Interesting news --
1. hot meals will return to Y class on the HKG-TPE/KHH flights beginning November 1
2. passengers can pick their entree choices one day to two weeks ahead of time. It sounds like a good idea but I am not sure how it can work out in reality. Not all passengers have access to internet, and how is CI going to allocate the entree choices?

Carfield

Meal Selection Online to Launch on Taipei-Tokyo Flights

Oct. 20, 2003, Taipei, Taiwan- China Airlines, the largest airline in Taiwan, will resume hot meal service on its entire service between Taiwan and Hong Kong from November 1. Currently, China Airlines operates 16 round trip flights each day to Hong Kong, from Taipei and Kaohsiung. At the same time, China Airlines is becoming the first carrier in Taiwan to provide meal selection service via the Internet. The e-Menu service will be available for First and Dynasty Class passengers on Taipei-Tokyo flights, also beginning from November.

The hot meal menu on the Taiwan-Hong Kong services will change every month. For early morning flights CI601, 603, and 641, congee will be available in Economy Class. Other Taiwanese rice dishes such as tender pork chop, minced pork, and three-cups chicken will be available on the daytime and evening flights. In addition to Taiwanese specialty dishes, Dynasty Class passengers will embrace choices like western meal, Thai curry chicken or beef noodle.

During the SARS-affected period earlier this year, sandwiches had been served instead of hot meals, as a precaution against the disease. In August, cold noodles plus cold cuts replaced sandwiches. However, when the season changing, the demand for hot meals is strong. China Airlines has decided to resume hot meal service to meet the expectations of its customers.

In the wake of successfully introducing e-Booking, e-Check in and e-Shopping from July 2002, China Airlines will launch e-Menu service for its First and Dynasty Class passengers on Taipei-Tokyo sector, from November. After booking the flight, passengers will be able to select meals via Internet, for 1 to 14 days prior to departure date. The on-line service will be expanded to other routes in 2004. So far, China Airlines is the only carrier in Taiwan to provide this advanced service.