I spotted a structure that went on for miles and miles and miles and miles and … I am sure I was looking at the Great Wall of China.  It was pretty impressive even from afar.

Great Wall of China

Day of Arrival

The plane arrived in London on time.  I walked straight past my fellow passengers as they all joined the masses queueing at passport control.  I love still owning my British passport!  At the luggage belt, some bags had been pulled to one side.  I assumed they were from the previous flight, and being the only person yet to clear passport control, I sat down.  I then noticed some of the bags had Air China tags, so I got up to have a quick check.  And lo and behind, I was absolutely gobsmacked to find my luggage had beaten me.  I don’t think in all my travel have I ever had such a smooth experience leaving an airport.

London View

Conclusion

Overall what did I think of flying with Air China?  Prior to flying one online review, I read said,

“Not the best airline, but not the worst”

And I think that is a good summary.  The Air China website is bad for English speakers; the customer service is excellent; the air hostesses are lovely, lovely smiles and really friendly; food average; and the seats very uncomfortable.  And was it worth the money I saved to fly with them?  At the moment it is a definite yes, but let’s see how my homeward bound flight goes.