NYC To China: Which Airlines?
 

So it looks like Continental has non-stops between Newark and Beijing/Shanghai.

AA has a non-stop between O'Hare and Shanghai. But it seems impossible to get to Beijing. Is there a way to fly (mostly) AA to Beijing?

Thanks.

AA JFK-NRT. Then connect to JL.

Thanks. I don't know if there's a way to buy this ticket cheaply though. I plugged in some random dates and NRT-PEK r/t is over $700.

If you type JFK-PEK in aa.com, it will sell you CX (AA codeshare) to HKG, and connect to CX/KA to PEK. I don't know why they won't sell you AA/JL tickets, even though the two are partners as well.

If you're using miles, than just call AA.

Well I tried some random dates on aa.com. You're right that one leg connects to CX / Air China, but oddly, the return connects via Europe with two stops.

Furthermore, the airfare works out to an excitingly whopping $5000 or so. :)

By the way, the cheapest on Kayak seems to be Asiana with connection in Seoul. How's this airline?

CX also shows up with connection in Hong Kong. Then there's a Delta/Northwest option that requires connection in Detroit.

I think that I can accrue Continental miles on Delta, right? But I can accrue CX miles on AA only for certain fare classes?

Thanks!

You can earn CO miles on DL and vice versa up until 10/24. That's the last day CO is in Skyteam. They will be in Star Alliance on 10/27.

Check each airline's website for exactly what fare can earn what % of miles.

If you're interested in Delta/Continental miles, I recommend the CO flight from Newark to Beijing. Due to a huge airfare difference on United (I usually fly nonstop from IAD), I took it a couple of weeks ago and was unexpectedly pleased. Each seat has a nice entertainment unit--hundreds of movies and videos, plus music. It was a good way to pass the 13-1/2 hours. Flight attendants were pleasant and efficient.

I don't know what your dates are but I had no problem finding JFK-NRT-PEK for next Feb.

<i>
AMERICAN AIRLINES
167
JFK New York
Feb 09, 2010
11:30 AM
NRT Tokyo
Feb 10, 2010
03:35 PM
777
Economy
L
MODIFY

JAPAN AIRLINES
789
NRT Tokyo
Feb 10, 2010
06:10 PM
PEK Beijing
Feb 10, 2010
09:30 PM
767
Economy
L

JAPAN AIRLINES
780
PEK Beijing
Feb 17, 2010
08:25 AM
NRT Tokyo
Feb 17, 2010
12:50 PM
767
Economy
L
MODIFY

AMERICAN AIRLINES
168
NRT Tokyo
Feb 17, 2010
07:25 PM
JFK New York
Feb 17, 2010
06:20 PM
777
Economy
L
Some fares purchased on AAdvantage participating airlines are not eligible for mileage accrual. View eligible booking codes and mileage accrual rates by airline on the AAdvantage Airline Partner page.
Fare Summary ?
Average Fare per Person: Departure - 559.00 USD Return - 559.00 USD
Passenger Type Used in Pricing Adult
Departure Fare per Person 559.00 USD
Return Fare per Person 559.00 USD
Total Fare per Person
1118.00 USD

Additional Taxes and Fees per Person * 69.90 USD
Total Price 1187.90 US</i>


pretty good fare too IMHO.

Thanks. If I go I think it'll be soon. Probably later this month. Not much notice, which is probably why I can't find a good fare.

just about 2 weeks from now

<i>AMERICAN AIRLINES
167
JFK New York
Sep 29, 2009
11:45 AM
NRT Tokyo
Sep 30, 2009
02:25 PM
777
Economy
L
MODIFY

JAPAN AIRLINES
789
NRT Tokyo
Sep 30, 2009
06:20 PM
PEK Beijing
Sep 30, 2009
09:15 PM
767
Economy
L

AMERICAN AIRLINES
OPERATED BY CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES
7219
PEK Beijing
Oct 08, 2009
10:55 AM
PVG Shanghai
Oct 08, 2009
01:05 PM
340
Economy
N
MODIFY

AMERICAN AIRLINES
288
PVG Shanghai
Oct 08, 2009
04:25 PM
ORD Chicago
Oct 08, 2009
04:30 PM
777
Economy
N

AMERICAN AIRLINES
1362
ORD Chicago
Oct 09, 2009
12:45 PM
JFK New York
Oct 09, 2009
04:05 PM
M80
Economy
N
Some fares purchased on AAdvantage participating airlines are not eligible for mileage accrual. View eligible booking codes and mileage accrual rates by airline on the AAdvantage Airline Partner page.
Fare Summary ?
Average Fare per Person: Departure - 559.00 USD Return - 456.97 USD
Passenger Type Used in Pricing Adult
Departure Fare per Person 559.00 USD
Return Fare per Person 456.97 USD
Total Fare per Person
1015.97 USD

Additional Taxes and Fees per Person * 87.80 USD
Total Price 1103.77 USD </i>


less than the Feb trip but one extra connection.

You priced this on AA.com? Thanks.

plus, on the positive note you'll get 100% mileage on all except the JL NRT-PEK segment which will give you 70% mileage.

Well the trip will lengthen by at least 50% compared to the direct flights on Continental....

I'll have to check the flights again when I am certain I am going.

Another nice "bonus" if you chose AA and register for their Double Elite miles promo, you'll get 16553 actual flying miles, but you'll get 2x or ~33K miles for elite status which means you will get Gold status just from this trip. If you have already flown 17K miles with AA this year or planning at least 8.5K miles more before December 15, you can get Platinum status which will be good until 2/28/11. Plat gives you lounge access to any OW lounge if flying internationally, 100% mile bonus, and few extra perks. Something to consider.

correction - you would get ~16150 miles for this trip, so about ~32300 elite miles.

add any miles you had already flown this year and the rest would have to be flown before Dec 15 if you wanted to continue with the double elite miles promo.

Gold status is better than nothing but Platinum is definitely a huge step up.

I just flew Newark-Shanghai and Beijing-Newark last week on Continental. Believe it was a 777. New and comfortable. 14.5 hours going to Shanghai and around 13 hours coming back.
Non stop. President's Club lounge was alright and had plenty of plug-ins for computers and phone charging. Club lounge in Beijing was mediocre by most lounge standards. And, very smokey, too.

If you have American Express points you can transfer to Continental and use points and cash to upgrade from economy where seats are available.

I have to admit the bonus miles offers on AA are enticing.

It looks like I'll also get double miles for being an NYC resident, and 10,000 bonus miles for flights to and from NRT before Sept. 30.

Are all these bonuses cumulative?

Also, do all fare classes more or less apply? (I think there's some fine print for the NRT promotion, but is there anything for the double miles for NYC and double elite qualifying miles?)

I am thinking of including HKG on this trip, so if I do open-jaw with HKG and PVG, I can consider AA as it seems easier to find flights, even though Continental is still better with the non-stops.

What I don't like though is basically wasting 1/2 day for AA and also having to pay more compared to other airlines that have stops.

Thanks!

Unfortunately I flew so little this year. I only have about 11,000 elite qualifying miles for this year. If I go with AA for Asia, I'm still a few thousand miles short.

Remind me of the Platinum Challenge again? It seems like I should qualify through it (but I have to pay $150, right)?

Ok, forget about the NRT09 promotion -- applies to r/t JFK-NRT only.