Welcome to my trip report on China Airlines Part 1 Trip Report!
This is my ride, B-18907
Photo: Mark A. Harris
Introduction
I decided to travel to Taiwan and Japan to fly numerous airlines and add new cities into my flight logbook. Planning on the flight itinerary is probably one of my favourite things to do and since I flew on EVA Air and Starlux (recently) on SIN-TPE route, I decided to give China Airlines a try, to experience both the Premium Economy and Economy Class products and share with you readers. Initially I was hoping to fly on the airline's A350-900 and return flight on the A321neo (Hoping to get fly on the Pokemon aircraft), however during the winter schedule, the A330-300 was operating the 2nd flight so I stick to the A350 (morning flight), 0810 departure which is far from ideal but at least it turns out I got to fly on an A350 aircraft (B-18919 - leased aircraft) which previously operated for SAS, this means the configuration and seat product is different from China Airlines' owned aircraft (B-18901 to B-18903, B-18905 to B-18912, B-18915 to B-18918)
Here is my itinerary for my November 2024 trip! This is what you should be expecting from my upcoming trip reports.
1. SIN-TPE (China Airlines A350) - This Trip report
2. TPE-OKA (Peach Aviation A320ceo) - Coming up soon
3. OKA-FUK (Solaseed Air B737-800) - Coming up soon
4. FUK-OKA (Skymark B737-800) - Coming up soon
OKA-UEO-OKA (Booking was cancelled)
5. OKA-HND (Japan Airlines A350-900) - Coming up soon
6. HND-CTS (Air Do B767-300ER) - Coming up soon
7. CTS-HND (Air Do B767-300ER) - Coming up soon
8. HND-TSA (EVA Air B787-10) - Coming up soon
9. TPE-SIN (China Airlines A350-900) - Coming up soon
The reason for the cancellation of the Ryukyu Air's Dash-8 flights was because there was an event on the day of flight and I decided to attend it. This gives me another reason for me to return to Japan in the near future. Thanks to the airline, I received my refund within a week.
So without further ado, let's begin this trip report!
Booking
Although the website and mobile app are better than the last time I used on my flights with this airline in 2015, the website is still lagging behind in terms of quality compared to Starlux and EVA Air. I find the interface to be very basic and limited, not very user-friendly.
There is a meal selection to choose my meals, without any desciption or photos of the meal, I have to rely on online reviews to make my decision.
From the mobile app, I was able to store my itinerary on it without registering and manage my booking without issue.
The seating layout of the A350-900.
So far for that month, only one flight had an aircraft change from the A350-900 to the A330-300 and fortunately I didn't have to experience that. The A330-300 cabin is outdated and will be replaced by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and the first aircraft of this type will be delivered later this year (2025). No definite date yet for the first delivery as Boeing is still coping with its internal issues that have been crippling the manufacturer for quite a while, causing lengthy delay to the delivery of new aircraft and facing difficulty obtaining the cerfiticate to allow airlines to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 7, MAX 10 and the 777-9.
You can check out my trip report on China Airlines' A330-300 over here.
China Airlines at this time departs from Terminal 3.
I hope to do the longest flight in the world, SIN-JFK with Singapore Airlines A350-900 soon, most likely this will happen next year (2026).
The check-in counter for the Premium Economy Class was empty so I got my check-in process done within minutes.
If you have time, you can walk to the Jewel. (Entrance to Jewel is located on the departure hall just next to the Crowne Plaza entrance.)
The Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary decoration can be spotted at some parts of the terminal 3.
This display is located at the arrival hall.
Departure hall (Airside)
There is even a slide for kids.
While the Hello Kitty decoration does look nice, I prefer the Hello Kitty livery painted on EVA Air's aircraft. You can check out the airline's Hello Kitty livery over here.
This is the airside of Terminal 3
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 and A380
At that point of time, my plane was in line for arrival to Changi Airport.
My aircraft was parked at B4. This gate is shared with B1 to B3 in a holding room. Security check is done before the passengers were allowed in this area.
What I like about this terminal 3 is how spacious it is.
There is even the Robot Barista which I might try it the next time I am there.
Here is my ride, B-18907, the aircraft just touched down on runway 20R.
With the aircraft parking at this gate, it was not possible to get a good camera photo of the aircraft unless you are disembarking from the aircraft.
The holding room for gate B1-B4 passengers.
At that time, there was an SQ flight departing for Hong Kong (A350-900 9V-SMB).
Here we go, the wait is over. The last time I flew with this airline was on the airline's A330-300 and Boeing 747-400. Let's see how much has changed with the airline's cabin products.
While our flight was boarding, EVA Air's 2nd flight of the day to Singapore, just arrived from TPE.
Earpiece is available for Economy Class passengers.
My ride: B-18907 (Photo: Mark A. Harris)
Airbus A350-941 (Owned)
Delivered in May 2017
Engines: 2 X Roll Royce Trent XWB-84
Configuration: C32 W31 Y243
105th A350 built
Age: 7+ Years Old (Jan 2025)
Built in Toulouse (TLS)
Flight route: SIN-TPE
Miles: 1,996
My seat: 33A (Photo: Aerolopa.com)
Airline: China Airlines
Flight: CI754
Route: SIN-TPE
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Registration: B-18907
Seat: 33A (Premium Economy)
Departure Terminal: 3
Gate: B4
Load: 90%
Flight Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Actual Flight Time: 4 hours 14 minutes
Schedule Departure: 1415
Boarding: 1358
Push Back: 1422
Take Off: 1436
Schedule Arrival: 1855
Actual Arrival: 1850
Departure Runway: 20C
Departure Weather: Raining
Arrival Runway: 05L
Arrival Weather: Cloudy
My Flight Summary
We started boarding about 15 minutes before our departure time but pushed back just 10 minutes late. My first impression of the cabin, the products of both the businesss and premium economy class seats look dated and I didn't hear much positive review about the premium economy class seat and I can understand why. The seat was slightly hard, making me feel uncomfortable after few hours, however the legroom space was adequate and the 2-seater seat by the window side is worth the upgrade over the seat in economy class.
After take off, I observed the route throughout our flight and we took a different one, instead of flying over South China Sea, passing by Phillipines, we flew over Thailand, across Vietnam and then over the South China Sea towards Taipei, the reason for this routing is because of the typhoon which was happening around the Southern parts of Phillipines.
For the flight itself, there were bits of bumps but nothing bad and for the inflight service, it was not bad. The crew came around a few times to check on us but the only thing I have to complain about is the slow meal service. The quality of the food was ok and for the entertainment system, wifi is available and for the TV screen, the amount of programmes are limited. While there is not much privacy between my seatmate and myself, I find it to be quite alright, nothing to complain about especially this is just a Premium Economy Class and for the price I paid, I find it to be quite worth it.
We touched down ahead of schedule and I had a quick look at the business class before leaving the aircraft. Comparing my experience on this aircraft with the airline's retired 747-400, soon-to-be retired Boeing 737-800 and A330-300 aircraft, this was definitely better. What I like most about this flight is this set of cabin crew especially the ones serving my aisle.
Business Class
This business class cabin consists of 32 Collin Aerospace Super Diamond sests configured in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. These seats can be converted into a fully lie-flat bed with a length of 78 inches. Each seat has a seat width of 21 inches with the armrests in between and the passengers can enjoy entertainment on the 18 inches HD touchscreen display and charge their devices with the availibility of the universal AC and USB-A sockets at each seat.
The cabin interior of the business class cabin
Each seat comes with a table lamp.
The last row of the business class cabin
I haven't tried this type of seat, what's your opinion on them?
I find the cabin interior too dark for my liking.
Economy Class (Photos: China Airlines)
There are 243 Safran Z300 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, comes with a 11.1 inch HD touchscreen display, 4-way adjustable headrest and bi-fold table. The USB-port A and Universal AC sockets are available for the passengers and the seats comes with a seat with of 18 imches, legroom space of 32 inches and can recline up to 116 degrees.
As I flew on a different configured A350 (B-18919, Ex SAS's aircraft) in Economy Class on my return flight, you can check out the trip report from another blogger on this aircraft's economy class. This is Live and Let's Fly version, click here for the trip report.
Premium Economy Class
There are 31 Premium Economy Class seats configured in a 2-3-2 configuration. These are the AIRgo FX fixed shell seats which provide passengers an adjustable headrest, calf rest and footrest. Each passenger gets to enjoy a legroom space of 39 inches, 20 inches of seat width and the seat can recline up to 129 degrees. For the IFE Screen, it has a 12.1 inches HD touchscreen display and like any other seats in other cabin, USB-A and Universal power outlets are available.
The 3-seater in the Premium Economy Class cabin
This is the last row of the Premium Economy Class cabin.
The Airbus A350 cabin interior
The view across the cabin from my seat
The Premium Economy seat
The mood lighting
This seat product will be replaced from 2027 onwards.
There is a divider and curtain fitted between the Premium Economy and Economy class cabin.
The cabin, photographed after arrival.
At this point, passengers were disembarking the aircraft.
More photos of the seat
A drink holder and it can support small items such as cell phone.
I choose seat 33A as the window is aligned to my seat.
Legroom space is good.
Foot rest is available.
The buttons for the legrest support and the reclining mode.
The foldable tray table
The overhead panel
Remote control for the IFE system
At this point, the video of the rules and regulation to enter Taiwan was shown.
Overall, I enjoyed my flight. :)
What's provided for each Premium Economy class passenger?
A pair of earphones (For Economy Class passengers)
Blanket
Pillow
Headphones (I used this.)
Inflight magazine
Safety Card
Disposal Bag
In-Flight Snack and Meal
Before our meals were served, we were given a packet of nuts and a choice of beverage.
I had a choice of Chicken and Mushroom noodles or Roasted Fish Fillet with Potatoes.
I pre-ordered the fish option which comes with salad, fruits, a packet of kit kat and a piece of bread roll with butter.
Salad
Fruits and kit kat
During our meal, the crew came around to distribute a cup of ice cream to us.
I requested for a can of Taiwanese beer to enjoy this occasion.
In-Flight Entertainment
This touch screen may not be the most advanced but at least it was working and I was able to navigate the pages without issue.
Welcome on board!
The entertainment section
I settled for the Borderlands movie.
The flight map system. Do note that there is no external camera installed on this aircraft.
This Deadpool & Wolverine movie has to be one of the worst in my list. 20 or 30 minutes into the movie, I decided to watch another movie, that was how bad it was to me.
This is the first time I am flying to Taipei by a different route (Below)
The usual routing for SIN-TPE routing and vice versa is this. (Below)
Inflight Wifi
The wifi charges - even messaging cost a small fee, that is not cool.
There is even a page to inform you how much data is required to use the following applications.
Lavatory
Not the best condition.
Window view photos (Take off to Landing)
It was raining during our taxi to the runway.
Passing by an A380 while rolling down the runway.
Off we go! There was a bit of bumps during our climb.
Fortunately, the weather improved once we were almost out of Singapore.
The A350 is very silent during take off and climbing, it is definitely one of my favourite aircraft to fly on.
At this point, we were at the south coast of Taipei.
Approach and landing at TPE airport was a smooth affair.
Reverse thrust was deployed as our aircraft slowed down to taxi speed.
Flight summary (Not available)
Somehow the details of my CI754 flight (15th November) is not available, that is strange.
Welcome to Taipei Taoyuan Airport! This is Terminal.
The walk from the gate to the immigration took about 10 minutes.
Once I cleared immigration, I went to the Airport train station and took the train to Taipei Main Station.
My ratings
Airline Mobile App/ Website (User-friendliness): 3/5
Airport Experience (SIN Terminal 3): 5/5
In-Flight Service: 3/5
In-Flight Entertainment System: 4/5
Seat Comfort: 3/5
Cabin Ambiance: 5/5
Seat Condition: 4/5
Punctuality: 5/5
In-Flight Meal (Premium Economy): 4/5
Cabin Cleanliness: 5/5
Overall Rating: 41/50
Percentage: 82%
Conclusion
The Premium Economy Class seats on the airline's A350-900 (Except B-18919) are not the most comfortable in the market but at least there is a substantial difference between this class and Economy Class. The main difference are the 7 seats per row (2-3-2) instead of 9 in Economy Class (3-3-3), better legroom space, wider seat, each passenger in this class receives a pair of headset and better quality in-flight meal (which one can pre-order from 21 days to 24 hours before departure). I find my in-flight experience on the airline's A350 to be quite alright but not as good as my recent Starlux A350 Premium Economy Class and EVA Air's experience on the same class. However the in-flight service was good, at least for the aisle on my side, the crew came around a few times during the flight to check that we were comfortable.
For the airline's A350, the cabin products of all classes are an upgrade over the old A330-300 and B737-800. It is better to choose the A321neo, A350-900 and B777-300ER flights if you have a choice. At least for now the A330-300 will continue to fly until the Boeing 787 enters service.
*The latest update about the A350-900 is that the airline plans to refurblish the cabin interior from 2027 onwards, stay tuned for more information on this.
I will do a summary of my flight experience with China Airlines and my ratings of the Taiwanese airlines (Premium and Economy Class) products in my return flight with China Airlines (TPE-SIN) trip report coming up soon.
Thanks for reading and have a good one!
Charles
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