China Airlines
Aug 3rd, 2005, 01:04 PM
#2
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Here are some reviews. This site has additional info on seat pitch and ratings etc.
http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/china.htm
Aug 3rd, 2005, 04:45 PM
#3
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I heard that China Airlines has one of the worst safety records. I think their international flights seem to be safer than their domestic flights, but be sure you know what kind of plane you're flying because sometimes some of the planes are a bit too old for flying.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 05:23 PM
#4
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China Airlines fatal crashes in the last 20 years:
1986. Domestic flight at Makung.
1991. Cargo plane near Taipei.
1994. Nagoya.
1998. Taipei.
2002. Enroute Taipei to Hong Kong.
CI has been upgrading their fleet, with some new 747-400s and 340-300s for N. American routes.
TPE-MNL uses older A300-600 (same type that crashed in 94 and 98), and new 737-800.
1986. Domestic flight at Makung.
1991. Cargo plane near Taipei.
1994. Nagoya.
1998. Taipei.
2002. Enroute Taipei to Hong Kong.
CI has been upgrading their fleet, with some new 747-400s and 340-300s for N. American routes.
TPE-MNL uses older A300-600 (same type that crashed in 94 and 98), and new 737-800.
Aug 3rd, 2005, 05:31 PM
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Actually, the A300-600 aren't that old. The newest they have is built in 1998. Oldest 1989.
Their 747-400s are built between 1990 and April, 2005.
340-300 are built between 2001 and 2003.
737-800 are built between 1998 and 2003.
Overall, a pretty young fleet.
Their 747-400s are built between 1990 and April, 2005.
340-300 are built between 2001 and 2003.
737-800 are built between 1998 and 2003.
Overall, a pretty young fleet.
Aug 4th, 2005, 04:09 AM
#6
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Thank you all for the good advice! Right now the best fare out there for a departure in Feb is about $950 including all taxes- Houston to Manila on China Airlines. We like to go EVA Air Deluxe but that fare is now running about $1340- about $400 more and I'm feeling that the value is not there with that price difference- so I'm leaning towards China Airlines this time.
Aug 4th, 2005, 04:49 AM
#8
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747s are definitely still being built. China Airlines and Qantas are taking new passenger versions, and many cargo operators are as well.
In fact, Boeing is likely to upgrade the 747 with a small increase in length and newer, stronger engines, to make it a viable alternative to the A380. There are still a lot of major airlines who have not ordered the A380, but operate a lot of 747s. For example, Japan Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific may all decide not to get the A380, but the newer 747 version instead.
In fact, Boeing is likely to upgrade the 747 with a small increase in length and newer, stronger engines, to make it a viable alternative to the A380. There are still a lot of major airlines who have not ordered the A380, but operate a lot of 747s. For example, Japan Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific may all decide not to get the A380, but the newer 747 version instead.
Aug 4th, 2005, 11:30 AM
#9
That's good news. The 747 is my favorite plane to fly. I find it more roomy (in coach) than the newer planes, espcially the last few rows in the back that only have two seats on each side. I am looking forward however to flying the new Thai non-stop JFK-BKK Airbus 340-500.
Aug 4th, 2005, 11:39 AM
#10
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The China Airlines seat plan for the Houston to Manila route use Airbus and the configuration is 2 x 4 x 2- we would go for the 2 seats thereby ensuring that no one sits between us.
This is preferable to the 3 x 4 x 3 configuration that the 747 has for their economy class.
This is preferable to the 3 x 4 x 3 configuration that the 747 has for their economy class.
Aug 4th, 2005, 11:51 AM
#11
Bill, on 747s, the last rows (63 and back I believe) are 2-4-2. Because of the way the plane is shaped, if you can snag one of the first two of those rows, you will have a lot of room on the side that is near the window, allowing you to stretch out and put stuff that you may need during the flight, freeing up the space in front of you, thus giving you more leg room.
Aug 4th, 2005, 11:58 AM
#12
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Thanks for the info- but if we fly China Airlines - they don't fly the 747's on our route.
Also we usually avoid the back of the plane- too noisy/busy back there and the wife does not want to be anywhere near the galley and restrooms and, in the back of the plane you get served last - you still get a choice- your choice is whats left or not to eat at all!
Also if you are making a connection- being the last one off the plane can be a problem if the plane is late and the connection time is real short.
Also we usually avoid the back of the plane- too noisy/busy back there and the wife does not want to be anywhere near the galley and restrooms and, in the back of the plane you get served last - you still get a choice- your choice is whats left or not to eat at all!
Also if you are making a connection- being the last one off the plane can be a problem if the plane is late and the connection time is real short.
Aug 4th, 2005, 01:53 PM
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I almost flew CI's IAH-SEA-TPE flight for my Hong Kong trip late last year. CI's 340 has personal video screen and okay legroom in coach (32"
, so it should be alright.
The thing some people don't like about this flight is the SEA stop. The flight leaves Houston pretty late in the evening, and then it has to make a stop in SEA in the middle of the night (Houston time). And on the way back, US immigration/customs at SEA, meaning taking everything out, claim luggage, recheck, etc...
From Houston to Manila, the best itinerary is defitely CO to NRT, connecting to MNL on NW.
, so it should be alright.The thing some people don't like about this flight is the SEA stop. The flight leaves Houston pretty late in the evening, and then it has to make a stop in SEA in the middle of the night (Houston time). And on the way back, US immigration/customs at SEA, meaning taking everything out, claim luggage, recheck, etc...
From Houston to Manila, the best itinerary is defitely CO to NRT, connecting to MNL on NW.
Aug 5th, 2005, 04:07 AM
#15
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We are used to the late flight out from the West coast- be it at Seattle or LAX- its about the same and as for clearing customs- doesn't matter we either do it in LA or Seattle- same difference. Connection times are a nice to have for me- but price rules primarily- ideally with an airline that I'm collecting miles and if I can upgrade out of economy for about $200 - that is worth it to me. Thats why EVA Air has a lot of appeal. Only this time around it will cost me about $400 to get that upgrade- not worth it to me at that price. At this point China Airlines is the front runner.
Aug 5th, 2005, 09:55 AM
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We flew on China Airlines from Taipei to SF a few months ago. Expedia had put us on this flight - we didn't specifically select China Airlines ourselves - but we decided to make the best of the situation. The flight was almost 100% full, and it was a VERY large plane. In fact, there were so many passengers waiting at the gate for boarding, I was sure we would be sitting on each other's laps!
Anyway, everything about the flight turned out to be fine. The flight attendants were very helpful, the food was adequate (Chinese or Western, as you preferred), and the movies were shown on a screen up front.
I spoke with several passengers en route. It seems that many low-level high-tech workers use China Airlines to commute on a regular basis between their jobs in Asia and California strictly because the fares are so low. Half the passengers seemed to be young computer geeks!
Most intersting, however, was the group of three Hmong refugees being flown from Thailand to their new home in California. They were dressed in their best native costumes and carried all their worldly possessions with them (including a box of dirt and grass). They spoke not a word of English and had notes pinned to their shirts, like kindergarten students. I'm sure it was the first time they were ever in an airplane, and maybe even the first time they had ever seen an airplane! I thought about them and their new adventure during most of my trip. It was a definite plus I probably wouldn't have met up with on another airline!
Anyway, everything about the flight turned out to be fine. The flight attendants were very helpful, the food was adequate (Chinese or Western, as you preferred), and the movies were shown on a screen up front.
I spoke with several passengers en route. It seems that many low-level high-tech workers use China Airlines to commute on a regular basis between their jobs in Asia and California strictly because the fares are so low. Half the passengers seemed to be young computer geeks!
Most intersting, however, was the group of three Hmong refugees being flown from Thailand to their new home in California. They were dressed in their best native costumes and carried all their worldly possessions with them (including a box of dirt and grass). They spoke not a word of English and had notes pinned to their shirts, like kindergarten students. I'm sure it was the first time they were ever in an airplane, and maybe even the first time they had ever seen an airplane! I thought about them and their new adventure during most of my trip. It was a definite plus I probably wouldn't have met up with on another airline!
