UK to Guangzhou Help Please!

Question

My husband and I want to visit our grandson who lives in China, we haven’t seen him for over 6 years and miss him terribly. Our destination would be Guangzhou Airport but the problem is we definitely can’t afford to fly business class and I have health problems which would make a long journey in economy impossible. We thought maybe we could split the journey up into smaller segments but really don’t know where to start. Is there anybody out there who can give us some advice please as we are definitely not experienced travellers?

Answer

Traveling from the UK to Guangzhou can indeed be long and tiring, especially for passengers with health concerns. There are several strategies you can use to make the journey more manageable while staying in economy class.

1. Breaking the journey into segments: Flying direct from London to Guangzhou is long (around 11-12 hours), which can be challenging. Consider breaking your journey with a stopover in another city. Many airlines offer one-stop flights that break the trip into two shorter segments:

London → Dubai → Guangzhou (Emirates)
London → Istanbul → Guangzhou (Turkish Airlines)
London → Beijing/Shanghai → Guangzhou (China Southern or Air China)

These stopovers can range from 2 to 8 hours, giving you a chance to stretch and rest, and some airports have lounges where you can relax.

2. Choosing airlines and seats: Economy seats vary significantly in comfort. Consider:

Choosing airlines known for better legroom (e.g., Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific for stopovers in Hong Kong).
Booking an exit row, bulkhead, or premium economy seat if your budget allows, as these have more space to stretch.
Requesting special assistance for health concerns at the time of booking; many airlines can provide wheelchair assistance, early boarding, and help on connecting flights.

3. Managing comfort during the flight:

Bring a small travel pillow, blanket, and compression socks to help with circulation.
Move and stretch at least every hour during the flight.
Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol or heavy meals that can cause fatigue.

4. Alternative routes: Sometimes, it can be easier to fly to Hong Kong first and then take a short domestic flight or high-speed train to Guangzhou. This can break the journey into two manageable legs:

London → Hong Kong (direct or one stop) → Guangzhou by train (~2 hours) or flight (~1 hour)
Hong Kong Airport has good lounge facilities and plenty of seating for resting during layovers.

5. Consult a travel agent: Since you are not experienced travelers and have health concerns, it may be worthwhile to use a travel agent to find the best combination of flights, stopovers, and seat selection. They can also help with travel insurance and special assistance requests.

In summary, breaking the journey into two shorter flights, choosing comfortable airlines or seats, and planning layovers at airports with good facilities are key strategies. Flying via Hong Kong or another major hub is often the easiest way to manage the long trip to Guangzhou in economy while minimizing health strain.

UK to Guangzhou Help Please!

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