Air China
 

Anyone taken Air China from SFO to PEK lately? Trying to find out if it's improving. We're going first class. Is that a shoe-in for a decent ride? Thanks, gaia111

I'm just curious about how you decide to take CA instead of UA?

BTW, I've read the PEK-JFK are all on aircrafts with the newly upgraded interior. LAX may be already, and then SFO. So, you may be lucky.

The new FC is a lie-flat suite, similar to those offered by other international airlines. But the old FC is not much better, or even worse, than many Business Class seats. Not flat, not suite, no dividers, from the pics I can find.

rkkwan, Hi, I'm taking Air China because it's part of a tour sponsored by MIT alumni. The rest of the trip is top notch, but this choice of airline baffles me.

I'm thinking the chances of a new interior are slim and none but I've gotta believe! Don't go until Oct., so many more planes will get the refurbishment by then. China Advocates in San Francisco have set up the tour. Know anything about them? I'd love to think we might get a codeshare with UA, but then again, I've read some crummy reports about UA as well. Looks like Cathay Republic is a good choice, but won't get the deal I've got plus I guess I need to stay with the tour group of 20.

Thanks for your reply. Any other info is greatly appreciated.

gaia111

I wonder how much are you paying to upgrade to FC on CA? Or is that's part of the tour price already?

Well, if you look at pricing on the SFO-PEK route, CA's business class is priced in the $3,000s; while FC is $5,000s. UA's C class is $5,000s and F is $11,000s.

So, if you fly CA's First, just think of flying UA's Business. If you're paying more than $4,000 to upgrade from coach to first on CA, then you may want to consider doing UA instead.

[The prices are just approx; the tour company probably has much better deals.]