Review of Juneyao flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai in Economy

Intro

Welcome to my very first flight review. As part of my vacation in Asia, I took a flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai. Shanghai is a city I had always wanted to explore more thoroughly, having only caught a glimpse of it during a brief layover last year. The combination of the modern skyline as well as it's history inspired me to visit it.

When searching for tickets, Juneyao Airlines emerged as the best option. Despite my initial unfamiliarity with the airline, it offered a fair price as well as a favorable time to depart. I was intrigued by its competitive prices and favorable schedule. Juneyao Airlines is a Shanghai based airline mainly operating in Asia, but they started offering long-haul flights for a few years now.

Travel to airport

As my hotel was located on Hong Kong Island, I had two main options for getting to the airport: the Airport Express train or the Cityflyer bus. Although the Airport Express is much faster, it required a transfer from my hotel to the station, which added an extra step to my journey.

On the other hand, the Cityflyer bus, though slower, offered a more convenient and scenic route. It provided a direct transfer from Hong Kong Island to the airport, eliminating the need to change transportation modes along the way. This option also allowed me to enjoy one last ride enjoying the scenes of Hong Kong. So obviously it was the latter I chose.

Checking In

I tried checking in online, but it seems like Juneyao Airlines, much like the other Chinese carriers I have flown on previously, does not prioritize user experience on their website. The website was difficult to navigate and having booked with an external party it was not possible to reserve a seat online.

Given that I had check-in baggage, I needed to visit the counter anyway. Hoping to avoid a middle seat I was very happy when the lady behind the counter offered me an aisle seat. I look to be able to stand up during a flight (even when it is a short flight) and stretch my legs without having to bother other passengers.

Cabin

Going onboard, I first needed to pass through the business class section, which consisted of just 8 seats arranged in 2 rows with a 2-2 configuration. Although it was a small cabin, I appreciate that many Asian operators, including Juneyao Airlines, have a dedicated business class section.

My seat was 40C, located in the economy section. Upon arrival at my seat, I found a blanket waiting for me, which I found quite notable since it was not an evening flight. The gesture was still appreciated.

As I settled into my seat, I noticed that the legroom could have been a bit more generous. Being taller than the average passenger, I found it somewhat cramped. The seat pitch seemed standard for economy class, but for someone with longer legs, it did feel a bit tight. Despite this, the seat was reasonably comfortable, and the cabin appeared clean and well-maintained. The seat could be laid-back as well, although I did not use it on this flight. One feature I liked on this plane (and the first time I have ever seen it) were the phone holders mounted to the back of the seat.

The flight attendants were welcoming and attentive, helping passengers with their luggage and ensuring everyone was settled in for the flight.

The flight was fully loaded today.

Food

On this short flight, a hot meal was offered, which was a pleasant surprise for a relatively brief journey. The meal consisted of noodles that had a texture more akin to spaghetti, accompanied by beef and vegetables. While I wasn't offered a choice, I noticed that several other passengers had a rice option, indicating that there were indeed multiple meal choices available. I noticed the flight attendant helping me did not have the best knowledge of English, perhaps that was one of the reasons I did not get a choice.

Alongside the hot meal, a small packet of peanuts, a faux Oreo cookie, and a serving of berry juice were provided. For my drink, I opted for a grapefruit juice, as the flight attendant was visibly confused by my request I had to point at the package she had. While the food didn't stand out as the best airplane meal I've ever had, it was eatable.

Landing

Soon after, the crew came around to pick up the now empty food boxes and collect the garbage. A rather uneventful flight ensued. There was no IFE, but I had a tablet and phone to kil

Arrival

As a foreigner, I had to go through customs to have my fingerprints collected and complete other necessary entry procedures. The line for customs was quite long, and it took me around 45 minutes to get through it. It seemed there was not a lot of staff working today + a Lufthansa 747 apparantly had arrived shortly beforehand so there were a lot of people arriving.

By the time I finally made it through customs, I figured my suitcase had already been going around the conveyor belt for quite some time. I quickly located the baggage claim area and, as expected, found my suitcase patiently circling.

After a long walk through the expansive airport terminal, I arrived at the Maglev train station and made my way quickly towards the city (although not as quickly as it once used to be.)

Thank you for reading my flight report!