China Airlines is an often-overlooked Taiwanese airline that flies from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on to Europe and the US via its hub in Taipei.
Australia-based travellers are most likely to fly them when using Qantas Points for travel between Australia and Taipei—other routings are not permitted for redemptions.
I am personally a fan of China Airlines because of their very tasteful cabin interior designs and competitive fares. So, when a $1598 Premium Economy return fare from Sydney to Europe popped up for travel over Christmas 2018, I jumped at it without hesitation.
As a SkyTeam member, the flights earned 20,782 miles when credited to the Delta SkyMiles program—enough for a few domestic flights within the US, or just short for a one-way Virgin Australia flight within Australia.
Fleet & routes
China Airlines flies the modern Airbus A350-900 to Australia, and to major destinations within Europe and the US. Here is a selection of their most relevant destinations for Australia-based travellers:
You might also come across their older Boeing 777-300ERs on longer flights, which share the same modern cabin interiors as the Airbus A350s. Regional destinations within Asia are more commonly served by the Airbus A330s which have an older layout.
The cabin & seats
China Airlines’ Airbus A350s have 31 Premium Economy seats arranged in a 2-3-2 layout (circled in purple).
The Premium Economy cabin is only separated from Economy by a thin barrier and curtains, meaning it does not quite feel as private as the dedicated Business Class cabin.
Each fixed-shell seat is quite wide and comfortable. The design ensures that you do not intrude into space behind you when resting.
There are two levers controlling the seat – one slides the seat cushion forward and lowers the seat recline (a maximum of 129°), while the other raises the legrest.
The leg rest is supportive for the calves, but it does come at the expense of reducing your own knee space if you recline at the same time, as it moves you much closer to the seat in front.
A thick blanket and pillow are at your seat upon boarding. You can see the inflight entertainment controller stowed under the shared cocktail drinks table. It was sufficiently out of the way so you would not accidentally hit the call button when dozing.
The drop down tray table is relatively sturdy for eating or working.
The 12.1’ in-seat screens are high definition and responsive. There are a USB plug and a coat hook on each seat back. When the tray table is stowed up, there is a small metal drinks holder you can deploy instead.
The 39’ of seat pitch means plenty of legroom (Economy is 32’ for comparison) and each seat is 51cm wide (46cm in Economy). In between each seat are a dedicated reading lamp and a small storage pocket. In front of each seat is a water bottle holder as well.
A universal power plug is located underneath each seat.
Seat choice
With a 2-3-2 arrangement, even-numbered groups of families and friends will find it easiest to choose seating here.
Solo travellers who do not want to be disturbed should consider sitting on the aisles of the centre block (D or G). There is less chance of being disturbed by anyone in the middle seat (E) trying to go to the bathroom, as they have two ways to reach the aisle.
Groups of two, four or more will be best spread out across numerous window pairs, as it offers a good mix of privacy and views through the large windows.
Food & drink
Catering in China Airlines Premium Economy is essentially at Economy standards, rather than ‘Business Lite’ as offered by Qantas and Virgin Australia.
However, the quality overall was very good. An example menu starts off with smoked salmon and chicken breast salad with zucchini, followed by the main course of teriyaki beef or tagliatelle in tomato sauce with chicken.
Both meals were cooked well and tasted fresh.
Both flights came with two meal services, and sandwiches were available as extra snacks.
A full bar is offered on the flights, with soft drinks, juices, teas, spirits, basic wines, and Gold Medal Taiwan Beer or Heineken.
Customer service
Service on China Airlines was always efficient and polite, which is typical of Asian airlines in general – no request was forgotten or too much hassle for the cabin crew.
Premium Economy had a lot more attentive service than Economy simply due to the small cabin size, but there was not much else notably different overall.
Inflight entertainment
As you would expect from the newest generation Airbus A350, the inflight entertainment screens are sharp and zippy.
Content-wise, it is not going to win any awards, but there are plenty of ‘Hollywood’ movies and complete TV box seats to keep you entertained on the longer flights to Europe and the USA.
You can use the touchscreen or the controller to navigate, while the latter also doubles as a gamepad if you want to play something more interactive.
Amenities
The lavatories are the same as those in the Economy cabin, and have the standard hand creams for moisturising on long flights. Premium Economy has two lavatories at the front of the cabin, which is presumably shared with the Business Class cabin in front.
One point of difference is the amenity kit, which come in a useful hard case bag. Inside is an eye mask, dental and hair kit, shea lip balm and hand cream, and a China Airlines A350 sticker.
Paid WiFi is available on all China Airlines A350 flights, however, I did not use the service on this trip.
How to redeem points for this flight
Between Australia and Taipei
How to use your Qantas Points for China Airlines flights
Other routes, e.g. to Europe and North America
As previously mentioned, there are often great sale fares for Premium Economy on China Airlines. My $1598 ticket from Sydney to Amsterdam return is comparable in price to normal Economy on other airlines.
If you do book in Premium Economy or a higher class, do not forget to credit your miles to China Airlines, Air France-KLM, Delta, Korean Air or other partner frequent flyer programs to ensure you do not miss out on a big chunk of mileage. Even the cheapest Premium Economy fares will still earn the equivalent of points and status credits at the ‘100% of flown’ rate or higher.
China Airlines is not a mainstream airline to redeem points on for the average Australia-based traveller. The easiest method is most likely to be through Delta SkyMiles, which you can earn on Virgin Australia or SkyTeam partner flights.
A stand-alone Sydney to Taipei flight is redeemable for 65,000 Delta SkyMiles and $94 taxes.
However, it is even much better value to fly Sydney to Amsterdam with only 90,000 Delta SkyMiles and $94 taxes getting you all the way to Europe!
It is odd that there is no increase in taxes when flying onwards to Europe compared to just stopping in Taipei, but unfortunately, I do not have enough Delta SkyMiles to go to the payment screen and verify those amounts.
Lounge access
As expected, there is no lounge access included with China Airlines Premium Economy.
If you hold Priority Pass membership, you will be able to get into a Plaza Premium lounge in Melbourne and Brisbane, or alternatively get a dining credit. In Taipei, there are a number of independent pay-per-entry lounges.
Otherwise, the right American Express card can get you into the Amex Lounges in Sydney or Melbourne, which is what I did on this trip.
SkyTeam Elite Plus status or those travelling in Business Class will have access to the SkyTeam Lounge in Sydney and the China Airlines lounges in Taipei.
Other China Airlines review
China Airlines A350 & 777-300ER Business Class
Summing up: why choose this flight?
China Airlines Premium Economy is a great choice for any budget-conscious traveller who is happy to spend a little more to get greater comfort on the long flights to Europe and the US. If you’re heading just to Taiwan, then this is a great use of Qantas Points.
The 35 kg luggage allowance, premium check-in/boarding and priority luggage delivery also help reduce the stress of travelling.
What is great
- A solid Premium Economy product that can often be found at ‘standard Economy’ prices when on sale
- Comfortable and wide 2-3-2 seating with lots of legroom
- Attentive and reliable service
- Being on an Airbus A350 is always a plus – the modern atmosphere made the flight more enjoyable
- Good mileage earning rates with partner programs
What is not great
- The meal service and presentation could have more of a ‘wow’ factor compared to Economy
On a different note, China Airlines’ newest Business Class cabin also looks very sleek and well-designed. With return fares to Europe starting at $3,998, it is another cost-efficient way to travel long haul in style.
Supplementary images courtesy of China Airlines
As I am 6ft 2in tall I am looking forward to the extra legroom of premium economy.
I had allocated the two of us seats 33HK. But I have now read that the leg cradle support available might actually restrict our legroom, when the support raises our legs towards the magazine holder and footrest in front.
Are we better off allocating bulkhead seats 31HK instead, despite the fact that we may not be able to extend our legs fully due to the fixed partition in front?
I’d only fly China Airlines again if the price was right, but if a more reputable airline came up at the right price, I’d pay the extra.