Admittedly Air China isn't the most aspirational airline on earth to fly, though for a long time they've been a pretty reliable option for securing premium cabin Star Alliance award seats. I flew them between Paris and Beijing a bit over a year ago, and was pleasantly surprised by their onboard product in business class.…
Continue reading: Air China Has Stopped Releasing First & Business Class Award Space To The US
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
While it might not be on their 747-8, you can still fly F/J with them on their route to YVR on a 777. Space is just quite limited. A quick scan shows some space in Aug from PEK - YVR (23rd & 27th & possibly others)
It may come and go. A few years ago CA used to release almost zero F/J award on US routes, but later they started to release much more. KE also used to release very few J award on US routes but now they are a lot more generous.
It will come back. And if it didn't, no great loss.
We have flown AIr China in first and business between Sydney and Beijing / Shanghai. Service leaves a lot to be desired... although not quite as bad as your experience with China Southern.
By the way, it seems AA has stopped releasing F/J award on China routes as well (except within 3 days of departure). They don't even have flat bed seats in J!
hmm interesting enough, I was able to see plenty availability from iah to pek today even far out to december this year..
To occupy your time till the "nut rage" story picks up again: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2015/02/04/conrad-hilton-charged-with-disrupting-flight-after-death-threats-calling-passengers-peasants.html
I flew them in business JFK-PEK and PEK-LAX two years ago, it was very nice! But the IFE movie selection was very lacking, because they can only have movies that can get past the censors! Food was not amazing, but pretty good - I'd say the whole experience is on par with flying United, except that united has better IFE.
Could be until they figure out who is canceling United awards fraudulently since most United awards are premium cabin awards to/from the USA (and I'm guessing a majority of CA awards booking between China and the US are booked with UA miles).
hey, lucky! i find out that air china have some space on first class from sfo/lax/nyc to beijing, do you think this is bug? coz, if its bug ticket, ill just redeem the ticket back to beijing~
thx!!
@ Enson Hao -- Could be legitimate, they're just very inconsistent with releasing award space.
so, do you think they will still have those space available next month when i need it?
or is better i just book the ticket in this two days?
thx!
@ Enson Hao -- If you can lock it in now and your dates are set I'd do it now. No guarantee those seats will be around in a month or so.