Flying High... China Eastern Airlines!

Flying with China Eastern wasn't a choice, I needed that convenient connection from Ningbo to Taipei Taoyuan in my life! It can get tiring schlepping to Hangzhou or even Shanghai for a flight, I wanted that overseas hometown airport link to be right! No, I did not expect that booking anomaly to secure me a Business Class reservation for the TPE-NGB route! Just in time I was! 

Yes, that drunken night in Suzhou also saw me book a flight with China Eastern along with my Taipei hotel. That choice saw me set with a direct return flight from my local airport in Ningbo, China! Now, I will take a flight from Shanghai or Hangzhou if the airline is right because you already know I can be choosy for this 'Flying High...' series, needless to say I didn't need to lose any sleep over this choice. At Ningbo Airport on the day of departure, I kept silent as I checked in, went through security and when I proceeded to board. I knew that we would be flying into the eye of a violent and fast approaching typhoon, I didn't need that flight to be cancelled because I was mad for that hop over the Taiwan Strait. The flight was smooth until my aircraft descended into Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport, I literally thought the plane was going to fall out of the sky! I wasn't playing, I could see the windspeed was high because the ripples on the water below could be seen in high definition! Touchdown was a bumpy blessing, it was divine timing! 

Landing into Taipei felt like a dream, I saw Mandarin Chinese writing but it was calm as I walked towards immigration. Thanking my status as a British citizen, I completed the convenient landing card information online before I was swiftly stamped into Taiwan. I noted that 90% of the passengers on my China Eastern flight had green Republic of China (Taiwan) passports, interesting and that is all I will say. I grabbed a sim card at the kiosk in Arrivals, the guy spoke English beautifully, the ease of access and communication was a breath of fresh air! Even the aunties at the MRT station spoke English as they were directing people in the correct direction. You know that China Eastern outbound flight from Ningbo to Taipei was super quick from that part of Mainland China, it took me less than 80 minutes to fly from point to point. Truthfully, I wasn't mad that no meal service happened during that short flight because really it was short enough to suffice. We got a cold drink but it was a short flight, I had no complaints. 

The lack of an in-flight meal on both flights made up for it when I went to the China Airlines Lounge on my return flight from Taipei Taoyuan to Ningbo, China. I was able to piece together my life as I had missed by alarm after deciding to go out the night before my flight. I had found upon booking this sector of my journey, it was no different in price for me to fly in Business Class. That self-upgrade afforded me a hearty breakfast when I needed it the most. I was one of the only guests in the lounge during that sunshine October morning, it felt correct. Gathering myself after that hectic taxi ride to the airport was a lot, the breakfast was nice and appreciated. My breakfast combination was a mix of east meets west, a little bit like Taipei if we're comparing a place with food. The coffee was fine, the cornflakes also did the job. The fruit and the croissant helped mop up that disgusting hangover, I was in need of nourishment! The Chinese options were also tasty, it was great to have the balance during that breakfast moment. Help me out, T! 

Now, usually I am used to that 'living room' sized lounge at Ningbo's Terminal 2, upgrading to Taipei's China Airlines Lounge was an absolute treat. It was refreshing to be greeted by lounge concierge who reminded me of my days working at the former 'Virgin Clubhouse' at Newark Airport in New Jersey, USA. I was then informed that I needed to take the stairs down into the lounge, that was where I found a spacious and brilliant white decorated lounge. As mentioned before, I headed over to the buffet to get my money's worth, no crumbs were left! Did I have a 'hair of the dog?' Is the Pope Catholic? I free poured myself a glass of gin and juice, if I was sober I would've had more than one but just a few sips of that liquor filled juice allowed me to revive myself from that headache I was experiencing. Retoxed slightly, it was time for me to head to my gate, I felt so blessed that I had the chance to sort myself out in the lounge. Needing to change my sim cards over before I departed, another perk of Business Class, the lounge staff helped me. 

Serving 'Airbus A320 Realness', both sectors of my China Eastern journey from Ningbo to Taipei were operated on what felt like new equipment. I've got a secret you should know, I noticed the crew didn't turn back with the aircraft once I arrived back into Ningbo! Not a quick turnaround, hun? No, that Taipei bound aircraft spends the night at Ningbo Airport fresh for the crew and new passengers to return for the NGB-TPE sector the following morning. Is there some kind of deal with Taiwan and Mainland China for this reason because 'HK Express' and 'Air Macau' also station their later arrivals overnight on the tarmac at the international pier at Ningbo Airport! Now, that is some curious business if you're asking me, why? I don't have the answer to that question but with that aircraft stationed at Ningbo before my flight on October 1st 2024 guaranteed an on-time departure, that China Eastern aircraft didn't need to take care of any other inbound service before it left Ningbo for Taipei Taoyuan! We love an on-time departure! 

On the way back to Ningbo, I was able to get a clear view of my China Eastern aircraft being prepared at the gate. The morning had been beyond chaotic due to my own negligence, I was relieved that my flight was still very much in Taipei still! The relief that I felt when boarding was called, well it was the most reassuring feeling, no other flight will ever make me feel that way again! Those were my famous last words but would I stick to the timings next time? China Eastern didn't play with my time even though I'd played with my own time, that was some shady shade! I would definitely fly with China Eastern on a longer international route in the future, only then would I be able to try some of their in-flight catering and watch some films because those two factors lacked between Ningbo and Taipei. Oh my, I was elated when I boarded that Ningbo bound aircraft on the 6th October 2024! I actually love Ningbo Airport having a direct flight to Taiwan's capital, it's definitely one of the better things about that ZJ expanding airport. 

Like I mentioned before, I asked no questions regarding the weather conditions during the lead up to my outbound China Eastern flight to Taipei. I actually wasn't worried because the weather actually worked in my favour within regards to certain flight cancellations, not mine though! I had effectively cheated the typhoon because this route cancelled flights from Ningbo to Taipei during the middle of my break. I remained unbothered because I could see the typhoon would exit the space around the northern part of the island by at least the 5th October 2024! Business Class? Yes, I settled into my Business Class seat for the short hop back over the Taiwan Strait to Ningbo! I ordered a drink in an actual glass, I sank about four beers because I was going through it! The crew were attentive and it gave me a small taste of flying life outside of Economy Class! I really loved being in a larger seat with excellent legroom! I was able to disembark first before they reopened the curtain, leaving those in Economy Class feeling salty. Yes, I loved that part! 

Travelling up front was an experience, it was nice to experience a comfier seat even though it was short flight. If I had Business seats on the way out from Ningbo, I would've arrived in Taipei very drunk because those complimentary drinks were served with a quickness! Landing back into Ningbo concluded my China Eastern experience, it was time for me to return to my everyday working life and I wasn't OK about that! The crew would have 18 hours or something in Ningbo, that was a short shift for them! China Eastern got me to where I needed and wanted to be, I had no issues or complaints. I definitely look forward to a longer flight with this airline, that will be to Australia maybe? Those Chinese airlines are advertising value for money tickets, that is something I won't be able to turn down for a flag carrier! From turbulence to an almost missed flight, I lived my China Airlines Lounge fantasy and retoxed in the skies! I am feeling a 'budget airline' experience next for 'Flying High...', let's take it to Bangkok with Spring Airlines? Let's fly!

Typhoon, She Better Don't! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure