!!To be able to see this page correctly, you need to have Flash player 7 or higher installed!!
Please click here to start installing the player.
Please click here to start installing the player.
China in comfort
November 2007
Joseph Baron, International Trade Today
If the figures are to be believed, travel to China is really going to take off – pardon the pun – in the next few years. And it won’t be just in business trips either. According to the strategic forecast released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China will become the largest inbound destination and the fourth largest outbound tourist country by the year of 2020. The total tourism income will be more than £217m, between eight to 10 per cent of China's gross domestic product for that year, and the number of inbound tourists will reach 210 million.
Air travel in China has already jumped by more than 95 per cent over the past five years and the country is set to become the world’s second biggest civil aviation market huge increase in demand, China is expected to require 1,600 new aircraft by 2020, and a report by Dublin-based Research & Markets into airport financing for Asia Pacific says that between 2006 and 2010 the country will have 108 new airports.
China is now even looking into building its own jumbo aircraft in a bid to cater for a booming aviation industry. Initially, its target would be the domestic market, but, later, it would hope to compete with Boeing and Airbus on the international front.
But it’s not just the aviation industry that is undergoing radical change – so is the hotel sector. The China National Tourism Administration announced earlier this year nearly doubled in five years (12,930 last year from 7,358 in 2001).
When money is no object
Mr Jones is a lucky man. His export/import business in China has been doing rather well lately, and his company has said that – as a reward – for his next meeting (23 October) he can travel first class.
So what direct flights are available from London to Shanghai or Beijing, when money is no object?
AIR CHINA
First class travellers are offered a chauffeur service within 50 miles of Heathrow, with a fast track straight into the executive lounge.
As he boards, a champagne welcome awaits Mr Jones from crew members said to be ‘discreet but attentive’.
Facilities include silver service cuisine, a 72-inch seat-pitch, telephone/fax, newspapers, personal television screen, excellent wines, hot towels.
There is also a 50 per cent discount on certain domestic travel within China (when booked with Air China), not to mention a generous 40kg luggage allowance.
Heathrow to Beijing: £4,271,10, including taxes. Flying out: Sunday 21 October (20:25), arrive 22 October (13:35); return, 24 October (arrive 17:50).
Heathrow to Shanghai: The online system did not provide direct flights. The only quote Mr Jones could manage was via Beijing, at £4,512.30 (on the same dates as above).
BRITISH AIRWAYS
‘A haven of calm, comfort and refinement to escape and relax’ is what is promised by British Airways. First class passengers need not queue to check in their luggage, and, instead, can slip straight into a first class lounge at Heathrow, a ‘perfect sanctuary away from the world’, where they can enjoy waiter service dining for maximising sleep time during the flight. Or they could make time for a complimentary treatment in the Molton-Brown Travel Spa. Onboard, six-foot-six beds offer ‘exceptional levels of space and seclusion’. Under the ‘turndown service’, a bed made with cotton sheets, plump pillow and duvet is individually prepared. Naturally, first class passengers can enjoy an a la carte menu whenever they wish.
And where would Mr Jones be without freebies? BA will provide him with a pair of luxury velvet slippers and a specially-designed sleeper suit, as well as a stylish Anya Hindmarch washbag containing selected products to help him get ready for bed and to freshen up in the morning.
Heathrow to Beijing: £6,518, including £191.30 taxes. Flying out: 20 October (16:35), arrive 21 October (09:35); return, depart 24 October (07:25), arrive 24 October (11:15).
Heathrow to Shanghai Pu Dong: £7,078.30, including £191.30 taxes. Outbound : 21 October (13:55) arriving 07:59 on the 22 October; return, 25 October (no flight on the 24) 11:00, arriving 16:05 same day.
CHINA EASTERN
China Eastern Airlines, says its marketing people, has created the world's most exclusive first class cabin offering superior levels of privacy and comfort.
Upholstered in leather and trimmed with burr wood, the ‘premiuMUnit’ – read ‘seat’ – can recline to any angle, including a completely flat bed. As with British Airways, fresh bed linens and a down-filled duvet are provided with a tailored turn-down service, which includes pyjamas, soft eye-shades and terrycloth socks.
The premiuMUnit is also equipped with a laptop power supply source that can be used with the appropriate adaptor.
The China Eastern Media Panel has four options: MUcinema, MUcdplayer, MUTVstation and MUshow can be individually selected via the personal screen facing each seat. The choice includes 100 video options with 30 cinema films in up to eight languages, 30 television programmes, 170 CDs, a selection of audio books, 23 radio programmes with many international channels, games of skill, action games, board games and strategy games as well as 11 language courses.
Heathrow to Shanghai Pu Dong: £2,075, including £165 taxes. Flying out: 21 October (21:20), arrival 22 October (15:45); return, 25 October (no flight 24th) 13:30, arrive 25 October (18:56).
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
First class passengers get a chauffeur-driven car to Heathrow, then via Drive Thru Check In, they are taken straight into the Clubhouse. If the idea of your carbon footprint makes you feel guilty, you can trade in the chauffeur for a first class Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express train ticket.
Billed as the longest fully flat bed in business class, the Upper Class Suite will allow Mr Jones to work, relax or sleep in complete comfort – and it comes with an integral ottoman that doubles up as a seat for guests. An in-seat power service provides to more than 700 different laptop models, and the Gaming Pack supports a full range of iPods and the Sony PSP (power leads for selected Apple iPods are also available).
Onboard facilities include massages, entertainment on a 10.4 inch wide screen television and an onboard bar that even provides bacon sandwiches to go with Mr Jones’ choice of drinks.
First class passengers also receive an ‘Upper Class Snooze Pack’, which includes toothbrush and toothpaste, eyeshades, socks and earplugs, all contained in a handy shoe bag, and cabin crew also offer additional items, including Polo mints, Upper Class pens, razors, and shaving cream, moisturiser and lip balm.
Heathrow to Shanghai Pu Dong: £4,460.10, upper class flexible, including £191.10 taxes. Flying out: 21 October (14:30), arrive 22 October (08:45); return, 24 October (10:55), arrive, 24 October (16:15).
