Advice on Air China

[sirineou]

I am looking for airfare from JFK to BKK Sept 21 to Oct 12 for my wife

Air China has a very attractive fare for $870 but I dont know much about them, any opinions or I could get Emirates for $1108 and Delta for $1101

I dont mind spending a couple of hundred more for my wife, any opinions would be appreciated.

PS: also just found Qatar air for $1202

[craigt3365]

Air China is fine. Not the best, but not the worst. Unless flying business class or better, IMHO, all the carrier's "cattle class" are about the same for getting over to the US. I've flown them all. Though I do like JAL and KAL. Good food on JAL. But not worth the extra money, IMHO. Save the money and buy her a nice dinner next time you are with her. She'll forget all about it! LOL

As a side note, check the layover times. I'll pay extra to avoid long layovers.

[dddave]

Air China or China Air? Most definitely not the same airline, one mainland based and one Taiwan based.

[CWMcMurray]

Was pricing a trip the other way and China air was lowest price option... But did some searching around online and found that some of their aircraft dont have personal Entertainment systems on the BKK / China routing... For me, that's a deal breaker..

So went with next lowest option, which ended up being Korean Ailines, which a change over in JFK to Jet Blue to final destination

Checked a bunch of places, but best price was found on Skyscanner App on iPhone

[CWMcMurray]

My above should say Air China.. Not China Air...

Just ran a search for dates advised...

870 on Air China, 1105 on Emirates, 1174 on Norwegian, 1240 on Cathay Pacific

[sirineou]

Thank you all for your replies

It is Air China. and the plane for that rout is a Boeing 777-300. according to Seat Guru each seat has a personal entertainment screen, and two ac power outlets per three seats.

[CWMcMurray]

Depends which aircraft you get ..

The below link is to other type of 778-300 that do not have personal screens.. 27 of these in the fleet.. 2 much of a gamble for me

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_China/Air_China_Boeing_737-300.php

[KhunBENQ]

As a side note, check the layover times. I'll pay extra to avoid long layovers.

For the specified dates (21 Sep to 12 Oct) not only their price is unparalled, but also the total travel time is the best of all offers.

Air China is based on mainland China, change plane in Peking.

Guess they fly a polar route from New York to Peking (the long leg).

As a Chinese airline they will not be affected by a possible future no-fly-zone over Russia

[craigt3365]

Depends which aircraft you get ..

The below link is to other type of 778-300 that do not have personal screens.. 27 of these in the fleet.. 2 much of a gamble for me

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air_China/Air_China_Boeing_737-300.php

I've had non-functioning personal screens on a few flights recently. I now fill up my tablet with magazines, games and shows to keep me busy. Plus, one sleeping pill just before the long leg and I don't really care for the next 8 hours! LOL

[CWMcMurray]

That's a good idea and will do it ... As also traveling with my 2. Kids... Can't shine the nightmare if no personal screen for them and try to keep them occupied for such a long flight

[KhunBENQ]

I've had non-functioning personal screens on a few flights recently. I now fill up my tablet with magazines, games and shows to keep me busy. Plus, one sleeping pill just before the long leg and I don't really care for the next 8 hours! LOL

You need two pills

New York to Peking (Beijing) is 13:30h (ultra long).

Unfortunately no seat maps available.

But its a 777 (widebody). Usually quite comfortable.

And polar route (almost) as easy to guess: