My recent intra-Asia flights on CI were credited promptly and accurately, including the correct Class of Service, Medallion, and MQM bonuses.

I have never before had miles for CI flights credited automatically, so this is a positive development.

LAX - BKK Biz Award for 120K Miles
 

Just wanted to let you guys know that I was recently able to book my wife and infant and myself LAX - BKK biz (via TPE) r/t on CI for low mileage (120K/ea). Outbound mid-Jan '12, return mid-Feb. These DO NOT show up on DL's online system – you have to call and get a good operator. Very tough in my experience to get N. America to BKK in biz for low mileage for 2 people, but I just did it w/o too much trouble on CI, so perhaps that bodes well for the future. Note that some say the biz cabins on CI are in general very poor, but apparently they are good on the LAX - TPE route. We'll see. Taxes were ~$260/pax and infant was ~$600.

Obviously SkyTeam doesn't eliminate carriers with high accident rates such as China Airlines.

Delta as a Carrier with its own flights has a very good safety rating. And some Asian partners are getting better as well.

Hopefully China Airlines after the addition of SkyTeam will turn into a safer airline.

However with China Airlines I have heard horror stories with management issues as well as air traffic control communications stories and more. However, even the worst carriers have been known to change from bad to excellent.

Korean Airlines as of late has been good even though it had a poor history in the past and everyone likes their food. :-)

China Eastern is superior to China Airlines and I believe it also got access to Sky Team recently if I recall. Not sure how other chinese airlines are. However each person will have their own routes and carrier preferences. Choose wisely.

I will say this about Delta: It seems to be going for marketshare since it seems to have alliances in some of the most populous nations such as having one the largest China networks with SkyTeam.

Just had another excellent CI flight and the service has again been above and beyond the call. Flew TPE-KUL as part of my 5 week routine and the route is normally serviced by a 330 or 777, this time it was serviced by a 747. At check in, I was thanked for being a ST "VIP" and she said that the flight is very full, but the upstairs is open and asked if it would be OK for me to sit in the UD. She said that it would be coach service, but in Business seating... OK sure, as far as I am concerned, the better seat is more important than the BE type service. On the plane, the pursor greeted me with a "Hello, Mr. XXXX" and said that he and the crew would ensure that I was comfortable and thanked me for the being a ST EP. I didn't see him go to the others. Great service and only eight people in the UD with the older Business seats, but quiet and roomy still. I can't complain about CI.

Had my first ever CI flight yesterday from BKK to TPE in J on one of their newer A340-300s and must say that except for the flight delay, it was an excellent experience. The J hard product is not flat-bed on the A343, but almost the exact same seat as the DL BE 160-degree recline, 60" pitch seat (except wider since this was an A343 not a 767), newly reupholstered in leather and cloth, and overall quite comfortable.

The website didn't allow me to input my DL FF#, but I gave it at check-in and it immediately recognized my ST Elite+ status. Best of all was the onboard FA service - pretty much a great combination of friendliness, politeness, and warmth. The FAs addressed me by name throughout the flight, offered plenty of refills, and even distributed slippers for the 3 hour flight.
Meal was also no worse than what one would get on TG on this route, and I could actually pre-order my main course (choice of three items) on their website...

Overall, I think CI offers a decent product; while nowhere near as luxurious as SQ or even KE, the overall experience is solid, especially given the rather economical fares they charge for a J ticket....

CI's problem was its safety rating in the past. But after carriers join SkyTeam, they seem to get better. We will see how CI holds up in the future. In recent times, I think the Airline is getting better and with the joining of SkyTeam it probably will hold up well in the future going forward.

Seems like if you are Chinese, you are more than likely to be on SkyTeam. :)

Sounds like another outstanding addition to the Skyteam, the alliance that attracts the airlines other alliances reject.

Sounds like I'll have to try for CI soon...

FWIW CI is upgrading J to flat bed soon.

Sounds nice.

For all aircraft (744, A340, A330) or just some?:confused:

Pics anyone?