Is Sydney to London - via Beijing - a good option?

Chinese airlines are generally sub par US Airlines, so very subpar Australian airlines.

while al like a zoo at peak times, the mu #36 lounge at pvg and the cz lounge at baiyun t2 makes the qf biz lounge like a joke.

sing or hk a better option

Looks like theres a few people who feel strongly that Chinese airlines are up to the same standard as others and want to express this by talking down my opinion.

My experiences have been with Air China in business class. The worst part is long layovers in Beijing (PEK). Their product is mostly good, food is ok, IFE is poor, PEK lounges are a bit below par but by no means “terrible”.

No need to trouble yourself with worrying about carriers as you could do QF out of Sydney then Finnair AY out of Beijing to Europe via Helsinki but must make sure you choose well and that you are on their Airbus A350 or A359 sorry I can't remember but one is set much nicer aircraft to fly. Beijing as a stopover is only a more attractive idea if you can avail yourself of the 72 hour transit visa free system so that you can see the sights and do some shopping but the airport is miles away, you will need to organise transport to and from the airport/hotel as the taxis are notoriously bad and don't speak English but for just one day stopover and staying at or near the airport isn't enough as there is not much that you can do, especially if you arrive very late at night ex Syd and must leave the following morning, but if you still want to do it, the best thing is to arrive on a QF flight late at night book a hotel overnight near the airport and then check out by 11am and spend all day at the Arts District Beijing 678 which is world famous and is very close to the airport and you can get your hotel to book a taxi to take you there. BA also flies direct to LHR from BJS but AY is way cheaper, their economy service is excellent, their biz product is sadly not that luxurious but still comfortable and way, way cheaper than their Oneworld counterparts.

I’ve just booked VS from LHR to PVG and am stopping over for 2 nights in Shanghai. Hopefully there will be plenty of stuff to do (any ideas are welcome). We’re then flying Cathay Dragon to HKG and then to SYD in QF F. Looking forward to it - even if the QF reviews suggest it’s not the best!