CI, very happy experiences

[JackR]

I used for the first time CI and it was a pleasant surprise all around.

NRT-TPE CI 107, very old 747 in F on 3 Nov
TPE-NRT CI 106, quite old A330-300 downgraded from F to C due to a change of A/C on 5 Nov

I only paid 102.000 yen for a date flexible A class (F) ticket

Check-in by JAL staff in NRT smoothly through security and immigration to CI's own lounge (separate F section). menu from which you cna choose a variety of meals/snacks.
Only 2 pax in the 14 seats cabin. Old seats but full flat and very comfortable.
Food and drinks was real first class
CI TPE-NRT-TPE flights use the new terminal 2 in TPE. Smooth and bags firts on belt before I had time to reach it.

Return flight was downgraded from 747 to A330-300 so no F only C class service.
Check-in at CI F counter where Manager called by check-n staff explained the change of A/C and downgrade. offered to take next day's flight with 1 free night in airport Novotel or the downgraded original flight with blocked pair of 1 row seats (on a 2-2-2 configuration) and use of F lounge in TPE.
Opted to take the original flight.
Through security and immigration in a flash and in F lounge with again a menu to choose from with food brought to seat in sof area or in dining area.
In flight seat pitch is quite good but recline limited

3 choices of main meals (chinese, western, japanese) chose the western very delicious carbonara linguine with braised chicken, pan-fried prawns and brocoli
Apetizer was smoked salmon with potato salad, main dish was served with a green salad. Followed by a cheese cake desert and fresh fruits.

Wine list included

Drapier Champagne Brut
Whites
Macon-Villages Terres Secretes 2008
Klussertather St. Michael Riesling Spatlese 2007
White Mare Chardonnay 2007 (USA)
Reds
Chateau Lachesnaye 2003 (Haut Medoc)
Chiantu Riserva Coli DOCG 2005
Telegraph Peak cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (USA)

Good choice of Apritifs, Spirits, Digetsif, Sake, beer
4 kinds of teas and 3 coffees including capuccino

The Riesling and Chianti were indeed very very good inlfight wines and all this in business class flight of 2h30 !

I was also promised a refund of some sort by my travel agent for the downgrade

Great flights and ground service at very competitive prices

Will try to fly them instead of UA on my NRT-HNL flight early January

[gijoe24jp]

Glad to see people giving some love to CI.

[flyinsikh]

Originally Posted by gijoe24jp

Glad to see people giving some love to CI.

Indeed CI is doing well, from reservation info lines to in-flight service
(experience ex SYD). Flown with CI, SYD-TPE-YVR, SFO-TPE-SYD & SYD-TPE-DEL, A330's are great only down point was the B-18201, 18203 aircraft without inflight avod, once the refurbishment of 744s is completed CI will be among the top airlines. Another trip coming up later in the month, will do a trip report on SYD-TPE-DEL (Y+C) combination. I honestly found their inflight service on par with the likes of SQ, regular drink runs on long-haul, aircraft was clean, flight attendants were friendly, AVOD on the A333s. This was in 2007/2008. I feel it is highly under-estimated by majority of the market segment.

[frequentflyerupfront]

CI will never be on a parr with SQ in C or F, the seats are what SQ where using 10 years ago and CI are nothing like as comfortable for sleeping

[flyinsikh]

Originally Posted by frequentflyerupfront

CI will never be on a parr with SQ in C or F, the seats are what SQ where using 10 years ago and CI are nothing like as comfortable for sleeping

As i said, I am not talking about the "product" as in lie flat seats, amenity kits, catering. I am strictly praising their INFLIGHT Service, which in my OPINION was decent and on par with the likes of airlines such as SQ, QF. It's also ranked as a 4 Star Airline by Skytrax

[JackR]

Originally Posted by flyinsikh

As i said, I am not talking about the "product" as in lie flat seats, amenity kits, catering. I am strictly praising their INFLIGHT Service, which in my OPINION was decent and on par with the likes of airlines such as SQ, QF. It's also ranked as a 4 Star Airline by Skytrax

I also agree that the service and the care taken by the ground staff and FA's are on par with the likes of NH, JL, SQ, CX, TG.
When you compare the pric eof the tickets it becomes really good value even with the older types of seats and hardware.

[coolfish1103]

Originally Posted by frequentflyerupfront

CI will never be on a parr with SQ in C or F, the seats are what SQ where using 10 years ago and CI are nothing like as comfortable for sleeping

You get what you pay for.

Can't expect the same standard when CI's ticket is in generally 2-3 times cheaper than SQ in First and Business.

[kaichun1216]

Although CI downgrade lots of stuff (meal service, drink, etc.), Tokyo flights are relatively influenced in a minor way. Glad OP had great journey with CI. IIRC, CI's flight attendants need to be trained for qualifing to provide inflight service to Business or First Class passenfers. I think that's the partial reason most passengers still feel good for service even CI has downgraded SO MANY stuff.