CHINA AIRLINES review : 21 July 2009 : by R Dika (Indonesia)
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Trip Rating : 7/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
HKG-CGK, check in counter at Hong Kong was efficient. The seat is average (2-3-2
configuration), it does recline, AVOD was pretty good. I booked this ticket because a very
reasonable price, the food was good. FA a bit rude, but overall it was pleasant flight, I
probably use this airline in the future.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 13 July 2009 : by Hirofumi Suda (Japan)
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Trip Rating : 9/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
NRT-TPE-NRT. Service great, one of the best inflight meals I've had. Bread was served warm.
The only fault was that AVOD on outbound flight did not work, but since it was a 3hr flight it
didn't matter much. All in all, I've paid less than 220 USD and would highly recommend this
airline. It's true that B747 does not have PTV installed on every seat, but over-head program
was good enough.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 29 June 2009 : by C Ewles (UK)
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Trip Rating : 3/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
AMS-BKK. Food was okay, cabin crew very good. Inflight entertainment for 11hr flight was
totally unacceptable - my advice would be pay a little extra and fly a decent airline. In
conclusion the staff are good but the this route really needs a more updated aircraft with on
demand entertainment.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 21 June 2009 : by Carlos Narotomo (Portugal)
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Trip Rating : 8/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
FRA-TPE-MNL return. Good service at ground and boarding and fair seats and good service on
board for economy class. I asked for veg meal and I got very good special meals. Cabin crew
polite and attentive. Website needs to be improved specially the security. Passengers are not
allowed to reserve seats and meals when flying with promotional fares not to use online shopping.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 10 June 2009 : by D Chang (Canada)
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Trip Rating : 7/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Business |
HKG-BKK in a new A330. Pre-selected seat and meal over the Internet to expedite the check in
process. Bought ticket through Zuji at a great price. CI lounge in HKG is a laugh with no
working Internet station, minimal food and drink and no on-site toilet. Shell type seat with
angled lie-flat seat, okay but not very comfortable. FA did not know that I'd pre-ordered my
choice of entree but got what I wanted anyway. IFE okay, not great. FA spoke very little
English. Priority baggage was amongst the first to come off. All in all, a satisfactory
flight for what I had paid.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 22 May 2009 : by A Johnstone (Hong Kong)
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Trip Rating : 9/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Business |
Hong Kong - Bangkok return. A330 immaculate with new shell seats and AVOD though on the
outbound this was not working properly. Cabin crew friendly and efficient especially on the
return trip. Meal service excellent. Probably the best value fare on this route with great
flight times.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 11 May 2009 : by J Johnson (USA)
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Trip Rating : 8/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
JFK-BKK with stops in ANC and TPE. All flights were quite comfortable and FAs were exemplary.
Has a 747 out of JFK and, due to a light load, was able to switch my aisle seat to a window
emergency door seat with no one in the middle. Lots of legroom all the way to Taipei. Meals
good; nothing memorable. No AVOD but recent movies ok. TPE-BKK on newer A340 with AVOD. All
in all a good experience at a bargain price.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 30 April 2009 : by N Carey (Australia)
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Trip Rating : 8/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Business |
SYD-TPE-HKG return in D Class. China Airlines at SYD uses the QF lounge which is OK. The
Taipei lounge lacked any Western food and I wasn't thrilled with the noodle bar. Hong Kong
lounge had barely a thing and no beer only spirits. Best part was TPE-SYD due to the flight
attendants.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 9 April 2009 : by Elizabeth Wellner (USA)
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Trip Rating : 10/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
San Diego to Manila for a family reunion. The cabin crews on four flights (San Diego to
Taipei, Taipei to Manila and homeward bound) were excellent. They were pleasant, courteous and
accommodating. I have traveled extensively all my adult life to Europe and Oceania, and none
of the carriers I had taken came close to the customer service offered by China Airlines.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 30 March 2009 : by G Hillier (USA)
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Trip Rating : 8/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | First |
ANC-TPE return. I live in Portland, Ore and decided to connect via ANC instead of SFO as the
fare from ANC in F was comparable to the C fare from SFO. The aircraft was a 744 that comes in
from JFK and the pax have to disembark in ANC for a crew change and aircraft
cleaning/catering. The flight departs ANC at 345am and check-in opens at midnite. Check-in was
brisk and friendly, but the North Terminal in ANC is devoid of any lounges or restaurants -
only a couple of kiosks with over-priced souvenirs was open. After security, you must wait in
a sterile boarding area with no food/drink options and only 2 restrooms. Boarding was called
at 3:00am and I was greeted by name and offered a menu and a glass of champagne. The 744 was
older and did not have the pod-style seats, but the aisle seat was empty and I had plenty of
room. After takeoff the breakfast was served quickly so the pax could sleep if desired. My
omlette was OK but nothing special. The IFE was dated but other amenities were first rate: the
blanket and pillow were luxurious, the noise cancelling headphones nice, and the amenity kit
far superior to AA or DL. The cabin service was seamless. I chose the beef tenderloin for my
second meal, which was tasty, but it seemed strange for an all-nite flight with a 6:30am
arrival. The return trip was better - mainly due to the excellent Dynasty lounge in TPE.
Departure was at 4:15pm on same 744 with older seats: Y and C classes full, only 2 other
people in F. Great cabin crew, better food on return. My only issue was again with the ANC
facilities. All pax must deplane in ANC and clear US Customs and recheck bags - even those
continuing to JFK ! This made a slow process even slower and despite a 2 hour connecting time
to my AS flight in the South Terminal, I barely made it. I recommend China Airlines without
hesitation but you would be better served to connect via LAX or SFO where you have lounge
access instead of the dead North Terminal at ANC.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 17 March 2009 : by Teddy Sanjaya (Indonesia)
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Trip Rating : 8/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
CGK-TPE-LAX. This is my first trip using China Airlines, and all went well. A bit surprised
because it had to stop in HKG before going to Taipei. But it's just probably my travel agent
forgetting to tell me about the information. However, the flight was enjoyable, with Audio and
Video On Demand. JFK-TPE-CGK. On my return flight, before checking in, I asked for the routes
and the answer was this flight will be direct to Taipei. Again I was surprised by the fact
that the plane short-stopped (1 hour) in Anchorage before going to Taipei and there was no
Audio-Video On Demand. I originally thought that all long haul flights would have AVOD.
Luckily, it was a midnite flight and I was able to sleep 4 -5 hours and have books to read.
So, overall, I recommend this flight for its overall quality and price. But, for those 1st
timer, please do ask and look for all information regarding your flight before making the
reservation.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 17 March 2009 : by Robert Tolmasoff (Taiwan)
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Trip Rating : 2/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | First |
TPE_DPS (Bali) First Class in 747. Went to Bali for my honeymoon on China Airlines. When we
got on board and we asked for a glass of Champagne to celebrate, the FA refused, saying we had
to wait. First time I have been denied a drink before take off in Business or First class. We
sat facing the FA station in First class. A little annoying. The FA offered to have us change
seats, but the seats she recommended had a big sign on them saying "Do not sit here". She said
it was because the seats do not recline. Now, why would I want to sit there? Food is
disappointing to say the least, and my wife felt sick after eating the seafood. The seats are
old and uncomfortable with limited recline. Limited personal TV with only one movie playing
and several TV shows. Strange for a five hour flight. My wife's Personal TV did not function
properly.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 6 March 2009 : by B Gorton (Australia)
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Trip Rating : 7/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Economy |
I fly frequently between Australia and Taiwan, a 9 hour flight, and on the last two occasions,
Ja there was no pre-meal drinks service. I wonder if this is cost paring or simply a cultural
indifference to the increasing number of Westerners who fly China Airlines between Australia
and the USA. On another note, the cabin crew were a delight both ways. Nice to be looked
after by bright enthusiastic people.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 26 February 2009 : by D Riddell (UK)
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Trip Rating : 8/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Business |
AMS-BKK business class. Have now used China Airlines on 4 flights and found staff to be very
good while planes are dated - but what do you expect for £1200 return business class.
You get good service and while the business class seat does not fully recline like BA it is
still good value.
CHINA AIRLINES review : 25 February 2009 : by Graham Shaws (UK)
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Trip Rating : 7/10 |
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Recommended: |
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Value for Money: |
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Cabin Flown: | Business |
AMS-BKK return in business class. Both flights on time. Crew friendly with good english.
Row 5 behind bulkhead gave better legroom than other seats, which were poor, but lights from
toilet a nuisance in 5A/B. Seat ok in upright position but poor recline and difficult to sleep
- the footrest far too short for anyone of average height or above. Very poor storage in
overhead lockers and standard hand baggage had to be stored at rear of cabin. Dinner after
take off ok but limited choice and only one drink with meal. Cabin awoken 3 hours before
landing to serve breakfast - presumably for convenience of crew, then cabin left to sleep for
last hour or so with lights on! No service through night so if water needed you had to go get
it. Inflight entertainment very poor, tiny screens, no video on demand. films started with no
warning so difficult to catch the start as channel switched off when not active. IFE broke
down altogether on return flight. Overall not business class, but for price a fair product