Taiwan’s President Flies China Airlines A350 To The Americas, Avoids Mexican Airspace

Taiwan’s President Flies China Airlines A350 To The Americas, Avoids Mexican Airspace

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Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, is currently on a transpacific trip, as she’s meeting with allies of Taiwan. I think it’s kind of fun to look at how she’s traveling on this trip.

Basics of Taiwan’s diplomatic trip to the Americas

Taiwan is of course fiercely committed to maintaining its independence from (the People’s Republic of) China, as Beijing continues to try to pressure countries to adhere to the “One China” policy. At this point only 13 countries recognize Taiwan’s independence, so this trip was intended to maintain those good relationships and build on them.

For some context on the trip:

  • The first stop was New York, where the president had a speech about how relations between the United States and Taiwan are better than ever before
  • The next stop was Guatemala, which recognizes Taiwan’s independence; she visited Mayan ruins, and a hospital that was built in the country thanks to Taiwan’s $22 million donation
  • The next stop was Belize, another country that recognizes Taiwan’s independence; this visit came days after Honduras broke ties with Taiwan, instead aligning with China
  • The last stop is Los Angeles, where she’s meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

A China Airlines A350’s intriguing journey

While Taiwan has a government jet typically used by the president, this is based on a Boeing 737-800, and isn’t necessarily the ideal aircraft for a transpacific journey. As a result, Taiwan’s president instead flew with China Airlines, on a chartered Airbus A350-900. Specifically, the roughly four year old plane with the registration code B-18917 was used for this mission.

Here’s the route that the aircraft flew over the past week or so:

  • On March 29, it flew from Taipei (TPE) to New York (JFK) in a flight time of 13hr51min
  • On March 31, it flew from New York (JFK) to Guatemala City (GUA) in a flight time of 4hr39min
  • On April 1, it flew from Guatemala City (GUA) to Flores (FRS) and back, in order to visit Mayan ruins
  • On April 2, it flew from Guatemala City (GUA) to Belize (BZE) in a flight time of 1hr3min
  • On April 4, it flew from Belize (BZE) to Los Angeles (LAX) in a flight time of 6hr22min
  • The plane is expected to fly back to Taipei later today, and will reenter passenger service on April 7, flying from Taipei (TPE) to Amsterdam (AMS)

What I find most interesting is the one country’s airspace that China Airlines seem to be avoiding. For example, the flight from Belize to Los Angeles was significantly longer than it usually would be, as the China Airlines A350 avoided Mexican airspace.

So it instead flew out over the Gulf of Mexico, over Cuba, and then made landfall near New Orleans, prior to flying just to the north of the US-Mexico border. While I recognize that Mexico is sort of aligned with China, I’m a bit confused:

  • Did Taiwan elect to avoid Mexican airspace, out of an abundance of caution?
  • Did Mexico deny the China Airlines A350 use of its airspace, to avoid ruffling any feathers in Beijing?
  • If China Airlines isn’t going to fly over Mexico, I’m kind of surprised it would fly over Cuba?
China Airlines A350’s route from Belize to Los Angeles

For those wondering about the president’s comfort, China Airlines’ A350s are in a three class configuration, with business class, premium economy, and economy. I’ve reviewed China Airlines’ A350 business class, and it’s a solid product, with reverse herringbone seats.

China Airlines A350-900 business class cabin

All of this Taiwan talk sure has me wanting to return to Taipei soon…

Bottom line

Taiwan’s president is just wrapping up a visit to the United States, Guatemala, and Belize. It’s cool to see a China Airlines A350 operating all of these interesting routes. It’s also noteworthy how the A350 avoided Mexican airspace. I’m not sure if that was voluntary or if Mexico denied permission, but that sure makes you wonder.

What do you make of this China Airlines A350’s mission?

Conversations (44)
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  1. Steve Bigler Guest

    I saw the A350 on the tarmac in Belize. A beautiful aircraft. Very heavy security all around.

  2. Mark Yoder Guest

    Flight route back to Taiwan is very interesting. Not sure why it took such a southerly route. Any ideas?

  3. Gravelly Point Guy Guest

    The president of Mexico is nothing more than a third rate radical thug who enjoys poking the US in the eyes. It’s all about how JB will react and finally placate this useless old dog. As to why the plane avoided Mexican airspace it was definitely a deliberate act on behalf of that narco state government. They’re trying to cozy up with Xi while at the same time rip the benefits of all the remittances...

    The president of Mexico is nothing more than a third rate radical thug who enjoys poking the US in the eyes. It’s all about how JB will react and finally placate this useless old dog. As to why the plane avoided Mexican airspace it was definitely a deliberate act on behalf of that narco state government. They’re trying to cozy up with Xi while at the same time rip the benefits of all the remittances the illegal aliens send back home. Kinda stupid if you ask me if you keep biting the hand that feeds you. It’s all up to Biden as to when this is stopped.

    1. BBK Diamond

      and don't AMLO was also a close ally to the genocide Chávez (and is also now with Maduro) and the shit he help created went straight to his face with the Venezuelan diaspora creating havoc in all the region, especially in Mexico.

    2. GAVV Guest

      My God!
      I better stop reading the comment section of OMAAT...
      I love this site and I really enjoy reading what Ben writes....
      But the amount of ignorance, negativity and pure stupidity in this comment section is overwhelming!

  4. Moishe Guest

    "The next stop was Guatemala, which also recognizes Taiwan’s independence"

    Ben, at least get your facts straight - the USA officially recognizes the "One China policy" - it doesn't recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country. Unofficial relations are a different matter, though

    1. Eskimo Guest

      And some then almost retired politician had to go poke around to still up tensions.

    2. LEo Diamond

      apparently Pompeo was paid heavily to visit.

  5. atcsundevil Guest

    I suspect they were denied overflight rights as opposed to Mexican airspace being avoided. China is upset over the meeting between Tsai and McCarthy, and Mexico's president sent an letter to China yesterday urging stronger ties between China and Mexico. I'm almost sure that this move was to placate the Chinese as opposed to the Taiwanese making some sort of stand.

    1. GAVV Guest

      Not true. Mexico's president didn't sent a letter urging "stronger ties", he sent a letter urging more cooperation from China to stop fentanyl trafficking to US, Canada and Mexico.

    2. CaptHadley New Member

      You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. Which occurs a lot.

  6. Pierre Diamond

    Actually, while avoiding Mexican air space for whatever reason, one can summarize that they DEFINITELY avoided flying over Honduras which is the shortest distance between the two cities: Belize, Honduras and then flying on just west of the coastline.

  7. derek Guest

    The People's Republic of China frequently claims that Taiwan is a separatist government but it's the PRC who are the separatist. The Republic of China government pre-dates the PRC by decades. The PRC broke away and even invented their name.

    The PRC could have been more effective if they called themselves the "Republic of China" and said they were the legitimate government of the Republic of China, not the current Republic of China government.

    1. Moishe Guest

      it would benefit you to learn some history in this regard - neither is a "separatist" government; the Nationalists simply lost the Chinese Civil War by 1949 and escaped to the island of Formosa (Taiwan). So no, the PRC did not "break away" (where did you get that notion?) As for inventing names, every country's name was invented at one point or another.

      I would honestly prefer the Kuomintang Nationalists to reassert their power and...

      it would benefit you to learn some history in this regard - neither is a "separatist" government; the Nationalists simply lost the Chinese Civil War by 1949 and escaped to the island of Formosa (Taiwan). So no, the PRC did not "break away" (where did you get that notion?) As for inventing names, every country's name was invented at one point or another.

      I would honestly prefer the Kuomintang Nationalists to reassert their power and authority over the entire place, but at this point it won't happen - they can't even win the local elections in Taiwan, unfortunately.

    2. Eskimo Guest

      @derek

      LOL!!!!!!
      Under your logic, what happen on July 4th 1776 is a separatist broke away and invented United States, and the legitimate government, predates by centuries, is led by Rishi Sunak not Joe Biden?

      The problem with American education and "Parental Rights in Education Act" is it failed to account for the fact that some parents are not so bright.

    3. Hope Guest

      KMT is pro China and nothing more than CCP agents in Taiwan. KMT is nothing more than a bunch of weasels just like MAGA Republicans.

    4. Eskimo Guest

      @Hope

      I Hope you didn't get you education from TV, network news, Twitter, or YouTube, because it's fake.

      Thinking that KMT is pro China is laughable in so many levels.
      Calling KMT as CCP agents is, scale down to your level of education, like calling Abraham Lincoln a KGB agent.

  8. Alian Guest

    How many miles will she accrue on this trip?

  9. J. Guest

    I found an August 2018 news article detailing the same situation on Tsai's charter flight from LAX to Asuncion, Paraguay, where they avoided the Mexican airspace.

    (Article in Chinese, remove link if not allowed)
    http://news.sina.com.cn/c/gat/2018-08-14/doc-ihhtfwqq9926955.shtml

  10. TravelinWilly Diamond

    "The last stop is Los Angeles, where she’s meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy..."

    Will McCarthy invite Margie Trailer Queen to join him, and then babble incessantly about how much they love Russia?

    Just curious.

    1. Icarus Guest

      Margie trailer Queen lol. Definitely trash

    2. Jake212 Guest

      Well, California produces the biggest heaps of trash (Swalwell, Newsome, Waters, Pelosi, etc) so I guess MTG is right at home.

  11. DenB Diamond

    Viva Taiwan, is all I can say. It's a wonderful place with gorgeous climate, kind gentle refined people who get things done and live well. I understand the geopolitical imperative for China, not to lose face and relinquish the territory, but how can the thugs in Beijing posibly do anything other than ruin a beautiful thing? No way to stop them wanting to, and trying, and making a mess of it.

    1. David Diamond

      China wants to invade Taiwan for the same reason Russia invaded Ukraine: If the regime feels like it's losing support and the situation turns into a perceived (by those in power) struggle for survival, then a distraction and some vague appeal to restoring national pride will always redirect the people's hostility outwards.

      For the thugs in Beijing, the most beautiful thing to them is power, and they'll destroy Taiwan if it comes to it.

    2. Moishe Guest

      I doubt the CCP would invade anytime soon - they've seen how disastrous Russia's Ukraine project went. Taiwan would be much harder to invade, as an island nation in that geographical position heavily favors the defender. So, the status quo would most likely remain, which is good for everyone involved. As for the living well part, that's not the entire story - the mainland economy is several times larger, and the middle class in China...

      I doubt the CCP would invade anytime soon - they've seen how disastrous Russia's Ukraine project went. Taiwan would be much harder to invade, as an island nation in that geographical position heavily favors the defender. So, the status quo would most likely remain, which is good for everyone involved. As for the living well part, that's not the entire story - the mainland economy is several times larger, and the middle class in China lives much better in pure economic terms compared to Taiwan's middle class (Taiwan's economy has unfortunately stagnated somewhat, compared to the latter part of the last century). Tons of Taiwanese are now working in the Mainland for better career opportunities, not the other way around.

    3. Eskimo Guest

      Another victim of western propaganda.
      China doesn't really care about invading Taiwan. It because Taiwan, like pro-west Ukraine, keeps getting advance weapons from Western countries. Taiwan (and Ukraine) is our buffer pawn, the government just can't publicly say that.
      Just like when Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba. No big nation wants advance weapons in their backyard. But while Khrushchev backed down, we supplied even more weapons to the buffer states.
      Beijing doesn't...

      Another victim of western propaganda.
      China doesn't really care about invading Taiwan. It because Taiwan, like pro-west Ukraine, keeps getting advance weapons from Western countries. Taiwan (and Ukraine) is our buffer pawn, the government just can't publicly say that.
      Just like when Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba. No big nation wants advance weapons in their backyard. But while Khrushchev backed down, we supplied even more weapons to the buffer states.
      Beijing doesn't care about power over Taiwan, they just want to destroy weapons aiming at them. Taiwan is just collateral damage who housed those weapons. Same goes with Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or even South Korea.

      That's why we never arm or support these buffer nation with nukes. We learned from Cuba. If back then nukes were flying, it would be towards Moscow not Cuba. Same will be with DC not Taipei.

      It's the way geopolitics work. America and China are doing what every powerful nation should be doing. Neither are the good guys or the bad guys. The real victims are the locals who are collateral damage.

    4. marlar Guest

      I couldn't agree more DenB. I loved visiting Taiwan and often referred to it as "China, with manners."

    5. Matt Guest

      Agree with Moishe, David and Eskimo. And China is so advanced now it doesn't need Taiwan for its economy anymore, but it can't just say "ok, well never mind, we don't need you anymore" after having tried to repossess it for so many years.

    6. Eskimo Guest

      @Matt

      Correction, I don't ever recall China every tried to repossess it from any point in history. That's because under One China, there was nothing to repossess.
      Tensions in the past flare up because someone is explicitly recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state. China responds by showing force, and tension cools down.

      Let's not forget some piece of history.
      US actually recognized ROC up until the 70s, when we suddenly switch to 'no...

      @Matt

      Correction, I don't ever recall China every tried to repossess it from any point in history. That's because under One China, there was nothing to repossess.
      Tensions in the past flare up because someone is explicitly recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state. China responds by showing force, and tension cools down.

      Let's not forget some piece of history.
      US actually recognized ROC up until the 70s, when we suddenly switch to 'no comment' (but still sell advanced weapons to Taiwan to stick it up to China)

      It's the Western who intervene with their civil war.
      Back then it was under the anti-communist (aka free world) propaganda.
      Last decade was under anti-terrorism (aka free world) propaganda.
      Today it's anti dictator, tyrant, madman (aka free world) propaganda.

  12. Andy 11235 Guest

    If I were President, I'd want the Hello Kitty plane.

    Mexico denied President Chen Shui-Bian authority to transit their airspace during his travels. I don't know if there was a specific request for President Tsai Ing-Wen's trip that was denied, or if the Taiwanese simply chose not to bother asking.

    1. Icarus Guest

      Imagine if EVA had offered the hello
      Kitty aircraft haha

  13. Jeff Guest

    So does this mean Cuba is less aligned with China than Mexico?

  14. Omri Morgenshtern Guest

    Fentanyl bad

  15. Jerry Guest

    And people laugh when someone says the Chinese and Mexican government are behind the drug epidemic in the USA. It's literallly an attack on the US meant to destabilize our population. China doesn't need to invade us with their troops or bombs to do any real damage. Just get us hooked on fentanyl instead.

    1. David Diamond

      You're confusing cause and effect. US demand for drugs is what fuelled the Mexican drug cartels. and a major cause of Mexico turning into a fail state run by drug lords.

      The US' (lack of) restriction on cheap and powerful firearms sure doesn't help either.

      For all of China's and Mexico's issues, the whole drug thing is completely self-inflicted by the US.

    2. Vijay Guest

      Why do Americans have such a drug problem compared to other countries in the world?
      Not a rhetorical question

    3. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      @Vijay

      Why do you assume the US to be atypical in that regard?

      UK, Australia, and Canada are the "Big3" in terms of percentage of the population suffering addiction and amount per GDP spent on addiction recovery.

      US does rank fairly highly, but essentially on par with France, Spain, and Italy's rates for both of the above.

    4. GAVV Guest

      Such an stupid comment
      https://www.foxnews.com/us/police-union-manager-california-imported-illegal-opioids-india-hong-kong-singapore

    5. Pudu Guest

      Jerry, were you high when you wrote this very paranoid and deranged comment?

    6. Eskimo Guest

      I think opioid addiction has to with greedy pharmaceuticals, greedy doctors, greedy insurance, or to sum it up a broken health care system. All of which is us to blame not the Chinese or Mexicans.

      Some other substance addiction that everyone seems to turn a blind eye includes, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and sugar.

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6
DenB Diamond

Viva Taiwan, is all I can say. It's a wonderful place with gorgeous climate, kind gentle refined people who get things done and live well. I understand the geopolitical imperative for China, not to lose face and relinquish the territory, but how can the thugs in Beijing posibly do anything other than ruin a beautiful thing? No way to stop them wanting to, and trying, and making a mess of it.

5
Eskimo Guest

@derek LOL!!!!!! Under your logic, what happen on July 4th 1776 is a separatist broke away and invented United States, and the legitimate government, predates by centuries, is led by Rishi Sunak not Joe Biden? The problem with American education and "Parental Rights in Education Act" is it failed to account for the fact that some parents are not so bright.

3
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