Name: Huang-Hsiang Sun
Title: President
Company, city: China Airlines; Taipei, Taiwan
Number of employees: 10,822
Recent project: Developing eco-friendly service, plus the Greater China Connection and Next Generation programs
First job: China Airlines’ traffic staff at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Little-known fact about you: I enjoy having fun with my grandchildren.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: As a leading carrier, teamwork and continuous innovation are vital. Our guiding principles are “safety first,” “service plus,” “eco must” and “innovation best,” and these values shape everything I do.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Maintain a clear view of the big picture while taking care of details. Listening to both internal and external customers drives product innovation and process improvements, helping China Airlines deliver value while controlling costs.
Yardstick of success: I measure success by the value we create for customers and the well-being of our employees; their satisfaction and positive feedback reflect true accomplishment.
Huang-Hsiang as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? Books and magazines of all kinds.
How do you spend your time on board? I use flight time to catch up on reading.
What is your favorite destination in the world? After many trips, my favorite remains my hometown: Taipei, Taiwan.
About China Airlines
What can travelers expect from China Airlines? Headquartered at Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, China Airlines is Taiwan’s largest full-service carrier and one of Asia’s leading airlines. China Airlines is the only carrier offering direct service between Taiwan and the United States with a first-class cabin. A SkyTeam member since 2011, the airline blends the elegance of Chinese culture with modern comfort to offer refined, attentive service.
What makes China Airlines’ business class unique? In October 2012, China Airlines completed an upgrade of nine Boeing 747-400 aircraft with all-new cabins. Business class on these retrofitted aircraft features ergonomic seats, an advanced in-flight entertainment system offering over 100 movies and programs, and increased personal space, all supported by attentive cabin crew service.
China Airlines partners with leading restaurants and culinary experts to design signature dishes and light bites for business travelers. Supporting eco-friendly initiatives, we prioritize local ingredients in in-flight meals to reduce CO2 emissions. On select routes such as Taipei–Frankfurt, meals are labeled with caloric information so passengers can make informed, health-conscious choices while flying.
What are China Airlines’ future plans in North America? China Airlines has steadily strengthened its presence in the U.S. market. We will expand codeshare cooperation with fellow SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines to provide more seamless transit connections to inland U.S. cities.
Fleet modernization and service upgrades remain top priorities. China Airlines has ordered 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with the first scheduled to serve U.S. destinations beginning in 2014. These new planes will feature enhanced amenities so that travel becomes a comfortable, personalized entertainment experience rather than just a flight.