On the Ground: With construction at the LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal finally finished, traffic was smooth and I located the China Airlines business-class priority check-in counter without delay. While checking my single bag, the agent pointed me to the SkyTeam lounge. I cleared TSA quickly and reached the lounge in about 10 minutes. The lounge provides light snacks and basic drinks, but the real advantage is the quieter upper-level seating just outside the lounge doors. If you can find a seat there, it’s an excellent spot for people-watching or finishing a few last-minute emails in peace.
Pre-Flight: My seat was in the second business-class section, immediately past the second set of aircraft doors. I had only a moment to settle before more passengers began moving toward the rear, filling the aisles. The flight attendant promptly took my coat, offered a choice of juices and presented a warm towel to freshen up. She also offered the in-flight reading selection, which included the current issue of Global Traveler. I slipped into the provided slippers, relaxed and prepared for departure.
In-Flight: The Boeing 777 NexGen cabin uses a 1-2-1 configuration, and my window seat provided plenty of personal space, storage and easy aisle access. The cabin design blends contemporary and traditional touches: light bamboo wood panels contrast with black lacquer around the galley. After takeoff I explored the seat’s storage compartments and found multiple power outlets suitable for laptops, tablets and phones. Each seat featured a small lamp that created a warm, focused light while I worked and read. The inflight entertainment was outstanding — an 18-inch Panasonic widescreen with a broad selection of new-release films (I was moved by The Theory of Everything), thousands of songs, and detailed 3D maps and flight tracking. WiFi was also available for onboard connectivity.
Dinner service began a few hours into the 12-hour crossing. I enjoyed a glass of 2014 Konig Johann Riesling that paired nicely with the meal at altitude. The appetizer included a garden salad, grilled prawns and thinly sliced roast beef with aioli. China Airlines introduced custom tableware for this service: petal-shaped plates and bowls decorated with painted landscapes and subtle metallic accents. My main course was a tender beef filet with mashed potatoes and warm garlic bread, and I finished the meal with fresh fruit and decaffeinated green tea.
As sunset painted the cabin, the crew prepared seats for rest. My lie-flat seat reclined to a full 180 degrees and felt both spacious and comfortable; I requested extra pillows and wrapped myself in a blanket for a few hours of sleep while the cabin temperature remained pleasantly cool.
The Experience: China Airlines impressed with cohesive design and thoughtful amenities — from the cabin furnishings and tableware to the selection of teas in the galley. The flight attendants were attentive and professional: they assisted with WiFi setup, kept my cup filled with green tea and maintained quiet in the service areas while passengers rested. I arrived in Taipei feeling rested and satisfied, already considering a return trip.
GT CHECKLIST
Less than 10 minutes for check-in
Friendly and helpful agents
Priority-tagged baggage
Airport lounge access
Complimentary in-lounge food and drinks
Priority boarding
Helpful, courteous flight attendants
Pre-flight beverage service
Pre-flight newspapers and magazines
Extensive on-demand entertainment
Amenity kits provided
Slippers available
Lie-flat seat/bed
Turn-down service for sleep
In-flight menu with multiple entrée choices
Top-shelf wines and liquors available