China Airlines remains one of our favourite carriers, and we do little to hide it. That might seem surprising. It is not one of the largest airlines, it has no First Class cabin, and for many travellers it remains relatively under the radar. Yet its appeal is clear.
China Airlines has built one of the most thoughtful and cohesive design languages in the industry. Nearly a decade ago, long before many of today’s leading airlines made similar moves, it introduced elegant lounges in Taipei and refreshed cabin interiors with distinctive carpets, persimmon bulkheads, luxurious seating, bespoke washrooms and the charming Sky Lounge.
The investment extended beyond the premium cabins. Economy passengers benefitted from innovative seating, including lie-flat configurations inspired by Air New Zealand’s approach, which made long-haul travel noticeably more comfortable. With Phoenix now on the route map, we were keen to experience what the A350 and the recently launched A321 are delivering for passengers today.
On the ground
After a short hop from Phuket to Bangkok, our China Airlines journey began just after midnight. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi remains one of those airports that never truly sleeps. It is consistently busy, yet its vast halls disperse the crowds with ease.
The check in hall is framed by traditional Thai sculptures, grounding you in the destination before the transition into the international environment. China Airlines operates four daily flights from Bangkok to Taipei, along with a daily service to Kaohsiung. Our red eye departure may not be the most glamorous on paper, but it provided an ideal connection to London and allowed us to make full use of our final day in Thailand.
Check in was swift. Sky Priority counters were quiet, boarding passes were issued quickly and we were soon escorted toward security by a member of the check in team who happened to be heading in the same direction. It was a small gesture with an almost nostalgic quality. Fast track Business Class access reduced immigration and security to a matter of minutes compared with the queues forming nearby.
Airside, Thai artwork continues as a theme. China Airlines does have its own lounge in Bangkok, although it closes earlier in the evening. Late night departures therefore use partner facilities. In our case this was the Miracle Business Class Lounge.
It is one of the more appealing third party spaces, with an emphasis on food including a live cooking station, varied buffet and ample seating. The focus is more on dining than relaxing and there are only a few softer seating areas, yet for a short stay before departure it proved entirely adequate.
After a brief refresh and a light snack, we made our way to the gate. Suvarnabhumi can feel repetitive and disorienting, but signage is clear and we reached the aircraft as boarding commenced.
The A321 experience
Our first sector to Taipei was operated by the Airbus A321neo, which is progressively becoming the core of China Airlines’ regional fleet. The aircraft type joined the airline in late 2021 and is planned to reach 25 in total, replacing older 737-800s on Asian routes.
The interior was a pleasant surprise. Compared with earlier generations, the A321neo cabin feels bright and confident. Warm lighting and an updated palette add a sense of modernity. In economy, soft blues and peach tones with generous IFE screens create a contemporary environment.
Business Class features 12 fully flat seats arranged in a 2–2 configuration across three rows. Although it does not provide all-aisle access, the layout is well suited to regional routes. The cabin design is noteworthy. Carpets inspired by ocean patterns and dappled lighting create visual depth, while playful touches such as the Pokémon pillows introduce personality.
The seat converts to a fully flat bed and is supported by substantial bedding for a regional service. An adjustable leather headrest elevates the pillow, and the personal storage units between each pair of seats provide easy access to amenities. Illuminated seat controls, a small privacy divider and integrated mirror demonstrate attention to detail. Slippers are provided, even on short overnight segments, and the impression is of a product that significantly exceeds regional expectations.
Pre departure menus and wine lists were handed out, along with the airline’s signature mocktail. Pre-ordering of main courses is available, even on flights of this duration, which sets a generous tone.
Pushback was on schedule at 2.30 in the morning. Service commenced efficiently and with a focus on minimising disturbance for those wishing to rest. Wireless charging worked seamlessly. Dinner included wonton noodle soup with salad and fish balls, presented on elegant serveware and followed by a hazelnut and caramel tart. It was a level of catering that some European carriers would reserve for longer flights.
The lavatory was standard but well stocked, with Moroccanoil amenities. The bed is not particularly long and the footwell is restrictive when fully stretched out, although the hour of sleep achieved underlined that the product is still effective for short overnight flights.
Hot towels and water were offered before landing. For a three hour link to the hub, the experience delivered elements often reserved for long haul services.
The A350 cabin
With only one hour to connect in Taipei, there was no opportunity to visit the airline’s lounges on this occasion. Taipei’s long terminal layout requires a determined pace, but connections remain straightforward.
At the gate, the wide body that defines China Airlines’ long haul strategy awaited. The A350 joined the fleet in 2016 and now forms the backbone of intercontinental operations, with further aircraft planned as part of recent orders.
Separate jetbridges for premium cabins contribute to a seamless boarding experience. The A350 interior adopts a more restrained and mature design language than the A321neo. A muted palette, warm lighting and the distinctive persimmon wood veneer combine to create a residential aesthetic. The wood softens structural lines and allows the cabin to retain a contemporary feel several years after its introduction.
The A350 seat
Business Class is arranged in a 1–2–1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access throughout. Centre seats suit couples, while window seats provide privacy for solo travellers. The absence of sliding doors does not detract from the sense of seclusion due to the sculpted shell design.
Storage solutions are well considered, ranging from small compartments to deeper spaces with integrated mirrors. A bi fold table allows for practical dining and working positions. The seat materials continue the NexGen design approach, blending textures effectively. Bedding is substantial and mattress toppers are pre fitted on boarding, supporting a comfortable sleeping surface. For side sleepers, this remains a particularly strong product.
Pre departure mocktails and updated Moschino amenity kits were distributed. The latter feel more premium and aligned with the cabin aesthetic. Headphones are competent and the IFE offers a strong content library with an excellent moving map.
The food and drink
If the cabins are where China Airlines shows its design credentials, the food and drink are where it flexes hospitality. Menus on this route feature dishes created in collaboration with three Michelin starred chefs, and the airline has long taken pride in splitting its offerings cleanly between Western and Asian options.
Pre-departure, hot towels and menus were handed out, followed by drinks and an amuse bouche after take off. The snack selection alone, paired with champagne, would have been a respectable light meal on some carriers.
The main meal looked spectacular, with carefully plated components and attractive serviceware. While this particular menu did not quite hit the flavour heights of some China Airlines flights I have taken previously, presentation was faultless. Desserts in particular were beautiful, both in taste and in the ceramics they arrived in. A cheese plate, gently encouraged by the crew, paired with sauvignon blanc, rounded out the service.
Mid flight, the Sky Lounge became a pleasant escape. It is a smaller interpretation of the bar space on the airline’s 777, but still offers a curated selection of Taiwanese snacks, teas, coffees and spirits. The crew clearly take pride in it, and it adds a certain theatre to the journey that many carriers lack.
Later in the flight, a mid flight snack turned into more of a second meal, starting with a cheeseburger that was far better than it had any right to be at altitude, followed by a cold noodle bowl that felt light and fresh – but didn’t completely wow me. A bubble tea, part of the airline’s partnership with local brands, was less to my personal taste, but it is good to see China Airlines embracing playful, local touches.
Before landing, the cabin cycled through a series of very well considered lighting scenes as the crew prepared for the final meal. Hot towels appeared again, tables were laid and a maple bacon and pancake breakfast arrived that was both indulgent and comforting, even if the body clock had no idea which time zone it belonged to.
The entertainment
China Airlines’ entertainment system on the A350 is solid. The screen is large and sharp, and the interface is intuitive with a generous library of films and television. The moving map is particularly good, with multiple views and enough detail to satisfy av geeks and casual passengers alike.
Headphones, as mentioned, do a decent job, though they will not rival your own premium pair if you bring them. The real weak point is not the content, but the connectivity. Wi Fi performance remains patchy and slow compared with leading competitors, and the absence of USB-C charging across the fleet is becoming more noticeable as devices evolve. Wireless charging on the A321neo worked flawlessly, but on the long haul flagship there is room for improvement.
The extras
Beyond food, seat and IFE, what sets China Airlines apart is the layering of smaller details. The new Moschino amenity kits feel more aligned with the rest of the brand. Slippers on both A321neo and A350 sectors are a thoughtful touch. Plateware, coasters, menu design and even the abstract artwork in the lavatories contribute to a sense of a carefully edited experience rather than a generic premium cabin.
There are still gaps. Pyjamas would feel appropriate on overnight long haul flights, particularly given the quality of the rest of the product. On the A321neo, slightly longer bed lengths would turn a very good regional product into an outstanding one. Yet these critiques sit against a backdrop of consistent, well executed design.
In conclusion
As we touched down at Heathrow after a long overnight journey, I was left with a familiar feeling. China Airlines remains one of my favourite carriers because it quietly gets so many of the fundamentals right. The regional A321neo and long haul A350 form a cohesive pairing albeit with its different personalities. There’s an overarching design language and service style that feels connected rather than fragmented.
The airline has invested in fleet renewal, with the A321neo taking over more regional routes and the A350 forming the backbone of its long haul network, and there are more aircraft still to come as part of ongoing orders and options. It continues to refine, rather than radically reinvent, its passenger experience.
There are areas where China Airlines could push further, particularly around digital experience, connectivity and those final comfort touches like pyjamas. But when you look at the journey as a whole, from Bangkok’s late night departure through Taipei to London, it is hard not to be impressed by the overall consistency and care.
From the playful, design rich A321neo to the calm, mature A350, China Airlines offers a passenger experience that feels thought through, modern and distinctly Taiwanese. If this trip is any indication, the airline is heading in the right direction, and the next chapter of its wide body refresh should be well worth watching.
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