| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China 14:50 - Oct 8 with 1101 views | Bent_double |
Planning a trip to Oz in the New Year, so checking out Skyscanner for tickets from Heathrow to Brisbane.
All the usual airlines are there, charging anywhere between gbp 1400 - 2000 per ticket, then you see anyone of the above airlines with prices gbp 400 - 500 cheaper.
I've done the obvious and googled them, they all come back with pretty good reviews, excellent safety records, etc, just a few with comments about it not being easy if you have problems - no English speakers for example.
So, anyone ever flown with any of them? Recommendations, or avoid like the plague? |  |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 14:56 - Oct 8 with 1086 views | ElderGrizzly |
I've flown China Southern and they are perfectly safe and pleasant, but flies out of Guangzhou so has fewer connections.
China Eastern is out of Shanghai and has better alliance partners, so might be a better choice. Tend to have slightly newer metal too.
Most of the connections via China to Australia tend to have really long layovers (12hrs+) and is why they tend to be cheaper. |  | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:00 - Oct 8 with 1069 views | tractorboy1978 |
My screen didn't work on the flight back, the food was rubbish (or very basic) and Guangzhou airport is dreadful. But other than that it was alright. |  | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:01 - Oct 8 with 1057 views | Bent_double |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 14:56 - Oct 8 by ElderGrizzly |
I've flown China Southern and they are perfectly safe and pleasant, but flies out of Guangzhou so has fewer connections.
China Eastern is out of Shanghai and has better alliance partners, so might be a better choice. Tend to have slightly newer metal too.
Most of the connections via China to Australia tend to have really long layovers (12hrs+) and is why they tend to be cheaper. |
Thanks. Yes one of the options is via Shanghai PVG, with *only* a 5 hour wait there - not unbearable I guess, especially as the cost is 900 gbp! | |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:05 - Oct 8 with 1030 views | bluelagos |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 14:56 - Oct 8 by ElderGrizzly |
I've flown China Southern and they are perfectly safe and pleasant, but flies out of Guangzhou so has fewer connections.
China Eastern is out of Shanghai and has better alliance partners, so might be a better choice. Tend to have slightly newer metal too.
Most of the connections via China to Australia tend to have really long layovers (12hrs+) and is why they tend to be cheaper. |
I thought they were cheaper partly as they fly over Russian airspace unlike most airlines who route around Russia (at additional expense)? |  |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:10 - Oct 8 with 988 views | geg1992 |
Not sure about China Airlines,
But I've used Eastern and Southern many times. Eastern have always impressed me more, but both have been great for the price, and the food is way ahead of any European airline I've tried. I'd always choose these over the likes of British Airways for flying east, as the flight time is shorter and offer far better value for money. |  |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:11 - Oct 8 with 973 views | geg1992 |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:01 - Oct 8 by Bent_double |
Thanks. Yes one of the options is via Shanghai PVG, with *only* a 5 hour wait there - not unbearable I guess, especially as the cost is 900 gbp! |
Even if you have a longer layover, you can get layover visa free entry. The cities will surprise you at how clean and modern they are, especially the likes of Shanghai and Guangzhou. | |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:28 - Oct 8 with 898 views | blueasfook |
Just avoid Air India. I was looking at flights to far east for January. Air India came up really cheap, like half the price of other airlines. They have absolutely awful reviews so I swerved it and booked a more expensive flight. |  |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 17:21 - Oct 8 with 763 views | Durovigutum |
The Mrs went out 2023 because we got return to Sydney for £600 and it was her friends 50th (so she went to surprise her, as a weekend in the Isle of Wight would cost more).
It was fine. Food was very Chinese. Entertainment system was not very Western taste. Take a book or an iPad?
Stopover on the way out was a few hours, on the way back 9 hours. I paid for her to have 6 hours in a lounge - food, shower, secure enough for a nap and she arrived at 7AM (I think) so it was quiet.
With just her, no kids, no ancillary concerns, top value and she would do it again. |  | | |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 17:58 - Oct 8 with 729 views | andytown |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:10 - Oct 8 by geg1992 |
Not sure about China Airlines,
But I've used Eastern and Southern many times. Eastern have always impressed me more, but both have been great for the price, and the food is way ahead of any European airline I've tried. I'd always choose these over the likes of British Airways for flying east, as the flight time is shorter and offer far better value for money. |
China Airlines are Taiwanese as far as I’m aware! Not flown them though. | | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 18:01 - Oct 8 with 727 views | Radlett_blue |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:28 - Oct 8 by blueasfook |
Just avoid Air India. I was looking at flights to far east for January. Air India came up really cheap, like half the price of other airlines. They have absolutely awful reviews so I swerved it and booked a more expensive flight. |
I have flown Air India recently (largely because i seemed value) and I didn't have a problem with it. BA are from my experience the worst value airline, archaic IT systems & trading off the fact that many UK residents are addicted to their Air Miles. |  |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 18:45 - Oct 8 with 696 views | TractorWood |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 18:01 - Oct 8 by Radlett_blue |
I have flown Air India recently (largely because i seemed value) and I didn't have a problem with it. BA are from my experience the worst value airline, archaic IT systems & trading off the fact that many UK residents are addicted to their Air Miles. |
BA are mostly pretty awful. However, I use to fly to SE Asia every other month and the frequent flyer scheme made it the best option. I would always fly premium and frequently get upgraded. I hadn't flown for ages and went to Denver and NYC in succession and got upgraded on 50% of those flights too. |  |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 19:37 - Oct 8 with 641 views | Bent_double |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 15:05 - Oct 8 by bluelagos |
I thought they were cheaper partly as they fly over Russian airspace unlike most airlines who route around Russia (at additional expense)? |
That makes sense I suppose. As long as its still safe........! | |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 20:33 - Oct 8 with 559 views | stonojnr |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 18:01 - Oct 8 by Radlett_blue |
I have flown Air India recently (largely because i seemed value) and I didn't have a problem with it. BA are from my experience the worst value airline, archaic IT systems & trading off the fact that many UK residents are addicted to their Air Miles. |
BA are terrible because they just trade on their national carrier status, I avoid them as much as I avoid Ryanair, ie unless theyre the only flight I can get.
last BA flight I was on, it was like being on a SAGA cruise.
I personally wouldnt fly on those China airlines, though I know people do because of cost, I dont think China Easterns safety rating is that good.
if I was flying to Oz Id go Etihad or Quantus on the big Roo. | | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 20:45 - Oct 8 with 547 views | kiwiblue |
Used southern twice and good if you are 5 foot 6 or less as not much legroom . Food is ok but the airports are very basic. Shanghai is great for a stopover for a 2 day visit |  | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 05:58 - Oct 9 with 370 views | IPS_wich |
Just my two cents worth given I've lived down under for 12 years and travelled back to the UK and Europe 9-10 times.
The thing that most people overlook is that travelling from the UK to Australia/NZ means a loooong time in the air regardless of what route you take. Whilst the Chinese airlines are perfectly fine, as some have mentioned, you tend to get a much longer transfer time en route. Which is fine when you're on your way out - you're fresher and excited about the trip. But on the way back it's such a drag and really prolongs the jetlag when you get back.
If price is the big factor then I'd explore Malaysian Airlines before the Chinese carriers. Typically sits somewhere in price between the big players and the Chinese - and a much easier experience than flying with the Chinese - plus Kuala Lumpur airport is a good layover airport (including an airside hotel where you can book by the hour for a sleep if needed).
If you can make it work financially though, then my order for airlines would be:
1: Singapore or Qatar: On the plane they consistently show why they're rated the best airlines in the world - I really can't split them. Singapore airport is better than Doha (it's one of the best in the world) but the advantage of Doha is you get the shorter flight as your last leg on the way home - which always feels more civilised)
2: Emirates or Etihad or Cathay Pacific: Very good airlines, not quite as good as the top two, but you can't go wrong. Emirates has the advantage of flying into and out of Stansted which is great if Suffolk is where you're heading to. Just be careful of some of the routes that use the 777 because they like to squeeze the economy seats a bit and I find the legroom not quite as good as the A350/A380/787.
3: Malaysian or Qantas: Decent airlines, decent planes. Not quite as good as the ones above.
4: British Airways or the Chinese three or Thai: Not flown them all, but friends and family have and they all swear they would be the last choice. | | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 11:54 - Oct 9 with 217 views | waldenblue7 |
I flew to Oz several years back with China Airlines for about £400 return to watch the Ashes win. Everything went as planned but you get what you pay for really plus a 4 hour stopover in the early hours at Taipei. Would recommend if you're flying on a budget but it's a long day! | | | |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 12:17 - Oct 9 with 176 views | Bent_double |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 20:33 - Oct 8 by stonojnr |
BA are terrible because they just trade on their national carrier status, I avoid them as much as I avoid Ryanair, ie unless theyre the only flight I can get.
last BA flight I was on, it was like being on a SAGA cruise.
I personally wouldnt fly on those China airlines, though I know people do because of cost, I dont think China Easterns safety rating is that good.
if I was flying to Oz Id go Etihad or Quantus on the big Roo. |
I think Eastern had a fatal crash a few years ago, so that's maybe what your referring too. Since then they've improved a lot, aparently.
Just trying to justify it to myself  | |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 12:21 - Oct 9 with 171 views | Radlett_blue |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 12:17 - Oct 9 by Bent_double |
I think Eastern had a fatal crash a few years ago, so that's maybe what your referring too. Since then they've improved a lot, aparently.
Just trying to justify it to myself |
If an airline is using fairly modern, Western jet planes, it should be safe. The only risk is that some impoverished airlines skimp of engine maintenance, using much cheaper non-certified spare parts. | |
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| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 12:21 - Oct 9 with 170 views | Bent_double |
| Anyone here used China Airlines/Eastern China/Southern China on 05:58 - Oct 9 by IPS_wich |
Just my two cents worth given I've lived down under for 12 years and travelled back to the UK and Europe 9-10 times.
The thing that most people overlook is that travelling from the UK to Australia/NZ means a loooong time in the air regardless of what route you take. Whilst the Chinese airlines are perfectly fine, as some have mentioned, you tend to get a much longer transfer time en route. Which is fine when you're on your way out - you're fresher and excited about the trip. But on the way back it's such a drag and really prolongs the jetlag when you get back.
If price is the big factor then I'd explore Malaysian Airlines before the Chinese carriers. Typically sits somewhere in price between the big players and the Chinese - and a much easier experience than flying with the Chinese - plus Kuala Lumpur airport is a good layover airport (including an airside hotel where you can book by the hour for a sleep if needed).
If you can make it work financially though, then my order for airlines would be:
1: Singapore or Qatar: On the plane they consistently show why they're rated the best airlines in the world - I really can't split them. Singapore airport is better than Doha (it's one of the best in the world) but the advantage of Doha is you get the shorter flight as your last leg on the way home - which always feels more civilised)
2: Emirates or Etihad or Cathay Pacific: Very good airlines, not quite as good as the top two, but you can't go wrong. Emirates has the advantage of flying into and out of Stansted which is great if Suffolk is where you're heading to. Just be careful of some of the routes that use the 777 because they like to squeeze the economy seats a bit and I find the legroom not quite as good as the A350/A380/787.
3: Malaysian or Qantas: Decent airlines, decent planes. Not quite as good as the ones above.
4: British Airways or the Chinese three or Thai: Not flown them all, but friends and family have and they all swear they would be the last choice. |
Good points, thank-you.
Yes, I'll be honest, as it's a 'one-off' trip I'm looking for the cheaper flights so I can spend more on the actual holiday.
Not too bothered about the journey out, and there are quite a few deals with China/Eastern/Southern outbound, returning on Qatar/BA/Virgin for around 1200 gbp, this could be a good compromise. If the outward journey is terrible, at least it won't be the same airline on the return! | |
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