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sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Trip route:
Peking-Hong Kong
Airline – Dragon Air (http://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/homepage)
Flight no. KA 991 Dep: 13:20
Aircraft type – Airbus A330
Flight duration – 3:30 minutes

Background Info:
As I had a business meeting in Beijing and Hong Kong, I decided to cover the PEK-HKG sector f6r my trip report. The other reason to cover only this leg was because I was to fly Dragon Air - a first for me.

The PEK-HKG sector is a very busy sector with flights every hour going both ways and monopolized by 2 carriers - Dragon Air (a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific) & Air China. You do have one morning and evening service by Cathay Pacific, but the flight timings are quite odd. So, I decided to stick to Dragon Air.

I arrived at Beijing airport 3 hours early. Departures to HK/Taiwan & Macau are through gates 6- 8 as you can see below in the photo.

1) Outside the airport terminal

2) Departure gate to HK/Taiwan/Macau

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239879216/in/photostream/

I always find this very strange in Beijing - that you need to clear customs first before you can go ahead and check in your luggage. Clearing customs basically means filling up a form declaring that you are not taking antiques and foreign currency beyond the prescribed limit. The funny part is nobody even checks what’s written on the form. It’s a mere formality where the form is collected and you are allowed to pass through.

3) The long Qs to clear the customs just after you enter the airport.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239879542/in/photostream/

4) Clearing the customs area

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239019175/in/photostream/

The airport has domestic and international departures at the same terminal and same level so if any one has onward connections one does not have to run up or down in the terminal or worry about catching buses as in Bombay if your terminal is separate and away.

5) Domestic departures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239880112/in/photostream/

6) International departures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239880720/in/photostream/

I saw that my flight information was already on the screen and since it was at eye level thought of capturing it on camera. Flight KA 991 to Hong Kong.

6) Flight information on the screen.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239879856/in/photostream/

Once you clear the customs area, you seem to be in familiar territory as suddenly you see this huge complex with rows and rows of check in counters to check in your luggage and finally it seems like you are really in an international airport. At last count, I think there were rows A to O with some of them being exclusive to Air China.

7) General check in counters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239881702/in/photostream/

Cool

Air China exclusive counter

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239882096/in/photostream/

For the Beijing Hong Kong leg, they have separate counters at Counter V which is slightly away and a little distant from the regular check in counters, but the advantage is that it is very close to the immigration.

9) Dragon Air check in counter

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239882346/in/photostream/

I checked in my one piece of luggage and was handed the boarding card.

10) Boarding card photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239024709/in/photostream/

The immigrations Q’s are quite long in Beijing and took a good 30 minutes to clear.

11) Immigration Q’s Photo 1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239021425/in/photostream/
12) Immigration Q’s Photo 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239883514/in/photostream/

Once I cleared the immigration I decided to click some tarmac action. On my way, I found a Starbucks outlet. So all you Starbucks fans, Beijing airport has one.

13) Starbucks outlet

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239023385/in/photostream/

As Beijing is hosting the Olympics next yea,r one can see all the fervor not only around the cities, but also at the airport.

14) Shops selling Olympic soveniours

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239023111/in/photostream/

Duty free in Beijing is monopolized by one company, Sunrise.

15) Sunrise Duty free shops

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239024159/in/photostream/

I finally reached the departure gates and had to walk a bit away from my gate to get a good view of the aircrafts. Once settled, I started clicking all the birds that I could.

So here goes the list

16) Lufthansa arrived from Frankfurt

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239022029/

17) Air France on its way to Paris docked at the gate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239884184/in/photostream/

1 Cool

Finair 3 holer on its way to Helsinki

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239885742/

19) Plenty of Air China on the ground.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239023641/in/photostream/

20) Air China 747-400

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239887006/in/photostream/

21) Air China 747-400 shot 2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239025667/in/photostream/

22) Austrian in star alliance colors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239887264/in/photostream/

23) United Airlines on its way to Chicago developed technical problem hence was parked away from the gate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239025923/in/photostream/

24) Air France on its way to Paris now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239889154/in/photostream/

25) Asiana Airlines to Seoul

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239888494/in/photostream/

26) ANA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239888138/in/photostream/

The previous night, there had been a heavy thundershower. As a result, all flights were delayed by about four hours. Luckily for me my flight was leaving in the afternoon. It eventually left on time except for a one hour delay on the tarmac waiting for take off clearance.

Soon the boarding gate was opened and boarding was announced row wise but still people just qued up in a long line.

27) Que before boarding the aircraft

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239027559/in/photostream/

Once inside the aircraft I quickly found my seat and settled in. What I liked was that in every seat they had kept a small mineral water bottle which I think every airline should do as by the time the drinks are served after take off, you already tend to feel dehydrated.

2 Cool

Mineral water & the in flight magazine of Dragon Air.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239027777/in/photostream/

The flights from Beijing to Hong Kong do not have in seat personal video, but movies are displayed via drop down LCD TV’s positioned overhead at appropriate distance. The safety video was played on the screen and the crew also showed the emergency exits by hand motion to show the exact location. Also once the seat belt lights came on, the crew walked through the entire cabin to make sure that all passengers had fastened their seat belts. Soon the captain came on line and apologized for the delay as the ATC was still clearing backlogs from the previous night thundershowers.

29) In flghit View of the aircraft

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239028019/in/photostream/

Our flight was on tarmac for about 30 minutes after the doors were closed and finally the captain said that we are about to push back to join the que for take off.

Now what impressed me most was before take off the crew came and asked me whether I had requested a special meal to which I confirmed and she also asked me what drink I would like to have with my meal. As a vegetarian I always get my meal quickly, but have to wait for the drinks till they come with the cart giving meals to other fellow passengers. In the bargain, most of the time they forget to offer me the drink. Even SQ which is known for its impeccable service, 9 out of 10 times they forget to offer me a drink.

As we were moving towards the main runway I caught some of the Chinese birds.

29) Hanian Airlines (Taken from Aircraft)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239028995/in/photostream/

30) Shangdong Airlines (Taken from Aircraft)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239029717/in/photostream/

The ATC decided that we would be taking the second parallel runway as the que on this one was too long and as this was a long trek. We took almost 20 minutes before we reached the second parallel runway and that too we had two planes ahead of us and had to wait for three to land. On our long trek I realize that even from my previous experience of flying an A330 is that it makes a lot of clank-clank- clink noise as if an old jalopy has been started. It reminded me of Jughead’s car from Archie comics. I had earlier flown on an A330 on Quanta’s airlines and heard a similar kind of clanking noise which I typically don’t hear on a 777. Don’t know about the others, but I would like to know from people from the forum who have flown on an A330 whether any of you have heard a similar noise.

After we attained cruising altitude, the crew came around with drinks and peanuts, which I gladly took.

31) Drinks and Peanuts
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239891920/in/photostream/
Once the drinks were served the meal service started and I was glad to see that my AVML food was airlifted.

32) AVML Photo 1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239892184/in/photostream/

33) AVML Photo 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239030529/in/photostream/

The food was OK. Only the glass noodle salad was great. I found the chick peas had not been boiled properly but then when you are hungry you just gobble and don’t care.

Now again what impressed me was there was a small card in my meal tray (AVML Photo 2) which reminded me that I am eligible for Asia Miles for this journey and if I have not become a member yet then I should request the crew for a form. I asked the crew to give me a form and filled it up although I knew that I will never reach the required miles on Asia miles to get a free ticket but the way they ensured that I am informed impressed me and I thought I should do my part by just filling up the form.

The lunch was followed by Hagen Daz Ice cream in 2 flavours strawberry and vanilla, I chose the strawberry as I find that Hagen Daz strawberry is better then vanilla. Of course now with most airlines offering Hagen Daz as an after meal dessert, the novelty factor has worn off.

34) Ice Cream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239892662/in/photostream/

For the rest of the journey, I tried catching up on some movie that was being played on the general screen and in between trying to fall asleep, the captain announced our decent.

35) Getting into Hong Kong
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239031035/in/photostream/

After landing I managed to capture the not so frequented birds from the window on our way to the gates:

36) Kalitta Air at Hong Kong Airport

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239893292/in/photostream/

37) Kalitta Air Photo 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239031735/in/photostream/

3 Cool

Oasis Hong Kong

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239894090/in/photostream/

39) Qatar Airways

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239894374/in/photostream/

Overall, it was a good experience with Dragon Air. In spite of having a monopoly and being a short route, the service was good. No wonder they have won so many of the awards mentioned below including skytrax.

Year 2007
Year Month Award Event
2007 Jul Yahoo! Emotive Brand Award 2006-2007
Airline Category Yahoo! Emotive Brand Award 2006-2007
2007 Jul Yahoo! Emotive Brand Award 2006-2007
The Top 7 Emotive Brand Awards Yahoo! Emotive Brand Award 2006-2007
2007 Mar Best Airline - China Skytrax Survey
2007 Mar Silver award in the Food or
Beverage Category International Travel Catering
Association - 2006 Mercury Award
Year 2006
Year Month Award Event
2006 Nov Best Airline Economy Class 2006 Business Traveller
China Travel Awards
2006 Sep Best China Airline 2006 Business Traveller
Asia-Pacific Awards
2006 Jun Best Airline China Skytrax Survey
2006 Jun Yahoo! Emotive Brand Award
2005 - 2006 airline category Yahoo! Emotive Brand Award
2005 - 2006
2006 Apr Best Airline for Business Travel Asian Legal Business
2006 Travel Survey
2006 Apr Ranked third in the category
of "price / performance" Logistik Inside survey
2006 Jan Silkroad - Champion Award -
"Magazine Printing - Not For Sale" 17th Hong Kong Print Awards

My return journey to Singapore I was too exhausted to capture all the images to write a trip report but did manage to take some photos at the airport

40) Swiss Air at the gate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239032905/in/photostream/

41) Philippines Airline 747

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239895160/in/photostream/

42) Dragon Air

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239895614/in/photostream/

43) 2 British Airways 747

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239034493/in/photostream/

44) Shanghai Airlines

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239877914/in/photostream/

45) The colorful Dragon Air

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1267287116/in/photostream/

46 China Airlines

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239878302/in/photostream/

46) Cathay Pacific

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239016885/in/photostream/

47) Korean Air

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239877596/in/photostream/

4 Cool

South African Airways

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67514846@N00/1239877310/in/photostream/

As always appreciate your views and feedback.

Till my next trip report Cheers……

Sri_Bom

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

Nice pics, especially Beijing.
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lambuhere1 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:47 am Post subject:

Good Trip

Love the snaps.

You seem to be enjoying clicking the snaps

Aiel · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 927 Location: Bangalore

Nice TR. Quite easy to guess how to pass time in an airport and on the plane!!!! Very Happy

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Birendra · Member Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 1411

Superb pictures.
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Nimish · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

Great TR there! I only wish that the pictures could have been inline rather than as a link - but that was only a minor feedback to an otherwise awesome report!

I've flown on a couple of 330s in the past (MH, TG and maybe some others), but I don't recall any jalopy style noises. Maybe the one you were on is getting old Wink

?

If you don't mind my asking - are you based in PEK these days? Is it tough for an AVML guy to survive in PEK?

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

@sri_bom.....have done to one of the photograph...for the rest! phew!!
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