I’m sharing in real-time style about my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
Wow, what a difference eight years makes! My China Eastern A330 economy class flight from Jakarta to Shanghai was not full of smoke or bad service, but instead one of the best economy class flights of the trip thus far.
China Eastern A330 Economy Class: My First Impressions
Some context. My last two flights with China Eastern included a transpacific flight with smoking onboard and then after complaining about it on this blog, almost surreal VIP treatment on the ground and in the air when continuing on our second leg a day later. That was in 2016…now we’re in 2024. Back then, said, “I would fly China Eastern again if given the chance. I believe in second chances. But I am skeptical.”
Now, I finally had my chance to try China Eastern again. Would anything have changed?
The plane was the same A330-200 I flew from Shanghai to Colombo eight years ago…seats are still unchanged.
But I was about to be impressed.
First, I love the 2-4-2 configuration (versus 3-3-3)…perfect for traveling with a companion. The 32-inch legroom is respectable.
Second, it truly was a non-smoking flight! Since my problematic flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, China has banned pilots from smoking onboard in the cockpit and the cabin air was as fresh as cabin air can be on this flight.
Third, the meal service was very decent…scrambled eggs are a nice midnight snack and even the croissant was not bad.
Fourth, there was Wi-Fi and power plugs onboard…not bad at all after a week of mostly elusive internet.
Lastly, the service was courteous and punctual.
I don’t think I could have asked for much more. Next up, I’ll publish a full review of the flight with more info on the seat, IFE, food, drinks, and service.
Maybe I missed it, but six hours going where to where? I know that somewhere there’ s a list of all the flights you’re doing on this trip, but that’s hard to find when reading this particular article.
Makes you wonder the reason pilots don’t open the cockpit windows when they smoke.
I love your articles but these teasers are killing me! lol!