COPYRIGHT© PHILEET92 PHILLIP TRUONG 2008. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MAY NOT BE COPIED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Air China
SHA-CAN
July 15th, 2008
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Experience!!!
I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR A LATE POST BUT I AM A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES AND IT GETS HECTIC JUNIOR YEAR SO I FINALLY CAME AROUND WITH ENOUGH TIME TO WRITE THIS THING. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY IT!
BackGround:
To start off, a little background about myself. I live in New York right across the harbor from LaGuardia Airport. I am also a diver in the 1meter, 3meter, and platform events. Ofcourse, diving takes me to many places , either domestically in the United States or internationally, in this case China. Every year, myself along with my fellow team members make a trip to China for some intense training. In the past, our training has taken us to Beijing and Shanghai. This year, our location of choice is once again Shanghai. This year, is what i would say a year that makes history. China, a country that is rarely seen from the outside blanketed by a coat of mystery as thick as the smog that covers this nation's skies. The Beijing Olympics is the first step in making an impression on the world that this industializing nation will be a leading country in the future of our world. Lucky for me, my mother and i snagged a few tickets for the 10m diving events at the games.
Highlights of this Trip:
-First Flight on an Airbus A340-600
-First Flight on a Boeing 777-300ER
-First Flight on a 737-300
-First time experiencing the Olympic games
-First Visit to Beijing's Terminal 3
-First time flying First Class on a widebody
-longest flight taken HKG-JFK (Approx. 8049 miles)
Flights:
1) JFK-PVG July
15 01:50 Flight
MU588 Economy
2) SHA-CAN August 14 15:45 Flight CA1837 First
3) CAN-PEK August 20 11:45 Flight CA1352 Economy
4) PEK-CAN August 23 15:35 Flight CA1301 First
5) HKG-JFK August 27 16:30 Flight CX840 Economy
*Flight Schedule Subject to Change*
Pre-Departure:
So August 14 was my last day of training in Shanghai. I finished training in the morning, went back to the hotel to take a shower after, had lunch, and departed for the airport.
i looked back at the training center one last time as it would be demolished later on in the year to make way for a new, state of the art training center and natatorium.
As we pulled up in to the airport road, i saw a run down old building in the trees on my right and saw a sign that said, China Eastern Flight Kitchen. Hmm... so thats were my inflight meal will be coming from i thought. As we pulled up to the curb, i could see in the distance a very very dark cloud was coming our way.
Check-In
To the Airport
The taxi ride to Shanghai's old Hong Qiao International Airport is a quick hop from my hotel,i looked back at the training center one last time as it would be demolished later on in the year to make way for a new, state of the art training center and natatorium.
As we pulled up in to the airport road, i saw a run down old building in the trees on my right and saw a sign that said, China Eastern Flight Kitchen. Hmm... so thats were my inflight meal will be coming from i thought. As we pulled up to the curb, i could see in the distance a very very dark cloud was coming our way.
Because of the Football events that were held Shanghai,
the SIA Administration stepped up the security in both its airports. Before you were allowed to enter the Terminal building, security agents boxed in a few people at a time, wiped down luggage and our cloths with that special cloth in put it in a bomb residue detecter machine thing. Lucky we passed the test and were allowed through =D.
I looked around the building and had a moment of De Ja Vu as i was in the same place a year ago taking the same flight. I have to say that the SIA does a pretty good job with keeping up this airport. Its an old airport that dates back to the Mao era and all the aluminum pillars and such was kept sparkling clean and there was less cigarette smoke than the year before.
Anyways, my mother and I walked up the the Domestic First Class check-in counter. There was now a big sign that held the star alliance logo with AirChina under it promoting CA's recent entry into the Star Alliance.
Also next to the First Class counter that i thought was pretty cool was a special "Olympic Counter"
We gave our passports and FF cards to the CSR and in return got everything back plus a Boarding Pass(carrying the Star Alliance Logo of course) with a "First Class" sticker on top. Bags were tagged and through in no time. The priority tags were also changed to the Star Alliance Priority tags instead of the red Air China First Class tags.
Time for Photos:
the SIA Administration stepped up the security in both its airports. Before you were allowed to enter the Terminal building, security agents boxed in a few people at a time, wiped down luggage and our cloths with that special cloth in put it in a bomb residue detecter machine thing. Lucky we passed the test and were allowed through =D.
I looked around the building and had a moment of De Ja Vu as i was in the same place a year ago taking the same flight. I have to say that the SIA does a pretty good job with keeping up this airport. Its an old airport that dates back to the Mao era and all the aluminum pillars and such was kept sparkling clean and there was less cigarette smoke than the year before.
Anyways, my mother and I walked up the the Domestic First Class check-in counter. There was now a big sign that held the star alliance logo with AirChina under it promoting CA's recent entry into the Star Alliance.
Also next to the First Class counter that i thought was pretty cool was a special "Olympic Counter"
We gave our passports and FF cards to the CSR and in return got everything back plus a Boarding Pass(carrying the Star Alliance Logo of course) with a "First Class" sticker on top. Bags were tagged and through in no time. The priority tags were also changed to the Star Alliance Priority tags instead of the red Air China First Class tags.
Time for Photos:
First Class mat was kinda dirty but sure,
why not
why not
Check-in Area Notice the Olympic Help Desk
Security Screening
There was a Vip/Diplomat/First Class/ Business Class line at the securty check point so that was the way we went.
A chinese "TSA" agent, hehe, stamped my boarding pass before getting to the x-ray machine and i was through in no time at all.
A chinese "TSA" agent, hehe, stamped my boarding pass before getting to the x-ray machine and i was through in no time at all.
Lounge
AirSide
I did not expect much from the lounge at SHA and as i said in my TR from last year, all the lounges at SHA were set
inside so there was no natural light and view of the tarmac. This year, the lounge was even worse than my previous visit. I was in a different section of the Terminal this time around and the lounge capacity was around twenty people!!!
There was one TV set, a small selection of snack and soft drinks and alcohol. That was just about it. The seats were old with stains and the tables were never cleaned!
I sat down with a few packages of Chips, a Fanta and just examined my photos.
The storm finally reached the airport and was thundering right above us. It was unlike any sound i have ever heard from a natural storm. Announcements soon came on and said multiple flights were cancelled or delayed. I hear our flight called and the announcement said it would be delayed for an hour.
There was one TV set, a small selection of snack and soft drinks and alcohol. That was just about it. The seats were old with stains and the tables were never cleaned!
I sat down with a few packages of Chips, a Fanta and just examined my photos.
The storm finally reached the airport and was thundering right above us. It was unlike any sound i have ever heard from a natural storm. Announcements soon came on and said multiple flights were cancelled or delayed. I hear our flight called and the announcement said it would be delayed for an hour.
After a while, the lounge got kinda boring but my mom was just comfy reading
her magazines.
I decided to take my boarding pass, camera and go out to the terminal and see whats happening.
I told my mother i would be back in a bit.
I walked way down the terminal to gate one and walked back to the lounge, meanwhile, checking out the Flight Information Displays seeing if there were any updates on the flight. Status was still delayed.
I just sat down by the windows and pulled out my camera.
Then i returned to the lounge when i saw our aircraft pull into the gate. Lucky for us, unlike last year, we didnt have to be bussed over to the aircraft but boarded via JetWay.
I decided to take my boarding pass, camera and go out to the terminal and see whats happening.
I told my mother i would be back in a bit.
I walked way down the terminal to gate one and walked back to the lounge, meanwhile, checking out the Flight Information Displays seeing if there were any updates on the flight. Status was still delayed.
I just sat down by the windows and pulled out my camera.
Then i returned to the lounge when i saw our aircraft pull into the gate. Lucky for us, unlike last year, we didnt have to be bussed over to the aircraft but boarded via JetWay.
A China Eastern A330-343X at the gate A China Southern 737-700 after a delayed pushback
Flight Air China 1837
Boeing737-300 737-700
SHA-CAN
August 14, 2008
Dep Gate: 14
Dep Time: 3:45pm
Actual Dep Time: 4:39pm
Arr Time: 5:25pm
Actual Arr Time: 6:17pm
Arr Gate: 115
Delayed: 0:54
1500km Flight Time: 1:40
Takeoff Runway: 18
Landing Runway: 20L
Seat: First Class: 2J (window)
Boeing
SHA-CAN
August 14, 2008
Dep Gate: 14
Dep Time: 3:45pm
Actual Dep Time: 4:39pm
Arr Time: 5:25pm
Actual Arr Time: 6:17pm
Arr Gate: 115
Delayed: 0:54
1500km Flight Time: 1:40
Takeoff Runway: 18
Landing Runway: 20L
Seat: First Class: 2J (window)
The boarding call within the lounge was made at 3:50pm and by the time we got to the gate right next to the lounge, there was already a line of 
economy passesngers so my mother and i just jumped in front to the gate agent and were through the jetway and at the aircraft by 4:00pm.
I noticed something different in the aircraft. It was pretty new. The song "Beijing Welcomes You" was playing during boarding as Air China is the official airline of the Beijing Games.
I looked at the safety info card in the seat back pocket and saw that it was a 737-700! well i didnt get to go on a 733 but at least i managed to get on a 73G! this got me pretty excited. i looked out my window and the ground was wet and overcast still up and around the airport.
The F/As came around with hot towels and predeparture beverages of water or orange juice. I opted for the orange juice while my mother just settled for a water.
The seats on this aircraft were very comfortable and they were spankin new too! It was a different design from any other seat ive seen on a narrow body too!
The F/As soon came around with slippers. A first ive seen on a short domestic flight. I guess joining Star Alliance raised the standard for Air China.
Window view at the wing, 73G with winglets and
once again, the rainbow effect on the ground
I took some more shots of the airport and cabin while waiting for boarding to finish.
I noticed something different in the aircraft. It was pretty new. The song "Beijing Welcomes You" was playing during boarding as Air China is the official airline of the Beijing Games.
I looked at the safety info card in the seat back pocket and saw that it was a 737-700! well i didnt get to go on a 733 but at least i managed to get on a 73G! this got me pretty excited. i looked out my window and the ground was wet and overcast still up and around the airport.
The F/As came around with hot towels and predeparture beverages of water or orange juice. I opted for the orange juice while my mother just settled for a water.
The seats on this aircraft were very comfortable and they were spankin new too! It was a different design from any other seat ive seen on a narrow body too!
The F/As soon came around with slippers. A first ive seen on a short domestic flight. I guess joining Star Alliance raised the standard for Air China.
China Eastern A321, my polarizer lens makes Jetways carrying Beijing 2008 logo and GE as
Quite a nice rainbow effect on the ground A proud sponsor
Quite a nice rainbow effect on the ground A proud sponsor
Window view at the wing, 73G with winglets and
once again, the rainbow effect on the ground
I took some more shots of the airport and cabin while waiting for boarding to finish.
Hot towel and a not so orthodox center console. my preflight orange juice and my mother's water. seatback, note the many pockets
The all important seat pitch photo Slippers on a domestic flight! and my camera Has anyone ever seen these kind
bag supporting an airliners.net sticker of seat controls? new for me!
bag supporting an airliners.net sticker of seat controls? new for me!
IFE on this brand new 73G Taking notes of course! photo of some ground equipment at SHA
We finally pushed back at 4:39pm after a longish delay. but it was ok. More photo OPPS!
and so we begin our taxi to Runway 18.
We finally pushed back at 4:39pm after a longish delay. but it was ok. More photo OPPS!
and so we begin our taxi to Runway 18.
Ground crew walking away after pushback view at the terminal building with "Shanghai" China Eastern 73G parked at the far end of
sign on top The Terminal
sign on top The Terminal
Brand New CZ A330-200 parked at far side China Southern A319 parked at remote stand Shenzhen airlines 737-800 at a remote stand
note the enormous MU hanger in the background
Impressive line up of MU MD-90 tails at SHA remote stand
Atlast we reach the Runway and we power up at 4:47pm
PAPI lights as we roll out! window view; still gray and gloomy outside climbing out of a monstrous storm
The takeoff was semi powerful, wasnt much compared to the Jumbos i have been on lately but deffinately better than what i recall of last year's flight on an airbus A319.
We begin our climb to Flight Level 361 and pictured at the right is our climb through the clouds inbetween cloud levels and above the puffy ones.
Soon the IFE monitors came down and the smell of food made its way throughout the cabin. YAY get to sample some tasties from that very unappealing China Eastern Flight Kitchen.
The Flight Attendents come around with White, AirChina table linens and even helped us place them on the tray table! nice touch on a very short flight!
IFE Screen showing the AirShow. hah. White Table linens with AirChina logo. Finally!blue skies,white clouds and turquoise ocean
We begin our climb to Flight Level 361 and pictured at the right is our climb through the clouds inbetween cloud levels and above the puffy ones.
Soon the IFE monitors came down and the smell of food made its way throughout the cabin. YAY get to sample some tasties from that very unappealing China Eastern Flight Kitchen.
The Flight Attendents come around with White, AirChina table linens and even helped us place them on the tray table! nice touch on a very short flight!
Now this flight was not within a
Traditional meal time so only a
refreshment was served.
Once again, no menu given so heres a makeshift one
To Start
Packaged Nuts
and
Fresh Fruits
Choice of
Western Option
Mini Burgers
(cold dish)
or
Chinese Option
Stir fried pork and rice noodles
with chinese vegetables
To Finish
Dove Chocolates
and
Mints
I had a coke, and took the Chinese Option, my mom took the Western Option just to add variety and get some more pics. She wasnt hungry anyways. The Chinese Option actually wasnt bad, it was flavorful but as on my previous flight from JFK-PVG, the noodles are just too greasy! I also noticed that there was some service cutback compared to my flight last year, plastic cutlery was used and fewer side dishes.
picture of last year's meal below
Care to Compare?
Metal Cutlery, Garlic bread and roll, salad, shanghai style pork, rice, vegetables,
shrimp and sauteed vegetables. There was also a Fish option which i dont have a picture of.
but look! two METAL forks, a knife and a spoon!
COME ON! what happened AIRCHINA?
*other than rising fuel costs*
Otherwise, i cleaned the plate and the Flight Attendent quickly cleared away my empty tray. The rest of the flight
is just me, my camera, this flying tin can, and the rest of the SKY!
Very Interesting Cloud Formation.
Traditional meal time so only a
refreshment was served.
Once again, no menu given so heres a makeshift one
To Start
Packaged Nuts
and
Fresh Fruits
Choice of
Western Option
Mini Burgers
(cold dish)
or
Chinese Option
Stir fried pork and rice noodles
with chinese vegetables
To Finish
Dove Chocolates
and
Mints
picture of last year's meal below
Care to Compare?
shrimp and sauteed vegetables. There was also a Fish option which i dont have a picture of.
but look! two METAL forks, a knife and a spoon!
COME ON! what happened AIRCHINA?
*other than rising fuel costs*
Otherwise, i cleaned the plate and the Flight Attendent quickly cleared away my empty tray. The rest of the flight
is just me, my camera, this flying tin can, and the rest of the SKY!
Air China Embroidered on the Blanket My Seat 2J reclined, messy, and notes. Seats 2A and C. note the weird center console
Blue Skies, ocean, winglet, engine, heaven
once again, the polarizer rainbow effect
IFE Controls and Center Console with goodies engine and down to earth view from 2J Forward Galley and Lavatories behind the curtain
Blue Skies, ocean, winglet, engine, heaven
once again, the polarizer rainbow effect
Air China embroidered on pillow case Some very interesting cloud formations over southern china........ and again...........
And one of my favorite pictures from this flight,
Soon we enter the Guangzhou vacinity and another wonderful flight must come to an end.
We Begin our Descent
We Begin our Descent
Going back down through the gray clouds Suburban Guangzhou in sight, Land HO! Golden sun peeking through the thick cloud cover
Factories just outside of Airport Vicinity Maintenance hanger.. Minimums! Touchdown! Baiyun Airport at it's best
We arrived smoothly just an hour late. We made a quick taxi to the BAY 115
Jetway was connected and we started to deplane.
The Male F/A was nice enough to stand at the bulkhead between First Class and Economy to hold
back the Y passengers letting us F Class deplane first.
Some final Photos below of CAN and such
Jetway was connected and we started to deplane.
The Male F/A was nice enough to stand at the bulkhead between First Class and Economy to hold
back the Y passengers letting us F Class deplane first.
Some final Photos below of CAN and such
Thanks for the ride! B-5226!!! Domestic Arrivals walk to Baggage Claim Hey Look! A new Comer! Qatar Airways A332
Almost There!!! BIGGGG WINDOWS!!!!! CAN Domestic Baggage Claim Hall
Baggage claim hall from Floor Level Baggage Carousel Fujitsu Powered Info Display
The bags took a while to come out and my mom's long time friend came to pick us up.
We then headed to the White Swan Hotel, the place of my choice when visiting Guangzhou
Exterior
The bags took a while to come out and my mom's long time friend came to pick us up.
We then headed to the White Swan Hotel, the place of my choice when visiting Guangzhou
Exterior
Elevator lobby on each floor Banquet hall where guangdong style DimSum is Magnificent Lobby Atrium and Waterfall
served
served
The White Swan was the first 5 star hotel in Southern China. It is located on the historic Shamian Island with the Pearl River on one side and the city on the other. It is an oasis in a bustling metropolis. Conveniently located from both the Airport and the City Center. I definitely recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to experience Southern CHINESE hospitality.
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED MY TRIP REPORT! THERE IS SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE TO COME INCLUDING PICTURES FROM THE OLYMPIC GAMES!
Comments are much Appreciated!
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED MY TRIP REPORT! THERE IS SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE TO COME INCLUDING PICTURES FROM THE OLYMPIC GAMES!
Comments are much Appreciated!
Other Info:
Cruise Speed: Mach .76 446KTS
Cruise Alt: FL361
No of Pax: 110
Pilots Based at: CAN
Registration: B-5226
Cruise Speed: Mach .76 446KTS
Cruise Alt: FL361
No of Pax: 110
Pilots Based at: CAN
Registration: B-5226