H ad I known about the cancellation of the flight from Shanghai to Manila with enough advance notice, I could have slept later that morning at my hotel room in Seoul and caught a flight to Shanghai later that day — but I had already checked out of the hotel property and was at Incheon International Airport, so I decided to take the morning flight on which I was already originally booked from Seoul to Shanghai on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft operated by China Eastern Airlines, which lasted fewer than two hours.
While awaiting the boarding of the aircraft at the gate, I had just enough time to quickly book a hotel room in Shanghai, where I had to stay overnight due to the change in my itinerary instead of staying overnight in Manila the following night. I was fortunately able to cancel my reservation for a room at the hotel property in Manila, since I would only be there for just the day.
I boarded the aircraft and found the window seat to which I was assigned, which had a blanket awaiting my arrival.
Due to the way the seat was shaped, I have to say that of all of the airplane seats in which I have sat during my trip around the world which was unintentional, this economy class seat was the most comfortable of all of them, as there was ample room for my legs. The back of the seat in front of me was equipped with a fold-away cup holder. The aircraft seemed to be clean and maintained well.
Unfortunately, I once again had a view of the wing; but the view was only partially obstructed. I was all right with that.
Not long after departure — which was on time — it was time for breakfast.
The only thing I did not eat was that mystery meat; but I did enjoy the food, as I prefer this kind of meal for breakfast over most of the typically offerings which usually comprises an American breakfast.
I had no idea what protein was included on top of the rice — but it was quite tasty; and the sauce was mildly spicy. Had I noticed the cup of Korean hot pepper paste in time, I would have used some of it on the rice; but it really did not need it.
The salad underneath the mystery meat was some kind of crunchy apple celery corn something or other; and the roll was still rather fresh in taste and texture. Butter from New Zealand was on the tray for the roll. There was a sealed cup of Sunup orange juice, which was good but not great, as it will not replace freshly-squeezed orange juice anytime soon, in my opinion.
The service from the flight crew was fine, albeit rather robotic and precise.
Overall, it was a good and uneventful flight. If you plan on flying as a passenger from Seoul to Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines is a viable option worth considering.
