To begin, the image below is from the cartoon The Oatmeal. He, like Richard Branson, appears to be on the same wavelength with your Talking Travel writer when it comes to the need for reform of air travel.
Never a dull moment here at the Talking Travel desk. News reports earlier this week indicated that increased air delays can be expected throughout eastern China until August 15. If anyone’s flying between Beijing and Shanghai or similar destinations, I have to ask, why? Why roll the dice on an on-time arrival, when even the slightest hint of rain, so common this time of year all along that corridor, or the mere threat of air force activity will keep you on the round for hours? Don’t do it. Take the train. Really. It’s the best part of domestic travel in China.
Congratulations to Cathay Pacific Airlines on being named the World’s Best Airline 2014, for the fourth time in 11 years. I mention this because high-quality air travel is one of the benefits of living in Asia. Between Asian airlines like Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, with a little competition from Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates, we’re reasonably spoiled. In any case, you can get to Hong Kong from Beijing on Cathay Pacific (actually most of the flights are on Cathay’s sister carrier, Dragonair) during the second half of August for RMB 2,135, including tax. That’s a good deal that I’m going to be using, inshallah. Sure, Hong Kong is hotter than hell then and it’s typhoon season, but it might just be worth it.
By the way, Air China has delayed adding a planned fourth weekly flight to Pyongyang until August 31. DAMMIT! The outcry from aid workers and journalists will be negligibly deafening.
‘Til the next blog, one road flat safe.
This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on July 24, 2014.
Photos: The Beijinger
