Airline review: Economy class on a no-frills Chinese carrier to London

The airline: China Eastern Airlines

• Route Melbourne to Shanghai (and on to London), flight MU740
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Airbus A350-900
• Class Economy, seat 67K
• Flight time 10 hours and 45 minutes

China Eastern flies Airbus A350s from Melbourne to Shanghai daily.Credit: Getty Images

Checking in + transit

Transferring from a domestic flight in Melbourne, I’m in the queue 3½ hours before departure and there’s already a line of several dozen people, though at 6pm the international terminal at Tullamarine is surprisingly calm and – a word I rarely use to describe an airport – peaceful. In 30 minutes, I’m through check-in, security and immigration in a seamless start.

Transit at Shanghai Pudong International Airport is smooth.Credit: iStock

In Shanghai, transit to my connecting flight to London is equally smooth. Signage in Shanghai Pudong Airport is clear, and I need only scan my passport and boarding pass (along with a few ad-hoc human checks in between) to pass through to my next gate.

Baggage

Up to 23 kilograms of checked baggage for economy class passengers. Standard economy fares allow two checked bags, while basic economy permits only one. All economy passengers can have one piece of cabin baggage up to eight kilograms. Passengers with infants can also bring a collapsible lightweight stroller on board.

Loyalty scheme

China Eastern is a member of SkyTeam and points for its Eastern Miles scheme can also be earned and redeemed on partner airlines, including Air France, Vietnam Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas. Qantas frequent flyers can earn points on codeshare flights with China Eastern.

The seat

China Eastern’s no-frills interior.Credit: Mason Wang

Economy configuration is 3-3-3. Seat width is 17.3 inches (43.9 centimetres) with a pitch of 31 inches (78.7 centimetres). I’m in a middle seat 10 rows from the back, which isn’t exactly a lottery winner, but the legroom feels good, my knees have space to move and I can easily slip my legs in under the seat in front.

Entertainment + tech

Movie classifications range from Hollywood to kids, comedy and international, though each one is just a shuffled version of the 39 “new hits” movies – “new” in this case meaning anything from Elvis (2022) to Hunger Games (2012). The selection of English-language films is skewed largely towards the interest of kids – a collection of Wonkas, Trolls and Space Jams – while there’s an equally prosaic selection of TV shows (unless you’re a fan of canned Just for Laughs or three random episodes of All Creatures Great and Small). Luckily, I brought reading material. Seats have a USB port beneath the screen, and there’s free Wi-Fi on board, though I’m unable to connect to it.

Service

Past the solemn, unsmiling safety video and the unusual welcome-aboard of an announcement about fines or arrest for the likes of “cabin disruption”, service is unobtrusive and gentle and can’t be faulted. There’s even a touch of yesteryear airline hospitality, with attendants noting the seat numbers of those who slumber through breakfast in order to return with the meal later.

Food

With a 9.30pm departure, the flight includes two meals – a late dinner and breakfast. The former is a simple but tasty sliced beef and rice dish (or chicken and tomato), though it’s an alcohol-free serving. Breakfast is a choice between an omelette and “hot noodles”, which taste remarkably like a lightly spiced bolognaise. It’s unfussy but tasty again.

Carbon emissions

In economy, rated at 0.46 tonnes. China Eastern has not declared any emissions-reduction targets.

One more thing

In July 2024, short-term visa requirements were scrapped for Australians entering China. Visas are no longer required for visits of up to 15 days.

The price

From $1620 return for economy.* See oa.ceair.com/au

The verdict

If your goal is to get to Shanghai simply and easily, or reach Europe on a budget, this no-frills flight through the night is spot on. Just come expecting to entertain yourself. Or sleep.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer travelled as a guest of UTracks. See utracks.com

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.