On the Ground: At Terminal 1, China Airlines’ check-in was quick and efficient. There were very few people in line; I initially queued in business class, but an agent called me forward to the first-class lane and completed check-in promptly, handing over my luggage receipt and boarding pass. When I asked whether my seat was good, the agent confirmed it was on the upper deck. China Airlines uses the Air France lounge in Terminal 1. Because it was early, the lounge offered only light snacks and noodle soup, with wrapped sandwiches appearing about an hour later. The lounge has poor acoustics — every plate click, sneeze and conversation carries loudly — which makes it hard to relax. The lone wall TV was tuned to a soap opera; after some negotiation staff switched it to CNN. The restriction on available channels seemed odd.
Boarding started a little late, but the lounge agent timed our departure so we reached the gate just in time. It’s a short walk from Gate 2 to Gate 8 for China Airlines. Boarding was efficient; several crew members thanked passengers for flying and welcomed us aboard, a nice personal touch. (26/30)
Pre-flight: I was seated in 10A on the upper deck of the Boeing 747-400. The crew assisted with my carry-on and took my coat. Passengers were offered a welcome drink and a signature pink snack bag. Before takeoff, the cabin crew took drink orders and handed out menus. Service felt attentive and well organized. (28/30)
In-flight: Shortly after takeoff a flight attendant circulated with a trolley of magazines, offering a solid selection in both Chinese and English. China Airlines’ Executive Chef Sara Lin, with experience at the Grand Hyatt Taipei and Le Bernardin in New York, created an East-meets-West menu. The choices included a Japanese selection and a Modern Gourmet option. I chose the Modern Gourmet, which began with a grilled scallop starter and continued with a choice of wok-fried shrimp or USA beef tenderloin. The meal was very good.
Because the flight stops in Osaka, the menu adjusted slightly for the Osaka–Taipei sector: the wok dish became a mixed seafood and pork option, and the beef served was Australian rather than USA. The Japanese menu also saw small changes between sectors. This service featured China Airlines’ new flat-bed business-class seat. While the bed did not lie perfectly flat at 180 degrees, it tilted to a comfortable angle that provided a restful sleep after several busy weeks. Each seat offers a large 14-inch screen on the seat in front with a broad selection of movies and programming. The multi-function entertainment system includes films, TV shows, music and games, and proved to be a welcome addition.
After landing in Osaka the aircraft was serviced and prepared for the next leg while passengers transferred. The roughly two-and-a-half-hour Osaka–Taipei flight provided enough time to sleep. My checked baggage, including large golf clubs, arrived in about 20 minutes after landing. (35/40)
The Experience: I enjoy flying the 747-400, and sitting on the upper deck was a highlight. The crew were consistently friendly and accommodating, and the updated seat represents a meaningful improvement over the previous design. Overall, China Airlines delivered a solid product and service, making it a strong option and a valuable addition to the SkyTeam alliance.
Total Score: 89/100