Ed Bastian has made it clear that he only cares about the team within the team, and CI isn't part of that clique.

:(

It seems they put their eggs in the mainland China basket (which they may now be regretting). In any case, I believe there was speculation that a closer partnership with CI might anger mainland Chinese authorities.

I would love to see a stronger CI partnership as I think they are a really nice airline.

They put half of their eggs in the Korea basket. Between KE and MU, DL flyers can reach almost all non Taiwan CI destinations. Don't you think having 4 kids at the table might result in each getting disappointingly small pieces of cake? Did you notice how CZ simply got up and left?

Fair point. I hope CI doesn't get up an leave though.

I thought F didnt exist anymore. The seats are still there, but I thought they were given to full fare J/STE+ fliers.

I did fly in F on CI back when 747 flew to LAX. I got rebooked by DL from MNL-NRT-LAX when MNL-NRT cancelled due to Typhoon. Only F was available on the LAX flight so ended up in it. It really wasnt any different from business except seats were lay flat and all aisle access (J back then wasnt either of those things on most CI aircraft)

Dave, did your bookings with CI automatically code your Sky Team Elite+ status? I recently booked a cash fare on CI from HIJ to TPE. I'm not seeing any mention of E+ status or Skypriority when checking my booking on the CI website (I did enter my DL SM # when booking). I'm mainly concerned about the baggage allowance and seat selection benefits that DL claims E+ members receive when flying on Sky Team airlines. I called the folks at DL and they claim I have to show my Platinum Medallion/E+ card at the airport at check-in to receive Sky Priority. Really hoping it will automatically code on the boarding pass...

CI does do ST E+ recognition. I think it didn't show either on printed or mobile boarding pass, but shows on the other...

I had not issues with my ST+ on all my CI flights (via DL status). CI is very efficient so I wouldn't worry.

The only issue with CI is that through check-in often doesn't work IF you check in at the airport. They will only print your first flight boarding pass and make you get the second one at TPE. Way to bypass that is to do OLCI and print and/or save your mobile boarding pass. Sometimes that may only give your connecting, but not first, flight boarding pass - that is, the opposite of airport checkin. Then when you check in at the airport you have both.

So, I'd just advise doing OLCI and printing and saving mobile boarding pass(es) first, before you head to the airport (and then in person check-in there if needed due to bags or needing the first flight BP), to avoid the hassle of having it printed in TPE for the connecting flight, if the origin airport won't print it for you and claims they can't check you through (though you are already so checked in, of course).

I booked a SkyMiles award ticket for a regional TPE-HND award ticket in Y. Does CI offer any elite access to exit row seats (or even premium economy seats) on A350s for ST Elite+ with Delta? or is the only benefit lounge access and potential onboard service perks? Do we get an extra carry-on allowance? I'll have a rollaboard and a briefcase.