China Eastern is a member of SkyTeam and points for its Eastern Miles scheme can also be earned and redeemed on partner airlines, including Air France, Vietnam Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas. Qantas frequent flyers can earn points on codeshare flights with China Eastern.

The seat

China Eastern’s no-frills interior.

China Eastern’s no-frills interior.Credit: Mason Wang

Economy configuration is 3-3-3. Seat width is 17.3 inches (43.9 centimetres) with a pitch of 31 inches (78.7 centimetres). I’m in a middle seat 10 rows from the back, which isn’t exactly a lottery winner, but the legroom feels good, my knees have space to move and I can easily slip my legs in under the seat in front.

Entertainment + tech

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Movie classifications range from Hollywood to kids, comedy and international, though each one is just a shuffled version of the 39 “new hits” movies – “new” in this case meaning anything from Elvis (2022) to Hunger Games (2012). The selection of English-language films is skewed largely towards the interest of kids – a collection of Wonkas, Trolls and Space Jams – while there’s an equally prosaic selection of TV shows (unless you’re a fan of canned Just for Laughs or three random episodes of All Creatures Great and Small). Luckily, I brought reading material. Seats have a USB port beneath the screen, and there’s free Wi-Fi on board, though I’m unable to connect to it.

Service

Past the solemn, unsmiling safety video and the unusual welcome-aboard of an announcement about fines or arrest for the likes of “cabin disruption”, service is unobtrusive and gentle and can’t be faulted. There’s even a touch of yesteryear airline hospitality, with attendants noting the seat numbers of those who slumber through breakfast in order to return with the meal later.

Food

With a 9.30pm departure, the flight includes two meals – a late dinner and breakfast. The former is a simple but tasty sliced beef and rice dish (or chicken and tomato), though it’s an alcohol-free serving. Breakfast is a choice between an omelette and “hot noodles”, which taste remarkably like a lightly spiced bolognaise. It’s unfussy but tasty again.

Carbon emissions

In economy, rated at 0.46 tonnes. China Eastern has not declared any emissions-reduction targets.

One more thing

In July 2024, short-term visa requirements were scrapped for Australians entering China. Visas are no longer required for visits of up to 15 days.

The price

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From $1620 return for economy.* See oa.ceair.com/au

The verdict

If your goal is to get to Shanghai simply and easily, or reach Europe on a budget, this no-frills flight through the night is spot on. Just come expecting to entertain yourself. Or sleep.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer travelled as a guest of UTracks. See utracks.com

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.

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