For the return portion of my trip I was flying Philippine Airlines from Taipei to Manila to Toronto, thanks to a great business class fare (~1,200USD). That would allow me to finally experience Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class, which has been on my radar for a while.
I had spent the night at the Novotel Taipei Tayouan Airport after arriving from Penang, and in the wee hours of the morning headed back to the airport to review a couple of lounges.
Philippine Airlines uses the China Airlines Lounge in Terminal 1 for their business class passengers, so I was looking forward to checking that out.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Terminal 1 Review
Taipei Taoyuan Airport is China Airlines’ hub, and the airline has four lounges there. I had reviewed China Airlines’ Terminal 2 Lounge in the past, though in this case could check out their flagship lounge in Terminal 1.
China Airlines Lounge Location
China Airlines has two lounges in Terminal 1. After clearing security and then immigration, just walk either left or right, and then down the hall you’ll see the escalator and elevator leading up a level to the lounges along the center of the terminal.
Taipei Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 lounges
In the same area you have two China Airlines lounges, two Plaza Premium lounges, a Cathay Pacific lounge, and the Starlux Airlines lounge.
Taipei Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 lounge locations
China Airlines’ most well-regarded lounge is the very first one on the “A” side.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei entrance
China Airlines Lounge Hours
The China Airlines Lounge Terminal 1 that I was using is open daily from 5:30AM until 11:30PM, which covers virtually all departures at the airport.
Interestingly the other China Airlines Lounge just a couple of lounges over is open daily from 5:30AM until 9AM, and then from 11AM until 3PM, so I guess it’s only open for peak periods.
How To Access The China Airlines Lounge
Generally speaking, the China Airlines Lounge is a SkyTeam business class lounge, meaning it can be accessed by:
- China Airlines and other SkyTeam business class passengers
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on a SkyTeam airline same day can also use the lounge, and can bring a guest
Philippine Airlines also contracts to use the lounge, and perhaps there are other non-alliance airlines that use the lounge as well. This lounge doesn’t belong to Priority Pass, though.
China Airlines Lounge Layout & Seating
There was a large entrance to the lounge with about half a dozen staff standing around ready to welcome people. Despite having a mobile boarding pass from a partner airline, I was invited in within seconds.
I love the natural elements the lounge uses, including wood and stone. There was a long entryway leading into the main part of the lounge.
China Airlines Lounge entryway
There were some magazines and newspapers along one of the walls in this area.
China Airlines Lounge magazines & newspapers
There was also a door leading to the Paragon and Emerald exclusive area. The door was closed so I’m not sure if it was actually closed, or if they just open that section when an eligible guest arrives.
This is for China Airlines’ own elite members, and apparently this area has seating for 68 guests.
China Airlines Lounge Paragon & Emerald Exclusive area
The entrance to the business class lounge was at the very end of the hallway, and had seating for 154 guests.
China Airlines Business Class Lounge entrance
The business class lounge was gorgeous. Inside the entrance were some dining tables with two seats each.
China Airlines Lounge seating
China Airlines Lounge seating
Along each side of the lounge were a couple of dozen couches, which is the main seating option in this lounge.
China Airlines Lounge seating
China Airlines Business Class Lounge seating
Seriously, how pretty is this for an airline lounge?!
China Airlines Lounge seating
The lounge doesn’t have natural light due to its location, though China Airlines did a great job with making the most of the situation. Not only did they choose decor that works well with minimal light, but there was also a wall with plants and some (non-natural) light.
In the back of the lounge are some communal tables, as well as some more dining tables.
China Airlines Business Class Lounge seating
China Airlines Business Class Lounge seating
China Airlines Business Class Lounge seating
I thought the decor was lovely, and this is easily one of the nicest business class lounges I’ve been to in Asia in terms of decor.
China Airlines Lounge Food & Drinks
Not only did the lounge have nice decor, but it also had a solid food and drink selection. While the main buffet was in the back of the lounge, just inside the entrance was an area with a coffee machine, juice, liquor, wine, and some bread and pastries.
China Airlines Lounge buffet
China Airlines Lounge food selection
China Airlines Lounge food selection
China Airlines Lounge drink selection
China Airlines Lounge drink selection
The main dining area in the back of the lounge had a variety of hot and cold dishes, as well as a custom noodle bar. I’ll let the pictures of the food speak mostly for themselves.
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
China Airlines Business Lounge buffet
For a business class lounge I’d say that’s a pretty outstanding food selection.
China Airlines Lounge Bathrooms, Showers, And Nap Rooms
The bathrooms, showers, and nap area, were in the hallway between the entrance to the lounge and the business class section. There was a nap area that had two partitioned off rooms, each with a daybed.
China Airlines Lounge nap area
Both the bathrooms and shower rooms were well maintained and nice.
China Airlines Lounge bathroom
China Airlines Lounge shower room
China Airlines Lounge T1 Bottom Line
China Airlines’ T1 Taoyuan Lounge is excellent, among the best major business class lounges I’ve seen in Asia. The decor is beautiful (and nicely matches the carrier’s onboard cabins), the food selection was good, and the lounge has shower rooms and nap areas.
In my opinion this is significantly better than any of the lounges that EVA Air has at TPE.
If you’ve visited the China Airlines Lounge Taipei, what was your experience like?
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