SYD to TPE in J with China Airlines - flight report

[Dr Ralph]

Flying for the first time with China Airlines, Sydney to Taipei.

Depart Sydney Tuesday October 1 @ 12.55pm on CI56 (Airbus Industrie A350-900).

Arrive Taipei Tuesday October 1 @ 8.30pm.

Likely use the Qantas lounge in Sydney after the poor experience I had in the SkyTeam Lounge on my last trip (SYD to YVR in J with MU - flight report)

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just reserved 11A.

Mrs Dr Ralph in 12A.

It appears that online check-in isn't available for this flight.

 

[puchu]

Had a couple of flights yesterday from FRA to SYD on CI J - the hard product was solid while the food and IFE was a bit hit and miss. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Checking in. Check in opened 3 hrs before flight.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Very slow at check in. Economy passengers given priority.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Denied entry at Qantas lounge. Forced to use Skyteam instead.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Plane delayed by 1 hr. Typhoon related.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Boarding.

 

[Max Samuels]

I flew them BNE-AKL... was a very nice plane... but the service was a bit weird (in my opinion) - maybe it's a cultural thing, but vastly different from CX, JL, SQ, MH, even KE etc which are also "asian" but with a a style I think that is more aligned to western expectations....

Having said that, NH used to serve KFC on domestic flights in Japan which was also weird! And they are considered one of world top best.

 

[Dr Ralph]

On board.

 

[Max Samuels]

Denied entry at Qantas lounge. Forced to use Skyteam instead.

Excuse my ignorance if I missed something here, but why would QF lounge access be granted? Is it codeshare? I know access is granted if flying Asiana codeshare to ICN...

 

[Dr Ralph]

Excuse my ignorance if I missed something here, but why would QF lounge access be granted? Is it codeshare? I know access is granted if flying Asiana codeshare to ICN...

I just assumed as it was a Qantas award booking that entry was possible. It was a code share flight.

Entry was possible on an award booking for China Eastern.

 

[Max Samuels]

I just assumed as it was a Qantas award booking that entry was possible. It was a code share flight.

Entry was possible on an award booking for China Eastern.

Ah yeah that makes sense - China Eastern is listed as a specific airline that gets access to QF lounges (I assume MU pays QF to "operate" their lounge)

Codeshare is always a bit weird. Last year I was flying SFO-SEA on "AA" (but it was actually codeshare on Alaskan)... AA wouldn't let me use their lounge, and Alaskan didn't have one.... so kind of dumb. Especially since was purchased through the AA website!

 

[Ktan89]

Having said that, NH used to serve KFC on domestic flights in Japan which was also weird! And they are considered one of world top best.

If it was fresh and hot and spicy.. i wouldn't mind some KFC on board

 

[Max Samuels]

If it was fresh and hot and spicy.. i wouldn't mind some KFC on board

Oh yeah - no complaints - just "unexpected"!

And they used to have softdrink branded plan too... was it coke? I can't remember

 

[Dr Ralph]

Over all a pretty good flight. Modern plane. Service was OK. After the lunch service the staff basically completely disappeared. Definitely not proactive. The staff's English was good. I didn't discover the self serve snack bar until after the flight was nearly over. Entertainment system fair to good. Food fair. They somehow failed to load the western option for dinner service. Supposed to be a burger. I was offered a tuna sandwich instead which i declined. Seat good. Didnt feel that I was treated differently as a westerner as i have previously experienced with china eastern. I wish this was an option for award flights from Aus to the US, id much prefer this to the China Eastern option. I'd rate this close to a CX experience. Would be happy to fly with this airline again. Some pics follow.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Seat.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Headphones. Sound was the loudest I've ever experienced on a plane.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Great storage area inside arm rest.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Great table. Folds out and has multiple different positions that it can be locked at.