China Eastern Airlines is indeed a well kept secret. Not only is it very competitively priced but its excellent service and comfortable Combined First and Business Class and almost fully reclining capsule seating make for very a pleasant nine (or so) hour journey from Sydney to Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. An additional bonus is that the airlines shares the Sydney Qantas Business Lounge which is a very pleasant place to while away time before our departure and of course toast our travels. Which we always do. And always enjoy very much.

The flight (MU562) is very convenient, leaving Kingsford Smith International Airport, Sydney at midday and arriving at Pudong International Aiport, Shanghai at 7.20 pm. For us, China is not only a fascinating destination but also serves as a most convenient base for our travels into Central Asia, the Indo-Pak Continent and the Middle East. Furthermore, we always use Shanghai as a pleasant destination to spend a few days for R and R before we return home to Australia.

China Eastern Airlines has come a very long way in a very short time. We often recall our first flight with China Eastern in 2004. In those days First and Business Class were separated. Business Class had very few passengers (virtually no foreigners like us) but First Class was brimming full of drably clad, Mao suited government officials and/or Communist Party cadres. Service was very friendly but the staff spoke very little English. We laugh now that when we asked for a glass of champagne it caused a deal of concern for our flight attendant who told us she would have to obtain a bottle from First Class. Luckily for us the officials didn't drink champagne as there was one bottle and rather than being chilled, it was actually very warm. And it was served in liqueur glasses! Needless to say, we had to ask for several glasses before the lovely but slightly exasperated attendant finally gave us the whole bottle. "Were we celebrating something special?' she asked. I was rather gob smacked trying to think of a suitable reply but thankfully Alan quickly replied "Yes, we are celebrating our very first visit to your city of Shanghai!" She looked pleased, if rather baffled, and we happily finished the bottle of now very flat and warm champagne.  
 
Service with China Eastern is now very sophisticated and as usual we thoroughly enjoyed our journey. The flight follows a wonderful path over central Australia, leaving the Northern Territory over the Gulf of Carpentaria, then flying north to Asia. Aerial views of the Channel Country and Gulf coastline were simply spectacular. In the late afternoon light it was still possible to see numerous delightful small, sand fringed islands and the intricate coastline of Indonesia; the flight then passing over the distinctive island of Sulawesi (Celebes) and the Sulu Sea toward Shanghai. 

Pudong Airport has dramatically improved also since our first flights in the early 2000's. Once almost a third world style airport with confusing and often very frustrating bureaucratic procedures, unhelpful and ill mannered staff and a nightmare in finding a genuine taxi, this now lovely and attractive airport is very efficient. Thankfully, taxi stands are now always staffed and regulated. And unlike a former concerning incident in finding we had been shunted by so called officials into a privately run "taxi" in an underground parking lot and not a true taxi stand, there are now well organised queues and no obvious touts. 

Shanghai today is certainly part of the modern and materialistic world. Large signs advertising expensive designer goods such as Amani clothing, Longines watches and Dior perfumes literally cover the inside airport walls. We were interested also to see everywhere signs such as "Go for a Green Future" and "Stop Abusing Energy". We grinned inwardly. Indeed, we have seen over the years that China has implemented some truly mind boggling national environmental projects but the ubiquitous signage was more than a bit twee.

As usual the taxi ride to our hotel was at death defying speed through the seemingly never ending tangle of modern expressways. As we were flying out first thing the next morning from the (mostly) domestic terminal of Hongqiao to the the far north western city of Urumqi, for conveneience we were staying at the Howard Johnson Airport Hotel at Hongqiao. The taxi trip takes around 45 minutes from Pudong and costs about RMB 150. 

The Howard Johnson Hotel is truly beautiful and very close to the airport. It is luxuriously appointed and the staff and friendly and helpful. It also has a free airport shuttle bus. This is the second time we have used the hotel and at a very reasonable cost of AUS $84 per night, we would highly recommend the Howard Johnson for anyone wanting comfortable and convenient overnight accommodation close to Hongqiao Airport.