Air China Begins Service to Four Asian Destinations; What Goes In a Carry-on
I've seen about 700 news items that Air China is beginning non-stop service between Beijing and Mumbai, India. Well, Air China is beginning non-stop service between Beijing and Mumbai, starting October 25.
Air China is also beginning non-stop service to Kuala Lumpur, also October 25; Karachi, Pakistan, on October 26; and Colombo, Sri Lanka, on October 27. Mumbai and KL will be served by four flights per week, while Karachi and Colombo will get three flights per week.
There's been some discussion recently about airlines downsizing allowable carry-on baggage size, which will certainly create conflict on any international airline that intends to enforce those size limits and serves Chinese destinations. The best of these articles is from The Wall Street Journal's travel column "The Middle Seat." One thing that's worth remembering: you can bring a regulation carry-on bag plus a personal item, like a computer bag or purse, on just about any flight. If you're pushing the limits on your bag, consider putting your computer, if you're taking one, in a separate carrier to give yourself a bit more space.
Although some readers misplaced their rage when I wrote about Tiger Balm and how I keep it in my own carry-on, what should get carried on in a carry-on is a discusson that's ongoing. Travel + Leisure has a nice slideshow of 23 items that their reporter considers "must haves." It's an interesting list, although for packing purposes, I'd pick 12 and go with those.
All signs continue to indicate that the next few months will be a good time to travel, with low fares due to low oil prices, and possibly even lower prices, depending on how Chinese and global stock markets continue to do. It was in late 2008 or early 2009, amidst some financial anxiety that was gripping most of the world, that I scored perhaps my best airfare ever: RMB 2,999, Beijing to Athens via Dubai, on Emirates, including tax. Keep your eyes peeled.
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Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
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