Review of China Eastern flight from Shanghai to Macau in Economy

After an unforgettable week exploring the vibrant streets of Shanghai, it was time to bid farewell to this dazzling metropolis and embark on a new adventure. Scanning Google Flights for my next destination, I stumbled upon an incredible deal—a flight to Macao with China Eastern Airlines for just 58 euros, checked baggage included. Curious what Asia's Las Vegas would look like I booked the ticket.

My journey began with the futuristic Maglev train, which whisked me to Pudong Airport in record time. As I arrived at the airport, I had to navigate the maze of check-in desks.

China Eastern Airlines seemed to dominate the terminal with quite some rows of check-in counters. However, it wasn’t as simple as walking up to the nearest desk. The counters were divided into categories: domestic flights, flights to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao, and international flights. After some wandering and with a bit of guidance from the helpful airport staff, I finally located the right desk for my Macao flight.

Check-in was surprisingly swift. Bracing myself for another drawn-out ordeal at immigration, I was pleasantly surprised to find almost no line. In just five minutes, I was through, breezing past security and arriving at the gate with time to spare.

My last visit to Pudong Airport was during a trip back from Seoul, and I remembered how barebones the terminal had been, with only a lonely Starbucks offering any semblance of food. This time, however, the terminal had undergone a transformation. New eateries had sprung up, offering a variety of dining options. I found a nice spot and treated myself to a late lunch.

Today, I was set to take off on an Airbus A319, a new experience for me. Compared to the spacious A321 that brought me to Shanghai, this aircraft was noticeably more compact. It was my first time flying on a plane of this size Settling into my aisle seat, I noticed I was joined by two Chinese ladies who took the window and middle seats next to me. The cabin felt cozier, almost intimate.

Once again, the legroom left much to be desired, though I reminded myself that being taller than the average Asian passenger likely played a role. There were no blankets or pillows waiting on the seat this time, but the cabin crew came around later, distributing them to passengers. As the plane prepared for takeoff, the overhead screens flickered to life, displaying the safety demonstration video.

One thing I quickly noticed about flying with China Eastern is their strict policy on using headphones during takeoff and landing. The crew made a point of asking me to remove my earplugs, something I hadn’t encountered before. As we settled into the flight, the timing couldn’t have been better for the meal service—it was just around dinner time. We were given a choice between rice or noodles. Knowing that airplane noodles often disappoint, I opted for the rice. The main dish was surprisingly tasty, accompanied by some greens, a packet of crisps, and an unappealing red bean dessert that I could hardly stomach. To wash it down, I treated myself to a cold Tsingtao beer, which paired nicely with the meal.

As I mentioned earlier, the Airbus A319 is noticeably smaller than any plane I’ve flown on before. This was especially evident when looking from the back of the cabin, where the rows of economy seats seemed to taper off much sooner than I was used to.

A clean toilet was also provided during this flight.

After touching down in Macao, I headed straight for customs. The line looked just as long as the one I faced when arriving in Shanghai, but this time, it moved much faster. In just 15 to 20 minutes, I was through. By the time I reached the baggage claim, my suitcase had already appeared on the conveyor belt, perfectly timed. With everything in hand, I was ready to head to my hotel.