Air China 901
Beijing (PEK) – Ulaanbaatar (ULN)
Friday, July 14
Depart: 8:35AM
Arrive: 10:50AM
Duration: 2hr15min
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Seat: 3L (Business Class)
At the door I was greeted by the purser and one of the business class flight attendants, and escorted to my seat. This version of the 737 has 12 business class seats, spread across three rows in a 2-2 configuration.
Air China 737 cabin
Much like on their longhaul planes, the business class seats are purple. Hmmm… okay.
Air China 737 business class cabin
Legroom in business class was generous, and felt better than what I’m used to in the US. SeatGuru suggests that there’s 38″ of seat pitch, though it felt like a bit more to me.
Air China 737 business class seats
I also quickly peeked into the economy cabin, which looked pretty standard for a 737.
Air China 737 economy class seats
I had assigned myself seat 3L, the window seat on the right side in the last row of business class.
Air China 737 business class legroom
Unfortunately there was an empty bottle of water and a wrapper in the seatback pocket in front of me — there’s certainly room for improvement on the cleaning front.
Air China business class trash in seat
On the right side of my seat were the seat controls, which were manual and easy to use.
Air China business class seat controls
Underneath the center armrest were two power outlets — one for each seat.
Air China business class power outlet
Already waiting at my seat on boarding was a purple pillow and an orange blanket. I was happy that they had a pillow & blanket at all on a short flight, given how many airlines don’t nowadays. However, I didn’t get the sense that they had been cleaned anytime recently.
Air China business class pillow & blanket
Also at my seat were a pair of basic headphones, which I’d expect in economy and not business class.
Air China business class headphones
A few minutes after settling in, the purser came by my seat to introduce herself by name, welcome me onboard, and offer me a hot towel.
Air China business class warm towel
I was also offered a pre-departure drink, with the choice between water and orange juice.
Air China business class pre-departure water
I was then brought a pair of slippers, which is impressive for such a short flight.
Air China business class slippers
Boarding was efficient, and most of the other passengers were pretty civilized. During boarding I worked on my laptop, and I was even offered a couple of drink refills. About five minutes before the door closed, the flight attendant came by to ask whether I wanted the Western or Chinese breakfast after takeoff. I selected the former.
Just a minute before the door closed a couple showed up, who were seated in row two. It was just the three of us in business class, while economy was probably about 80% full.
At 8:30AM the main cabin door closed. About five minutes later we began our pushback.
Pushing back Beijing Airport
Pushing back Beijing Airport
At that point the safety video, with the adorable pandas and large bosomed women, played.
At 8:40AM we began our very quick taxi to the runway (at least by Beijing standards). I found it funny that as we taxied, the crew came by each empty business class seat to buckle in the pillows and blankets. Hah.
Taxiing Beijing Airport
Taxiing Beijing Airport
By 8:50AM we were holding short of runway 01, and just had to wait for an Etihad 787 to land. Once the plane was clear of the runway, we were cleared for takeoff.
Waiting for takeoff Beijing Airport
Taking off Beijing Airport
We had a quick takeoff roll, though the views on the climb out weren’t that great.
View after takeoff from Beijing
View after takeoff from Beijing
View after takeoff from Beijing
We hit a bit of chop as we went through a thick layer of clouds, but the ride was smooth after that.
View after takeoff from Beijing
About 10 minutes after takeoff the crew drew the curtains between the galley and business class, and between business class and economy. At this point they also turned on the inflight entertainment, which played on the drop-down screens overhead.
Air China business class inflight entertainment
About 30 minutes after takeoff the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our flight time of 1hr50min, and that we should be arriving at around 10:40AM.
Unfortunately neither power port in my row worked, so I moved up to row one so I could charge my electronics.
Shortly after moving seats the meal service began, starting with a warm towel.
Air China business class warm towel
After that I was brought a tablecloth.
Air China business class tablecloth
Then I was served the water I had ordered, along with mixed nuts. It’s a bit odd to have nuts as a pre-breakfast snack, though if it makes it any more normal, the almonds had a honey glaze.
Air China business class meal — mixed nuts and water
Next the entire breakfast was served on a tray. Breakfast consisted of a croissant, some cereal, and an omelet. The cereal was fine and croissant flakey.
Air China business class breakfast
Meanwhile the omelet was fairly bland and oily. Personally I don’t generally eat pork (I love pigs too much), and there was a big piece of ham over the top of the dish.
Air China business class breakfast — omelet
Next I was offered a fruit plate as dessert.
Air China business class fruit plate
Lastly I also ordered coffee, which was clearly powdered, though still tasted fine.
Air China business class coffee
The crew was excellent throughout the flight. They were friendly, attentive, and charming. I was offered several drink refills throughout the flight, and they’d come through the cabin every few minutes to check on us.
I then spent a short while working. I should note that in the meantime there was a pilot napping in row three. He wasn’t just napping upright, but rather was hanging over the center tray table console as if he wasn’t conscious. I’m also not quite sure why they need a relief pilot when their entire day of flying is likely just five hours (to Ulaanbaatar and back).
The business class lavatory was at the front of the cabin, and featured some cute Air China branded bottles and a flower. The crew also did a good job of making sure economy passengers didn’t use the business class lavatory.
Air China 737 business class lavatory
Air China 737 business class lavatory
30 minutes before landing the crew prepared the cabin for arrival, which is awfully early to do so. Electronics had to be turned off, seats had to be put upright, etc. A few minutes after that we began our descent.
View enroute to Mongolia
Since I had no other entertainment options, I read the newspaper, which had an interesting story about how demand for turkey legs at Disneyland China is through the roof.
Interesting reading enroute to Mongolia
Even more interesting was the interview with Alex Cruz, the CEO of British Airways. *barf*
Interesting reading enroute to Mongolia
On descent the purser said to me “I notice you take a lot of photo, do you want me to take photo of you?” That was a nice offer, though I declined.
As we descended further I enjoyed the views of beautiful Mongolia.
View approaching Ulaanbaatar
I could even see what looked like some sort of a yurt resort.
View approaching Ulaanbaatar
I was impressed by how varied the landscape in Mongolia was. One minute you thought you were in a desert, and the next minute it felt like a park with endless trees and greenery.
View approaching Ulaanbaatar
Eventually we approached the city of Ulaanbaatar.
View approaching Ulaanbaatar
Our final approach felt very unsteady, and we had a rough touchdown at Chinggis Khaan Airport at 10:45AM.
View approaching Ulaanbaatar
View approaching Ulaanbaatar
We rolled out nearly to the end of the runway, and then turned left onto the taxiway. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I felt like the taxiway had a significant downwards slope.
Taxiing Ulaanbaatar Airport
Taxiing Ulaanbaatar Airport
As we taxied to the terminal we passed a Mongolian 737, a Boeing Business Jet, and eventually a Korean Air A330.
MIAT Mongolian 737 Ulaanbaatar Airport
BBJ Ulaanbaatar Airport
Taxiing Ulaanbaatar Airport
We pulled in next to the Korean Air A330 that had just arrived from Incheon a short while later, at around 10:50AM.
Korean Air A330 Ulaanbaatar Airport
Unfortunately they didn’t have any immigration forms on the plane, so we had to fill them out upon arrival in the immigration hall. Despite that, and despite having arrived right after another big plane, I was landside within 10 minutes.
Air China business class bottom line
I had a pleasant experience in Air China business class. The crew was friendly, the cabin fairly empty, the seats spacious, and the food edible. There’s certainly a bit of room for improvement when it comes to cabin cleanliness, the quality of the food, and the power port working, but otherwise it was a solid flight. While I’d rather avoid this plane for a longer flight, for a sub-two hour flight it was great.
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