Which airline is best to fly Sydney - Beijing (PEK) economy?

takutox on 22/02/2017 - 09:22
Last edited 22/02/2017 - 09:23

Need OzB advice, which airline do you guys think the best way to get to Beijing from Sydney is? Given that we are not talking price at all, purely the overall experience of comfort, food, plane amenities and airline service in economy. Directness matters, but that is only one of the factors.

Would you go with Qantas, Virgin, Air China, Xiamen or China Southern/Eastern? Do you have any experiences with these on their Beijing routes?

Thanks heaps guys. I don't fly much, this booking is for an elderly relative. I want to give them the best experience on the way there. So pretending that all of these airlines cost the same price, which would you go with? This person can afford all the economy prices but cannot afford Premium Econ or Business.

Travel

Comments

  • callum9999 on 22/02/2017 - 09:49

    Anyone who claims to have had majorly different economy experiences between those airlines either doesn't fly very much or just had bad luck on a previous trip.

    Pretending they all cost the same price, I'd go for the most convenient timing. A quick search shows Qantas fly direct during the day with a late arrival and Air China fly direct overnight - ask them which they'd prefer.

    • RockyRaccoon on 22/02/2017 - 10:16

      Also frankly it will depend on your relatives ethnicity. If they are chinese, they may find a chinese airline might be easier for them in communication, should there be issues vice versa if they are anglo, they may be more comfortable with Qantas/Virgin. (But be aware of codeshare flights as the crew may be from another airline)

      This is not being racist its just that older people who havent flown much might need the assistance that their language history will bring, when dealing with things that might go astray. And its a small point. nothing to get excited about.

      Other than that as callum above says, most of the airlines you list are similar

      • spaij on 22/02/2017 - 10:25

        True. Though I think with airlines like Qantas, they ensure that they have Chinese speaking attendants available on a route into China.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2017 - 10:57
    -1

    All other things being equal, I'd fly Cathay Pacific every time. Singapore airlines might be an option if you want to break the flight almost in half with a rest. It can make a difference.

  • inherentchoice on 22/02/2017 - 11:06
    +1

    Some over 50 relatives of mine flew on both Cathay and Qantas to Hong Kong in economy. And they said they much preferred Cathay.

    Cathay posts deals on OzBargain from time to time. This deal has $652 return SYD to PEK on a wide range of dates but expires tomorrow:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/290412

  • joelmuzz on 22/02/2017 - 12:01

    Its all about the same. Its economy, you get drinks and foil tray meals.
    Plane type on that particular flight is a big factor, old plane with crappy TV's vs a year old.
    Seat choice, knowing the plane model and researching which are good and which may appear good but have issues (eg Boeing door seats with a big protruding hump)
    Luck whether the person in front reclines their seat, size/sound/smell/spillage of person next to you.
    Flight arrival and departure times are also very important when relying on public transport, it can even be impossible to get a taxi at some hours and locations which can really screw you over, hotel free shuttle may only be in certain hours and it can easily be a $50 difference.

    The Chinese based airlines tend to be stricter on phone and tablet use (due to Chinese regulations still banning use in flight) so you may have more chance of issues if intending to watch movies on phone instead of inflight screens.

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