Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

I'm looking into flights for myself, husband and baby (will be 4 months) for a trip to Vancouver for a few weeks right after Christmas. We normally don't mess with crappy US airlines (or Air Canada!) for international flights, and usually fly Asiana, Korean, or sometimes Singapore. I was looking on Orbitz and Air China flights are a good $500 cheaper than other flights, and almost $1000 less than non-stop flights on Korean or Asiana. The last time I flew Air China was IN China ten years ago, and it didn't exactly inspire confidence (from either a customer service or safety perspective).

Has Air China gotten better? There's a layover in Beijing but it's not too long. Korean or Asiana would be much nicer, and I know they'll be good with a baby (we would have baby on lap, and try to get a bassinet in that special row). The savings are tempting on Air China, but would we be miserable?

[ajgeddes]

I flew Air China to Europe this summer and everything was fine. My seat actually felt spacious and the service was average for an Asian airline. No complaints and they are a member of Star Alliance. Transferring at Beijing is a little strange though as they stamp your passport.

[Reappropriated]

I took a similar flight to Los Angeles (with a stopover in Beijing). I had no concerns about the safety of the plane but the customer service was pretty bad. The food was really bad (so much so that on the way back I just brought my own food with me). Since then I have flown them once more because it was so cheap, but the other time I went home I took another flight through Japan. For $500 less it was worth it to me, but when the difference was only $100 I paid the extra to not have the extra time and worse customer service. So really it is up to you, is a longer flight and worse customer service worth the savings?

[Enigma]

I usually fly Korean to Vancouver as recently Air Canada has gotten more expensive when I want to fly (hard to believe as Korean is a way better airline). I haven't flown Air China, but here's a good site with reviews of most major airlines you can check out:

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/seats.htm

and here's Air China's reviews:

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/air_china.htm

[wishfullthinkng]

air china is okay, but as you've stated it's definitely not going to be an asiana, kal, or singapore air.

[cedarseoul]

I booked RT tickets to Singapore last summer using Air China. Cheap, cheap, cheap--and such a negative experience that I actually paid for a one way flight back to Korea on Singapore Airlines. I couldn't bear X hours of ancient cramped seats and disgusting fried rice--and a transfer in Chengdu, of all places.

You get what you pay for, I suppose...

[ren546]

I've flown with Air China about 10+ times, twice to/from Vancouver. I've heard a lot of people bitch about how horrible they are, and I've experienced some shitty delays, but IMO it's well worth the discounted price. I'm not a fan of the airport in Beijing, but it's tolerable for the few hours that you'll be there.

I guess it depends on what kind of traveler you are. For me, coach is coach. It's not worth the extra $500 for a slightly less crappy rice/noodle dish and an inch of extra leg room. Maybe that means I'm low maintenance?