Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Questions and Advice about China Airlines?

Sorry for the noob question but how is China Airlines? In terms of safety, comfort, food and entertainment?

I tried searching China Airlines but all I found was China Eastern.

What do you guys think of China Airlines? I have two options, departing at roughly the same dates.

China Airlines: YVR -> Taiwan(Taipei, 10 day stay) -> HKG(20day stay) -> Taiwan -> YVR - $1600 CAD

Cathay Pacific: YVR -> HKG(1 hour layover) -> TW(10 day stay) -> HKG(20 day stay) -> YVR - $1900 CAD

Both are Coach/Economy

The difference is $300, it's not THAT much but shes a student, so $300 extra she can spend on her vacation. Her mom wants her to go on Cathay since it's has a really good reputation but she wants to save $300 and go on China Airlines(not that great of reputation I've heard)

Any advice?

Thanks guys!

CI (China Airlines) is better than flying the mainland China airlines, but they are no Cathay or Singapore Airlines.

Despite having a couple accidents 2 or 3 decades ago, I would not worry about safety.

The main issue is the equipment. I THINK they are running older equipment out of YVR, and this could certainly be old (no IFE).

The food tends to have a strong Tawanese flavour, but you might be fine with that. Other than that it is OK (but Cathay is certainly better).

I would consider the $300 for CX a reasonable value, but $300 might be worth more to you than me.

P.S., see what you can book EVA in premium economy for. If that comes in at under $2k it is a winner. Wider seats with more pitch is the main advatage.

In terms of safety I don't think both have any major issues. China Airlines is known to have been involved in a number of major accidents in the past 2-3 decades (that's how their reputation as an 'unsafe carrier' began) but they're pretty much ok now. Latest non-fatal major accident was in 2007 and fatal one in 2002.

Entertainment for sure Cathay wins - their system (in terms of choice/variety) is one of the best behind EK. Food is comparable (but Cathay serves Haagen-Dazs on their long hauls and overall quality a bit better).

Comfort is subjective (you won't know unless you experience it personally). Most of CX's longhaul aircraft is equipped with their 'shell' seat, which is different from the traditional recliner in the fact that it 'reclines' within your own space rather than towards the person behind you (so that the passenger behind does not get bothered when reading a book, using a laptop, eating, etc.). Personally I like this concept and the seat itself, but others do not. Of course if you read reviews you'll find most of them being complaints - as complainers tend to voice out their opinions louder than those of like the product (ironically now that CX has made the decision to scrap the shell seat, more and more people are expressing their 'love' towards the shell seat and complaining how this was a unique selling point of CX). Cathay is currently in the process of introducing Premium Economy and a recliner seat in Economy back onboard their longhaul aircraft.

I personally would chose China Airlines (when flying economy) anytime over CX. You can pretty much be guaranteed to have AVOD. There are currently 4 versions of 747, the later 3 versions you will AVOD at the back of your seat. Their oldest 747 (version 1) have been undergoing cabin refurbishment. I'm pretty sure by the time of your travel they will have been converted to either version 3 or version 4. The chances of getting a version 1 747 on TPE-YVR is almost zero. I personally cannot stand CX's fixed shell seat, they are the worst seat I've been on. In terms of service I don't think CX economy is any better, certainly not worth that extra 300CAD. I would rather spend that 300 somewhere else useful. Hope that helps:)

What is the best business class upper deck seat on the 747, specifically the one(s) that fly JFK-KIX? I have 8A in a few weeks, is that good? Their website's seat map is strange and seat guru seems to have conflicting reports. Is row 9 the exit row, and if so, is it more spacious? But does it have windows? Thanks for any insight!

I'm not actually sure myself. I haven't been on their retrofitted biz class. Here is a link that you can have a look. http://www.jadeair.com.tw/discuz/viewthread.php?tid=10772&extra=page%3D3

It is unfortunately in Chinese. This review was on 10/02/2012 New business class from LAX to TPE. This just to give you an idea of what you can expect onboard. Cheese plate is missed from the photo tho. From what I've have read and heard, the seat is at its best in seating position, and the new blanket is very comfy. Considering it is only 170 degree or 160??, I doubt this is going to be a top notch experience for you. But hey the money you save from flying other airlines can be spent elsewhere, right?
Hope that someone more experienced here will be answer your question. Have a good trip.

Sorry for the noob question but how is China Airlines? In terms of safety, comfort, food and entertainment?

I tried searching China Airlines but all I found was China Eastern.

What do you guys think of China Airlines? I have two options, departing at roughly the same dates.

China Airlines: YVR -> Taiwan(Taipei, 10 day stay) -> HKG(20day stay) -> Taiwan -> YVR - $1600 CAD

Cathay Pacific: YVR -> HKG(1 hour layover) -> TW(10 day stay) -> HKG(20 day stay) -> YVR - $1900 CAD

Both are Coach/Economy

The difference is $300, it's not THAT much but shes a student, so $300 extra she can spend on her vacation. Her mom wants her to go on Cathay since it's has a really good reputation but she wants to save $300 and go on China Airlines(not that great of reputation I've heard)

Any advice?

Thanks guys!
I think CI also occasionally use A340 on this route. I think you are most likely to be flying one of the following three types of economy seat. 1. A340 2. Version 2 747 which has the same economy seat as their A330 3. New 747 economy class seat which is what's their website. I have been on A340 before, I do have to say the seat is a bit hard. But on the bright side it recline :D A330 style economy seat, in my opinion, is very comfortable. Regardless of the types of aircraft you are flying you will have AVOD.

I also found a link here (unfortunately it is in Chinese) It is just to give you an idea of what you can expect from CI.
http://www.jadeair.com.tw/discuz/viewthread.php?tid=11155&extra=page%3D2

Hope that helps

What is the best business class upper deck seat on the 747, specifically the one(s) that fly JFK-KIX? I have 8A in a few weeks, is that good? Their website's seat map is strange and seat guru seems to have conflicting reports. Is row 9 the exit row, and if so, is it more spacious? But does it have windows? Thanks for any insight!

Take the nose seats unless you want extra legroom in row 9 upstairs.