Difference between Air China Limited and China Airlines?

[love4fun 0]

Hello,

 

I'm flying to the LOS around 12/14 or so from the U.S. and the flight via Air China Limited is only $1,100 or so, compared to $1,320 or so using China Airlines. Is it really that "limited"? Any ideas on the difference? The $1,100 flight DOES have a 14 hour layover in Beijing (ugh), as opposed to a 2 hour in Taipei.

 

Also...as to whether I should buy the tickets now or later...

 

If I wait will prices go down as they need to fill the seats? Is there a way to time this exactly, or should I just buy ASAP.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Bullfrog 2,224]

There is another regular poster that is based in Beijing but I have forgotten his name. Perhaps somebody else can tell you who it is. His information will be far more updated than mine,

 

 

I lived in China for two years early '90s and there is no way I would spend 14 hours at Bijing airport if I saved 500USD!! Perhaps it has since been refurbished and updated. As for the Airline, I would chose China Airlines over LTD anyday.

[jacko 8,697]

Hello,

 

I'm flying to the LOS around 12/14 or so from the U.S. and the flight via Air China Limited is only $1,100 or so, compared to $1,320 or so using China Airlines. Is it really that "limited"? Any ideas on the difference? The $1,100 flight DOES have a 14 hour layover in Beijing (ugh), as opposed to a 2 hour in Taipei.

 

Also...as to whether I should buy the tickets now or later...

 

If I wait will prices go down as they need to fill the seats? Is there a way to time this exactly, or should I just buy ASAP.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

I would not even consider a 14 hour layover...it's ridiculous.

 

Earlier rather than later is normally best so long as you are SURE your dates are fixed.

 

Shop around a plenty........but you are in the high high season there!

 

.

Edited October 3, 2006 by jacko

[Bob4you 0]

check things out, last time I had a 14 hour layover they closed the airport at 2am and tried to kick me out. I hid in restroom and slept in children's recreation area. It was not pleasant, nearly froze to death from the AC as I came in from Hawaii shorts and t-shirt.

You had better buy your ticket now. That is high, high season and those low price tickets could be sold out real fast.

[love4fun 0]

Bob4you,

 

Wow...that's a terrible situation! I was considering waiting because a) was thinking maybe we could get cheaper tickets and one of the guys going was waiting to get more $$ together. After speaking to him today, I think the other two of us are just going to buy our tickets now and he can buy them later, if he can afford it.

 

A 14 hour layover does sound outrageous and not really worth it. I really like to shop for discounts...but $240 or so probably isn't worth the pain in my ass, lol.

[Tahoe_Bill 0]

L4F,

 

Have you checked the China Airline’s (CI) website; http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm

 

I’ve found that quite often you can save $50 - $100 when booking directly with CI.

 

I’ve got a friend coming from SoCal (LAX) to Thailand in mid-December and he said he saved about $75 by booking via the CI website.

 

Cheers!

 

Bill

[love4fun 0]

Thanks for the info, Tahoe...I'll check it out today!

[lv2play 0]

14 hour layover,now way !!

 

Don,t forget that air China is a Chinese airline and China airlines is Taiwanese and concidered as very good airline since they renewed their fleet.

[neilri2001 42]

There is not that much difference between Air China and China airlines in Economy. Business class is fine and cheap on China Airlines. Air China will cost you a lot more but is no better. Beijing airport is perfectly modern and well equipped these days but i wouldn't choose to spend 14 hours in any airport

 

Neil

[love4fun 0]

Bought my ticket for Dec 14 from LAX today. $1249 USD via China Air's website directly. Definitely not a steal...but it is the high season, eh? Whatcha gonna do? :-)

[Samsonite 177]

Bought my ticket for Dec 14 from LAX today. $1249 USD via China Air's website directly. Definitely not a steal...but it is the high season, eh? Whatcha gonna do? :-)

Why so high? That is almost double their regular fare.

[love4fun 0]

Almost double?

 

Ack...I don't know...it's the best I could find. I searched quite a bit and couldn't find much better. I could find a flight via Air China Ltd but I chose China Air instead after asking a few questions from some other BM's.

 

Sucks if I paid to much...honestly, though...I just happy I bought the tickets. I'm going for sure now, heh.

[Samsonite 177]

Must have something to do with the Christmas Season. I just tried one month on the either side of 14 December and the fares run from $650 to $750.00. Mid December is over $1,200.00. The mysteries of airline pricing.

[7773ER 0]

nothing strange about it, christmas time is high season and thus prices go up