China Eastern Reviews 

Lost my Baggage.

Over priced and couldn’t even get my Baggage to me. Messed up the trip. No compensation offered. Appalling service

Never again! We booked in the summer to fly and visit my family over Christmas. Online check-in didn't work and when we arrived at the airport we were blithely told by the staff that our flight was overbooked and we should leave our phone number for them to contact us. We did finally get on the flight but definitely not worth the stress. Food was also horrible and connecting flight delayed by 5 hours due to technical issues.

My flight from Gatwick to Japan Via china was delayed by 3hours 30 ( due to bad weather ) even tho china airlines flight left on time to the same destination. When i landed in China after 13hr30 min i was greeted to 200 plus people trying to get there connecting flights to japan.The ground staff had no idea what to do screaming at each other some evening laughing ( you would think after 13hr30 they would come up with a plan) when it was my turn they told me they could not fly me to my designate airport and would have to go to the other airport in Tokyo where i had already paid for a hotel. Now i am home they dont answer the phone and they have still not answer my email about compensation for the new hotel ( which the ground staff said they would sort ) on the way home there was finger nail clippings on my table and the flight attendant was asleep in her chair for take off. For a extra £100/200 use another company dont fly with these guys as i am sure they wont email me back.

I flew from London Gatwick to Hong Kong via Shanghai. Flight left on time, arrived on time. 2 good meals served during the flight. Staff friendly, efficient and helpful from checkin to landing in Hong Kong. Spacious, comfortable seat for economy. I would definitely fly with them again.

Everything about my most recent trip with them was just fine. The customer service was good, and most of the attendants spoke decent English.

The complimentary food, provided even with economy seating, was great, although probably MSG heavy. Drinks, those of a non-alcoholic nature anyway, throughout were free.

My gripes:
There was WiFi, but the WiFi did not have internet access. Which seemed to be a very hallow box ticking exercise as being able to claim as one of the things it provides onboard.

It also has entertainment films available to watch, which again seems to be a very hallow box ticking exercise as it had, at most, 10-20 films to watch, with the what claims to be the newest releases available to watch being about 3-5 years old.

Finally, there is also USB ports available on the plane also, but these don’t work either. Once more, probably box ticking…

All of this doesn’t bode well for the long haul flight orientation that the plane I boarded had, which is fine if you are a traveller who just likes to board and sleep, and eat where necessary when provided in between. I like to get accustomed to the country on the other side’s timezone myself, so I get over the jet lag quicker. Had I not brought my own entertainment in the form of a portable games console and a book, I would have been very bored for the nearly 10 hour flight.

Other than that, everything about the experience was pleasant given the price paid.

Just had a return from London to Taipei via Shanghai, both ways. Organising special assistance to help with my fractured ankle was simply thru the booking company, Trip.com
The assistantce was smooth even in China and on the on board service was courteous and friendly and nothing was too much trouble

I had ordered kosher meals and the one time it wasn't ordered, yes the local food was awful. But hey. Being a snack instead

Only once was the USB onscreen output didn't work. On board entertainment was outdated but I'm assume like me you load up ur gadgets for these issues

The seating, most importantly, was comfy and the reclining pitch was super with extending legs so the person in front when they reclined didn't bother me. Im 5'9" BTW.

Pillow with cotton cover and packaged blankets too along with earbuds

I've used them a few times over the years without any major gripes. We were even an hr early into Heathrow, so my coach connection was made too

They cancelled my flight one week before departure for no reason and without any other alternative, I had to buy another ticket for twice as much. This is not a serious airline, avoid it!

Review

Flew from Brisbane to Shanghai, then Shanghai to Rome.

On re.checking in at Shanghai our large blue, Yamaha motorcycle gear bag was flagged and we were asked to open the bag to look at its contents. This was done and they were satisfied, and the bag was re-checked in. We watched it go back on the conveyor belt with all the correct tags on it. During this process the China Eastern staff in the security room saw the expensive and very valuable motorcycle racing gear in the bag. My son races in the world championship and some of this gear has huge sentimental value due to winning a world championship race in it.

On arrival in Rome, our bag did not arrive. There are no notes on the system of the bag having been stopped from going in the plane, no trace at all of the bag, and we are now 3 days later. It seems someone at China Eastern in Shanghai decided that over $10k worth of motorcycle racing gear was theirs to steal.

Very disappointing China Eastern. Not possible to lose such a huge, very distinctive looking bag. Can only have been stolen. 😡😡

Lazy staff
Rude customer service
Unhelpful service from salesuk/ceair.com and customer service..
No answer at phone,il.london heatrow...
Staff also rude at gate..
I'm still waiting for an.answer about my miles as they forgot to add on the trip..
And no one.is helping to have my miles back ,we send almost 55 email🤣🤣🤣 also complain to China embassybas the airline is 62% managed by government.. and Area manager Richard Lee unavailable also to answer...
Worst airline ever
Worst staff ever.
After Asiana MU China eastern is the rubbish of airline services ,and no one apologise of course for the issues...

**NIGHTMARE EXPERIENCE FROM HELL**

I booked return flights from London Heathrow to Brisbane 4 months in advance, 24th October 2024 to fly 27th February 2025 for £760.99.

19th February, 2025 just 8 days before travel I had been notified that the flights had been cancelled. I was not given any information as to why they had been cancelled or alternative flight options to which I would have been flexible with but no option was given.

Instead I had to go through the ordeal of booking other flights costing me over £1100 meaning an additional cost of £350. It has also cost me an additional £242 in purchased annual leave as I am now flying on different dates.

The airline takes zero accountability or responsibility for the extra cost and has not given a single ounce of support during this time, I am yet too receive a refund and I will be demanding further compensation.

DO NOT GO WITH THIS AIRLINE. IF THINGS GO WRONG WITH YOUR FLIGHTS THEY WILL GO WRONG HORRIFICALLY.

Overall great experience when flying from the UK to NZ.
The price was much cheaper than other airlines. No complaints at all flights departed on time staff were friendly and had plenty of food. Yes all Chinese food but it's a Chinese Airline so that's what you should expect.

Me, my partner and our friend booked with China Eastern for our holiday to Tokyo, and we used them for our return flight.

Having read some of the reviews, I must admit I was quite anxious, but I can honestly say that I’m not sure what I was worried about- the flights were brilliant!

For economy there was a good amount of leg room, as well as a great baggage allowance. I’m pretty sure it was something like a carry on bag plus 10kg, and then 2x 20kg in hold luggage.

The in flight staff were friendly, professional and helpful and despite what some people have said in their reviews, their level of English was absolutely fine. Communication was not an issue.

The food was probably some of the best airline food I’ve had. We had 2 meals on the 10 hour part of the journey and one more on the 2 hour connection from Shanghai to Tokyo. It was the same on the way home to London too. The food served wasn’t Michelin-star, but it tasted good and wasn’t a pile of grey mush like other budget airlines provide.

There were some movies and shows available in English, but not many. That being said, it’s a 14 hour journey, so of course I’m also taking my own form of entertainment just in case (feels like common sense to me).

When we inevitably return to Japan, we will 100% use China eastern and I will recommend to other people too.

I booked China Eastern from London to New Zealand return which is a flight I’ve done many times with multiple airlines. Firstly the crew could not speak or understand English I get it’s a Chinese airline but from London and New Zealand I would expect basic English. There were around 5 movies to watch that were in English and both flights had the same movies for 2 x 11 hour flights. Only 2 meals which I have to say were very good quality better than most but that was where it stopped no snacks at all, no drinks offered during the flight when I went to ask they did give me water but in a tiny cup. No alcohol other than beer I don’t drink on flights but that may bug others. Only drinks were water, orange juice and coke. The plane was also the old style plane so tiny seats and overhead lockers. Toilets were kept very clean which was appreciated. I did pay about half what other airlines were offering so I got what I paid for if you can deal with the above it does save a lot of money but if you expect what other airlines, Qantas, BA, Air New Zealand, Emirates offer you will be really disappointed. Would not fly them if their price was not competitive.

I booked my flights to New Zealand via travel up website. I was nervous after reading reviews about CEA. However, I had a good experience. Their website is awful and doesn’t work properly, however I checked in at the desk at the airport and was able to get seats together with no hassle. I am a vegetarian and they do not provide veg meals unless you give them 24 hour notice, i could not work out how to do this on the website, so I just had to pick the meat out of my food.
The first flight was to Shanghai which had a 12 hour layover there. We booked a room at the holiday inn express down the road, which has a free shuttle bus service that runs from the airport regularly and was easy to find. I would recommend doing this as it really helped us with our tiredness levels being able to have a decent sleep.
We had no issues with our suitcases, everything run very smoothly. No delays. Shanghai airport was easy to navigate and very quiet. Not a huge selection of movies to choose from. I would recommend taking own food on flight too. Plane was nice and clean and staff were helpful.
Overall, I would recommend CEA, just don’t let yourself get stressed about the website and checking in, I would just do it all at the airport.

China eastern economy class b737-800

150€ for a 1.5 hour flight including check-in baggage

Legroom and seat comfort 4.5/5
On-time performance 4/5
Service 0/5
Food 0/5
Entertainment 0/5

Low cabin pressure made me feel dizzy during the flight, basic service, no announcments

First of all, China Eastern is an airline that you would not expect much from. I will give three reasons why:

Around December last year, I was scheduled to fly from Melbourne Tullamarine - Shanghai Pudong Via China Eastern's Subsidiary 'Shanghai Airlines'. (This was a round trip). I was very surprised with the check in. Very quick and efficient.

Once I boarded their b787; the seats were comfortable, legroom was awesome (Im 175 cm) tray table was decent sized, the recline was exceptional, there was a headrest and pillows and blankets provided. However, the most shocking thing was the IFE.

1. The IFE is very boring and offers only a limited selection of movies, dramas, and songs. The wifi needs to be activated with a payment, which makes the experience even more excruciating. Furthermore, the 'games' section was unavailable. One positive about the IFE was the flightmap. Modern and works with the finger. The IFE comes with a remote, that is broken. IFE can be adjusted if the person ahead of you reclines.

Otherwise, I thought the flight would be great. I hoped for exceptional catering on China Eastern, however, obviously, I was wrong.

2. The tray table was dirty, so was the windows and IFE. But what shocked me the food. There were two very small meals on the flight. It only included a bread roll, maybe some fruits, a jelly and a meal. Bland and nothing to get excited about. For both ways, melbourne to shanghai or shanghai to melbourne; the catering was literally the same.

However, this is from past experience . When I was a kid aged 14, first time travelling solo, the cabin crew on China Eastern were not friendly nor rude. They simply didn't have the enthusiasm. I don't know how much they are getting paid, but the enthusiasm deserves 2 or 3 stars.

3. This time was the same. No enthusiasm and friendliness for most of the crew. When i wanted to go to the toilet, I had to wait 45 minutes, a two people in both bathrooms doing their business (probably). The cabin crew ignored the long wait and there was a huge queue behind me.

So that concludes it. An average and bland airline. Nothing to get out of your seats for. I hoped I helped whoever read this review. Thank you!

Unable to reach customer services by any means over a period of days. Staff at Heathrow are super unhelpful - it's like being in a sketch on Little Britain.

My checked suitcase arrived in Phnom Penh damaged as shown in the picture, I asked the Phnom Penh ground staff of China Eastern Airlines to prepare documents to prove the damage to cover it with my travel insurance, they refused to produce the documents without even appearing before us. China Eastern should retrain their ground staff in Phnom Penh.

We booked a 3 legged flight from London to Osaka in Japan via Shanghai with a 4 day layover on the return.

During our holiday we first received 4 notifications of flight time changes for our Shanghai to London leg that moved up to 90 minutes this way and that.

Then we were notified that our flight had completely changed to a different one leaving 5 hours earlier. No explanation given.

This caused a significant problem when we landed at Shanghai for our visa free stay as our original e-ticket had a different flight number. Intimidating immigration took two hours to complete as a result.

We flew from Singapore to Budapest, with two layovers in Ningbo and Kunming. After our flight was rescheduled, we had to depart earlier from Singapore, which was manageable since they covered two nights in a hotel. However, we still haven't received any information regarding our claim. Upon arriving in Budapest, we were notified via email that our flight had been rescheduled again, requiring us to stay an additional four nights. Since then, I have made numerous attempts to contact them through calls, messages, and emails over the past three weeks while we are here in Europe, but have heard nothing in response. To be fair, my experience with the flight attendants, especially on Shanghai Air, was satisfactory, but the overall experience has been truly frustrating. It’s hard to imagine if I were in a more precarious financial situation, as I could easily find myself struggling in the cold winter streets. As I write this review, I am still waiting for any communication from CE regarding compensation and solutions to our ongoing issues. Also , I am with a CHILD.