74
DECEMBER 2017 businesstraveller.comTRIED AND TESTED FLIGHT
China Eastern Airlines A320
business class
HONG KONG–HANGZHOU
BACKGROUND China Eastern flies
its A320-200 between Hong Kong and
Hangzhou six times a week (skipping
Mondays).CHECK-IN I arrived at HKIA just after
1500 for flight MU596, scheduled for a 1700
departure. Business class travellers can
use the Sky Priority lane, (as can first class
passengers and Eastern Miles Platinum
members). I had to wait about ten minutes
while the lone member of staff handled a
problem with the people boarding ahead of
me, but security and immigration was fast.THE LOUNGE China Eastern offers
access to the Skyteam Lounge by Gate 15
in the East Hall (about five minutes’ walk
from immigration). This facility is separated
into two sections, the first having buffet
food (including a noodle and rice cooking
station) and the second offering more living
room-style sofa seating. There were no
announcements, so you must keep an eye
on the status of your flight.BOARDING My departure gate was 523,
a short five-minute walk away. All airlines
departing from the 500s require passengers
to ride a shuttle bus from the gate to the
aircraft. If you wait until boarding starts to
leave the lounge (as I did) you risk missing
the first shuttle and having to wait for the
second, which doesn’t depart until all other
passengers have got on. Even though Iarrived at the gate at 1625, I wasn’t actually
on the aircraft and in my seat until 1655.THE SEAT The seats on China Eastern’s
A320 are quite standard for regional aircraft
into China. Width is comfortable (around 21
inches), though as I was in a bulkhead aisle
seat (6D) I had slightly less legroom. There’s
no IFE screen and as Chinese carriers
are typically strict about smartphone use
(though new government regulations mean
this could change), it’s worth bringing a
laptop or tablet. Fortunately the seats come
with universal in-seat power outlets.BEST SEAT Eight business class seats
are laid out 2-2 in two rows. The bulkhead
seats have less legroom, while the back
row has reduced recline due to the wall
dividing business and economy cabins.
It’s a toss-up based on preference; I tend
to favour space over recline, especially
for short flights.THE FLIGHT We departed behind
schedule at 1730. This being a short flight
(1 hour 45 minutes) food was served shortly
after take-off. It was a pretty mixed bag:
my main of chicken rice was pleasant and
the presentation was good, but the garlic
bread served separately was stale – almost
impossible to bite into.
Without any IFE to explore, I listened
to music on my phone, which was
secreted away in my pocket. So long as
it’s not visible, you shouldn’t run into much
opposition from the flight staff.ARRIVAL We landed almost on time,
despite the 30-minute delay, arriving in
Hangzhou at 1920. Again we were required
to board a shuttle, but this time there was a
separate bus for business class passengers,
which provided a valuable head start over
other travellers. I was through immigration
in mere minutes with a short wait for
my luggage.VERDICT For a short-haul journey this
is a perfectly adequate product, but China
Eastern could go a long way to improving
its offerings, particularly the speed and
efficiency of check-in and boarding. The
seat product and F&B offering would also
benefit from some attention. The ticket
price is less expensive than the likes of
Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines –
the other two carriers to fly this route –
but the difference in quality corresponds.
Craig BrightBEST FOR
Short-haul valuePRICE
Internet rates for a return
business class ticket in mid-January
start from US$577 including
tax and surcharges.DEPARTURE TIME
1700FLIGHT TIME
1 hour 45 minutesAIRCRAFT TYPE
A320CONFIGURATION
2-2SEAT RECLINE
6-7.4in/15-19cmSEAT WIDTH
21in/53cmSEAT PITCH
36-41in/91-104cmCONTACT
ceair.comThe bulkhead seats have
less legroom, while the
back row has reduced
recline due to the wall
dividing business and
economy cabins – it’s a
toss-up based on preference