KLM flight AMS-PEK operated by China Southern Airlines

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ag894
Posts: 53
Joined: 05 Dec 2004, 00:00

KLM flight AMS-PEK operated by China Southern Airlines

Post by ag894 »

Hi you all,

I am flying AMS-PEK with KLM, the flight however is operated by China Southern with a 777, and I got a business ticket.

I tried ot get information and pics from the internet but the info I get is quite limited.

Is there anyone with experineced flying with China Southern?

Does any of you have any information (or pics) on this airline: service, seat confort, meals, and overall quality in general?

Thank you!

cj_chan
Posts: 13
Joined: 09 Mar 2005, 00:00
Location: China
Contact:

Post by cj_chan »

China Southern one of three biggest airways in China. Last month I came back to Guangzhou from Kunming on their 735. The service was satisfied though the food, I think, was not that good(probably because I had tried too many delicious food in Yunnan). But it is a good chance for you to taste some Chinese foods. You can check a picture of their 777 here: http://news.beelink.com.cn/20050129/1777503.shtml
May you have a good trip! :D

Jense

Post by Jense »

Hi ag894,

Maybe these two pictures can give you an idea about the seating in the 777:
- http://www.airliners.net/open.file/612601/M/
- http://www.airliners.net/open.file/451835/M/

Maybe a search trough their (A.Net) forums can give you results:
http://www.airliners.net/discussions/ge ... earch.main

Have a nice trip!

Flying_Dutchman
Posts: 639
Joined: 10 Dec 2003, 00:00
Location: The Netherlands, Les Pays-Bas

Post by Flying_Dutchman »

Hello! :D

Here are some pics of the Business class:

http://www.aviationjet.com/cz_business.htm

http://www.aviationjet.com/czj1.htm

Some meals:

http://www.aviationjet.com/cz_business1.htm

http://www.aviationjet.com/cz_meal.htm


Btw, some experiences can you read overhere

Enjoy your flight!! ;)

ag894
Posts: 53
Joined: 05 Dec 2004, 00:00

Post by ag894 »

Thank you all for the info.

In principle I don't find the seat flat enough for having a good rest, especially for a night flight. But indeed there is plenty of room between seats and the meals looks good.

Anyway, let's see........I will keep you posted.

ag894
Posts: 53
Joined: 05 Dec 2004, 00:00

Post by ag894 »

So I went to Beijing........ and these are some impressions on the flight:

AMS-PEK-AMS with China Southern on B777

AMS departure planned 13-03-05@18:50, actual take-off time ~19:10. Arrival time ~13:00 local time, ~3 or 4 in the morning AMS time (did not really checked the time).

PEK departure planned 15-03-05@13:20, actual take-off time ~13:30. Arrival titme 17:20 local (AMS) time. Cruissing altitude was ~10200 m over Asia and ~11600 m in the European part ofthe flight.

It was my first time on a B777, actually also the 1st time I looked at it closely. From outside is impressive, the engines are about twice the radius of those of a B737. The airplane was parked next to a B747, and it is about the same size in length and width, however 1 deck instead of 2.

I found both flights, and the take-offs and landings extemely smooth. Specially the landings were really soft. I was wondering if the B777 has some specific aid for that (anyone knows...???).

Inside the bussiness area was roomy with generous spaces between seats and in the aisles (2-2-2 configuration). The seat itself was confortable for siting and recline but not for a sleep. It was not flat and inclination was something like 140/150 deg. So I could not really sleep, and went right into the meeting after some 24hrs awake and around 5 in the mornig (my biological time).

The kit was ok and stuffed with the usual things. I always like the stickers "wake me up for meals" and "please do not disturb", which I always place in my office's door. :twisted:

IFE: nice flat screens in the way to PEK. In the way back the screen were small and only-see-if-you-are-right-in-front. The IFE itself was rather bad, no new or relatively new movies. Not even good ones. The best, the classicla gags "just for laughs", that repeated in the flight back. :( And the flight information.

Food was ok, with a nice choice of food. However during the flight, only some sandwiches were available which I found too poor. The choice of drinks was ok.

The flight attendants were attentive and professional. In the flight back since there were few people in business, a number of crew members used the seats to have some rest/sleep.

At arrival from PEK immigration police checked passports right at the airplanes door.

Overall, I would rate it lower than other experiences I had in business because of the seats, the IFE and the limited variety of food available during the flight (not in the meals, that was ok).

Some marks (over 10, 10 being the maximum) (Yeah, I know they are completely subjective and probably are in comparisson with other airlines but still....):

Business area: 9
Seats: 4
IFE: 2
Meals: 7
Other food/drinks availble during flight: 3
Professionalism and crew attitude: 9

Ok, that's all for now........probably I forgot plenty of things to report......but you can ask if you have any specific question and I will try to answer.

Thank you to those that provide me with some pre-flight info. :D :wink:

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sn26567
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Post by sn26567 »

Thanks for detailed flight report.

Seems that the Chinese still have a lot to learn. How can a reputable airline like KLM accept to codeshare with a company offering lower standards?
André
ex Sabena #26567

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Avro
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Joined: 28 Apr 2003, 00:00
Location: Belgium

Post by Avro »

Thanks for the very interesting report

ag894
Posts: 53
Joined: 05 Dec 2004, 00:00

Post by ag894 »

Maybe it sounded too negative altogether which was not my intention. I still think KLM is not of a high standard. Personally I prefer LH. However for this flight due to the short duration of the travel I have choosen a direct flight.

Comparing with KLM and other airlines I may add:

Business area: 9
(equal or better than other (western) airlines)

Seats: 4
(like the ones in KLM for the same destination, other klm destinations got better seats. Other airlines got also better seats)

IFE: 2
(Mostly for the contents. Some channels in Chinese, probably fitted for Chines taste. Which I can undestand. IFE hardware was rather good or standard)

Meals: 7
(at the same standard than any other airline)

Other food/drinks availble during flight: 3
(lower than average for food, rather standard for drinks. Any way I did not take anything apart of the main meals)

Professionalism and crew attitude: 9
(equal or better than other (western) airlines)

I may also add that security was up to all standards (and this is a major point that we normally give for granted but it is not always and everywhere the case).

In general I am very demanding, specially when you (or your company) pay over 3000 euro and in the travel you spend more time on board than in the destination. Then little details really make big differences.

Altogether, and despite of the littles complaints I have, I would not say that it would had a better flight with KLM (only exception for the IFE which I consider a really minor issue).

So don't hesitate to fly with them as you would fly with KLM.

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