9 Thoughts On China Airlines' New 777 Business Class

Your experience mirrors mine TPE-SFO a couple months ago. I was very impressed with the quick dinner service on a late flight, including several top-ups of the Pol Roger. The IFE was also really good which was a surprise. I slept so well that I never even made it to the bar! CI has been the Delta secret for a while so hopefully availability doesn't dry up now, but it just motivates me to book my next trip with them soon.

What would they say to you if you asked to keep the menus for the duration of the flight? I guess they take it to use it again since I've seen many people just trashing the menus once they order their food.

That's the same amenity kit as premium economy, FWIW. It's nice and has nice stuff I think.

One thing that's weird- did yours have socks? They used to at some point, but mine had disposable slippers, which is strange, because the FA's also handed out disposable slippers.

That said, great plane to fly having flown them long haul in PE and Business. Only real complaints were the lack of air vents, the slight language barrier, and the meh entertainment selection (more than mitigated by excellent WiFi.)

Whenever the flight attendant has asked me for the menu, I've told them I'd like to keep it. They've never said no.

That looks great. Is the snack bar completely self service or does somebody appear to assist you as soon as you get close to it?

I completely don't get the "fantastic food" reference to Turkish Airlines, though ... unless one admits that on their African routes (not matter whether inbound or outbound from Istanbul or widebody or 737-900), their standard is different.

The flight attendants are about to go on a strike. That's probably why you didn't feel the warmth. Ask them about the strike and maybe you can share a new article about that!

If possible, try to get into the China Air FC lounge in TPE. Very, very impressive lounge. Doesn't get much press but I consider it up there with the best. They did a great job w/ the finishes. The spicy beef noodle soup is good too

Hi Ben,
Is the availability on SkyMiles only from the gateway cities (LAX, SFO, JFK) or can I book from a Delta city (specifically Florida) and connect to a China Air flight? Thanks!

@ Greg -- Assuming you can find low level/saver award space to the gateway city, you can include it all on one award at the same cost.

what are some good programs to redeem flights on CI other than Delta? Any of the Citi or Chase partners?

Good thing u flew before they went on strike.

The actual trying out of new CI biz class took quite a while before it was materialised, but glad it did n great review as well!

Looking fwd to CI tpe lounge n onward asia connection.

"what are some good programs to redeem flights on CI other than Delta? Any of the Citi or Chase partners?"

For Chase I'd transfer to Korean (125K round trip/62.5K one-way).

My wife and I just got back from Asia using CI to HK and Jal from NRT to DFW. I actually found the CI flight attendants to be more personable than Jal's; Jal does edge CI in terms of food though. However, I do agree about CI's cabin, it's absolutely beautiful and the faux wood accents and lighting created an inviting and warm atmosphere...not cheesy at all like I thought might be the case.

So, will there be photos of the wine list and menus (not just the cover)? You'd be surprised how many of us are interested in those. Or maybe you wouldn't.

Glad to see you finally made it on to CI! The new product on the 77W fleet and similar, though slightly different product, coming up on the A350 are such a huge improvement for CI, which I have been flying for nearly 20 years!
Your experience is about right for CI and matches all my transpacific experiences, the flight attendants are often hit or miss as with any airline, but yea as someone mentioned the atmosphere with CI aint so hot as they prepare to go on strike.
Unfortunately you will be disappointed with the hard product on your next leg to Singapore, the soft product will be fairly similar if not slightly lower than the transpacific routes.
Did you ask for or were you offered turn down service? They offered to every passenger in Business when the 77W first started but due to some odd changes in regulations they now only have limited sets per flight and passengers need to ask or if you flight attendant is kind enough they may offer it directly to you.

Pretty much every restaurant takes the menu and wine list after you have ordered.

The designer, Ray Chen, for the business class cabin also designed the CI lounge @ TPE airport. He also designed some nice boutique hotels in Taipei too! Check out www.hotel-proverbs.com & www.hotel-quote.com.

It looks great, but I sure wish they'd add some jammies--my favorite amenity after good champagne and a decent bed.

"I’ve written in the past about the business class amenities which matter most to me, for a bit of context on what I pick up on,"

I think that sentence needs some editing.

Champagne on Australia/NZ and Asian flights is not as nice. It has been a while since I've flown China Airlines to Europe or USA but back then the champagne was the same as intra-Asia & Australia/NZ flights.

CI used to let you keep menu, and on long-haul flight FAs used cart to serve main courses for the first meal. It all changes. Don't know when they change the service procedure.

Great you are reviewing this, thanks a lot! It all looks really nice. Some time back, China Airlines had a quite devestating safety record, but I think I heard that they have also improved their processes in this regard?

The cabin crews of CHINA AIRLINE will go on strike after 4 hours later ( JUN 24th 0:00 TAIPEI TIME)

Shhh, don't spill the beans about this redemption with skymiles. Remember everyone, skypesos, skypesos. Don't even think you could get a one stop flight from NYC, LAX or SFO to anywhere in Asia in lie flat business and excellent availability with skymiles. Nothing to see here, move along...

I'll just say though. China airlines ALWAYS nails their Chinese menu! You missed out lucky!

While it's true Martin that restaurants collect the menus after you order, when was the last time you sat in your restaurant seat for 12 to 14 hours and had 2 meals and a snack?

Your report came at the perfect time for me. I'm booking a flight from Bali to LAX and wanted to know if I was safe to use China or Eva Air since I'm departing at a new time and my previous carriers aren't available then. In the past, I've only used Singapore Air or Cathay Pacific to make the crossing, but I didn't know how they compared to China or EVA. After reading your report, I'm looking forward the experience with the different carriers. Thank you for posting the details of your experience along with the pictures. From what you say and from your pictures, China Air does look nicer, but I'm going to split it up and fly the first part with Eva and the 2nd leg with China Air. Thanks again!