Air China

[chouchouu]

I had always avoided the chinese airlines for travel despite their cheap prices because of the negative reviews and poor reputation. However now that I'm working and don't have the leisure of flexible travel times I ended up buying tickets with air China because they were literally half the price of the other airlines during the Christmas peak periods and I got an extra 10% off for a promotion  (which they seem to have semi regularly) For me and the two kids it was less than 3k aud sydney to Europe for Christmas period.
  It also included a free hotel for one layover as I arranged an extended stopover to see the pandas. The big surprise was that it's a decent airline, the plane was clean and modern, the staff were professional and friendly and the food alright. Nothing like qantas or singapore but more like Malaysian, alitalia or Thai and far better than the US airlines, aeromexico and other low quality carriers. I'll definitely be taking them.in future as they are so economical, I don't know why they have such bad reviews but my mother in law also has flown China southern and also had good things to say. Perhaps the reviews are old but thought I'd let people know who may have been avoiding them like I was.

[Dicey]

My SIL is from China and her parents are still there. She says Korean Airlines have better prices, schedules, service, and food. She typically uses them instead. Might be worth a peek, depending on where you want to go in China.

[flipboard]

My SIL is from China and her parents are still there. She says Korean Airlines have better prices, schedules, service, and food. She typically uses them instead. Might be worth a peek, depending on where you want to go in China.

OP is flying AUS to Europe.

Chinese airlines do indeed seem quite reasonable, with well trained pilots. I've seen some oddities like what seemed to be an air marshal walking around the plane while taxiing and/or immediately after take-off (plus a seatbelt announcement as we were rolling onto the runway for takeoff...), but other than that no different from any other airline.

The question to me is: how long the good pricing will last? Chinese airlines currently seem to be putting a big effort into expanding into the Europe to AUS/NZ/SEA market - but they might not be as aggressive with pricing once they've built up that market? And I guess there's always the spectre of Chinese currency strengthening...

[Dicey]

My SIL is from China and her parents are still there. She says Korean Airlines have better prices, schedules, service, and food. She typically uses them instead. Might be worth a peek, depending on where you want to go in China.

OP is flying AUS to Europe.

OOPS! Missed that, obviously. That's what I get for surfing the forum while under the influence of cold medications. Carry on, please.

[jojoguy]

My SIL is from China and her parents are still there. She says Korean Airlines have better prices, schedules, service, and food. She typically uses them instead. Might be worth a peek, depending on where you want to go in China.

I love Korean Air but their prices are typically much higher from my experience. Good quality airline food. She is right about the service and food.