Flying High... Spring Airlines!

My first and only international arrangement with China's 'Spring Airlines' tested me beyond the point of no return! A cheap flight it was but an on-time departure the outbound did not produce, I was also nearly late! Good luck or just shared stupidity? I think both me and Spring Airlines were both going through it! Bangkok was on my mind, I deserved my Saturday night out! Rude! 

My original plan for 2025s Chinese New Year festivities was a two week holiday to Vietnam but Thailand won the race with a quick change of plan! I had maxed out my spending, I chose to leave the taxi fare to Pudong Airport for another day with a direct flight from my local airport, Ningbo Lishe. Don't ever let me reference that Zhejiang based airport as 'international' because for the foreseeable, she'll never be that type of girl! Spring Airlines were offering a direct service from Ningbo to Bangkok's 'older and further away' Don Mueang International Airport for a reasonable price. I booked with caution because I had envisaged my trip to Thailand to be with their national airline, Thai Airways. The lead up to that CNY holiday had been manic at work, the usual holiday preparation had been left for the night before my Bangkok flight. I had a notification in the early hours, the flight had a delay and I thought it was a bright idea to go later than planned. What was I thinking? I needed to fix up and get in that taxi, quick snap! Just why?

Panic set in with every traffic light stop, I was lucky that I made it for the standard check-in window. The airline had extended check-in for a small period, I didn't care that the aircraft was stuck in Changchun because my bag had been tagged and I had a boarding card! I didn't get why I had disregarded turning up at the usual time, I had worked in an airport during my university days and always pride myself as an organised traveller. I had to put that misjudgement down to experience, the delay had cancelled that poor choice out because I was able to return to my flat for a much needed bit of breakfast! I had to pinch myself that I was still on my way, I returned to the airport later on because China Customs weren't allowing passengers through on that flight until later on. Would my flight be arriving soon? How long would the delay actually be? I knew there and then, Spring Airlines would only be used for China bound domestic flights. Luck was on my side, a strange kind of luck it was, I wanted to arrive before evening because I had plans! 

Returning to the airport was a relaxing affair, I was still delayed but I wasn't in a state of panic. I had missed one of my students due to the delay, his mom told me that he asked why he didn't see me at the boarding gate? Poor lamb, I wanted to see his excited face! I had booked the lounge, the VIP Lounge on the international wing at Ningbo Airport is somewhat 'developing' with a living room-like presentation. Nevertheless, I swiped a few cans of Budweiser because they were needed, very much! I wasn't playing, I needed to be in those skies soon, Bangkok bound with Thai airspace in my sights! Boarding came finally, I had been tracking the inbound flight from Changchun, severe scheduling mishaps and a severe cold snap had screwed up the planned schedule for the mornings flight over to Bangkok Don Mueang. I got over the mornings events, it was time to finally get into the holiday mode with boarding on the horizon. Spring Airlines had been jarring, I knew that Thai Airways would be my choice for my return visit! Oh!

I had never been so relieved to be onboard a flight, I didn't even blame the energy from those misbehaving kids because even they deserved grace after that delay! The ground crew were unbothered and the cabin crew were another situation! In the skies and enroute to Bangkok, I could relax and watch 'Ginger's House' because without any IFE, I would need some visual entertainment for that five hour flight. If this sounds controversial then it is, I knew that with Thailand's visa-free stance for Chinese passport holders, that Ningbo budget airline resembled a 'Jet2' airline flight from Birmingham to Alicante. Earphones? What are they? Child, I don't need to hear your game! Visa-free or not, sort it out, bab! A different passenger base? Completely, when I fly from Shanghai Pudong International Airport for those international escapades, there's a difference with that passenger base without doubt! Flying in the cheap seats on a budget airline from a regional airport had been a whole choice! You know what? Silom awaited! 

After the mornings performance, all I wanted to do was drink the galley dry! Ningbo Airport doesn't even have a bar, I am talking about both the domestic and international wings. I asked the crew member if they had beer? I explained in both English and Chinese, I wasn't being funny because it was an international flight. Not a stitch of drink was onboard, I settled for an orange juice because vitamins are important? Beer is also nutritional! I wasn't best pleased! I had once scanned my 'AliPay' scan during a flight from Xi'an to Ningbo during 2023 but foreigners had been banned from using this service on that Spring Airlines flight. On way to an international holiday, I had cash on my person, I paid for my juice and basic meal with RMB notes. People want a cheap deal for a flight, I want to enjoy myself because by that point I am already on my holidays! I knew those first beers in Silom would be very much appreciated, I needed to make up for those shambles. Spring Airlines should stick to domestic, overseas travel requires service! 

Progress was being made, the flight had made it into Thai airspace at long last! How was my meal? I was so aeriated talking about the lack of refreshments, I didn't care to mention this. My simple pork meal with rice, it served a purpose, it didn't hit the spot but it kept me going. My pre-recorded shows took up a small portion of the flight, the rest I made doable with music because I just wanted to be off that plane! The dramas of the day had sent everyone into a sound slumber, the need for earphones disminished once the majority of the passengers had fallen into a collective slumber. I knew that I would need to have something to eat before boarding that return flight back to Ningbo! I'd probably load up on drinks in the lounge? That actually wasn't a bad idea because Ningbo didn't give me any choices, I landed into Don Mueang considerably delayed and feeling very sober indeed. Immigration was a dream, let me omit the reason for that ease because I'm not evil! I said '再见' to Spring Airlines' and 'สวัสดี' to Don Mueang Airport, ka!

The return flight came round before I knew it, I was in dis-belief because that outbound flight had been a legit mess! Check-in was fine, I allowed the tour groups to do their thing, I loved that the Thai check-in agents spoke Chinese. It was easy for them to keep their operation tight as those tour groups did their thing. Swerving that madness, I headed for the lounge for a few strong mixed drinks. The lounge gave me a class view of the apron, I saw my Spring aircraft dock at the gate. Sipping my potent drinks with trepidation, I had nothing to fear because I had done everything on-time in Bangkok. No delays were present, I made my way to the gate with a heaviness in my heart! I was on one, I needed another drink! Loading up my rucksack, I took on about 8 cans of Leo because no refreshments would impress me much onboard! Hush, that little boy needed to simmer down! I buckled up for the return flight to Ningbo, I just wanted to be home! I didn't want the cold back, though I knew it was home-time! Spring Airlines, not sorry! 

I was on one, I needed to be stopped! I popped open those cans of Leo like nobody's business and I did not care! I sat next to a teacher who had worked in China for 18 years, for me I am almost on my 8th professional year but I can speak Chinese. OK, my language ability took a hit since I spent three years in England during the Pandemic, I do know how to navigate my way around the language at least. I was buzzed, the beer had me vile, I was horrified that someone could shield themselves from the host country's language. I have been in the streets, learning language from the city, it was a culminative of emotions but I was not impressed! Immigration had me pulling out those Mandarin skills, I practiced what I preached in that moment! I had enjoyed every facet of Thailand, I just wanted my stamp and access to walk across the border! Those immigration officers were sick of me, stamped in I was though! Those foreigners were doing too much! Sure, Spring Airlines needs to only be my domestic link, not an overseas thing! 

春秋航空... Never again!

Desperately Seeking Adventure