We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

“YVR to BOM round trip”
Review of Air China


Reviewed 22 November 2017

Had checked out reviews prior to flying, which led to some concern, and thus felt compelled to write a review for my round trip flight. Note caveat that I had no major issues with delays etc. with any of the flights. I have flown this cabin on multiple airlines and there was nothing meaningful about this experience that didn't measure up to better-reviewed airlines. Service was very attentive and friendly, and there were no issues whatsoever communicating in English with any of the flight attendants. The seats and bedding were great, the food adequate. I did find myself wishing for more non-Chinese IFE but the system itself was very modern, and the USBs were operational. The one warning is not Air China-related but instead pertains to the international transfer process in Beijing - even for a flight to flight transfer, you are required to go through what seems to be a totally unnecessary and highly inefficient security check - would not recommend a tight connection if you're transiting through PEK (the airport itself is quite nice).

Date of travel: November 2017
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
5  Thank Rdwr83
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (6,102)
Traveller rating
Traveller type
Time of year
Language
  • More languages

2,172 - 2,176 of 6,102 reviews

Reviewed 21 November 2017

After spending a few days in Beijing we took an Air China flight to Hong Kong to finish our China trip. Having read other reviews I was prepared for the worst, but I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike US air carries, Air China served breakfast and provided pillows and blankets(upon request) on a 3 1/2 hour flight. The seats were fine. All announcements were in both Chinese and English. The flight departed on time and the attendants were all very nice. Can't beat it for a great price!

Date of travel: November 2017
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
1  Thank Ian J
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 November 2017

As a tour director I've been in the seat of many SE Asia airlines and this experience was the worst. From the counter in LA where no one could understand their flight announcements, to the least English-proficient crew I've flown with anywhere, it was a mess. The crew rushed through the aisles bumping seated passengers, the food was MSG laced "Pork and noodles" for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Wines were one off brand, same with beer - no hard liquor. During a 14 hour light the "attendants" came through the aisle with water once. This service obviously does not want Westerners travelling with them, and I for one, think that would be a good idea! Avoid them!

Date of travel: November 2017
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Check-in and boarding
3  Thank Steven A
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 November 2017

Non-stop from Los Angeles to Beijing and back. Since this flight combo also included a leg from Shanghai to Beijing in First Class much of the quality one experiences is in the type of plane. Long flights were on the new Boeing 777-300 but the Shanghai to Beijing flight was on an older 777-200. Can't say anything about that entertainment system because there was none on that plane, just the screens at the front of the cabin and drop downs.

Lounges in LAX and PEK and SHA were all comparable with lots of snacks, food and good Wi-Fi.

Ticket counters all had express lines for Business class and Beijing had express security also. Nice feature.

Complaints about the food being essentially too Chinese on Air China is rather laughable. Flight staff are very polite, and bathrooms are really clean with lots of freshen up lotions and potions provided.

Ticket Prices fabulous.

Entertainment was not the best for me. Too much Chinese material. Ha ha ha. Actually the movies are not high definition. I figured licensing fees are the issue. I don't watch DVD quality shadow boxed films. Can't concentrate. Documentary programing was high definition, however. That supports my thesis.

No real complaints.

I can compare with United BClass to Singapore on a 787. Equal caliber but the Western cuisine, newness of the 787 and features are hard to beat. United Ticket counter not as organized in SFO airport.

Date of travel: November 2017
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
4  Thank Cameron_Sn
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 November 2017

Flew from San Francisco to Beijing, returning from Shanghai.
Poor customer service.
First of all, the phone lines were deploringly unavailable. Extensive wait times (1+ ,` 2+ hours on hold with need for frequent periodic pushing of prompts or be immediately disconnected. ) The U.S. lines (I called 5 times) were staffed by barely comprehensible agents. I was disconnected twice after holding for an hour each time.
The airline food was worse than your normal unappetising airline food. The bathrooms needed more frequent cleaning and deodorizing for these long TransPacific flights. Apparently only those who had booked directly with Air China could check in online or by phone. We were not told that, resulting in a "no ticket found" notice on line. This information should be displayed on their website but was not. The attendants just roughly pushed you aside if they wanted to get by. "Excuse me" is not known.
The personnel were simply not helpful or friendly. Performed their basic function but that was all. Did not feel welcome.
Would choose another airline if there was a choice. Unfortunately, our tickets were booked by the travel agency as part of a group tour.

Date of travel: November 2017
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
1  Thank VistaGina
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.