China Airlines

[carpediem 0]

Any views on this airline? New planes? Leg room? Flexibility and charges for changing return dates? In general?

 

Is it average - above - below?

 

Thanks

[Mescalito 19]

I know that some folks don't rank China Airlines among their favorites, but I've had pretty good experiences. Yes, the coach class seats are a bit on the small side; I'm 5'11'' and only weight about 150, and I feel a bit cramped in them. I flew them r/t on my trip last November and generally enjoyed it. Their flight attendants, particularly on flight back home, were very good. There was a very drunk and very crazy guy about 4 rows back from me who was starting to go ape-s***, and they handled him beautifully.

 

I'm taking them again when I head back to LOS in about -- thank goodness -- 48 hours, although this time it's in business class.

[pentire 1]

I use no one else.

My route is UK-Amsterdam-Bangkok and have been using China Airlines since 1992, three times a year.

Although for a good few years I travelled economy, these days I pay twice as much and fly Dynasty (Biz) Class which is truly excellent.

[pauly77 1]

I found them o.k. with good connections from U.K. via Amsterdam, decent legroom as I am 6ft and good service.However,did once put in an unscheduled stop on the way back at Abu Dhabi which made it a really long flight and caused missed connections.

They always used to be one of the cheaper options but there are now better options for similar prices so not used them for some years.Going on Etihad next month from Manchester.

[Soi7 1]

I have flown with China a few Times with out any problems.

[WoodyAmsterdam 0]

Used C.A. on both our vacations and never had a problem. Legspace is your usual coach-class (you just have to sweat it out for xx hours...). No fancy LCD screens in the seat in front of you but old fashioned tv-sets on the ceiling. Aircraft was very clean though and seemed well maintained. Food was very good. All flights were right on schedule also.

[carpediem 0]

Thanks for these responses & commendations. I was looking for a stay of 3-4months and for my particular dates China, Swiss and BA came up with prices within £25 of each other. If one of them was more flexible or had a smaller penalty for a change of return date that would decide it for me.

 

The next most important factor for me is space and likelihood of a less than jam-packed flight - but I suppose on these things too it'll be much of muchness vis a vis swiss and ba.

 

Don't care about lcd screens etc - I read or listen on my ipod.

 

Was wondering too with which other airlines China is affiliated for frequent flier miles?

 

Thanks again

[soi two 1]

I got a six month option on the return date with China Air from BKK in January. There was no charge whatsoever for changing the return date home. Emirates previously stung me for a £75 charge with the same type of ticket.

 

There were seat back screens on the flight I was on, in economy. Excellent airline.

[sexy beast 12]

I have been a frequent flyer with china airlines for 10 years! If you are new ask about becoming a member as you can earn rewards with the mileage you do i.e. upgrade to dynasty class! Being 6 footer & fairly well built I usually go with dynasty class for an extra few hundred pounds its worth it.

Flying from Norwich in the uk to Amsterdam there are only 2 airlines that go to Bangkok! China & KLM in the past couple of years I've been going with KLM(freguent flyer aswell) they are a bit more expensive but you get what you pay for! the flight times are better, leaving & arriving. The world bussiness class on KLM is exactly that! At £1500 return not cheap but me & my buddy will be on that soon as a real treat!! Wheels up 12 weeks 5 days!!

[amphora 0]

If one of them was more flexible or had a smaller penalty for a change of return date that would decide it for me.

I think China Airlines is an excellent way to fly BKK.

Service is very good, staff is friendly and very professional. Lake room is ok for me (180 cm). When you fly low season planes are usually not full and you can use more seats to sleep.

A ticket with an open return date is usually not more expensive and with a regular ticket you can change dates ones without a fine.

On a promotional ticket the fine is 200 EURO but I changed it 3 times and they never collected the fine when I was checking in. I think they are very flexible when you are a member of their Dynasty Flyer Programm. They also don't worry about excess luggage when your a Dynasty Flyer member.

The alternative Eva Air is IMHO in many regards inferior to China Airlines.

Edited April 12, 2006 by amphora

[carpediem 0]

Your responses have pretty much swung it for China Airlines; and I'll certainly join their frequent flier programme as soon as I can - which I presume will be after I've got on the plane and collected the form etc.

 

Do they offer their best (or similar) deals at their own website or town offices - or only through the consolidatiors (I was using opodo)?

 

Barbarian & Amphora said what I wanted to hear about flexible return dates and non-penalties - do you guys buy your CA tickets?

 

Thanks again.

[sexy beast 12]

Your responses have pretty much swung it for China Airlines; and I'll certainly join their frequent flier programme as soon as I can - which I presume will be after I've got on the plane and collected the form etc.

 

Do they offer their best (or similar) deals at their own website or town offices - or only through the consolidatiors (I was using opodo)?

 

Barbarian & Amphora said what I wanted to hear about flexible return dates and non-penalties - do you guys buy your CA tickets?

 

Thanks again.

In my own personal experience I have allways been charged to change my ticket! When booking they give you an option of 1 month 3 month or 1 year ticket obviously they differ in cost! When I'm on holiday a 9/10 want to stay longer as long as its within your ticket expiry date & they have an available seat you can change, then you pay a surcharge when you check in at the airport about £75.

As for frequent flyer membership as your travel agent or whoever you book with to get you a form, you can join when you get back, but remember to keep your flight ticket stubbs as you will need proof of flying. The china airline web site is quite hard to follow IMO. Cheers ...

[Lancashirelad 0]

Have just completed a round trip with China air 2 days ago.

Leg room in economy was reasonable. No seat back videos. Plane clean.

More or less on schedule, though horrendous ex BKK time of 02.45hrs.

via Amsterdam, KLM connection to MAN.

 

SERVICE: rushed, impersonal & very dangerous!

Trolley dolleys walking backwards up the isles carrying hot tea/coffee etc. Only needs a trip on a stray blanket or something & they're on their back with the hot drink pot ontop of them. Very very silly! Also, you don't see them approaching & by the time you've realised what's on offer they're gone.

[amphora 0]

I'll certainly join their frequent flier programme as soon as I can - which I presume will be after I've got on the plane and collected the form etc.

You can join the Dynasty Flyer proramm before you fly on their website.

China airlines

You can print a provisional member card.

[carpediem 0]

Barbarian & Amphora said what I wanted to hear about flexible return dates and non-penalties - do you guys buy your CA tickets?

 

In my above-quoted question I had meant to write "where do you guys buy your CA ticket?" Which website? Would be helpful to know.

 

Only Lancashirelad has been critical, in part, of the airline.

 

I thank everyone for his response.

[soi two 1]

I bought my ticket through Trailfinders. I didn't do it online but in one of their high street shops. I asked for a six month option on the return date. When I looked at the terms and conditions there was no charge for changing the return date within ticket validity. I asked the Trailfinders rep specifically about this as Emirates had charged me £75 with a similar ticket. No charge within ticket validity.

 

Due to a family bereavment I had to fly home after 5 days in Pattaya, China Airlines were very helpful in getting me on a flight back. Unlike KLM who could not assist me getting from Amsterdam to Glasgow.

[Samsonite 181]

Have just completed a round trip with China air 2 days ago.

Leg room in economy was reasonable. No seat back videos. SERVICE: rushed, impersonal & very dangerous!

Trolley dolleys walking backwards up the isles carrying hot tea/coffee etc. Only needs a trip on a stray blanket or something & they're on their back with the hot drink pot ontop of them. Very very silly! Also, you don't see them approaching & by the time you've realised what's on offer they're gone.

I fly them 4 times a year and have never see anything close to what you have said here.

Someone else mentioned a charge to change your ticket. I've only seen them charge to change your departure date (start of your trip from home), but they have never charged me to change the return date.

Usually I book the flight directly with China Air via their web site,

 

http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm

Edited April 13, 2006 by Samsonite

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

I am a China fan as well.

 

I buy my tickets here

 

http://www.gazelletravel.co.uk/

 

using the Newcastle branch.

 

I normally deal with Ms Pat Cooper ( patc @ gazelle.co.uk ) she is quite an expert with China stuff.

 

The Dynasty (Business) Class is often available for aroud £900, though at this price date changes will probably cost you.

[makavelli 0]

I have just purchased my ticket using gazelle travel newcastle branch. I am flying dynasty class end of July for £960

 

I booked through a bloke called Nick, very helpful!

[carpediem 0]

Thanks to everyone for their info and, mostly, strong recommendation of CA. I'm convinced & will immediately join their ff programme, as I intend to make a few trips a year. I'll also investigate what precisely their policy on return date changes etc is. Alas I cannot afford the dynasty class ticket for now.

 

This particular trip however I decided to use Malaysian because they offered an extremely good fare - and also come highly recommended.

[amphora 0]

Just booked ticket with China Airline AMS - BKK for May 1st - June 28th.

£455 $798 Euro659 (all in)

[carpediem 0]

Amphora

 

That looks a very good price. But it might be more for a longer validity. And it may be more also if it wasn't from elsewhere in Europe with the necessary change in Amsterdam. I was offered 805 euros from Paris 30th april to mid-august.

Do you book directly on their site?

 

carpediem

[amphora 0]

Do you book directly on their site?

No, I don't book on their site. This time I booked through Vliegreizen.nl

Too bad it's only in Dutch I think.

[Mescalito 19]

I just arrived in LOS yesterday via China Airlines and, as I expected, their business class was very good (747-400 for both legs -- SFO-TPE and TPE-BKK). Nice roomy seats that recline enough; very good menu that included a couple of curry-based appetizers that were outstanding; properly attentive flight attendants. The plane for the SFO-TPE leg was packed to capacity, but the TPE-BKK leg was nowhere near full; business class was less than half full. My only complaint, and it's a VERY minor one, is that the selections listed in the personal entertainment guide didn't completely match what was actually available.

 

And BTW, I booked the flight directly with CI via their own web site.

Edited April 16, 2006 by Mescalito

[valentinoxxx 4]

Amphora

 

That looks a very good price. But it might be more for a longer validity. And it may be more also if it wasn't from elsewhere in Europe with the necessary change in Amsterdam. I was offered 805 euros from Paris 30th april to mid-august.

Do you book directly on their site?

 

carpediem

China Airlines fly direct to BKK from AMS. The flight from Paris requires an additional connection.