Flew China Southern into CAN about 2 months back.

Overall...pretty good experience, but some points to consider...

First, China Southern was reasonably comfortable. I'm comparing my 14.5 hour flight to my NWA trips...haven't done Cathay, Singapore, JAL etc so it may or may not stack up as well. You can go to the DV lounge in LAX while you wait for the flight...they'll give you a pass when you check in.

My modus operandi for long Deadhead flights is to show up sleepy, get a little buzzed, and sleep all you can. I didn't change that for this flight, and it worked for about 10 hours plus of sleep across 14 hours of flying. Lots of space between seats and they recline to fully flat. I missed the first meal being asleep like a rock, and when I woke up hungry I got a bowl of noodles. Breakfast was fine...nothing great but not bad. Unlike NWA to Europe, where I watched 2 movies, the movie selection and entertainment is a bit limited...not that many English programs. Suggest you bring a DVD or laptap and plan accordingly.

Next--my first deviation into China so I called scheds and asked them to provide a ride which I would pay for out of my dev bank. (The fact I had to lose ground trans for deviating even though I was joining the scheduled China southern flight is a contiuing source of irritation for me, and I am hoping we can fix this). Anyway, I got to the airport and the trans wasn't there. More on this later... I ended up getting a cab with another guy they took us to the Shifu. Its about a 25 minute ride....but at 0500 the roads should be fairly empty. Go to taxi stand and have print out of hotel info and you should be fine...should be about 130-150 Yuan. (30 bucks). Negotiate firmly...I was offered a ride at 300 Yuan and said "no thanks".

Next--do not fly to China if you are snotting, have a fever, or a stomach bug. You will get a very aggressive look from the health screeners before you leave the flight (if its like it was 2 months ago). The gal in front of me apparently had thrown up in the restroom during the flight, but she didnt' put it on her health forms. The FAs, however, ratted her out to the health care screeners (who are dressed like the cast of OUTBREAK) who then kept all of us on board an additional 30 minutes while they took her temp and grilled her with questions. If you are code 2 when you show up, you may end up a week in quarantine. Be warned...or be Ray Nagin.

Once off the plane, the airport is nice and new. Currency conversion is a breeze...there are ATMS right past customs, and the whole trip through customs with quick and painless. Taxi stand is just past the ATM banks...

The hotel is I think pretty nice. Rooms are big, and breakfast buffett is provided. Its got a mix of local fare, European continental breakfast stuff, and some American staples like bacon and eggs and French toast. You can get breakfast in the main restuarant or the DV lounge on the 8th floor. Some guys will say it ain't IHOP...but I dug the noodles and local stuff and ate a bunch with zero ill effects. Can't stand it? McDonalds is down the street two blocks...

I was there 2 days, and enjoyed the shopping which is available on a pedestrian street right out of the hotel on the left. I walked down to the River, where there is a major sidewalk. Bus 57 runs up and down along the riverside street, so if you get tired hop aboard. For less than a buck its a lot of sightseeing. Its clean and modern and better than most American buses.

Booze is free during happy hour in evenings on 8th floor. Plenty of expat papers and internet access. For porn junkies...your internet won't go to porn sites, or a bunch of other even legit places in China. Its a hoot to visit, but it does make you value the First Amendment.

Last...got a nasty email train that started with Parklane Trans, through scheduling and hotels, to ACP Jensen, finally to my ACP requesting payment for the taxi for my "no show". First I heard about it was last week. They weren't there, but I am supposed to pay them anyway. I'll surrender 30 bucks so Parklane doesn't take it out on the next crew, but suggest you that you just go to the taxi stand with the SA on the 130-150 price to the Shifu and wing it.

That's it...my whopping ONE trip to Asia in the MD11. Plenty of Anchorage guys with a lot more SA on it than me, but it wasn't too bad. I posted some pictures on Facebook, so if you are FDX pilot on the FDX pilot group there you can take a peek if you want to see some of the sites.

I'm in VIPS...you can also call.... Have fun. If I was a bus guy I'd be all over Asian SIBA...