Air Travel

Question:

> > Interesting.  China Eastern bought the A343 to replace the MD11 on the > tran-Pac routes.  However, after a few months of service, the airline > weren’t > pleased with the A343 and reintroduced the MD-11 on the tran-Pac routes. > Maybe China Eastern didn’t like the fact the A343 flew a bit slower than the > MD11? (That has been a major concern of A343 users because the economic > cruise of the A343 is about 0.82 Mach, compared to the 0.85 Mach of the MD11 > and 747-400).

Actually, MD-11’s long-range cruise Mach is about the same as the A343’s nominal value.  For example, when Delta used to operate non-stop flight between LAX and HKG (many years ago), it was 30 to 45 minutes slower than CX’s B747 flight.

Response:

> > Actually, Air China’s three A340-300s are currently on lease to > Cathay Pacific.  China’s policy seems to be that China Eastern will be > primarily an Airbus (and McDonnell Douglas), while China Southern > and Air China will be primarily a Boeing operator.  Nonetheless, > China Southern has a sizable A320 fleet. > Ah, that explains why there hasn’t been any reports of A343’s in Air China > colors even in Europe lately. > However, China Eastern has begun to fly the A343 to LAX from Shanghai in the > last few months in addition to their regular MD11 service.

Interesting.  China Eastern bought the A343 to replace the MD11 on the tran-Pac routes.  However, after a few months of service, the airline weren’t pleased with the A343 and reintroduced the MD-11 on the tran-Pac routes. At the same time, CEA backed out from its previous commitment to take three of the six A343s that were supposed to be assigned to China Southern, but CSA refused to take them (the other three went to Air China). (The 3 A343s that CEA backed out at the last minute finally went to China Southwest.)  Anyway, from a fairly reliable source, CEA originally wanted to order the B747-400M (Combi) to replace all the MD-11s and A343s, but at the last minute "forced" to order the A340-5/600.

Response:

> Interesting.  China Eastern bought the A343 to replace the MD11 on the > tran-Pac routes.  However, after a few months of service, the airline weren’t > pleased with the A343 and reintroduced the MD-11 on the tran-Pac routes.

Maybe China Eastern didn’t like the fact the A343 flew a bit slower than the MD11? (That has been a major concern of A343 users because the economic cruise of the A343 is about 0.82 Mach, compared to the 0.85 Mach of the MD11 and 747-400). — Raymond Chuang Mountain View, CA USA

Response:

> Certainly merging the 10 into 3 has the potential for alliance partners. > Chongquing: the old wartime capital. This could be a trip report worth > reading. > If your choice is between LTU and a Chinese carrier, I’d take the LTU > flight if you can fit it into your schedule (probably more dependable > and better customer service).

Not so sure they’ll be better. Recently flew on a Chinese carrier from Nanjing to Chongqing–nice older BEA146 with large seat pitch and fine Dave

Response:

> Actually, Air China’s three A340-300s are currently on lease to > Cathay Pacific.  China’s policy seems to be that China Eastern will be > primarily an Airbus (and McDonnell Douglas), while China Southern > and Air China will be primarily a Boeing operator.  Nonetheless, > China Southern has a sizable A320 fleet.

Ah, that explains why there hasn’t been any reports of A343’s in Air China colors even in Europe lately. However, China Eastern has begun to fly the A343 to LAX from Shanghai in the last few months in addition to their regular MD11 service. — Raymond Chuang Mountain View, CA USA

Response:

> > Interesting. I didn’t know that Air China is interested in AB > aircrafts. I have only seen Boeings in their fleet. Well, not a > researched observation… > Air China’s A343 fleet is not seen in the USA because Air China normally > flies the 744 on their routes from Shanghai and Beijing to SFO and LAX. > Their A343 fleet is primarily used for flights to western Europe (CDG, FRA, > LHR, etc.).

Actually, Air China’s three A340-300s are currently on lease to Cathay Pacific.  China’s policy seems to be that China Eastern will be primarily an Airbus (and McDonnell Douglas), while China Southern and Air China will be primarily a Boeing operator.  Nonetheless, China Southern has a sizable A320 fleet.

Response:

> Interesting. I didn’t know that Air China is interested in AB > aircrafts. I have only seen Boeings in their fleet. Well, not a > researched observation…

Air China’s A343 fleet is not seen in the USA because Air China normally flies the 744 on their routes from Shanghai and Beijing to SFO and LAX. Their A343 fleet is primarily used for flights to western Europe (CDG, FRA, LHR, etc.). — Raymond Chuang Mountain View, CA USA

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Wow, that sounds about right. ErikG3 take note… > I am still waiting to see who’ll join which alliance. > I think the integration into China Southern, China Eastern and Air China may > mean substantial savings because of more efficient fleet use and > maintainence. > Why do I think that these three airlines are about to announce large orders > at the Farnborough International Air Show this coming week? I see China > Southern buying more 777’s (after all, I think they were the first airline > to use the 777-200ER (ne