Ho Chi Minh City – Beijing flight review with Air China in Business Class

We begin the return journey towards Montreal with this regional flight between Saigon and Beijing.

It is very early this Sunday morning when we take a cab to go to the airport. On the way there we took an Uber because it is easier to avoid problems with fraudulent cabs. On the way back the hotel booked us a cab.

We present ourselves to the counter for the recording, few people at this hour, our flight being at 5:40 am the terminal is almost deserted.

We head to the back of the terminal to access the Apricot Lounge, an independent lounge accessible to Star Alliance airlines.

I admit that I was not expecting a great experience but I was pleasantly surprised. The lounge has a nice view of the tarmac, a decent offer and a pleasant setting.

In the meantime our boarding gate has changed and we have to join the other end of the terminal, a little sport before spending the day in plane.

The flight is on time, we embark in this rather old aircraft, the cabin makes think of the Airbus A320 of Air Canada with seats with the limited inclination.

The flight lasts a little less than 5 hours with a lot of turbulences because of the mountainous reliefs overflown according to the co-pilot crossed at the exit of the toilets. We arrive at the end of the morning in Beijing.

Bottom line

My first flight with Air China. Despite the limited comfort, I would have preferred a Boeing 777-200 which is operated on other regional routes but it was not a disaster as the service was good. The continuation with the Air China lounge in Beijing and the flight to Montreal.