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Take a First Look Inside China Eastern's Brand New A350

Dec. 05, 2018
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2 min read
China Eastern Business Class Air Living Room
Take a First Look Inside China Eastern's Brand New A350
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Just days after China Eastern Airlines took delivery of its first of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, photos of its interior have surfaced. What's behind the door? At first blush, it looks a heck of a lot like Delta's A350, albeit in a different hue.

China Eastern Business Class Air Living Room
China Eastern's new A350 interior (Photo courtesy of China Eastern Airlines)

Images show what appear to be Thompson Vantage XL seats as found on South African, Qantas and RwandAir, replete with sliding doors as seen on Delta One Suites. The bulkhead row is quite unique, as the "Air Living Room" has a couple of tray tables that pop out and enable four people to sit together for meeting purposes.

China Eastern Business Class Cabin
(Photo courtesy of Airbus)

It doesn't appear that China Eastern is prescribing that front row as its own cabin, but it may end up charging extra for it given the added capabilities. It's been dubbed a "super business" product, offering passengers access to storage lockers, AC power outlets and three point seatbelts. Per China Eastern: "The two premium business class seats in the middle row are also foldable, allowing flight crew to reshape the space into a community area that up to four people can comfortably use for a business meeting or family gathering."

The company will receive two more A350-900 aircraft this year, with the last of the 20 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2022. The first A350-900 will launch its maiden flight from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on Tuesday. The plane will gradually be used to fly routes to "other major destinations" including Guangzhou (CAN) and Chengdu (CTU). Its international long-haul routes from Shanghai to Europe, Australia and North America will begin in Jan. 2019.

H/T: One Mile at a Time

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  • 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.