Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - Thai Biz A340-500 or China Airlines First?

These two options price out on my itinerary for roughly the same amount. I can go BKK-LAX on Thai in Business nonstop or BKK-TPE-LAX on China Airlines all First Class. I don't care really care about the stopover, but I do want the best service/food/seats. Which would you reccommend? Is the nonstop A340-500 better than regular Thai business class? Thanks!

Hi riced,

180,000 or 6 first class returns, to reach their "gold' is a bit steep, so I would stick with Thai Airways. I have flown China Eastern once the fare was extremely cheap, in fact it was half every other airline's price, IMHO I ended up getting exactly what I paid for. regards and Happy new yEAR BKKROP

CI has 2 daily flights TPE-LAX operated by 744. But there is only one CI flight BKK-TPE operating with F class (CI66 on a 744). This implies a 3h40 layover in TPE (but only 2hrs on the way back).
I believe that CI has not retrofitted all its 744 with individual shell seats (12 in the front cabins) and AVOD. TPE-LAX is scheduled with the new configuration (with the risk of a last-minute substitution), but the BKK-TPE is on an older ac with 14 pair-seats (they recline almost flat, 83", no AVOD, somewhat comparable to the old F seats on TG 7442). Service and food is good on CI, not to the level of SQ.
Undoutbtedly F seats on CI (even the older 747s) are better than the lie-flat C seats on TG. But you add some hours and the fatigue of a transit.
Another element to take into account is that TG flight departs in the evening, while CI departs in the morning.
Another element is that, on some days, TG seems to be scheduling the A346 rather than the A345. One advantage is that you could try to be seated in the F seats of the 346, while paying C fare (but huge copetition there). Food/wine will be C class, but the seat is great. The disadvantage is that the A346 has to make a technical stop on the way back: then it takes the same amount of time to fly on TG or on CI.

Hi riced,

180,000 or 6 first class returns, to reach their "gold' is a bit steep, so I would stick with Thai Airways. I have flown China Eastern once the fare was extremely cheap, in fact it was half every other airline's price, IMHO I ended up getting exactly what I paid for. regards and Happy new yEAR BKKROP

Hi BKKROP,
FF Points is not really a consideration for this trip. I'll probably dump them into United or Delta depending on the airline (neither I use that much). I simply want service and comfort. I've flown both in Biz and First before (both airlines), but not on this route. However, I've never sat in the new Thai biz seats, nor the China Airlines First seats. I've also never taken the nonstop and am not really sure if I want to.