Yeah, I don't think they are very interested to be on the top either... It's just a wish =) The VIP comment is funny... but I wonder how long will CI be able to take on the passengers from Vietnam once Vietnam Air has it's own direct route? Taiwanese are some what reluctant to spend lots of $ in Business Class, yet has a better rate than the VIP countries you have mentioned...

It is realized that BR is CI's main competitor, but if CI has a good product, most people might consider transit through TPE just for the comfort of the flight... which may be able to take away some of TG and SQ's Australia customers away from them by making TPE as the hub for flying to North America or Asia.

In addition, there might a possibility that there will be direct flights from mainland China to Taiwan, which will make TPE a better hub than HKG (not as good as NRT) anyday if traveling from the East to the West.

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All in all, I think CI's business class product is at least above average in the airline industry.