I was originally supposed to have an almost three hour layover in Taipei, as my flight from Los Angeles was scheduled to arrive at 5AM, while the connection was supposed to depart at 7:50AM. However, due to the significant delay, we only arrived at 6:35AM, meaning my connection was a bit over an hour.
On the plus side, transit security was a breeze. There were a few different checkpoints that could be used, though my flight to Singapore was departing from the same concourse I arrived at, so I was the only person at that transit security checkpoint. About a minute after deplaning I was already through security and back in the sterile area.
While not in the same league as the airports in Hong Kong or Singapore, the terminal was still quite nice.
Taipei Airport terminal
My flight to Singapore was departing from gate D4, and was scheduled to board at 7:10AM. So my plan was to just quickly visit the closest lounge to take some pictures and then head to the gate. Fortunately my arrival gate, the lounge, and my departure gate were all only a few steps apart.
Taipei Airport terminal
I should note that China Airlines has three lounges at Taipei Taoyuan Airport.
I’ve heard that the one in Terminal 1 is gorgeous, though unfortunately I was departing from Terminal 2, so was using the lounge across from gate D4.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport exterior
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport signage
This particular lounge is open daily from 5:30AM until 11:30PM, and is also open to passengers on many other airlines, including some Star Alliance and oneworld airlines. If you wouldn’t otherwise have access here, Taipei is home to some great Priority Pass lounges, where a credit card with lounge access could come in quite handy.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport signage
Upon presenting my boarding pass at the front desk I was directed down the stairs to the business class section of the lounge. Apparently there was also a lounge on the concourse-level, but I wasn’t eligible to use it (I guess it was a first class lounge, even though China Airlines doesn’t have many planes with first class anymore?).
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport stairs
The lounge itself was fairly modern, though also lacked natural light and lacked any sort of privacy. The entire lounge consisted of symmetrical seating areas along the center walkway, so there were no privacy partitions between any of the seats.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport stairs
Near the stairs were some traditional lounge seats, both along the window and along the interior of the lounge.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport seating
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport seating
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport seating
This section continued for quite a while, and next to the stairs was a rack with some magazines and newspapers.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport seating
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport seating
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport magazines & newspapers
Past that was a business center, with three computers on each side of the lounge’s main walkway.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport business center
Past that was a room that seemed to be an intermediate area between the relaxation area and the dining area. That’s because it featured similar seats to the “lounging” area, but also had tables.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport seating
Then past that was the actual dining area.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport dining area
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport dining area
The food & drink selection was okay — certainly nothing to get excited about, but not horrible either. There was a soda fountain with Coke products, an espresso machine, drip coffee, red and white wine, and some canned drinks.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport soda fountain
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport coffee selection
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport soft drinks & juice
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport wine
In terms of snacks, there were finger sandwiches, cold cuts, croissants, cookies, muffins, etc.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport buffet
There were several types of dim sum.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport buffet
Then there were some hot dishes, which didn’t look especially appetizing.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport buffet
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport buffet
Lastly, there was a noodle station. Prior to my visit a lot of people raved about the beef noodles, though I wasn’t hungry, so didn’t have a chance to try them. But if I were to eat anything in the lounge, that would be it.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport noodle bar
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport noodle bar menu
I spent a few minutes in the lounge catching up on email, and then at 7:05AM figured I’d head to my departure gate, give that boarding was scheduled to commence in five minutes.
Taipei Airport terminal
The gate was just a very short walk from the lounge.
Taipei Airport departure gate to Singapore
Gates are located one level down from the main concourse, so I took the stairs down a level.
Taipei Airport gate D4
As I walked down the stairs, I saw the 777 I just arrived on from Los Angeles.
China Airlines 777 Taipei Airport
I also saw the A330 that would be taking me to Singapore.
China Airlines A330 Taipei Airport
I did a double take when I got to the gate area, as there were five people seated there.
China Airlines empty departure gate
I figured I must be at the wrong gate or had the departure time wrong, since the flight was sold out in economy, so I assumed it was full. I went up to the gate agent.
“This is the flight to Singapore, yes?”
“Yes.”
“And it’s on-time?”
“Yes.”
That one confused me…
As is the norm anywhere other than Japan, the boarding time doesn’t mean a whole lot, since it’s not unusual for boarding to be delayed by 20-30 minutes.
The gate area stayed empty for about 10 minutes, and then at around 7:30AM people arrived at the gate in droves. I don’t recall ever seeing so many people approach a gate area at once… perhaps there was a large tour group, or something.
China Airlines full departure gate
Finally at 7:40AM — 10 minutes before scheduled departure time — it was announced that the flight would be delayed by an hour due to a “technical fault with the aircraft.” It’s a bit disappointing that they waited so long to announce that.
The varying responses of passengers was amusing. There was a Singaporean family near me, and the young boy said “mummy, we should have flown Singapore Airlines. They have the new A350. This would never happen on Singapore Airlines.” Hah.
Finally at 8:10AM boarding was announced, starting with business class.
China Airlines Sky Priority boarding Taipei Airport
China Airlines Lounge Taipei bottom line
Aside from the delay, this was a very easy transit. There was no queue at security, and my arrival and departure gate were near one another. The China Airlines lounge itself was fine. On one hand it was dark and felt more like an afterthought, though at the same time at least the furnishings were fairly modern and fresh.
I’d be curious to check out China Airlines’ main lounge at Taipei Airport next time, as I’ve heard it’s much nicer.
Have you visited one of the China Airlines Lounges at Taipei Airport?
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