Introduction
China Eastern 734 737-700 Economy Class Hong Kong to Kunming
Transiting Kunming Airport – International to Domestic
China Eastern 734 737-700 Economy Class Kunming to Lijiang
Jin Hong Garden Villa Lijiang
Biking in Lijiang, Day 1: Baisha Village
Biking in Lijiang, Day 2: Down to Lashi Lake
Biking in Lijiang, Day 3: Into Dali Villages
China Eastern 733 737-700 Economy Class Lijiang to Kunming
Transiting Kunming Airport – Domestic to International
China Eastern 733 737-700 Economy Class Kunming to Hong Kong
China Eastern Flight 733
Sunday, May 15th, 2015
Origin: Kunming (HKG) Gate: 69 Dep: 13:55 (14:05)
Destination: Hong Kong (KMG) Gate: 502 Arr: 16:05 (16:20)
Duration: 2 hr 10 min (2 hr 15 min)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Seat: 38A (Economy Class)
Upon boarding I passed the business class seats again, which I would actually like to try in the future.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Business Class
It was back to the same cabin, where I said hello again to my seat.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Seat 38A, B, C
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Seat 39A, B, C
I was given a decent pillow and blanket (both of these surpassed the subsequent quality I got on Korean Air business class).
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Pillow
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Blanket
As with the last flight, legroom was sufficient, and didn’t pose a problem for the two hour flight.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Legroom
We were parked next to another Yunnan 737 styled similarly to the outbound plane.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Kunming Airport
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Kunming Airport
The safety video played, which is the same for all China Eastern fleet.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Safety Video
The views out were insanely awesome, and we got to see Kunming traffic at a distance. I’m not psyched to see the city anytime soon from an aerial view, but the airport is sure a lot for eye candy.
Traffic Kunming Airport
We were fifth in line for takeoff, in which the PA announced “don’t worry, thank you for your patience”.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class View of Wing
View of Runway Kunming Airport
My friend turned on flight mode, in which she was promptly addressed by a flight attendant who threatened to take her phone (China Eastern has a dreadful policy that phones aren’t allowed). I kept my phone out of sight and discreet.
Takeoff was smooth, and we quickly escalated and levelled off.
Takeoff Kunming Airport
Takeoff Kunming Airport
Takeoff Kunming Airport
Lunch was served immediately after takeoff, and I was expecting some fireworks especially after what I got on the outbound.
I think that the fireworks came out of my own head instead of out of my lunch when I realized what my lunch was served in.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Lunch
I opened it and felt as let down as I thought I would feel.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Lunch
The buns were dry, the biscuits were fine (though you can’t go wrong when you buy them at your local supermarket), and they had the balls to serve cupcakes that had gone five months past their baking date.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Cupcake
I mean, it wasn’t just simple. It was an abysmal lunch. ‘Nuff said.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Cabin during Lunchtime
That said, I didn’t have breakfast, so I nibbled on everything until the box was empty. They didn’t take the boxes, so I guess it was a souvenir.
I took a while to admire the mood lighting…
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Mood Lighting
…then just resorted to staring out of the window.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class View
I then talked to my seatmates for a while, no less about the abysmal lunch and the selection of seats we had.
Soon enough it was descent into Hong Kong, and I had a look at the amazing views that Hong Kong seems to have in the afternoon.
Views upon Descent Hong Kong
Views upon Descent Hong Kong
Views upon Descent Hong Kong
Views upon Descent Hong Kong
Views upon Approach Hong Kong
Views upon Approach Hong Kong
We touched down about fifteen minutes behind schedule, and it seemed like all the big planes and interesting traffic was nearby.
Traffic Hong Kong Airport
Traffic Hong Kong Airport
Including the Korean Air 777-200 that I’ll be taking in half a year.
Korean Air Boeing 777-200 Hong Kong Airport
View of Runway Hong Kong Airport
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class Cabin Post-Landing
We parked next to a Sichuan Airlines and a mainline China Eastern A321.
Sichuan Airlines Airbus A321 Hong Kong Airport
China Eastern Airbus A321 Hong Kong Airport
Seeing the plane when we were bussed back to immigration made me sort of proud, as I had survived four legs on China Eastern.
China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Hong Kong Airport
Bottom line on China Eastern Boeing 737-700 Economy Class
The aircraft impressed me. It was spanking new, the seats were comfortable, and I don’t expect PTVs on such a short flight.
While the service and meals on this flight were abysmal, I really can’t say that China Eastern left a bad taste on my mouth. Dinner on the outbound was spicy, flavourful and delicious, and really, what am I to judge airline catering out of western China?
Really, I wouldn’t hesitate to take China Eastern again.
Bottom line on this trip
I had an amazing trip. The biking was eye-opening as I expected, and it was great to hang out with friends for longer periods of time.
Even from a first world perspective, I’d do the trip again.