Flight report: Air China in business class
Flight number: CA 957
Equipment: B777
Origin: PEK (09:55)
Destination: FRA (14:15)
Flown: May 2025
Cabin occupancy: 100%
After a great 2 week trip to China, and a pleasant visit to the Air China First Class lounge, we were ready for our flight back to Frankfurt. The flight was from Beijing (PEK) to Frankfurt (FRA) aboard their Boeing 777-300ER, and the cabin was fully booked. The seating follows a 2-2-2 layout, which works perfectly for couples traveling together but can be less ideal for solo flyers, as window seats don’t offer direct aisle access. That said, the fully flat beds provided plenty of space and comfort for the long-haul journey. Each seat was outfitted with a thickly padded cushion, a soft pillow, and a warm blanket, making it easy to settle in and rest. While the configuration isn’t the most private, the overall comfort and amenities ensured a pleasant flight.
Boarding was smooth and well-organized, with a separate priority lane for Business Class passengers, making the process quick and hassle-free.
Pillow, blanket, slippers and amenity kits were already in our seats.
During this return flight, I also found a nice storage area below the seat in front to keep my shoes for the duration of the flight.
Power plug for charging is available for each seat
Remote is in the arm rest. However, entertainment options on the Air China flights are seriously minimal – not too many English options. If you like to watch on the plane, do think of bringing your own options. I caught up on my reading and sleep… not too shabby either.
Air China noise cancelling headphones. They were already placed next to the headrest area.
Amenity kit from L’Occitane – is simple and has a cheap feeling. Good for single use… although, it did have all the basic amenities required on such long flight. However, the eye mask is made of plastic or something, which gets hot and sweaty during the flight. We did not use that…
Menu for May. It was different than the ones we had for April, going to Beijing. For the meal, both Western and Chinese options were available. I chose the Chinese menu, which featured a flavorful roasted duck served with thin crepes.
On this flight we had the Lunch and the Light Meal options. For lunch, I chose the roast duck, while for the light meal I chose the beef noodle soup option.
The service began 20mins after take off. We were offered nuts and drinks.
Meal service began with Canapes
and then appetizers
The roast duck served in Air China’s Business Class was a standout dish. Tender and flavorful, the duck was expertly prepared with crispy skin and juicy meat, capturing the essence of classic Chinese cuisine. It was served with delicate thin crepes, hoisin sauce, and finely sliced scallions and cucumber—allowing you to wrap and enjoy it in traditional Beijing style. The presentation was elegant, and the taste was both authentic and satisfying, making it a memorable highlight of the in-flight dining experience.
After lunch, I was ready for some sleep. There is no turn-down service as offered by Qatar or Turkish. But the seat cushion is thick and the blanket comfortable to get some decent sleep. However, the problem is the leg rest, which is too cramped to place both feet there…
What I liked is that the meal service is carried with a trolley and you know what you will receive before you are served. There is always an option for last minute changes, if you find something else more enticing 🙂
Dessert was chocolate cake and no ice cream this time. Going to Beijing, we had nice ice creams…
Between the first and business cabin there are snacks, fruits, and drinks on offer throughout the flight and this was very well stocked.
The light meal was lovely. I chose the beef noodle soup and it was yummy! I was very happy with my choice
You can always request instant noodles, throughout the flight, if you would like a snack anytime.
Overall, the flight from Beijing to Frankfurt with Air China in Business Class was a smooth and enjoyable experience. Despite the cabin being full, the service remained attentive and professional throughout. The comfortable lie-flat seats, thoughtful amenities, and excellent food—especially the roast duck—made the long-haul journey relaxing and pleasant. Combined with efficient boarding and a clean, well-maintained cabin, the flight delivered a high level of comfort and convenience from start to finish.