China Airlines? Crazy low J fares to Asia

[haydensydney]

I've noticed some really low J fares when checking bestflights.com.au (for a trip in a couple of weeks to Hong Kong). China Airlines has J seats going for about $1800 incl taxes - sounds odd, and I would be tempted to think that this is a error on bestflights behalf - however, would you guys travel on China Airlines via Taipei?

I've had a quick look online and their safety record dosn't appear too flash - but their J product on the A330 appears to look fairly reasonable. For only a few extra hundred $ on top of a normal Y fare from Sydney to Hong Kong, I could fly J.

Penny for your thoughts?

 

[aybee]

I personally wouldn't fly CI even if given a free First ticket with them, let alone pay for these admittedly attractive rates.

 

[kamchatsky]

I've noticed some really low J fares when checking bestflights.com.au (for a trip in a couple of weeks to Hong Kong). China Airlines has J seats going for about $1800 incl taxes - sounds odd, and I would be tempted to think that this is a error on bestflights behalf - however, would you guys travel on China Airlines via Taipei?

I've had a quick look online and their safety record dosn't appear too flash - but their J product on the A330 appears to look fairly reasonable. For only a few extra hundred $ on top of a normal Y fare from Sydney to Hong Kong, I could fly J.

Penny for your thoughts?

I would rather fly CX to HK in Y than CI in J. Their safety record is shocking. I would never forget the time when newspapers and TVs all over HK shows how their plane was splitted into two in mid air (high altitude) when flying between TPE-HKG, not to mention previous experience how their planes missed the HK airport landing strips ...... J is good, but my life is more important.

 

[Alanslegal]

Yes they have had incidents, but statistically though, its very unlike something will go wrong.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have flown with China airlines several times between Hong Kong and Bangkok. Once in economy and twice in Business.

The A330 in business was just fine - good inflight entertainment (AVOD) but the food was so-so (actually not that inspiring at all). Service was friendly, but not as thoughtful as you might find on other carriers (for example, little things like leaving plastic wrap over the salad bowl when giving you your tray - there were only four of us in J they could have taken it off).

The seats on the A330 have a good recline - they are the shell type seats, but they don't go flat (not even angled flat). But I just put a bag under my feet and it was ok.

When all is said and done, a J seat beats a Y seat (provided you're not going too much out of your way in terms of extra flying time).

Having to sit in economy for 10 hours back from China (like i did last week) rubbing shoulders with the guy next to me was no fun. And this was Qantas at an exit row. Sure it was the best seat in economy but you're still fighting for the armrest, still have an empty tray sitting in front of you for ages after dinner/breakfast/meal, have to queue for the loo. While I could sleep so-so in that seat, what I craved was a bit of extra recline and the ability to turn a bit in the seat without touching the guy next to me! All possible in a J seat!

I'd go for the CI fare (in fact I'm probably going to buy one myself). Modern Airbus aircraft like the 330s have pretty good safety records - pretty much fly themselves out of trouble these days.

cheers

mel-t

** edited to add that looking at the CI website it shows pictures of their shell seats at a 63' pitch and says they have a 166 degree recline - and says they are used on routes to Australia... they look like the same seats I had between HKG and BKK but maybe now I am not sure. There is also a seating plan for the same plane with an extra row of biz class seating, but it doesn't show if those seats are also the shell type ones. So maybe on routes to australia they do go a bit flatter? Maybe someone can help out?

 

[pauly7]

My work actually has China Airlines as a last resort airline on our priority list.

Basically means it isn't quite on the DNF (do not fly) list, like Garuda - but it means that say your level policy is to fly J and there was no J on QF (or others) but J on China - you are allowed to upgrade to F on QF (or others) before flying China.... our insurance/safety ppl aren't huge fans obviously!

 

[2muchplastic]

My work actually has China Airlines as a last resort airline on our priority list.

Basically means it isn't quite on the DNF (do not fly) list, like Garuda - but it means that say your level policy is to fly J and there was no J on QF (or others) but J on China - you are allowed to upgrade to F on QF (or others) before flying China.... our insurance/safety ppl aren't huge fans obviously!

Pretty much the same for my place. Whenever the Corp TA quotes flights, they have to provide quotes for two of their 'A list' airlines (SQ/QF/CX/BA/AF/LH etc) and one 'B list' (TG/VS and many others). Only when those lists are exhausted will they consider quoting anything else. China airlines is not on the 'A' or 'B' lists.

 

[diesmile]

I've noticed some really low J fares when checking bestflights.com.au (for a trip in a couple of weeks to Hong Kong). China Airlines has J seats going for about $1800 incl taxes - sounds odd, and I would be tempted to think that this is a error on bestflights behalf - however, would you guys travel on China Airlines via Taipei?

I've had a quick look online and their safety record dosn't appear too flash - but their J product on the A330 appears to look fairly reasonable. For only a few extra hundred $ on top of a normal Y fare from Sydney to Hong Kong, I could fly J.

Penny for your thoughts?

i got all excited until i found out the price i saw was kid price =.=

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My work actually has China Airlines as a last resort airline on our priority list.

Basically means it isn't quite on the DNF (do not fly) list, like Garuda - but it means that say your level policy is to fly J and there was no J on QF (or others) but J on China - you are allowed to upgrade to F on QF (or others) before flying China.... our insurance/safety ppl aren't huge fans obviously!

Good grief! Do they ban driving anywhere for business?