We had 3 connected flights operated by China Eastern, so we can share some experience regarding this airline.
If you don't like read, you can watch a review on Youtube here:
First thing we can say about this airline is a big troubles when you trying to register and check-in using they website. And at check-in time, 2 days before the flight, you can find all the best seats already occupied. Luckily, you don't need to register online. Instead of check-in, choose "Select seats" from their website menu immediately after your ticket is issued. It does not matter if your flight will be after many months: you can already enter the ticket number and other data requested and select seats.
Website will ask for registration at the end of seats selection "to keep the seats selected". But we never registered and always got exactly the seats we chose.
Aircraft and Flight Experience
The aircraft may not appear brand new, yet nothing felt drastically out of place. For instance, on a recent itinerary from Bali to Pudong and onward to Moscow, the plane landed in Bali less than an hour before its return departure to China. Even more surprising was that, after a short layover in China, we ended up on the same aircraft for the ten-hour flight to Moscow. We recognized our seats from before—even noticing that one seat was broken on both legs of the trip—and there was an unusual “beep-beep” sound during every takeoff and landing.
Seat Booking and In-flight Comfort
A noteworthy detail is the seat booking process. By the time you check in, most of the better seats have already been booked because passengers can select their preferred seats for free on the airline’s website up to two months before the flight. All that’s needed is your last name and ticket number, and the system even saves your selection without requiring full registration. On long-haul flights, pillows and blankets are provided on each seat; however, on some flights, these comforts are only available upon request and are quite limited, especially the pillows.
Food, Alcohol, and Beverage Service
Food service on China Eastern is decent but not exceptional. On a six-hour flight, there is one meal served, while a ten-hour journey includes two meal services. The choices are presented as rice with beef or noodles with pork, yet many passengers report receiving rice with pork and noodles with beef. A peculiar touch is that hot white bread is served after the meals rather than at the start. When it comes to onboard alcohol, only a small supply of light Chinese beer (approximately five to ten cans) is available for the entire economy cabin. Alcohol is not offered proactively—you must ask if you wish to enjoy a drink—though all your eat and drink options come free of charge.
In-flight Entertainment and Unique Policies
The in-flight entertainment system on the Airbus A330 is on par with other international airlines, featuring USB chargers and touchscreens that display typical airshows. The film selection in English accompanied by Chinese subtitles is decent. However, one unusual practice is that the crew collects the headphones about fifty minutes before landing, curtailing the film-watching experience. Additionally, throughout the flight—whether daytime or night—the crew repeatedly instructs passengers to close all windows. This means that window seat travelers only have a few minutes during takeoff and landing to glimpse the view, a rule not seen with other airlines.
Airport Experience and Security Checks
At Pudong Airport, we had an eighty-minute layover; however, over half of that period was consumed by waiting in line for security control. The security process was notably slow and strict, with many cabin luggage bags being scanned two to three times. While strict security measures are common at Chinese airports, the long queues and repeated inspections added a significant delay to our schedule.
Final Thoughts
Would I fly China Eastern again? Possibly—but only under conditions where the tickets are significantly cheaper than those offered by competitors such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Turkish Airlines, or if the flight duration is notably shorter. Overall, while China Eastern offers certain conveniences and reliable basics, the airline’s quirks and inconsistent service details might affect your in-flight comfort and overall experience.
This review sums up my findings from multiple flights and provides a comprehensive look at what you can expect from China Eastern. May it guide you in planning your next journey with clarity and confidence.
