blackmamba

haha dang you guys are really splurging with the 500 NTD for a business upgrade. Does that come with Dom and Krug??? lol

coolfish1103

It doesn't, but the amount of time saved by being in Business Class is compensated more than enough by NTD 500 (not even USD 20).

orbitmic

Hi coolfish1103, is there any way I can figure out which one I am in and does it make a big difference? All definitely 30 seats, itinerary confirmed as FCO(DEL)-TPE-SYD, AKL(BNE)-TPE(DEL)-FCO in April.

Also, I have seen that in a few days there will (apparently) be the possibility to reserve specific meals on line. Is it worth doing and does it work well??

cocodidi

If I want to fly LAX to TPE.... but have miles on United Mileage Plus Program.. is that any good? Or must I have a stopover since it doesn't partner with China Airlines or Eva?

coolfish1103

There is no way to tell which 333 version you will be in. The TV screen is smaller wither older system and the seat is leather rather than cotton. Nothing much different.

Reserving meal = useless cause they are the same offerings as on board.
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It does not partner with either CI or BR, so you will have to fly UA or NH in this case if you want to credit to UA miles.

orbitmic

Thanks a lot! If I experience them both I'll add my two pence on the comparison upon returning!

orbitmic

Well as you can see I'm getting really excited about trying this new airline (albeit very frustrated not to be able to stopover in Taipei as I don't have the time). This time, I have questions about meal. I have looked at the fabulous google document and have seen that for flights which depart after about 21.00, the 'dinner' is replaced by a 'light meal', which means starter, main and fruit plate but no canape and no cheese. Did I get this right? I have also seen the second meal is normally (hot?) breakfast. Here are my questions:

(1) what happens on flights with stops? Eg for my FCO(DEL)TPE, do we get 2+2 meals? or 2+1? FCO-DEL is overnight so I guess S+B, but the second leaves around midday and arrives in the evening does it make it L or L+D? Same question for the return (this time both legs are day time)

And same on AKL-BNE-TPE is it D till BNE (about 3h) and then S+B BNE-TPE or is it different again??

(2) The google doc mentions snacks available in between meals. Can you tell us a bit more? Are we talking biscuits and nuts or crisps? Or noodles? Sandwiches? Ice cream? I'm only asking because on my second flight the menu showing online doesn't look too appealing so could skip the main course if the 'in between' snacks sound nice!

(3) Finally, many Asian airlines seem to be better at preparing Asian food over European. Is it the case with CI? Any particular recommendation on what is particularly good or not so good? (for breakfast I have seen a tea sauce pork neck congee which sounds very good on paper at least! )

Thanks!!

coolfish1103

FCO-DEL: 2 meals & DEL-TPE: 1 meal

If it's around lunch time for Delhi departure then it's lunch.

AKL-BNE: 1 meal & BNE-TPE: 2 meals
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Real Biscuits, Sandwiches, Rice Noodles.

Obviously crackers, cookies, nuts and biscuits and others are also available.

I don't think skipping meals is a good idea, though.
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I am unsure about it since your flight departs at Roma, so the food is prepared at Roma. I wouldn't say the European choice is worse in this case. Same for Delhi and flights departing from Auckland and Brisbane.

For flights departing from Taipei, the Asian type should be better but not always the case.

orbitmic

Thanks again, this helps a lot!

lolstebbo

Hey coolfish1103:

1) What is CI's exact rules for baggage? We are going to SZX from SFO; one of us is staying in TPE for a few days before continuing to SZX, the other is transiting directly through TPE. How many bags do we get and how heavy can each be without us getting excess charges?

2) From the seat selector, it looks as though I'm stuck with the 74C; is it set to just display that seat setup by default, or do I really have no chance of getting the C-2 (also what's the status of power outlets in Y for both planes)?

coolfish1103

SZX to SFO on one ticket issuance (regardless stopover in TPE or not) uses piece concepts
- Economy 2x23kg per person
- Business/First 2x32kg per person
- An extra bag if you have Gold/Emerald
- 2 extra bags if you have Paragon

Separate ticket issuance
- Economy 20kg per person on SZX-TPE
- Business 30kg per person on SZX-TPE
- First 40kg per person on SZX-TPE
- An extra 10kg if you have Gold/Emerald
- An extra 20kg if you have Paragon
- Max 32kg per baggage weight
- TPE-SFO uses the piece rule above

It's not by default, if it's 74C it will show only 28AB, if it's 74C-2 or 744 then you will see 28ABC. Obviously last minute rotations may change things. On 74C there's actually power outlets on all seats in Economy (directly under your seat). 74C-2 unfortunately does not have power outlets on all seats, only selective them have. Like 1 per each row.

lolstebbo

What about SFO-SZX?

coolfish1103

Same, just reverse routing.

lolstebbo

Alright, thanks! How do you know so much anyway? >.>

JohnWM

It is my understanding that the new United has an award flight arrangement with EVA. You must call to make arrangements. I think that this is a piece of the business that Continental brought to the merger.