China Airlines

[Martini 1]

I've been searching around for the best deal for my next trip. The best I can find is a direct flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok with China Airlines.

 

They are quoting 1299 Euros for Dynasty Class, aircraft type 744, whatever that is.

 

I'm assuming Dynasty Class is their name for Business Class.

 

Question is, any you guys used them before? What was it like?

 

Opinions would be very much appreciated.

 

Cheers

[besty 0]

744 = 747-400

 

I always use CI`s dynasty class upgrade, it`s a full business service including lounges at AMS and BKK. the staff are really fit!!! and I reckon it`s hard to beat for value... book it!!

[Martini 1]

744 = 747-400

 

I always use CI`s dynasty class upgrade, it`s a full business service including lounges at AMS and BKK. the staff are really fit!!! and I reckon it`s hard to beat for value... book it!!

Thanks for that Besty, looks like great value to me, is it good leg room? I flew biz KLM last trip which was fine, if it's anything like that I'll have absolutely no grumbles..

[CheshireTom 1,377]

China Airlines now have three 744 configurations flying the AMS-BKK route so it is a bit hit and miss which one you will get. Regardless of the configuration Row 10, seats B and J provide the best legroom. You can pre-allocate your seat 90 days in advance through CI's London Office on 0207 436 9001. They are really very helpful and accommodating.

 

China Airlines 744 Seatmaps

 

I think most boardies book through Gazelle Travel in Newcastle to include the klmuk connecting flights.

 

Gazelle Travel

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Edited July 18, 2005 by CheshireTom

[Martini 1]

China Airlines now have three 744 configurations flying the AMS-BKK route so it is a bit hit and miss which one you will get. Regardless of the configuration Row 10, seats B and J provide the best legroom. You can pre-allocate your seat 90 days in advance through CI's London Office on 0207 436 9001. They are really very helpful and accommodating.

 

China Airlines 744 Seatmaps

 

I think most boardies book through Gazelle Travel in Newcastle to include the klmuk connecting flights.

 

Gazelle Travel

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Thanks Tom,

 

I went back in a day later to book that Eva deal we spoke about last week, and the price had gone up £500, hence me looking around again.

 

This one looks a good deal though..

[besty 0]

China Airlines now have three 744 configurations flying the AMS-BKK route so it is a bit hit and miss which one you will get. Regardless of the configuration Row 10, seats B and J provide the best legroom. You can pre-allocate your seat 90 days in advance through CI's London Office on 0207 436 9001. They are really very helpful and accommodating.

 

China Airlines 744 Seatmaps

 

I think most boardies book through Gazelle Travel in Newcastle to include the klmuk connecting flights.

 

Gazelle Travel

 

Regards,

 

Tom

courtney airsavers in Saville Row Newcastle are also a good bet... if memory serves me well I think the price has just gone up. was 799 quid but I think it`s gone up by about 90 quid, could be wrong though.

 

as an aside, I`m kind of hoping BMI will consider a service soon. they`re expanding like theres no tomorrow, and their direct service from Manchester to Las Vegas is great... distance must be about the same.

[TabMule 1]

I've used the China Dynasty Class a couple of times and I fully recommend it. The aircraft are not the newest but the service is A1.

 

The China Airlines 747 in Amsterdam.

 

 

The seats are nice and roomy and have a good recline although this isn't anywhere near 180 degrees.

 

 

The menu

 

 

One of the courses

 

[CheshireTom 1,377]

CI has taken delivery of its first 747 Dreamliner. The interiors are rumoured to be a huge improvement on the other aircraft (I will try and find some pics on the net and post them). At the moment I think AMS gets the aircraft either once or twice weekly.

 

Tom

 

[Samsonite 181]

Great pictures of the 747-400. I was surprised that China Air, when ordering these aircraft didn't buy the 747-400ER (extended range).

They have the "Boeing Signature Interior" which is modeled after the 777 interior.

 

From the Boeing web site at,

 

http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archi...ber/i_bitn.html

 

Dated December 2004:

 

"Boeing unveils China Airlines 747-400 in distinctive livery

The newest Boeing 747-400 gleams in the sun after leaving the company's Everett, Wash., paint facility last month. Destined for delivery to Taiwan-based China Airlines, the 747-400 features a unique promotional paint scheme. Combining Boeing's new dynamic blue-and-white livery with China Airlines' traditional plum blossom tail marking, the special limited-time design symbolizes the strong relationship between the two companies. The airplane is the first 747-400 with the Boeing Signature Interior, which provides unrivaled comfort for airline passengers. China Airlines will take delivery of the new airplane early this month."

****************

Also, from: http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q4/nr_041207h.html

dated 7 December 2004,

 

"EVERETT, Dec. 7, 2004 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today delivered to China Airlines a unique 747-400 featuring a distinctive blended paint design and the Boeing Signature Interior.

 

The exterior of China Airlines' 14th 747-400 combines the airline's plum blossom tail image with Boeing's new blue commercial airplane livery. The award-winning interior is designed to make passengers as comfortable as possible on intercontinental flights. The cabin features ambient lighting and larger overhead stowage bins that open downward for convenient loading. It also has a high ceiling that provides passengers a roomier, open environment.

...................................................................................................."

****************

"Dreamliner" is, I believe, and I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, the marketing name Boeing uses for its forthcoming 787/7E7.

Edited July 21, 2005 by Samsonite

[Martini 1]

Cheers guys, booked it now, got the price direct from CI at €1299.. Which roughly converts to £900 / $1500

 

So all in all I'm quite happy, plus the flight times out of AMS are quite good, arriving in BKK at 6.50am, so get the whole day in the sun before hitting the town on the prowl, although could end up in Lolitas or Soi 6 in the afteroon, if some of those little sexy CI air hostesses are giving me the serious horn....

 

Thanks again guys, roll on November....

[bigmofo 0]

Cheers guys, booked it now, got the price direct from CI at €1299.. Which roughly converts to £900 / $1500

 

So all in all I'm quite happy, plus the flight times out of AMS are quite good, arriving in BKK at 6.50am, so get the whole day in the sun before hitting the town on the prowl, although could end up in Lolitas or Soi 6 in the afteroon, if some of those little sexy CI air hostesses are giving me the serious horn....

 

Thanks again guys, roll on November....

Hi martini have you paid for your flight or just made a provisional booking.

I phoned a few different places the other day and the prices varied the cheapest being 845 all in,maybe you could phone them and just mention that you have seen buisness for 845 they might match the price good luck.

[shortonthesides 0]

Feeling home sick,

 

So I thought I would check $$$ times from SFO to bangkok.72205

if you can fly early Nov to end of Nov the fare is.........$ 602

china air offical site.

[Martini 1]

China Airlines now have three 744 configurations flying the AMS-BKK route so it is a bit hit and miss which one you will get. Regardless of the configuration Row 10, seats B and J provide the best legroom. You can pre-allocate your seat 90 days in advance through CI's London Office on 0207 436 9001. They are really very helpful and accommodating.

 

China Airlines 744 Seatmaps

 

I think most boardies book through Gazelle Travel in Newcastle to include the klmuk connecting flights.

 

Gazelle Travel

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Tom,

 

Only a couple of days till it's the 90 day window to book my seats. I've had a look at your link, thanks a lot for that its very helpful.

 

Just a quick question, looking at the configuration, I'm assuming B & J are better than A & K because its an emergency exit seat, so there could be a slight impingement in the window seats.??

 

Also, I was wondering if there is anything directly in front, ie stewardess take off and landing seats?? or any type of service area?

 

If there is, does it effect leg room or generally annoy you in any way.

 

In March when I flew KLM, I sat upstairs, row 78 from memory, whick looked like it is CI equivilent to row 11.

 

I remember the people sat in front of me, which on face value looks like CI row 10, had stewardess seats facing them, it appeared to slightly restrict them in leg room terms, plus they ended up with some stupid woman parking her fat arse there for virtually the whole flight.. Now I'm sure that was a one off, but still that would annoy me..

 

Your help would be appreciated as always.

 

Steve..

[Fireman Sam 336]

Thanks for the Gazelle Travel link Cheshire Tom, you have just saved me £114.90, I have booked through Gazelle for China Airlines Dynasty Class via Amsterdam from Aberdeen and saved the KLM flight price from Aberdeen to Amsterdam. I'm due you a beer if your in town between Sept 30th and Oct 26th.

 

Thanks again, brillant advice available on this board.

[carcareers 0]

Thanks for the Gazelle Travel link Cheshire Tom, you have just saved me £114.90, I have booked through Gazelle for China Airlines Dynasty Class via Amsterdam from Aberdeen and saved the KLM flight price from Aberdeen to Amsterdam. I'm due you a beer if your in town between Sept 30th and Oct 26th.

 

Thanks again, brillant advice available on this board.

I have flown China Airlines 3 times. First time was when United screwed me on a connection in LAX and had to put me on China Airlines.......Thanks United!

 

Service and attitude of China flight attendants on all 3 flights was second to none. Always smiles, friendly and great food.

 

1st flight with them I had too overnight in Taipei. I was lucky enough to have been taken to the same hotel as the flight attendants and crew (on United's tab). The crew and flight attendants came into the restaurant later that night and we all sat together and ate, some even had a few drinks. Made the overnight fun and interesting. No, not the nasty, just fun as they were all as curious as I was about opposite cultures.

 

Have a fun trip!

[Martini 1]

Regardless of the configuration Row 10, seats B and J provide the best legroom. You can pre-allocate your seat 90 days in advance through CI's London Office on 0207 436 9001. They are really very helpful and accommodating.

Thanks Tom, seat 10B now reserved, I hope some of the stewardesses are as hot as you say....

[Fireman Sam 336]

Thanks again, I forgot to add I also managed to reserve seat 10 J for outward and return flight.

 

Many Thanks

[pentire 1]

I always fly CAL biz/dynasty class from here in the UK from Norwich via Amsterdam infact i used the service only last week to and from Bangkok.

 

Both ways i was on one of the new 747's with the swish interior. Happily the new layout allows a window passenger to leave the seat without disturbing their neighbour. This is because they have reduced the number of seats in the actual cabin therefore the price has incrased about 7% from this time last year.

 

Although the fare is twice the price of economy, while i can afford it i shall take it every time two thirds of the way in to the flight i always take a walk along the whole length of the economy cabin just to re-assure myself of the siuation!

Those poor people in economy, how do they do it

[stevoman 2]

I always fly CAL biz/dynasty class from here in the UK from Norwich via Amsterdam infact i used the service only last week to and from Bangkok.

 

Both ways i was on one of the new 747's with the swish interior. Happily the new layout allows a window passenger to leave the seat without disturbing their neighbour. This is because they have reduced the number of seats in the actual cabin therefore the price has incrased about 7% from this time last year.

 

Although the fare is twice the price of economy, while i can afford it i shall take it every time two thirds of the way in to the flight i always take a walk along the whole length of the economy cabin just to re-assure myself of the siuation!

Those poor people in economy, how do they do it

I am one of those "POOR" people who travel in cattle class.Like you I to take a walk ,to stretch my legs during the flight.Unlike you though I walk through "Business Class" and I think what type of egotistical idiots WASTE all that extra money only to arrive at the same time as I,and furthermore I laugh to myself thinking about all the extra pussy money I have saved!.This of course does not apply to expense account scroungers.

[pentire 1]

I am one of those "POOR" people who travel in cattle class.Like you I to take a walk ,to stretch my legs during the flight.Unlike you though I walk through "Business Class" and I think what type of egotistical idiots WASTE all that extra money only to arrive at the same time as I,and furthermore I laugh to myself thinking about all the extra pussy money I have saved!.This of course does not apply to expense account scroungers.    

Yeah, i know what you mean because i get those same thoughts when i walk thru the First Class Cabin during my exercise.

[Samsonite 181]

For your viewing pleasure, 360 degree video "tours" of a China Air Boeing 747-400, all cabins, including the cockpit:

 

http://www.navigon.net/ca747_tour/747VR4/index.html

 

 

The China Air 747 e-brochure (Boeing must of had something to do with this, you think? ):

 

http://www.navigon.net/CA747e-brochure/

Edited August 21, 2005 by Samsonite