Wednesday 18 September 2013

travel: China Part 1: China Southern Business Class

I recently did another trip, but this time for work purpose and had the opportunity to experience business class by China Southern.
In fact, I now have enough mileages and points to obtain another business class trip in the near future (trip to Singapore booked for next month. Woohoo)

Instead of the usual per day post, I will post the travelogue in parts. This was a business trip, so I did not do the usual sightseeing. I just snapped what pictures I could take. And of course I just took the pictures with my phone as there is no way I would bring my OM-D to a business trip 0_0.

This was my first trip in business class. I was excited to use the fast check-in lane for first class/business class use at Sydney Airport check in counter. There was some kind of excitement in me when I could just waltz in and was prioritized to get their service, while the economy lane was piling up. But then again, if this was not a reward/special flight (yep, not ashamed to admit it), I would not dare to pay the exorbitantly priced business class ticket to travel.


As China Southern does not have their own lounge at Sydney International Airport, we (a colleague of mine and I) were directed to Qantas business lounge.

Nice funky simple decor and seating, their business lounge also have own shower rooms (which I did not use). Food are readily available, on the night it was self served buffets of various salads. Nothing fancy about the food though. Various types of alcoholic drinks are also complimentary. We spent the time until boarding at the lounge.



As soon as we boarded the plane, the flight attendants promptly offered some drinks and provided a pair of slippers to use whilst on board. The flight attendants were very young, and somehow I got the impression that they were not used to serve foreigners, as they jumbled through their english. Nevertheless, they were very courteous and pleasant throughout the journey (and very pretty too <3).
The business class seat can turn into a flat bed with a touch of a control button. I desperately needed that and really appreciated a few hours of good shut eye during the night time flight (which I think would be impossible in economy seats without a powerful dose of stilknox. Especially when it would be full on work the day after.



Dinner were served, degustation style. Somehow the meals were served kind of in a hectic manner (they don't really follow a set timing? The food came straight away one after another. At one time, my fold table was full of plates. Or maybe I ate too slow?), but they were tasty. I missed a few salad and side dishes as I was already completely stuffed.
Appetizers & hors d'oeuvres were Grilled vegetable on a stick and Grilled beef on crackers, as well as Duck and Scallop salad. Various type of bread rolls were also offered. Then came Pumpkin Soup and some other salad which I did not get to take a picture (and did not consume). I chose my main course to be Lamb Chops, then followed by Cheese Platter and Chocolate Profiteroles.


Entertainment system was adequate with a lot of new movies available (did not even get to watch one full movie, too tired -_-)
For breakfast before arriving in Guangzhou, there were a few options as well; and I chose to have Beef Noodle Soup with its condiments. Tasty & refreshing.


When we arrived in Guangzhou International airport, it was already morning. The airport is massive and it was confusing for us - especially when we were still drowsy - trying to make our way to the domestic area (we were transported on a buggy in the end).



We stayed at the China Southern lounge while waiting for our domestic flight to Shanghai. They served breakfast (which included some dim sum and paos that did not taste nice at all).


Then off we went to the boarding area, admiring the new 787 fleet - and one on which we would be boarding soon *_*.



Again, once on board, drinks, slippers, toiletries were served. And as it was still considered morning flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai, another breakfast was served.
By this time I must have gained at least one kilo.


Part 1 over and will try to edit the other pictures for next parts as soon as I can.

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