| I've flown Spring Airlines 3 times so far. They have very strict luggage requirements which we learned the hard way. 1st flight was from Shanghai to Zhuhai (to get to HK to fly out... cheaper that way than flying direct from Shanghai). Our trip was for 1 month so we brought quite a bit of luggage with us. Since we couldn't read the Chinese online, we didn't see that there was a lower kilogram limit (I think it is 12kg) for each piece of luggage! We were charged an additional 1000RMB just for the luggage. They also don't allow regular sized carry on baggage (ie the 20" rollers) so we had to check that in also! 2nd flight was from Zhuhai to Shanghai. The reason why we returned on the same ariline was because we purchased the tickets in advance (before our trip abroad, and before we knew their luggage restrictions). This time we were smarter because we negotiated with the airline during check in. They gave us a discount price of 600RMB. The 3rd time I flew Spring Airlines was sometime last month (July 2006). I few from Zhuhai to Shanghai again. Spring Airlines contracts the job of checking in passengers to other airlines. There is usually one (sometimes 2) Spring employees that stand beside the checkin counter.... why? you ask? So they can charge people for their over weight luggage. THAT IS HOW SPRING MAKES THEIR MONEY.... EVERYONE ends up paying. Anyway, when I checked in, I was 5kg over my limit so I said to the checkin girl, "bu hao yisi... duo 5kg le" (sorry... went over by 5kg). She then tells me, "it's ok... the guy is over on the other counter... I'll check in the bag asap so he doesn't see it!" What a relief! If you are planning on vacationing for an extended period of time and have luggage, I suggest that you don't use Spring. ONE MORE DRAWBACK.... Spring flies in/out of the Hongqiao airport. The lineup for a taxi at that airport is crazy... It takes sometimes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to cue up for a taxi. Insane. If I'm only saving a couple hundred rmb only, I would not fly Spring. |
China's Low-Cost Spring Airlines