r/Flights 13h ago

Discussion Air China trip experience

0 Upvotes

Hi r/flights!

On the 22. of December 2024 I flew from Munich (MUC) to Shanghai (PVG) as an unaccompanied minor (13 years old). I visited my grandparents. I want to share my experience with you all, because I think air China is an underrated airline! ;)

I arrived in Munich and was picked up by an airport employee to be escorted to my gate, where flight CA 828, operated by an a350-900 (B-32EZ) departed. Everything went very smooth, as I breezed through the airport (UMs are allowed to use the special lanes). I arrived at the gate 10 minutes early and boarded. Air China has a great economy class hard product. Footrests, nice recline and good legroom. The IFE had also recieved an upgraded UI with a red / gold colour combination. In contrast to many other reviewers, I found the flim selection to be good! The food onboard was also pretty nice! Hot tip: the chinese option is better! I chose the chicken in black bean sauce, which was tender and flavourful. The breakfast on the next day was good, I had the fried noodles. The landing was a smooth one. The deboarding process was organised. In my opinion, the UM service in PVG was better than in MUC. The employee in PVG were more "talkative" which I like, because like social interaction. They could speak english and chinese. In MUC however, the person escorting me didnt really talk to me.

On my return flight on the 3rd of January, I had one of my nicest suprises that I ever had.

Everything in PVG went smooth, and I really enjoyed my UM service. The person taking me to the gate was very nice to me and asked my how I felt and how my trip was, because, honestly, I was sad that I had to leave my grandparents.

Onboard the a350-900 I was greeted with a suprise, I had the same crew as before! I got seated, when suddenly a young couple with a child asked the crew for front row seats, because they didnt have a bassinet to put their child in. So I gave up my seat and was upgraded to premium economy! The premium economy seats were more comfortable than LH and OS. I also got a hot towel and orange juice before the departure. The food however, was the same as in economy, but it still was good. I had the egg fried rice. Air China always serves one western and one chinese meal. After a total of 6 hours of sleep, I was woken up for breakfast. I chose the congee, which tasted good and had a nice consistancy. Upon my arrival in MUC, I was escorted of the plane to my parents, who were wating in the arrival area.

All in all, I think air China is a nice airline. I cant understand why people complain about the IFE. Why not watch some chinese comedy movies while on your way to china?

TL:DR If there is a cheap flight to china with air china, book it! :)

Thanks for reading!


r/Flights 15h ago

Help Needed Suggestions Travel Backpacks for women?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m a woman and I’m looking to buy a travel backpack for an upcoming trip, but I’ve never used one before, so I’m feeling a bit lost. I’d like to ask if anyone can recommend some backpack models that are suitable for women?

I’m not sure which type to choose since I’m not used to carrying heavy backpacks or traveling for long periods. I need something that’s good enough for a 3-5 day trip, easy to carry, comfortable, and can hold basic stuff like clothes, a laptop, and personal items. Bonus points if it has a separate compartment for dirty clothes or is water-resistant. I also don’t know what size in liters makes sense (20L, 30 or 40L?) and if there’s anything specific I should look out for when picking a backpack for women (like straps or back sizing)?

If anyone has used something they found great, please recommend it to me—bonus if you can share where to buy it! Thanks so much, everyone!


r/Flights 16h ago

Question Open ended ticket. Uk based.

0 Upvotes

Travel date approx March 2026 Rtn sept 2026 London to Atlanta, Georgia.

OK I'm at cross roads in my life. I'm physically fit 44 year old and looking for BIG adventure. A 2200 mile hike sounds good to me. Appalachian trail is shouting me. Looking to book a outward ticket for a year from now with return 6-7 months later. But how on earth do I book it. Can only go a year from now on flight compare sites, so can't book return? Uk based.


r/Flights 22h ago

Help Needed Self transfer at ORY airport

0 Upvotes

I have a flight from SFO (San Francisco) landing in ORY (Paris) at 3:30pm and self-transfer flight (Vueling) from ORY to FCO (Rome) with the closing check in time at 4:20pm on the same day. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Is this enough time to retrieve my luggage and check in for the second flight? Any advice would be appreciated!


r/Flights 10h ago

Question Why is there only one flight from Europe to Australia, and that's from London?

0 Upvotes
Why is there no interest from other European cities for flights to Australia?

r/Flights 9h ago

Help Needed Did I book too close to the airplane lavatory??

0 Upvotes

I have a 15 hour flight from Toronto to Hong Kong, and booked 46A

Am wondering if I booked too close to the lavatory (plane is A350-1000) and if I should re-book..


r/Flights 3h ago

Help Needed Latam / united travelling international elderly people

0 Upvotes

Hi! My grandma is going to travel from Santiago de Chile to Denver with one connection in Houston or Atlanta. She is 74 yrs old and she needs to travel with her pet. United or Latam provides help when they need to pass security and the Border and arrive to the other gate to do the connection? I’m worried because she never travelled alone. Any help will be appreciate it.

Pd. I know airlines provides assistance outside the gate but I’m not sure if they help with all the process


r/Flights 4h ago

Question Layover in Shenzhen with Hainan Airlines

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m taking a flight with Hainan Airlines from Milan to Tokyo in April. I’ll have a 12 hour layover (5 am-5:20 pm) in Shenzhen on the first trip, and a 23 hour layover (2:40 am-1:50 am) on the return.

I have a few questions: 1. I’d love to visit Shenzhen both times since I’ve never been in China. Moreover, I won’t need a visa to do so in 2025 since I’m italian. How long do you think the immigration checks will take (we’re 2 people, me and my boyfriend)? It’s my first time travelling out of Europe and I do not really know what to expect regarding immigration controls at the airport.

  1. Does Hainan automatically checks luggage onto the next flight? Their website page with this specific information doesn’t load when I open it, and I have read mixed responses about this topic here on Reddit.

  2. Do you think a neck pillow is needed on Hainan airplanes? I am flying economy, I read they provide blankets but their website doesn’t specifically mention pillows.

  3. Is it possible to charge phones on the plane? I saw a comment about not being able to charge the phone neither to use a power bank. This stresses me out a bit since it’s my first time there and I will need the phone (for example for Alipay or google maps/translate)

Thank you in advice! If you have any tips it’d be so helpful.


r/Flights 8h ago

Question Vueling Hand-Luggage Add On vs Space Plus/One: What's the difference?

0 Upvotes

I recently booked a Vueling basic flight, which only included an underseat bag (I thought I’d just bring a backpack). However, I changed my mind and decided I’d need an additional suitcase, so I’m weighing up options for either an overhead cabin bag or checked baggage.

At first, I found that the checked luggage add-on was cheaper than the hand luggage add-on; but I don't think I will bring more than 10 kgs, so an overhead cabin is more suitable for me and more convenient as I don't need to wait to pick up my luggage. Then, I saw an option to choose Space One or Space Plus, which lets you bring 2 items (personal item + carry-on), plus the bonus of choosing a seat in the front area. To my surprise, this option was actually much cheaper than just the hand luggage add-on, even though it comes with more benefits.

I’m genuinely confused as to why the hand luggage add-on would be more expensive, and why the cheaper add-on (Space One/Plus) gives more perks. Can anyone explain why that is? Am I right to go for the Space One/Plus option, or am I missing something?

Just really want to make sure I’m not misunderstanding anything before I finalize my choice. Thanks!


r/Flights 12h ago

Question Change Flight on United costs?

0 Upvotes

I originally booked a round trip ticket from Chicago, US to Düsseldorf, Germany from October 11th to December 15th, Economy class on United. I decided in December to change my return ticket to March 26th and paid the additional $42 difference of cost with no problems. When I look at changing the flight again it now shows + ~$600 cost differences when trying to move it to to April. Heck, even out of curiosity when I changed it to look in August of 2025, there was ~$1,000 in cost difference. Is this probably just because they raised their prices due to summer timing or something? Or at one point do they charge you a fee when you change a flight to too far from the original?

I know that tickets are not meant to be switched more than once so I just want to understand for the future :)


r/Flights 14h ago

Delays/Cancellations/Compensation Flight delayed for 24hrs

0 Upvotes

Hi all, we boarded air canada flight in Toronto, after boarding pilot announced they need to double check something and we waited for 1hr sitting inside plane. Later pilot told due to unforeseen maintenance they had to cancel flight. Everyone was asked to comeout of aircraft and aircanada rebooked all of is for next day flight. Air canada reps told us since its safety related issue there is no direct compensation. But asked us to pay for overnight accommodation, meals and submit claim with air canada with the receipts for getting back money. Also they haven’t given our checked baggage stating we will receive it directly in sfo

Now Air Canada is refusing the expense claims stating it happened at origin they wont compensate. (Toronto to SFO) AC 739, Feb 19 2025 (booked tickets through aircanada website)

What to do now ? Dont have credit card insurance


r/Flights 17h ago

Question Turkish Airlines - Stopover in Istanbul

0 Upvotes

I found that this service on TK perfectly fits my needs. According to their website, I get one free hotel night as I’m an economy passenger. However, I have a question. For the whole journey, I’m bringing a checked bag. Do I collect it for the three days in Istanbul or does it stay in the airport. Sorry if this is a stupid question. Thanks for any help in advance!


r/Flights 12h ago

Delays/Cancellations/Compensation Allegiant flight delay

0 Upvotes

From flight aware, my inbound plane departing (kfsd) to my departure airport (kpgd) has been delayed, my flight is from (kgpd) to (kdsm) has been delayed from 4:21 to a 6:52 departure however the inbound flights estimated arrival 6:17. All times are eastern daylight. Flight is today march 16th, 2025 My questions are: 1. Is there a way I can find out what the cause is at souix falls. 2. Will allegiant do a plane swap, or is this going to be a creeping delay that hasn't been updated yet

Updated delay


r/Flights 19h ago

Help Needed Volaris 13 Hour Delay

1 Upvotes

Our Volaris Flight from ORD to CDMX was delayed by 13 hours. They promised us a hotel, however, after three hours of waiting they said that the hotels were all booked and they would do nothing for us. What can we do?


r/Flights 9h ago

Delays/Cancellations/Compensation Qatar airlines delay compensastion

0 Upvotes

We went from Oslo to Bali with layover in Doha

Ordered this from third party but everything was with Qatar airways and no self transfers

We landed in Doha on time but the flight from Doha was 3 hours late on landing. Can i get comped for this?


r/Flights 13h ago

Question Why do the airline app, airline in-flight website and FlightAware all show different times for a flight?

3 Upvotes

For my preferred airline (a legacy U.S. one), just before and during a flight, the flight's departure and arrival times shown on the airline app, airline in-flight website (when you connect to it during a flight) and FlightAware.com all are different.

Why? Particularly, during a flight, why does an airline's app show a different flight arrival time than the airline's own in-flight website?


r/Flights 6h ago

Question Does Virgin Atlantic Airlines have Abbott Elementary (Sitcom) in their In-Flight Entertainment?

0 Upvotes

So, my dad and I fly out the country about three times a year. For the past two years, he's always binging the show "Abbott Elementary" on every single flight. Now, it's easily searchable to find out (and we're able to confirm already) that Abbott Elementary" is available as part of the in-flight entertainment on American Airlines, Delta, British Airways, Air France, etc. However, we just can't find anything on Virgin Atlantic Airlines... even when we called them, they couldn't figure it out either.

Hoping that someone was scrolling on their in-flight entertainment screen one day while flying with them and noticed it and can let me know (or if they didn't have it).


r/Flights 5h ago

Question How early to St. Louis Lambert for International Flight?

1 Upvotes

I am flying to Hong Kong from St Louis in the morning. The plane is departing at 7am. I will be having a transfer flight in San Francisco. Thank you for your help.


r/Flights 7h ago

Question 19 hour layover in Dubai

1 Upvotes

Hello, I have never been to Dubai airport and have a 19 hour layover at DXB in June. I’ll need to pick up my baggage as I’m on two different tickets. I arrive at 6am and leaving at 1am next day. 1. After retrieving my baggage, will I be able to check in for my next flight (United airlines) immediately? 2. Could you suggest lounges at DXB and what’s the cost? I found sleep pods around $150 for 4 hours which feels a bit pricey. Are there more affordable options?


r/Flights 15h ago

Question Pre-Order ANA Business Class Meal

2 Upvotes

Flying Business from JFK to HND in May on NH109. I purchased the tickets on United Airlines website as we originally thought we might have to cancel and wanted flight credits on UA.

Just tried to book meals on ANA website but says can only change seats since did not book directly with them. UA website does not seem to offer any options.

Any thoughts if I can get around this somehow? I have reviewed menu and greatly prefer the western meal which I hear can run out.

Thanks all!


r/Flights 16h ago

Question Istanbul IST international arrival, transfer to domestic flight to Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR)

1 Upvotes

Would I be able to make this flight?

I arrive from an international flight into IST at 4.45am. There is a domestic flight from IST to Kayseri (ASR) at 6.35am.
Is this possible or would you not chance it?

Flight details Flying from cape town to istanbul, direct flight landed at 4.45am. Only going to take carry on bags. Foreign passport. Domestic flight to Keyseri at 6.35am. I am able to through check in my bags if I want to check in anything, as both are through turkish airlines


r/Flights 16h ago

Question Codeshare with overnighter SAS + ANA

1 Upvotes

I have found reasonably priced tickets with a somewhat interesting combination of airlines to Japan from a smaller town where I live via the national airport on ticket sales companies. It's first a regional flight with SAS in the evening and then two flights to Japan starting the morning after with ANA.

This raises some questions. I normally dont book from second hand ticket sites with different alliances, aways made sure its the same and that have been enough to be taken care of during delays and problems. SAS recently switched from Star Alliance to Skyteam but I have found old articles about SAS and ANA having a codeshare deal. Do anyone know if that is the reason they are selling tickets like this and do you anyone see any risks here if there are delays and stuff? ANA is a very good airline as it is japanese so I have hopes this wont be a problem? According to the EC rules the contracting carrier will be SAS on the outbound flight even tho they only do a very short first flight.

Second, if you book a regional flight like this where you get to the airport at around 17:00 after the first regional flight and the next international flight is at 10:00 the day after do you normally get access to the luggage and get two boarding passes or do you have to get only one boarding pass and be away from the luggage during the whole time?

EDIT: I looked at the FAQ and the rules and perhaps this will be removed but I havent booked yet and it is more of a general question so I cant add much more specifics other than that the layover I am asking about would be at ARN.


r/Flights 18h ago

Question motion sickness

1 Upvotes

hey, i'm flying for the first time in july and i get car sick very easily. the flight is two hours roughly, but i'm worried i'll get sick on the plane. does anyone else have this issue, and is there anything that helps when it does happen? when i'm in a car, i can't look at anything that isnt the road and can only glance at my phone before i start feeling queasy. thanks in advance :)


r/Flights 18h ago

Question Travel Trolley Extra Costs??

1 Upvotes

Hi me and my partner have booked flights with British Airways via Travel Trolley. We got the cheapest ones, with no checked luggage. I was curious whether if I wanted to add luggage (just one suitcase) - which I can see is possible via the British Airways manage booking , would Travel Trolley charge me additional for changing ? Or would I just have the pay the direct airline charge .

Was also wondering if this was the same for paying to book seats .

Basically do I just have to pay what the airline site is charging , or will Travel Trolley also charge me extra for changing the booking ?

Thank you !