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Air China Finally Has a Plane With 1-2-1 Business Class

Aug. 08, 2018
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3 min read
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Many frequent travelers seem to have a bit of a love affair going with the A350. The latest Airbus jet sports a bundle of passenger-friendly enhancements, in addition to some of the industry's best airline products, from Qatar's outstanding Qsuite business class to the new and improved Delta One.

The A350 is now flying with Asiana, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta, Ethiopian, Finnair, Iberia, LATAM, Lufthansa, Philippine Airlines, Qatar, Singapore, Thai and Vietnam — and, as of this week, the A350-900 has now made its way to Air China's fleet as well.

Let's take a look inside...

Business Class

While Air China offers an uncompetitive 2-2-2 business-class product on its 747-8s and 777-300ERs, it opted to go with a 1-2-1 arrangement on the A350-900, the shorter of the two versions of the plane (the A350-1000 seats roughly 50 more.)

There are a total of 32 business seats, located in one long cabin.

It's the same B/E Aerospace Super Diamond seat you'll find on American Airlines' 787 Dreamliners, and select retrofitted 777-200ERs.

Overall, it's a huge improvement over the old product.

Premium Economy

This is also the first Air China plane to offer a true premium-economy seat.

There are 24 onboard, arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration and spread between three rows.

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It looks to be the exact same seat you'll find on US carriers, including American, Delta and United, though the finish is slightly different, of course.

Like with its US-based counterparts, Air China's premium-economy seat offers extra recline, in addition to a fold-out leg rest.

Economy Cabin

Just behind that small premium cabin, you'll find two cabins of economy.

There are a total of 256 seats here, arranged in the standard 3-3-3.

How to Fly Air China's A350

Air China's first A350 is expected to enter service next Tuesday, August 14, though the carrier has only confirmed a few domestic routes for now. Initially, the A350s will fly daily from Beijing (PEK) to Chengdu (CTU) beginning August 15, and to Guangzhou (CAN) and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) beginning September 3.

Fares between Beijing and Shanghai are most affordable, at $191 one-way for economy and premium economy, or $698 for business class. You can also save a bit by booking through CTrip — economy drops to $147 each way, while you'll pay $626 for biz.

Award availability is decent as well — booked through United MileagePlus, one-way awards start at 8,000 miles in economy or 22,500 in business class.

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.