Anyone taken the Shanghai-London flight recently?

Hi All-

I am debating between booking PE and UC for my upcoming Shanghai-London (one-way) trip. It's a daytime flight, so I think I would be happy in PE, but since it is quite a long journey, I am considering the extra miles for UC.

However, I don't need the extra luggage allowance and I already have lounge access. I have only flown UC on the new A333, so I don't know how the UC on A346 compares (though I hear it's better).

Anyways, just wanted to see if any of you fine folks had flown the route recently and had any thoughts/experiences etc?

Best,

Gabrca

Done this route many times and as mileage upgrades are plentiful UC it has to be, to me it's a very long journey, A346 is my favourite aircraft and you should enjoy the experience, but note this route is regularly serviced by the A343.
The shared lounge is terrible with "western" snacks and alcohol only arriving as you are departing -- if you have access to the Priority Pass lounge it is way superior with overhead views of VS departure gate so you can monitor when to head down
Enjoy Shanghai --- I always make use of that extra luggage allowance

I agree, also having it done it many times. PE is nice, but UC is worth the effort

Go Upper Class and spend your miles; the only 346-300 is about to be retired but this one does have video on demand and is fine should you be on it

The 346 is a good plane but will be replaced in June by the 787-9

As with the above, the lounge at PVG is poor but it is better than waiting in an aircraft hanger of a building

If you have the miles to spare, go for UC.

I haven't flown it yet, but we will be in May. Due to the length of the flight, the brevity of our stay (just 5 nights), and the fact that UC upgrades were so readily available, we opted to upgrade inbound and outbound.

Thanks all for the replies.


I agree with the consensus, for the extra 15k miles (above PE), I think it is worth it for UC.

What is the general thoughts on the A346 when compared to the A333? I know the "Dream Suite" has been much criticized (and I agree with that), but having never flown the A346, I can't expect it to be "that" different.

International Hitman: Thanks for the advice about the priority pass lounge, someone else also suggested that! Maybe I'll take use of the extra allowance to bring goodies back for friends, though I can't stand Shanghai's fake markets anymore! Too much headache


Cheers,

Gabrca