Never again / AVOID
I flew from Amsterdam to Shanghai with China Eastern Airlines and after visiting 70+ countries, it was my worst flight. Checking in online: Not possible via their official website. I had to check in via KLM and was unable to change my seats nor could I add a special meal for my 12 hours long flight. KLM did not have many options other than checking in as it was not their airline. Day of departure: I had an evening flight and in the morning, I received an e-mail informing me that my flight has been delayed for 1,5 hours. Check in at the airport: I went to check in at the airport to see if it was possible to change my seat for the second flight but they were unable to change it as KLM had no access to the seating of China Eastern flights. I could try at the gate as there would be someone there from the airline. Gate: Arriving at the gate, I took the boarding pass of my partner to see if it was possible to add a special meal. We both knew it was too late but the airline did not allow us to book it online. The lady of KLM was very friendly and understanding. The ladies of China Eastern were rude, disrespectful and cold. They shouted at me and made a comment that I should not carry the boarding pass with me of someone else. When I simply asked what kind of food is served during the flight, I got the cold answer of '' we have no idea!! Go ask cabin crew, that is not us!! '' I know other airlines inform the meal choices during checking in online to see if you need a special meal or not. The rude behavior of the airline was my first real impression after a 1,5h delay - the passengers should be angry, not the airline. Boarding: Boarding was super messy - suddenly we all had to approach the counter to check our documents and go back in line. Once arriving in the plane, we tried to put our luggage in the compartment above our heads which is normal? The flight attendant rudely took my backpack and threw it on the other side saying we should put it there. When my partner followed her advice by putting his suitcase exactly there, she shouted at him for not putting his suitcase on the other side (the place I put my backpack at first which was wrong in her eyes). There was no warm welcome, no apologies of the delay were ever made by the airline at any moment of the flight. Flight: The seats were horrible - there is something down which makes your lower back being pushed more forward than the rest of your back - very uncomfortable. I was unable to stand up during the flight because of the sharp pain in my back. After landing, I felt like I was unable to stand up due to the pain - let alone taking my backpack from the compartment above my head. Meal: As I had no special meal, I could not take any meat option and was left with the side dishes. The flight attendant did not understand much English but gave me 3 slices of apple, a lost slice of pineapple and some dry lettuce. For a 12 hours flight, it is nothing. Overall, I would never fly with them again due to: - Unable to check in directly on the website of the airline - Unable to book a special meal, nor change seats - Cold, unfriendly staff at the gate / cabin crew - Worst seats I have encountered - Not being able to eat much during the flight