Make sure you don't get the Airbus 340 300 it is rubbish (China Eastern Air)

Member Name: Phil Evans

Product:	China Eastern Air
Date:	23/10/06 (1033 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap

Disadvantages: poor seets and food on some flights. very uncomfortable airbus 340 300

8th t0 the 14th October 2006. to Shanghai business class £1250
After reading the bad things about China Eastern I went to my flight out to Shanghai with trepidation, I checked with the airline as to which aircraft was on for that flight, to my relief it was the 600,
Was impressed with the seats which were very comfortable but a lot of the westerners on the flight like myself are on the large side 42 waste found the seatbelts on the end of their adjustment and tight. The guy in front reclined his chair and it broke, the air hostess tried lifting it up and after dropping him violently into the horizontal position, moved him to another seat.
The films were really up to date Batman returns and Charlie and the chocolate factory!
The food was very beautifully presented and of good quality, not sure what it all was! The western option was from no place west that I know of.
All in all an easy flight with not much to complain about, however on the return journey on the 300 plane it was a different story, I know its not the airlines fault but as they seem to be the biggest carriers at Pudong airport they should have some clout. It is a very long airport and my flight gate was given as 23, I must say at this point that I have lots of metal in my legs and walking gets a little painful especially when I have to hurry, I walked to the gate 23 and on the board my flight was down as gate 17 a hell of a long walk, so I set off for gate 17, thought I would use the VIP lounge at gate 17 but I could only use the lounge at gate 23. decided not to. Sat and had a beer waiting for my flight to be called, the voice from the grave came on and said that the gate had been changed to gate 23, I was so knackered by now that I went to information and asked if they could get me to the gate any quicker way than my legs would take me, yes I was told go to the gate 23 and they should be able to help!!!
Then I boarded the plane, thought the seats looked a bit smaller and there was not as much leg room but apart from that it looked OK! Then I realised THIS was first class! Went through to business class and it was nearly as bad as RYAN AIR (no I know nothing can be that bad) there was very little leg room and the seat belt was tiny, it was the most uncomfortable 12hours and 20 min I have ever spent and that includes INTENSIVE CARE! The menu came round and the goose in fat didn’t sound too good but the duck sounded good, I was the third person to order after first class (about 6 people) and all choice and defiantly the duck had gone. Everybody complained but what’s the point they don’t have hidden seats on board and we hadn't hit a flock of ducks on the way up, so you are a captive audience, the staff were long suffering and very nice but I would only fly with them again if they guaranteed the airbus340 600 .

Summary: A two star airline that shines in its own advertising only, dont look for class, it's not there.