This Chinese airline's bargain business class is tempting - but there's a catch
Almost everything ticks the box in this aircraft's pointy end, except for one major fail.
Flight Review: Sichuan Airlines flight 3U3891
From: Chengdu to Sydney
Frequency: Three times a week
Duration: 10 hours and 45 minutes
Class: Business
Price: From $2092 one way
Explore more: sichuanair.com
I had never heard of Sichuan Airlines until I came across this attractive business-class deal on skyscanner.com.au. Immediately, I got excited - and suspicious. I was looking at a ticket from Cairo to Sydney via Chengdu (two long-haul flights) and my first question was: "Does this business class even have a flat bed?" I tried to find out on the airline's official website, but in vain ... it's in Chinese, with broken links when you try to translate it. But despite the risk, the fare ($2245 per person) was too attractive to resist. Did the risk pay off? Let's find out.
CHECKING IN: We checked in at the Cairo International Airport, which was beyond hectic when we arrived, with long, disorganised queues for bag scans, and security and immigration checks. The queue at Sichuan Airlines check-in desk was also long, but not for business class. Over in Chengdu, the transit and security checks were way smoother, although - at the time of boarding - I found it surprising that the airline's aircraft, on its home turf, did not have access to an airbridge. We boarded a bus and the drive to the plane was long, as if it was parked in a different terminal.
THE FLIGHT: The flight took off shortly after its 1.30am departure time and landed in Sydney a bit after its 3.15pm arrival time. And with the exception of the disappointing food, it was a pleasant experience.
THE CLASS: I travelled in an Airbus A330-300. The configuration in business class is 2-2-2, which is outdated and means if you're on the window seat you'll have to climb over the passenger next to you to use the bathroom. But the good news is: my seat could be turned into a flat bed (phew!), and it had a huge entertainment screen, a universal power point, a USB charging port, and a bit more storage space than my partner who was on the aisle seat. There were no free pyjamas on this overnight flight, but there was a fluffy pillow, a good-sized blanket, a pair of slippers and a decent amenities kit.
FOOD AND WINE: This was the saddest part of this flight, which is ironic because Sichuan is one of China's best-known cuisines. Dinner was served half an hour after take off and there was only one choice (even in business class): a small noodle dish with congee and some sort of a pumpkin dessert. There was no menu and - due to the language barrier - it was not easy to follow the staff when they described the food. For breakfast, there were two options: "Western-style" with potatoes and chicken; and "Chinese-style" with pork and chicken. Mine (Western-style) was overcooked and inedible. My partner's (Chinese-style) was just OK. No snacks were offered between the meals, and there was just one white wine and one red wine.
ENTERTAINMENT: The screen was big in size, but not in scope. There were only eight Hollywood flicks, along with 30 Chinese-language films. TV content was similar.
SERVICE: Extremely polite and efficient, despite the language barrier. We forgot one of our carry-on bags in the Sichuan Airlines lounge in Chengdu and only realised it when we boarded the plane. But despite the long distance between the lounge and the plane, the staff were able to retrieve it.
IN A NUTSHELL: Will I take Sichuan again? For this price (and for a flat bed), yes. But I'll be taking my own food.
The writer travelled at his own expense
Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.
My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.
Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.
My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
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