Don't Fly CHINA EASTERN (Shocking Economy Review)

Today, I am reviewing China Eastern Airlines on two different long-haul routes. Both flights were on Airbus A330s, and the experience went from shocking to mediocre. Join me as I list all of China Eastern’s problems, from an outdated cabin to a lack of proper service and a terrible transit experience in Shanghai Pudong.

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*TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:34 Saigon Airport
3:44 Flight Saigon - Shanghai
6:00 Shanghai Pudong Airport
7:42 Flight Shanghai - Rome
13:28 Arrival in Rome, Price, Conclusions

[JackRoaming]

For those who think that I don't like Chinese food: that is completely untrue. I have been to Mainland China and Hong Kong several times and I always loved the food. The food on these two flights - especially the second one, was simply NOT GOOD in terms of quality.

[oe.e]

Hi there, I had a recent multi-trip in May 2024 from Frankfurt to Auckland, Auckland to Tokyo and Tokyo back to Frankfurt and each of them with a layover in Shanghai. So 6 flights with China Eastern in Economy Class. The crew members were very polite and professional and the food was delicious, I had the option to choose Halal Meal, which was great! For the 6 flights I paid ~1.800 Euro and 2x 23kg of baggage were included. It was a very nice experience. One small remark is that the Online Check in for the last trip did not work, but I got my Boarding passes at the Counter in the Airport. I would definitley fly again with China Eastern!

[shannonquinn]

After taking American Airlines a few times, China Eastern will feels like Singapore Air.

[AgathaLOutahere]

I flew China Eastern in December 2019 round trip LAX to Saigon with a stop in Shanghai. It was a good experience in economy and the fare was outstanding (less than $800).

[kindcn]

i think the food might not be that terrible if you are used to Chinese food. like the plastic feeling food is actually dried toufu, which is a popular snack food in China

[worldaviationk]

*I had a nice flight with them last week, filmed the full flight from Seoul to Shanghai, good food and service was friendly*

[gregmfarmer]

You get what you pay for.

EDIT: My family (2 adults and 2 kids under 10) just fly China Eastern from London to Shanghai and Shanghai to Sydney. We had a great experience. Food is as good as any economy class. Plenty of space on seats and leg room (I am a big guy also). Helpful staff. Clean plane. No issues

[iLegendianoth]

5:31 these are just normal Chinese breakfast… they taste really good, but foreigners tend to hate them

[kriskov]

hi Jack. may I ask how tall are you? just so that I can put the "great" legroom into context. thanks

[stinkyftw]

I travelled China Eastern from Auckland to Shanghai Pudong in September 2023, and I think it was far superior to my last flight, which was Qantas Hong Kong to Sydney and Sydney to Auckland.

[Hhhh-wiwt]

As someone who kinda grew up in China, China eastern is frankly horrible for people outside the culture. First, the website just doesn’t work, because we use WeChat mini program. Second, CE is quite notorious for their economy service and food. At least for now, perhaps avoiding China eastern as a non Chinese person is a wise choice

[lpachta]

Don’t agree. My flight from Amsterdam to Shanghai was ok, no delay, food average, Shanghai airport ok, quite a bad sound in the entertainment system. But value for money was unbeaten by other airlines

[Harrydoggyismydog]

That is so no true! My family had absolutely wonderful time with China Eastern the staff are so kind and really helpful and there’s so much legroom. I disagree that you shouldn’t fly with China eastern.

[uhhhwhat]

Hey Jack! Somehow I believe the cabin configuration is different actually, the plane you were flying on were both A330-200s, but the SGN-PVG route was in the domestic/short-mid haul configuration, and your PVG-FCO (Rome) flight was configured with the new international styled seats. Hope that helps! Nice video, although I probably will never soon fly to Shanghai or China, I will try to squeeze in a stop over there.

[byThamin]

Quick question: Did you have to collect your checked luggage in Shanghai or just the security check?
I am curious, as I might travel with this airline soon and need to transit aswell!

Otherwise, great video, thanks :)

[dontwastetimetoday]

The only things im really interested in are price the seat comfort/legroom and did you land safely

[manha]

Besides the food, I think you had a good overall experience. Your flight from SGN to PVG seemed ok - the seats seemed fine also. As a frequent flyer that only displays the flight path on the screen (even on a 10 hr flight) - I would have had no complaints, if the seat leg room was good. I would be content with those seats if it was a good price - the windows seemed clear as you got a clear shot of the wing.

[georgiabrigand]

I've flown Economy on China Eastern six times, on the Detroit>Shanghai route and the Los Angeles>Beijing one. Each time the service was attentive, the food was Chinese, which I liked, and the planes weren't any less comfortable than what you get on other large airlines. Maybe my trips were an exception, or maybe Jack's adventure was. The 13+ hour hop across the Pacific is challenging each time, and I'm quick to say that after the first eight hours, air travel loses some of its magic, for sure.
Disappointments can happen on any of the major airlines. My most recent 9-hour flight to Germany on a big, iconic U.S. airline, was unpleasantly loud and crowded. The food was stale and bitter, especially the "breakfast" was revolting. I found myself wishing that China Eastern were serving this route.

Thanks for sharing your impressions, Jack. I hope the next flights will be a better experience.

[shedontanks]

I've been considering flying China Eastern from London to Tokyo (via Shangha) as they are quoting tickets as low as £450 return which is about half the lowest prices of the more "respected" airlines. Honestly there's nothing here that would put me off. The seats seemed fine, the crew excellent, as for the below average food I always bring bit of my own to supplement anyway. A slightly better meal and wifi for a few hours is not worth £400 to me.

[SZ]

As a frequent flyer of China Eastern, I'd have to say, if you truly want the 5-star, groundbreaking, revolutionary China Eastern airborne experience, fly onboard their flagship products serving Hong Kong, the Americas (ie. Vancouver, Toronto, NYC, and LA), Seoul Incheon, and London Gatwick (all from its Shanghai hub). As they deploy their state-of-the-art aircraft and refurbished cabins on these identified "premium" routes. It's a vast discrepancy and a big leg-up from the cabins invoked on their South-East Asia and Middle East servings.