Flight Details
- Airline: Air China
- Class: Business
- Route: Shanghai (SHA) to Beijing (PEK)
- Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Today, we are taking a literal step back in time. I booked a business class ticket on a domestic flight in China to experience a true living legend: the oldest active passenger aircraft in the country. This isn’t just any aging widebody; this specific Air China Boeing 747-400 served as China’s “Air Force One” for decades, and it is the exact plane that chartered North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Singapore for his historic summit with President Trump.
With the golden age of aviation rapidly drawing to a close and 747-400 passenger fleets almost entirely extinct, getting to fly on the upper deck of this historic jumbo jet was an absolute dream come true.
Ground Experience & A Power Bank Stand-off
My morning began at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Checking in for a premium domestic flight in China is an absolute elite experience, far outclassing what you typically receive on domestic routes in Europe or the United States. The check-in agent was incredibly efficient and managed to secure exactly what every aviation geek covets: an upper-deck window seat.
Security in China is notoriously strict, particularly regarding lithium batteries and power banks. The security agent flagged my power banks, looking for a specific regulatory stamp. When she asked if they were made in Japan, I cheekily replied, “No, they are made in China. Are you saying made in China is not safe?” Caught off guard, she smiled, made a very rare exception to the rigid local rules, and handed them back to me.
Cabin & Seat Comfort
Walking through the boarding gate and catching sight of the iconic hump of the Queen of the Skies never fails to put a massive smile on my face.. Stepping onboard, I made a sharp left turn to climb the legendary 747 jumbo staircase straight up to the quiet sanctuary of the upper deck.
The upper deck cabin features an intimate 2-2 configuration. Air China has only two 747-400s left in their active fleet, and it feels like a total time capsule. The seats haven’t been refurbished in what looks like 31 years, giving off an incredibly old-school, nostalgic, and classic charm.
Down on the main deck, the nose section houses the vintage First Class cabin. The seats are generation-old angled flatbeds. While they are undoubtedly outdated by modern standards, they are wonderfully comfortable, wide, and thick. The ultimate highlight of the retro cabin? The lavatory still features a fully intact, built-in vintage metal ashtray from the 1990s.
In-Flight Service & Catering
Despite this being a relatively short, one-hour domestic hop to Beijing, the premium service was flawless. Prior to pushback, the lovely crew took my meal order and offered to save my flight logbook until the end of the trip to fill it out.
For lunch, passengers had a choice between dumplings or mushroom noodles. I opted for the noodles, which arrived beautifully presented and absolutely packed with delicious mushrooms. Eating a hot, high-quality meal on the upper deck of a 747 while cruising over China is an unmatched experience. It is a stark reminder of just how superior domestic premium travel is here compared to Western legacy airlines.
Arrival in Beijing
All too soon, the majestic Queen started its descent into Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). Walking off the aircraft, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. Not only did I get to fly an endangered aviation icon, but I can officially say Kim Jong-un and I have shared the same seat!
Beijing Capital Airport even features a fantastic, transparent service touch at the baggage claim: they have a screen showing live video footage of the ground crew unloading your luggage in real-time while you wait.
The Verdict
This flight was pure aviation magic. Air China delivers an excellent domestic business class product, but the real star of the show is the aircraft itself. If you want to experience the peak of 1990s luxury and fly onboard a literal piece of geopolitical history before it’s retired forever, track down one of Air China’s remaining domestic 747-400 flights.
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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!
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About the Author
Josh Cahill is an award-winning Aviation YouTuber who is reportedly one of the most-watched flight reviewers on the internet. He organised Afghanistan’s first all-female flight together with Kam Air in February 2021 on a flight from Herat to Kabul for which he received the Aviation Achievement Award. His favourite hobby? Flying exotic airlines nobody has ever heard of.
