Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - China Airlines to start TPE-DEL-FCO

Eff Dec 1st China Airlines will begin new Rome-Delhi-Taipei flight, 3 times per week, instead of current Rome-Bangkok-Taipei route.

The new schedule, as follows :


CI 71 TPE DEL 08.25 13.10 (-2-4--7)
CI 71 DEL FCO 14.25 18.40 (-2-4--7)

CI 72 FCO DEL 22.40 10.55 (-2-4--7)
CI 72 DEL TPE 12.10 20.20 (1-3-5--)

with A-333

Current flights to Delhi will be condensed into this service as well. Therefore, CI 0181/2 will be canceled effectively 01DEC09.

It may be a move to act on Air Asia Thai entering the service on the BKK-TPE v.v. to reduce supply, or China Airlines may be utilizing the 5th freedom service to other destinations in Europe, namely Brussels, Milan, or Prague.

Current flights to Delhi will be condensed into this service as well. Therefore, CI 0181/2 will be canceled effectively 01DEC09.

It may be a move to act on Air Asia Thai entering the service on the BKK-TPE v.v. to reduce supply, or China Airlines may be utilizing the 5th freedom service to other destinations in Europe, namely Brussels, Milan, or Prague.

I was on CI 182, but been bumped onto CI 72 instead, haven't recieved any notification from CI yet. Just looked on my booking record and it's been changed. I think this move will reduce alot capacity for the Indian market between TPE-DEL, as most of the flights i've been on passengers have been connecting from ex YVR, SFO, LAX & SYD to DEL. What do you guys think??, I prefer they still have CI 181/182 to sustain the market.

the TPE-DEL route has not been profitable for a while now, so I think this move is a demand/ supply issue.

Transit passengers are typically lower yields... so maybe they are trying something different. However, I don't see any problems on the schedule change because the TPE-DEL v.v. sector is not majorly affected... the departure time from TPE delayed by like 30 minutes with days changed from Days 135 to 247 and the departure time from DEL moved earlier by like 2 hours on the same days (still Days 135).

It actually makes connecting passengers easier because now the flight will leave later to DEL in order to cater all the early morning arrivals from North America and Sydney... then arrive TPE earlier in the evenings to cater all the late night departures to North America and Sydney.

CI 0181 0750TPE - DEL1145 333 357
CI 0182 1400DEL - TPE2210 333 357

CI 0071 0825TPE - 1310DEL1425 - FCO1840 333 247
CI 0072 2240FCO - 1055+1DEL1210+1 - TPE2020+1 333 247

Departure from TPE delayed by 35 minutes and days moved to 247.
Arrival at DEL delayed by 1 hr 25 minutes.
Departure from DEL moved early by 1 hr 50 minutes.
Arrival at TPE earlier by 1 hr 50 minutes.

I believe TPE-DEL v.v. is profitable... but onward connections to North America may not... However, it should be profitable than running empty TPE-BKK v.v. China Airlines was actually the only airline to maintain 70%+ passenger carrying rate on TPE-BKK v.v., all other airlines, including Thai... reported lower passengers on board.

What about the FCO passengers will they carry on to TPE?, perhaps some may connect onwards to SYD,HKG S.E ASIA and I suppose some may even terminate in DEL. Upon checking flightstats(correct me if I am wrong), I don't think there are direct/non-stop flights out of DEL to FCO, besides CI71/72. I guess with CI 182 they were always pushing to meet the connecting flights to YVR,SFO,LAX,SYD as sometimes a 30 min delay in DEL resulted in CI182 arriving into TPE late and hence the flights had to be held back for the connecting passengers. Anyway this now means I have a 3 hr lay over in TPE on return, instead of 1 hr, might as well utilise the massage chairs in T2 ;)

My god I would hate to pay for Super Dynasty class all that way on the awful A330 and to transit in DEL just confirm to me to stay well clear of CI for ex TPE Euro trips

They do sell direct flights on FCO-TPE v.v.

Gday, sorry did not want to create another thread so just posting in here, just checking some info can some1 tell me the difference between CI's A333s and A33A ? besides the A333 having 36/277 and the A33A 30/277. Any other major differences between these two configs?? as Wikipedia states CI has 6 A33A in fleet, and uses them on long hauls, SYD,HNL,BNE & DEL can someone please provide the registrations of these aircraft.

Cheers

... Any other major differences between these two configs?? as Wikipedia states CI has 6 A33A in fleet, and uses them on long hauls, SYD,HNL,BNE & DEL can someone please provide the registrations of these aircraft.

Cheers

Please check this (http://www.china-airlines.com/en/check/a330.htm) on CI's web site.

Please check this (http://www.china-airlines.com/en/check/a330.htm) on CI's web site.

cool thanks... but the info on wikipedia is conflicting than, as i've mostly seen the A333 on SYD-TPE service (this is classified as short haul a/c) with 52" pitch in C class compared to 63" on the A33A product. I guess they are using it so they can sell extra C seats?? :confused:

My god I would hate to pay for Super Dynasty class all that way on the awful A330 and to transit in DEL just confirm to me to stay well clear of CI for ex TPE Euro trips
Stefan.aerts,
While I can understand how undesirable it can be to transit in the DEL airport (chaotic check in etc), I am a little perplexed why you find the CI Dynasty seats awful; please do understand this is not an argument but rather, I would like to know if there are different models of the 330 that serves these long haul routes; you see, we actually found the Biz seats in 330 to Del quite comfortable as compared to the ones we had (on CI) for the transatlantic flight some months back, think it was a 740-something, where the seats are semi-reclined, narrow, and one keeps sliding down in it.

cool thanks... but the info on wikipedia is conflicting than, as i've mostly seen the A333 on SYD-TPE service (this is classified as short haul a/c) with 52" pitch in C class compared to 63" on the A33A product. I guess they are using it so they can sell extra C seats?? :confused:

Really doubt it.
SYD/BNE/HNL (non-stop)/DEL are major long-haul routes operated by six 33A for a long time. As I check expertflyer.com, it shows 30 seats for C class on both CI51/52 and CI55/56.

cool thanks... but the info on wikipedia is conflicting than, as i've mostly seen the A333 on SYD-TPE service (this is classified as short haul a/c) with 52" pitch in C class compared to 63" on the A33A product. I guess they are using it so they can sell extra C seats?? :confused:

They do substitute 333 for 33A if there's indeed way more C passengers that went on overbooking. However, it's usually not the case and they only sell 30 seats on these specific routes.

Also, if there's a technical issue, then 333 may be substituted.

Stefan.aerts,
While I can understand how undesirable it can be to transit in the DEL airport (chaotic check in etc), I am a little perplexed why you find the CI Dynasty seats awful; please do understand this is not an argument but rather, I would like to know if there are different models of the 330 that serves these long haul routes; you see, we actually found the Biz seats in 330 to Del quite comfortable as compared to the ones we had (on CI) for the transatlantic flight some months back, think it was a 740-something, where the seats are semi-reclined, narrow, and one keeps sliding down in it.

Just following on the topic of DEL, http://www.newdelhiairport.in/media-glimpse.asp work is in progress for the regeneration of the airport for the upcoming 2010 commonwealth games, so I think it will be fair to say, the new terminal will be on par with standards we expect in the likes of SIN,HKG. Whether the actual product is delivered is another thing :p

I wouldn't describe CI's A330 biz seats "awful", but compared to true flatbeds offered by most Star Alliance, oneworld, Middle Eastern carriers, CI (and BR for that matter) has a long way to catch up in both hard and soft products.

I personally think flatbeds (180 degrees fully declined, not at an angle or else) on long haul services is pretty much a prerequisite for a decent airline. The average ones like UA, CA have flatbeds now.


Stefan.aerts,
While I can understand how undesirable it can be to transit in the DEL airport (chaotic check in etc), I am a little perplexed why you find the CI Dynasty seats awful; please do understand this is not an argument but rather, I would like to know if there are different models of the 330 that serves these long haul routes; you see, we actually found the Biz seats in 330 to Del quite comfortable as compared to the ones we had (on CI) for the transatlantic flight some months back, think it was a 740-something, where the seats are semi-reclined, narrow, and one keeps sliding down in it.

I think CI has a long way to go by that definition since I don't see any flat beds coming in to Business Class in the near future. I wouldn't compare it with airlines like UA since CI doesn't charge you a hefty premium to get on Business Class. We should value the products base on the price we pay.

Also, it's heard that the recent bilateral between Taiwan and U.K. has concluded extra rights for Taiwanese carriers to operate flights to London... it's rumored that CI may operate nonstop flights to London, but don't know which airport.

Stefan.aerts,
While I can understand how undesirable it can be to transit in the DEL airport (chaotic check in etc), I am a little perplexed why you find the CI Dynasty seats awful; please do understand this is not an argument but rather, I would like to know if there are different models of the 330 that serves these long haul routes; you see, we actually found the Biz seats in 330 to Del quite comfortable as compared to the ones we had (on CI) for the transatlantic flight some months back, think it was a 740-something, where the seats are semi-reclined, narrow, and one keeps sliding down in it.

CI Biz class

OK 747 has truly awful seats if you get old style, some have Boeing signature seating, its OK, pod style, but still not lie flat, I think it was LAX I got this one. This they call Dynasty class

A340 has about 160 degree reclinem well worn leather seats which are often broken. The base has an air bag inside which is often puntured, this is the best seats they have in the fleet. This they call super Dynasty class and charge a lot for it, my experience is that Cathay is often cheaper for a product light years ahead of CI. I have flown this many times all over the world

A330 same seats but they only recline to about 135 degrees, less legroom as well. I understand they have some of these on 747 now as well. I have flown this many times ranging from Bali to Brisbane, it is not worth the crazy price they charge

I wouldn't describe CI's A330 biz seats "awful", but compared to true flatbeds offered by most Star Alliance, oneworld, Middle Eastern carriers, CI (and BR for that matter) has a long way to catch up in both hard and soft products.

I personally think flatbeds (180 degrees fully declined, not at an angle or else) on long haul services is pretty much a prerequisite for a decent airline. The average ones like UA, CA have flatbeds now.

May I point out that EVA / BR do not have lie flat 180 degree seats, they are ski slope style and I am sure on SG offer real flat 180 degree bed type seats in *A.

A340 has about 160 degree reclinem well worn leather seats which are often broken. The base has an air bag inside which is often puntured, this is the best seats they have in the fleet. This they call super Dynasty class and charge a lot for it, my experience is that Cathay is often cheaper for a product light years ahead of CI. I have flown this many times all over the world

A330 same seats but they only recline to about 135 degrees, less legroom as well. I understand they have some of these on 747 now as well. I have flown this many times ranging from Bali to Brisbane, it is not worth the crazy price they charge

There are 6 aircraft in the 333 division that has 166 degrees recline with 60" pitch.

How is CX much cheaper? Please compare prices from both end of the destination instead of trying to quote the limited I class fares from destinations outside of Hong Kong. It's ridiculous trying to compare prices on routes with one as a home base and the other is not.