SYD to TPE in J with China Airlines - flight report

Status
Not open for further replies.

Dr Ralph

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Posts
13,105
Qantas
Bronze
Virgin
Red
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)
 
Just reserved 11A.

Mrs Dr Ralph in 12A.

It appears that online check-in isn't available for this flight.
 
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!
 
Denied entry at Qantas lounge. Forced to use Skyteam instead.
 

Attachments

  • 15698901230612455592058554052756.jpg
    15698901230612455592058554052756.jpg
    80.8 KB · Views: 34
Plane delayed by 1 hr. Typhoon related.
 
Boarding.
 

Attachments

  • 20191001_132704.jpg
    20191001_132704.jpg
    123.7 KB · Views: 22
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.
 
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...
 
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.
 
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!
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

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
 
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.
 
Last edited:
Seat.
 

Attachments

  • 20191001_133701.jpg
    20191001_133701.jpg
    173.1 KB · Views: 23
  • 20191001_133712.jpg
    20191001_133712.jpg
    126.2 KB · Views: 24
  • 20191001_133720.jpg
    20191001_133720.jpg
    73.2 KB · Views: 25
  • 20191001_133812.jpg
    20191001_133812.jpg
    89.2 KB · Views: 24
  • 20191001_133820.jpg
    20191001_133820.jpg
    77 KB · Views: 24
  • 20191001_133834.jpg
    20191001_133834.jpg
    92.1 KB · Views: 25
  • 20191001_134059.jpg
    20191001_134059.jpg
    127.9 KB · Views: 26
Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top