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

SGN PEK
Departing Airport Ho Chi Minh International Airport
Arrival Airport Beijing International Airport
Flight Carrier Air China
Aircraft Boeing 737
Cabin Class Business Class
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Ho Chi Minh International Airport
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To the point Discover our photo report of the Apricot Lounge and the Air China flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing 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.

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cab to Ho Chi Minh City airport

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.

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not many stores open at this time

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

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the big Sunday morning crowd

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.

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view of the apricot lounge at Ho Chi Minh City airport
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buffet
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the restaurant area with tables
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buffet
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buffet
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a simple breakfast for me
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the lounge area

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.

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boarding room
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our plane, an Air China 737-800
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boarding gate

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.

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seat in the Air China Boeing 737
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Business class cabin in Air China’s Boeing 737
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a blanket and slippers are distributed
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the seat is not very young anymore …
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limited comfort
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hot towel distributed before takeoff
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no personal IFE in this plane 🙁
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breakfast is served
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limited spotting

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.

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Beijing suburb
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buildings in the suburbs of 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.

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