Information on China Eastern Flights

China Eastern is one of the so-called “big three” Chinese airlines, alongside Air China and China Southern Airlines. Its two main hubs are Shanghai’s two airports, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to the west of the city and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to the east, but it also operates flights from other major Chinese airports.

Flying mostly Airbus and Boeing airplanes of all sizes, China Eastern is one of the world’s largest airlines and is part of the SkyTeam alliance alongside airlines like Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM. With often-lower pricing, China Eastern can be a great option for flights to China and beyond.

The China Eastern model

China Eastern is enormous. The fleet includes more than 600 airplanes and the airline uses multiple hubs, including both of Shanghai’s main airports. Of the three major Chinese carriers, it’s the one that focuses most on Shanghai, while Air China is focused on Beijing and China Southern focuses on Guangzhou.

Most long-haul and international flights are to and from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). East of the city, it’s accessible via metro line 2 (which runs right through the center of the city) and the Shanghai Maglev (which terminates at Longyang Road, sort of in the middle of nowhere).

Connections via Shanghai Pudong are extensive and straightforward, like any other major international airport. Note that there is a 144-hour (6 day) visa-free transit program at Shanghai, where nationals of more than 50 countries can stay for up to 6 days in Shanghai and the neighboring provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang without needing a visa.

I’ve taken advantage of this program a few times to spend some time in Shanghai, one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities, and recommend it highly.

When booking, you might also find yourself on one of China Eastern’s subsidiary airlines, most of which (with the exception of low-cost OTT Airlines) offer a very similar experience. These include Shanghai Airlines (a large domestic and international airline in its own right), China Eastern Yunnan Airlines (another big airline, mostly domestic, based in Kunming) and low-cost carrier China United Airlines.

Classes of travel and fares on China Eastern

Depending on the airplane being used, your China Eastern flight will offer some or all of economy, premium economy, business and first class. If you’re connecting from a long-haul flight in premium economy, you may find yourself in economy on the connection if premium economy isn’t available, as you may on most airlines.

Across the China Eastern experience, while the seats are decent enough, the standards of in-flight food, beverages, entertainment and service don’t really measure up to international competition on airlines like Emirates, Delta, Singapore or Lufthansa. But if you come with reasonable expectations, the airline will usually meet them.

China Eastern first class (and business plus class) seats and service

First class is available onboard the airline’s Boeing 777 planes, with a semi-first-class business-plus option on the 787 and Airbus A350. Consider it if the price is right for a spacious suite, but don’t expect luxury up to the levels of other international first-class cabins.

At the front of the cabin on the 787 and A350 you’ll also find Business Class Plus, which are slightly larger versions of the business class seats on those airplanes, with more space and bigger inflight entertainment screens.

Business class on China Eastern

Business class seats on China Eastern are very similar to those used by other airlines and can be split into three types: herringbone pod, staggered mini-suite and step-over flatbed.

On the Boeing 777 and some Airbus A330-200 planes you’ll find an outward-facing herringbone seat, where every passenger has their own individual pod pointing away from the aisle. The seats recline into a fully flat bed, and this layout eliminates the need for anyone to step over anyone else to get to the aisle.

These are pretty good for business class, but they’re getting a little long in the tooth now and are not as private as other seats, including China Eastern’s other planes.

China Eastern’s Boeing 787, Airbus A350 and some A330-300 planes have forward-facing mini-suites with individual doors. (These are the same seat as the Delta One Suite, for those familiar with this service.) Each seat faces forward, and the layout is staggered.

This means that seats alternate between those immediately next to the aisle (slightly easier to get in and out of and with a bigger side table) and those with a side table and gangway between the seat and the aisle (slightly more private). I pick the latter, when available on the seating chart, for more privacy.

On some of its older A330s, China Eastern uses an older lie-flat bed that doesn’t have direct aisle access for window seat passengers, who have to step over their aisle neighbor to get out. The seat is okay, but not really up to international business class standards anymore. Here, even as a window seat fan, I pick one of the seats in the center section so I don’t have to climb over anyone.

Food and beverage rates about average on China Eastern. It’s usually nothing to write home about, but if you steer yourself towards the Chinese options it’ll be hot, filling and pretty tasty. You’ll find your choice of chilled appetizer, a reheated main course, fruit and dessert. All passengers are served together as a cabin rather than as an on-demand service.

Overall, if you have a choice of plane, I believe the best seats are the staggered mini-suite style, so I’d go for those if you can.

Premium Economy on China Eastern

China Eastern Premium Economy is very similar to this service other airlines. It includes the larger recliner seats that are much like what you’d find in domestic first class within the United States, with slightly bigger in-flight entertainment screens and leg rests, as well.

You’ll find Premium Economy onboard the Airbus A350 (in a 2 by 4 by 2 layout) and some A330-300 planes, as well as the Boeing 787. The seat configuration on the latter two airplanes is 2 by 3 by 2.

Food and beverage are okay, with the Chinese options usually better than the Western ones. You won’t go hungry, but picky eaters and gastronomes might want to pack a snack. This cabin service is pretty standard as things go — a good upgrade from economy if the price is right, but not exceptional.

Economy on China Eastern

Economy on China Eastern is all about the price. It’s a solid experience with the same kind of seats that other airlines use, and the service, food and beverage is generally average at best.

Most main meals on international flights are the usual kind of tray-based experience you’d expect. These include a small appetizer or salad, a hot main dish and a dessert. On longer flights there may be a second meal service of either a second tray-type meal or a snack.

I always choose the Chinese meal rather than the Western one, and I suggest measuring your expectations to the fare rather than expecting the same kind of experience you’d get on a top-tier airline.

China Eastern check-in, airport experience and lounges

In general, the China Eastern experience at the airport is up to the standard you’d expect from an international airline, with perhaps a little less of the slick online presence and app-based experience that leading airlines offer.

At the airport, you’ll find the usual check-in desks and boarding processes. Online check-in may be available, but if it isn’t, don’t be surprised.

China Eastern operates its own lounges at Shanghai and some Chinese airports, which are largely of a decent quality for China but don’t really match up to what you’d find in the international and first class lounges of other global airlines.

In-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi

My general rule on China Eastern is to be surprised and delighted if I find something to enjoy on the in-flight entertainment, which can be a little sparse and is often Chinese-only. I always load my phone and tablet with something to watch before I travel because it’s rare that I find something appealing to a Western audience.

In-flight Wi-Fi is available on some China Eastern flights, but it’s pretty spotty and is behind China’s infamous firewall. That means that most international social media and many email providers can’t be reached. I usually plan to be offline for the flight.

China Eastern alliance, partners and frequent flyer club

China Eastern is a member of SkyTeam, the alliance that includes Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM, along with a dozen others. Most passengers outside China will be better off earning and spending miles for their China Eastern flight in a local program – for the US, this generally means Delta.

If you’re a frequent flyer with Delta or another China Eastern partner airline, some of your benefits, like airport priority and lounge access, should be reciprocal. Check the details with the airline you’re loyal to.