After few days in Harbin, in North East China to see the ice festival, it was time to get back to Shanghai. Outside temperature was -23C. Harbin is quite an old airport The check in desk from Sky Priority was quite difficult to find just on the right side of the main counters but they have the signage behind the only counter. The only question the agent ask: window or aisle? Check in is done in less than a minute…
Time to go straight to the gate Not a security but a safety check in Harbin… The line up is quite long but it is pretty fast.
One thing I like in China is their VIP treatment. As a loyal bank customer, you have access to the Bank private lounges: Or you can access to the airline lounge if you prefer to have the boring instant sweet coffee and sesame crackers In China, you will always find boiler in all public areas for your tea and instant noodles: Some shopping, russian Ice cream (Russian border is less than 500KM from here)
Or local sausages:
Instructions for free internet access: all China airport have now free wifi Iphone 4 & 5 saver: Getting ready for boarding
First row just behind the biz class. Good pitch. MU flight attendant is greeting the MU Gold members. She will let them know the flying time and expected time of arrival and will give each of them a pair of sleepers. Flying Blue Elite Plus members will only get first or second row behind the business class but no greetings and no sleepers! After the safety video, push back and take off on time which is now very rare in China. It is time for dinner, the usual box with sweet bread, pickles, water and the hot dish which is today noodles: Flying over Qingdao (I think…)
Flight is really smooth and very few turbulence tonight.
Arrival at Pudong Airport on time
upon my arrival, I went straight to the Maglev to catch the last train of the day. Will be home (Puxi) one hour after touching down.
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Verdict
China Eastern
5.3/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew7.5
Entertainment/wifi3.0
Meal/catering3.0
Harbin - HRB
6.4/10
Efficiency8.0
Access9.0
Services3.5
Cleanliness5.0
Shanghai - PVG
7.0/10
Efficiency10.0
Access6.0
Services6.0
Cleanliness6.0
Conclusion
A typical Chinese domestic flight.
Harbin airport is very 90's and deserve to have a better and bigger airport for a city of over 10 millions.
I wish the FA could speak better English to engage conversation but most of them don't as it is surely not their priority.
Hope to have better flights and less boring in the future on domestic MU.
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As you said, it looks like a pretty standard domestic flight with no delays. Are ATC delays becoming rarer in PVG?
Pretty harsh rating on the meal, was it inedible? It's infinitely more food than you'd get on a domestic flight in the US or Japan in Y.
Chatty FAs are a rarity on most northern Asian carriers (at least in my experiences with NH [some of the coldest service ever, even in TPAC J!], CA, OZ, and KE), it's not the same style of service as CX, SQ, TG, etc.
No beef or noodle choice for the hot meal ? How was the Ice festival ? Was it worth staying several days there ? A full day seemed enough to me when I went there. Next time, try to take landscape rather that portrait pictures (horizontal rather than vertical) : they fit better in the website. Also, the longest side of the pictures should be optimally 1024 pixels. It is nevertheless a very good first FR. It is great to have a new contributor in the Far East; welcome on board !
Hello and thank you for sharing this first report! Harbin airport does indeed seem quite outdated when compared to the beautiful new terminals popping up all over China. How cool that there are boiling water fountains in the airport for tea and noodles! The first row behind business class seems like a good choice with good legroom and ability to get off the plane early upon landing. As Marathon mentioned above, landscape photos work best for the site. Thanks again for sharing and we look forward to more reports!
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173 reviews
3 Comments
As you said, it looks like a pretty standard domestic flight with no delays. Are ATC delays becoming rarer in PVG?
Pretty harsh rating on the meal, was it inedible? It's infinitely more food than you'd get on a domestic flight in the US or Japan in Y.
Chatty FAs are a rarity on most northern Asian carriers (at least in my experiences with NH [some of the coldest service ever, even in TPAC J!], CA, OZ, and KE), it's not the same style of service as CX, SQ, TG, etc.
How was the Ice festival ? Was it worth staying several days there ? A full day seemed enough to me when I went there.
Next time, try to take landscape rather that portrait pictures (horizontal rather than vertical) : they fit better in the website. Also, the longest side of the pictures should be optimally 1024 pixels.
It is nevertheless a very good first FR. It is great to have a new contributor in the Far East; welcome on board !
Welcome to Flight-Report!
KevinDC - Community Manager
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