Shanghai American Dallas Shanghai –
I returned to Shanghai for my second visit and have put together the following trip report:
- Shanghai Trip Report – Intro
- Shanghai Trip Report – Minneapolis to Dallas
- Shanghai Trip Report – Admiral’s Club at DFW – D
- Shanghai Trip Report – Dallas to Shanghai
- Shanghai Trip Report – Grand Hyatt Shanghai
- Shanghai Trip Report – Sightseeing in Shanghai
- Shanghai Trip Report – VIP Lounge Shanghai
- Shanghai Trip Report – Air China First Class Lounge
- Shanghai Trip Report – Shanghai to Dallas
- Shanghai Trip Report – Hyatt Regency DFW Airport
- Shanghai Trip Report – Admiral’s Club DFW C
- Shanghai Trip Report – Dallas to Minneapolis
Shanghai Trip Report – American Dallas to Shanghai –
Date: Friday, April 15, 2016
Flight: American Airlines 127
From: Dallas Fort Worth – DFW
To: Shanghai – PVG
Aircraft: B787
Seat: 8C
I used Allied Passport to obtain a 10-year visa for China. They are an excellent company and they are offering readers of my blog a $5 discount for applying via my link.
My flight to Shanghai was on the Dreamliner aircraft. I was excited for another flight on the excellent airplane as it has a great entertainment system and is comfortable.
I was listed for an upgrade request and was assigned #2 of 9 for zero seats.
I approached the gate area after boarding had begin. The majority of the passengers were already on board when I joined the line.
When I reached the gate agent, the colleague welcomed me and asked me to scan boarding pass from my phone. Once I scanned it and showed her my passport, she thanked me and asked me to board.
I entered the jetway and there were only a few people waiting in line. A flight attendant was present at the door and he asked me for my seat number. After I showed him my boarding pass he informed me to turn right.
I was assigned a Main Cabin Extra seat at the front of the economy cabin.
I located my seat and found that it was comfortable and it was a standard economy seat. The seat featured a AC outlet as well as USB power. Because it was in the first row, the video screen was located in between the seats along with the tray table.
A package containing a pillow and blanket was placed on the seat when I arrived. The overhead bin above my seat was still open so I was able to store my backpack there.
The boarding process completed shortly after I arrived on the plane. The flight attendants made a number of announcements. One of them was about a birthday and the flight attendants asked everyone to sing happy birthday. They sang the song in English and Chinese.
After the door was closed, there was about 10 minutes before the plane pushed back from the gate. Once the plane started pushing back, the flight attendants showed the safety video and they made a few announcements prior to departure.
The Captain also greeted the passengers and he welcomed everyone and he provided information on the flight. He said that the flight would be about 15 hours in the air. He encouraged guests to follow the flights path on the video screens.
The taxi was short and we were up in the air within 10 minutes of pushing back from the gate. The flight departed on time.
Once in the air, the Captain made another announcement as well as the flight attendants. All the announcements were in both English and Chinese.
After the plane reached a cruising altitude a short video was played regarding the service available on the flight including information about the WiFi internet access. I did not use the WiFi during the flight.
A flight attendant approached my seat and offered a towel. The towel was warm and it was soft.
After the towels were picked up, the flight attendants approached my seat offering a beverage. I requested orange juice. The flight attendant thanked me and she also provide a small package of pretzels along with the juice.
The orange juice was served with ice. The orange juice had a good flavor.
A few minutes later, another flight attendant approached my row and offered a choice between Chicken with Potatoes or Pork with Rice. I requested the pork option. The flight attendant thanked me and she presented a tray. The flight attendant also offered a beverage. I requested white wine. The flight attendant thanked me and she provided a cup of white wine and she asked me to enjoy.
The tray was setup with the pork dish as well as a small salad, edamame, bread and a brownie.
The pork was served hot. The pork was served in sweet sauce and it had a good flavor. The dish was served with rice that was cooked with vegetables. The rice was fresh and had a good flavor. The salad consisted of a mixture of lettuce and a few vegetables. The vegetables were fresh and was served chilled. A small container of a creamy dressing was provided. The dressing had a good taste. The edamame was served chilled and it had a good flavor. It was served with small pieces of pickled ginger. Thee ginger was fresh. The bread was served warm but it was slightly dry. The brownie was served chilled and it was sweet and fresh and had a good taste.
A flight attendant returned to remove the used trays and she thanked me when she pricked up mine.
Another flight attendant followed and offered another beverage. I declined at that time and she thanked me.
I relaxed at my seat and watched a movie. The touch screen functioned well and it was responsive to my fingers manipulating it. There was around 100 different movie options as well as a variety of television shows, music and games. The video and quality was excellent. The remote control at the seat was also easy to use and it responded well to the touch.
At the middle of the aircraft, near the restrooms, a station with beverages as well as snacks was available. The station was clean. Chips and pretzels were offered as well as water, soda and milk.
The flight attendants were noted to circulate the cabin every 30 minutes or so during the flight.
After the meal service was complete, the flight attendants dimmed the lights and they adjusted the windows to allow the passengers to sleep.
I worked on my computer for a while after I watched the movie. I also did some reading of my book while I was at the seat. In addition, I walked around the cabin a few times.
When I went on my walk, I noted that the economy cabin was nearly full; however, it appeared the last row was open and the flight attendants were using that for rest.
I attempted to sleep for a while so I reclined my seat and relaxed.
When I woke up, the flight attendants were in the aisle offering a small snack box and a cup of gelato.
A few minutes later, a flight attendant approached my seat and offered a beverage. I requested tomato juice. The flight attendant provided it and thanked me.
The snack consisted of a ham and cheese sandwich on a white bun. The bread was fresh and the ham and cheese had a good taste. The sandwich was served with a snack mix. The snack mix was fresh and it had a good taste. The gelato was served chilled. The gelato was fresh and it was light in flavor and was sweet.
The flight attendants returned to my seat and offered to remove the snack box and cups. I accepted and they thanked me.
About an hour and 30 minutes prior to landing, the flight attendants changed the color on the lights to red and they slowly turned on the overhead lights.
Within a few minutes the flight attendants returned to the aisle and offered a choice between Chicken with Rice or an Egg Sandwich for breakfast. I requested the chicken with rice. The flight attendant presented it and she offered a choice of a beverage. I requested a Coca-Cola Classic. The flight attendant provided the soda as well as a glass of ice.
The breakfast was served hot. The dish consisted of a small tray of rice with vegetables on one side and the chicken in a tangy sauce on the other side. The chicken was tender and moist and it had a good flavor. The sauce was slightly sweet. The rice was fresh and it had a good taste. The portion size was medium. The dish was served with a small fruit plate on the side. The fruit was served chilled and three pieces of cut fruit were provided. The fruit had a good taste.
The Coca-Cola was fresh and it had a good taste and flavor.
After I finished my meal, a flight attendant offered to remove the dishes. I accepted and she thanked me.
After the meal service was complete, the flight attendants distributed China immigration forms and they prepared the cabin for landing.
The Captain made an announcement about 30 minutes before landing.
The flight landed on time and then after about a 15-minute taxi, we pulled into a gate. A minute or two later, the door was opened and a gate agent made an announcement welcoming the passengers to China.
I exited the aircraft and two flight attendants thanked me and they wished me a good day.
I proceeded to the immigration area. There was a short line and within 15 minutes I exited the immigration and customs area and was in the main area.
The area was congested with people greeting and offering transportation services. I proceeded to the taxi are to get a taxi.
Summary –
I had another good experience on the Dreamliner on American Airlines. The colleagues were friendly and they provided efficient service. The aircraft was clean and comfortable. The food was good overall and the entertainment options were excellent. I looked forward to my return flight.