I need to go on a lot of business trip from month end onwards and our company mainly book through ctrip.com. Is there any airline i should avoid? I don't feel comfortable taking any local airline but i may need to if i want to take direct flight. I am sure a lot will say it's safe and the local airline has improved a lot. If given that i have choices, which local airline provide the best. Is southern china airline ok? they seems to be quoting me cheapest price.

The one i use most is hainan airlines, for me they're good. Air china and china eastern i used a few times, also ok!
Never tried southern china.

I flew China Southern when I first came to China. It was OK, except for the fact that seat space is relatively small.

Unless you are flying within China, avoid Chinese airlines. They suck and they are not cheap. When I tried to book a flight to Seoul, all the local airlines wanted about 10,000rmb! I flew Korean Air for 3000rmb.

emouvoir wrote:I need to go on a lot of business trip from month end onwards and our company mainly book through ctrip.com. Is there any airline i should avoid? I don't feel comfortable taking any local airline but i may need to if i want to take direct flight. I am sure a lot will say it's safe and the local airline has improved a lot. If given that i have choices, which local airline provide the best. Is southern china airline ok? they seems to be quoting me cheapest price.

Where are you going? Inform us that and I am sure people can tell you which airline is better.

KalanStar wrote:Unless you are flying within China, avoid Chinese airlines. They suck and they are not cheap. When I tried to book a flight to Seoul, all the local airlines wanted about 10,000rmb! I flew Korean Air for 3000rmb.

I flew to Seoul on Shanghai Airlines/Korean Air (it's a combined flight, forgot the term) for barely 2000 rmb round trip, including taxes and other surcharges. The plane was from Shanghai Airlines. The trip was fine.

So far I've always had pretty good experiences with local airlines (except one time).

When flying internally we don't really have much choice and have to use local carriers. I'd stay away from Sichuan Airlines - flew from Yichang to Shanghai in 2005 and the plane almost crashed on landing: we literally bounced three times on the airstrip and all the lights went off, with people crying and screaming. Terrible moments. China Eastern is my choice whenever I have to fly within China.

As for international flights... I've flown with Air China from Europe and it was a relatively cheap, safe, and overall satisfactory experience. Expect very new aircrafts. Not sure whether other Chinese airlines have international routes though.

aLeGna wrote:

KalanStar wrote:Unless you are flying within China, avoid Chinese airlines. They suck and they are not cheap. When I tried to book a flight to Seoul, all the local airlines wanted about 10,000rmb! I flew Korean Air for 3000rmb.

I flew to Seoul on Shanghai Airlines/Korean Air (it's a combined flight, forgot the term) for barely 2000 rmb round trip, including taxes and other surcharges. The plane was from Shanghai Airlines. The trip was fine.

I have done the same flight, also went great, did not even have any delays
Not sure why Kalangel was charged 10.000 RMB (LOOOOOL)

^^I went to Shanghai airlines, China Eastern and China airlines offices, travel agents and airport outlets. All of them wanted around 10,000rmb for a booking 5 weeks before the flight date. Online there were quite cheap rates for these airlines, but in person, there were not. I checked Korean air online and it was the most expensive on the websites selling flights like Expedia or CheapFlights, but on their website and at their local office, the price was 1/3rd of the online resellers listings. Go figure???

Anyway, Chinese pilots lie on their resumes and fly by autopilot and it wouldn't surprise me if the maintainence crews employ prodigious quantities of packaging tape in their duties either!

^When I booked my flights to Korea, I also checked Expedia. The prices quoted were only a tad more than the quotes from ctrip and elong. I did book my Korean domestic air travels through Expedia, where I got awesome prices.

KS, haven't you heard of ctrip and elong? I'm surprised that you went in person to those airlines booking offices.

januza wrote:

emouvoir wrote:I need to go on a lot of business trip from month end onwards and our company mainly book through ctrip.com. Is there any airline i should avoid? I don't feel comfortable taking any local airline but i may need to if i want to take direct flight. I am sure a lot will say it's safe and the local airline has improved a lot. If given that i have choices, which local airline provide the best. Is southern china airline ok? they seems to be quoting me cheapest price.

Where are you going? Inform us that and I am sure people can tell you which airline is better.

thank you Januza. I will be going Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, Malaysia, HK, Thailand, Philippines

For Singapore, Hong Kong, Thai and Philippines and MAalysia i know i can take SQ/MAS/Cathay, Thai airlines but
sometimes i need to do more than 2 destinations eg. Shanghai to Taipei, Taipei to Seoul, Seoul back to Shanghai. this is the tricky part.

I just got a quote from ctrip, such flight is quite is around RMB5493 inclusive of tax but will be flying china south airline and a airline with code BZ (still trying to find out what's that). it's all during the 10 days long holiday season, thus i think the price should be ok?

Will china eastern airline be better?

Snuden wrote:

aLeGna wrote:

KalanStar wrote:Unless you are flying within China, avoid Chinese airlines. They suck and they are not cheap. When I tried to book a flight to Seoul, all the local airlines wanted about 10,000rmb! I flew Korean Air for 3000rmb.

I flew to Seoul on Shanghai Airlines/Korean Air (it's a combined flight, forgot the term) for barely 2000 rmb round trip, including taxes and other surcharges. The plane was from Shanghai Airlines. The trip was fine.

I have done the same flight, also went great, did not even have any delays
Not sure why Kalangel was charged 10.000 RMB (LOOOOOL)

Yep, when I go there I either fly Korean or Shanghai Airlines.
Korean best service!
Both max 3k rmb...

The extra 7k KY is paying must be a douche charge...

Friday to Friday... less than 2k

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

KalanN00b is scared of flying with Chinese airlines

^^You would be too if you followed the news at all. 200 pilots on just one airline faked their resumes/qualifications!

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

^That's a rip-off allright. You should get a credit card for avoiding scams like that. I order my tickets always online, sites like travelzhen and ctrip never gave me any trouble.

Tanna,
Which ones for NZ and Aust?
You seem to be up in the air nearly all the time.
Cheers

KalanStar wrote:

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

you do not need a credit card for ctrip. you can book it, and they will even deliver the ticket to you,
then pay cash.

KalanStar wrote:

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

I use expedia to find the trip I want. Then send a mail to my travel agent.
They'll give me either that trip or suggest a similar one.

Never paid more than the price shown on expedia. Pay with credit card.

But I guess for you to get a credit card, you'd have to first become credit worthy...

KalanStar wrote:

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

THEY WILL DELIVER THE TICKET TO YOUR DOOR, FREE OF CHARGE....OMFG
Do you just bash the Chinese for random things you dont have a clue about

Snuden wrote:

KalanStar wrote:

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

THEY WILL DELIVER THE TICKET TO YOUR DOOR, FREE OF CHARGE....OMFG
Do you just bash the Chinese for random things you dont have a clue about

You're a retard. I've bought many plane tickets all over the world. Everywhere but China, one can get the same if not a lower price in person as they can find online. One airline's online prices increase by at least 250rmb every-time they are searched! Not China bashing, just not honest business practices!

Air Canada, Lufthansa, Korean Air, JAL, and ANA (my most frequently used airlines), don't have different prices at their counters than they do on their websites, why do Chinese airlines? And btw, those airlines have trained pilots flying their planes which is always a bonus!

I generally fly international on average once a month and always Eastern China (MU) as local office's 1st preference as they book the ticket. I not had many problems apart from the odd cancellation when arriving at airport first thing in morning or delays of 3~4 hrs worst yet 10hrs they say technical but we all know plane not full so cancelled and everyone shipped onto next flight. Customer Services and attitude of staff is pretty poor but expected as many barely in 20's. Worst experience on MU coming back from Singapore, food being served plane goes in nose dive, food goes everywhere the drink literally jumps out the cups onto passengers, passengers screaming, hostess falls to the floor and crawels to nearest seat and buckles up. It was matter of seconds but felt like a life time. Once control regained no explanation hostesses running round cleaning up mess. Since that day i have not been same on board plane.
Have flown to Xian booked on Ctrip was good service, delivered ticket to my office can't remember the airline but OK no compliants.
As i fly often to Japan find ANA and JAL quite expensive compared to MU.

KalanStar wrote:

Snuden wrote:

KalanStar wrote:

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

THEY WILL DELIVER THE TICKET TO YOUR DOOR, FREE OF CHARGE....OMFG
Do you just bash the Chinese for random things you dont have a clue about

You're a retard. I've bought many plane tickets all over the world. Everywhere but China, one can get the same if not a lower price in person as they can find online. One airline's online prices increase by at least 250rmb every-time they are searched! Not China bashing, just not honest business practices!

Air Canada, Lufthansa, Korean Air, JAL, and ANA (my most frequently used airlines), don't have different prices at their counters than they do on their websites, why do Chinese airlines? And btw, those airlines have trained pilots flying their planes which is always a bonus!

Thanks for making it obvious that YOU are the retard
Are you trying to say that its cheaper to buy it direct from the airline company and not from travel sites like momondo, ctrip, etc....??

Snuden wrote:

KalanStar wrote:

Snuden wrote:

KalanStar wrote:

victorinchina wrote:Friday to Friday... less than 2k

9-13-2010 5-35-36 PM.jpg

Yeah, i got those prices on-line too, but if you go to the office to pay cash (as I do because I don't have a credit card), it's 10k! Another Chinese scam!

THEY WILL DELIVER THE TICKET TO YOUR DOOR, FREE OF CHARGE....OMFG
Do you just bash the Chinese for random things you dont have a clue about

You're a retard. I've bought many plane tickets all over the world. Everywhere but China, one can get the same if not a lower price in person as they can find online. One airline's online prices increase by at least 250rmb every-time they are searched! Not China bashing, just not honest business practices!

Air Canada, Lufthansa, Korean Air, JAL, and ANA (my most frequently used airlines), don't have different prices at their counters than they do on their websites, why do Chinese airlines? And btw, those airlines have trained pilots flying their planes which is always a bonus!

Thanks for making it obvious that YOU are the retard
Are you trying to say that its cheaper to buy it direct from the airline company and not from travel sites like momondo, ctrip, etc....??

kAnalstar can't be wrong!!!
It's the rest of us who gets cheated by using travel agents...

Of course.
He is a world traveler

^^I always get better deals from Korean Air direct from the company than from resellers.

Example: 3 sites, one flight.
Korean air: 2,265rmb


Ctrip: 2,352rmb


Expedia: 5,653rmb


In your face, morons!

^ Says the guy who is asked to pay 10k for a 2k trip with Chinese airlines?

I've asked this before, and I'll ask again... KY... You're not all there are you?

victorinchina wrote:^ Says the guy who is asked to pay 10k for a 2k trip with Chinese airlines?

I've asked this before, and I'll ask again... KY... You're not all there are you?

No, you're not all there. I was asked to pay 10k for a 2k flight because Chinese airlines are as corrupt as the rest of the businesses in this country. The only reason online resellers of local airlines look cheap in this country is because the local airlines are thieves!

As I've already mentioned and more to the point of this thread, they employ unqualified pilots! Are their mechanics qualified? I bet not! If you want to put your life in peril, by all means, fly with a local carrier and save a couple hundred RMB. But if you want to arrive alive, fly with foreign carriers and buy direct from them to save yourself a few bucks!

^ KY jokes.. best in the world...