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My Juneyao Airlines Experience: Europe to Vietnam via Shanghai
Last year, I flew from Europe to Ho Chi Minh City with Juneyao Airlines. The ticket price was surprisingly affordable compared to other airlines, especially during the peak season. I couldn't find many reviews beforehand, so I was a bit apprehensive. However, the flight turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and I wanted to share my experience in case it helps others planning a similar trip. Please note, this is just my personal experience from one journey consisting of two legs: Athens to Shanghai, and Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City.
What I Liked: The Pros
- Easy Online Booking: The Juneyao Airlines website was straightforward to use for booking my flights.
- Smooth Check-In: The check-in counter was not crowded, and the staff were friendly and helpful, making the process quick and easy.
- Generous Baggage Allowance: The ticket included a generous allowance of two checked bags, each weighing up to 23kg.
- Hassle-Free Baggage Transfer: My luggage was checked through to my final destination, which meant I could explore Shanghai with just my carry-on luggage after getting a 24-hour visa (plenty of information available online about the process, it's quite straightforward).
- Free Layover Hotel: After booking, I emailed Juneyao Airlines to request a complimentary hotel during my layover. They responded within a day with hotel details. They even arranged free airport transfers to and from the hotel.
- Seamless Transfers: I was provided with information regarding the vehicle and exit gate.
- Unexpected Perks at the Hotel: Upon arriving at the hotel around 9 PM, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could enjoy a complimentary breakfast. While the food was basic, it was a welcome meal after a long journey, especially since there were limited dining options near the airport hotel. Alternatively, save your appetite for Shanghai.
- Comfortable Hotel: The 4-star hotel room was spacious and well-appointed. I had requested twin beds via email, and this was accommodated.
- Easy Access to Shanghai: The hotel or airport is approximately 40-45km from Shanghai's city center. I opted for a taxi for convenience, and it was quite affordable. Note that payments are primarily made via Alipay. You can purchase an e-sim through online retailers and activate it upon arrival at the airport.
- Comfortable Flights: The aircraft felt large and spacious, with ample legroom, perhaps even a bit more than I've experienced on Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates or Qatar. The cabin crew were friendly, although their English proficiency was limited. The flight was delayed by about 30 minutes due to security checks, and the staff couldn't explain the reason. If your flight is delayed, email or call the driver to advise them of the new arrival time. Alternatively, a taxi is a quick 10-minute ride away.
- Decent In-Flight Meals: The food served onboard was on par with other airlines.
- Useful Amenities: The airline provided headphones (which you could keep) and 20 minutes of complimentary Wi-Fi, allowing me to contact my driver about the flight delay and confirm my new pickup time while still on the plane.
- Excellent Customer Service: In a truly remarkable experience, a friend accidentally left their phone on the plane. After contacting the airline six hours later, they confirmed that the phone had been found and would be held at the counter for collection upon their return flight. This demonstrated a high level of integrity and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Areas for Improvement: The Cons
- Inconvenient Flight Connections: The flight from Athens had a long layover in Shanghai (around 16-17 hours) as there weren't any convenient connecting flights to Vietnam. However, I took advantage of this by obtaining a free 24-hour visa and exploring Shanghai. Arriving around 6-7 AM and departing late at night gave me a full day to experience the city.
- Limited English Proficiency: While the check-in staff spoke English well, most other employees, including flight attendants and call center staff, had limited English skills. Even when selecting the English option on the phone, it took several attempts to find someone who could communicate effectively, and even then, their English was basic.
