[Shand]

This was new A350 Auckland to Brisbane (part of the daily Auckland-Taipeh service). A wider seat only. No greeting, no welcome drink, no table cloth, plastic cutlery and dishes, only economy meal and drink service which was awful. Main course was a tiny chicken and rice (I felt hungry on arrival) and desert was (wait for it!) a tim tam bar. Almost non-existent drink service. I am glad flight was only 3 hours – imagine a long haul with this !

[AMcWhirter]

This doesn’t sound good.

As you may know CAL has been using the A350 to launch non-stop service between Europe and Taipei.

Its LGW-TPE flight is timed to take 13.5 hours and some ex-UK travellers continue with CAL to elsewhere in the region including Australia.

[MarcusGB]

Hi.

I actually flew CA from AMS=TPE-SYD return some weeks ago, and return 3 weeks later.
This was a return Business Class, and for the amazing return sum of Euros 2,700.
It was a 773ER ex Amsterdam and full, but the A350 from TPE to Sydney had only 6 passengers in the wonderful suites.

I did see the PE Cabin and it looked very comfortable and only a few people were there, but nice and comfortable for a Brand new A350.
I am surprised and sorry you had a poor experience on the new A350 in terms of the catering.
How was the cabin and new A350 itself? I can imagine it was not too busy. Some year ago, they would travel onto AKL from the Sydney flight.
My summary…

https://www.businesstraveller.com/forums/search/china+airlines/

(Please see down a little for my China Airlines review)

Interested in what you may have paid for a PE return or what they charged for a Business return. I hope it was competitive compared to Air NZ, QF and VA, that really can be very expensive only having Business. I hope you found a good price at least.
I have to say the new A350 was superb, BC more like a First Suite, and they had a whole fleet in Taipei, at least 10 i could see moving around.
The A350 is used on the LGW Route, but for Business is almost £1,000 more expensive than flying from Amsterdam, on the well established 773.
I would have thought, the catering would have been loaded in Brisbane, so maybe you can address a complaint, compared to what it states you should have received for this decent 3 hr flight?

[Shand]

The price was very reasonable compared to NZ, QF and VA – only NZD 770 return. The seat was fine 2-3-2 but the cabin decore was rather garish.

On food service I could have added that the serviette/napkin handed out with the meal was nothing but a nose tissue – tiny and thin. And when they brought around a small ice-cream towards the end of the flight it just was handed to me without even a napkin.

In short absolutely no effort to make this “premium” in any way.

[Inquisitive]

If the hard product is good, one should not expect too much service/food in a 3 hours flight. Likely the onward journey to Taipei have better service.

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[AMcWhirter]

[quote quote=937011]If the hard product is good, one should not expect too much service/food in a 3 hours flight. Likely the onward journey to Taipei have better service.[/quote]

Good point. This would be considered a tag sector so one could not expect the full service. The ticket price would compensate.

2 users thanked author for this post.

EU_Flyer, Jacob

[CS KOK]

The China Airlines premium economy seat has a hard shell that does not actually recline. The bottom kind of slides forward and the back tilts a little so you get into some poor imitation of a reclining chair. Advantage is the seat in front of you never intrudes into your space.

[paulkaz]

It is possible that the China Airlines catering on the AKL BNE segment is poorer than their other services to reflect the cheaper fares and limited catering from QF VA and NZ on this 5th freedom flight. Certainly Latam’s catering on the SYD AKL service is average compared to the much more substantial service on the subsequent AKL SCL flight.

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EU_Flyer

[SimonS1]

Doesnt surprise me. Cheap tickets, and let’s be honest PE is basically economy with a bigger seat.

[EU_Flyer]

Sounds like China Airlines sell the PE seat at a slight premium over economy to fill the cabin but don’t offer a full service, as Alex MCW suggests given it’s a tag flight.

For the money you paid it sounds good value. Still a lost opportunity for China Airlines to convert you into a long haul customer.

[SPAMELOPE]

I traveled in PEY class on China airlines on 4 long haul flights and, quite honestly, cannot find anything to complain about. One always need to compare similar products from other carriers and, while China Airlines PEY is not the best, it is certainly not the worst. There were negative comments about the quality and meal portions being the same as those served in economy. This is true, but other carriers do the same. Admittedly, the meals were nothing to rave about, but the seat comfort, service and cabin crew were good. Overall, good value for money.

1 user thanked author for this post.

paulkaz

[rferguson]

When booking Premium Economy (or any other class I guess) Google/Youtube/Blogs/Review sites are your friend.

Premium economy comes in so many guises – from ‘Economy with a little plus’ to ‘Business Lite’. It’s best to do some research. On China Airlines website they only really highlight the seat. I would guess that’s because there is little to set the Y and W catering apart.

Not all airlines offer even a different seat in Premium Economy. When I flew Hawaiian from HNL-SYD it was just additional legroom in the mini cabin wedged between Business and the doors two galley. The US airlines followed suit with this model although most are installing a ‘real’ PE cabin now.

Others have nicer seats but still essentially Economy food and beverage.

Some are a truly elevated experience. Like Qantas where it’s almost like a ‘recliner Business Class’. BA and Virgin both aren’t bad either with upgraded food and amenities. Some airlines give priority check in and a few even lounge access (JAL for instance but only in their own lounges).

For me it will always come down to the value. How much extra did I pay for that PE seat? If it’s a couple hundred bucks my expectations are realistic. If i’ve paid thousands more then i’d probably set them a little higher.

But as others have mentioned short ‘tag’ flights rarely receive the same service and product as the long hauls continuing on. I noticed the same when I flew LATAM (Then LAN Chile) in business from AKL to SYD. I had the flat bed and breakfast wasn’t bad but it definitely wasn’t the ‘full experience’ and based on the fare I had paid I wasn’t really expecting it to be either.

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EU_Flyer, Ahmad

[UDON]

My experiences flying with this airline in PE don’t mirror yours at all. Several times a year I fly from YVR to BKK via TPE on either China Airlines or EVA Air. The latter will no longer be a choice in this class, as they will be operating a Dreamliner with no PE class in late Feb. 2020 from Vancouver.

Check-in normally smooth and baggage checked all the way to BKK. Welcome drink on board, dedicated washrooms in this cabin, access to snack area throughout the flight. Relatively small cabin compared to some other airlines. Meals not spectacular but certainly plenty of food IMHO.

So far been fortunate to secure fares in the $1500-1600 CAD range all in. Usually check Expert Flyer before booking to see which seats are available or blocked.

They have however joined other airlines with an advanced seat selection charge now on the basic PE fares.

[TupeloKid]

[postquote quote=937209][/postquote]

Sounds good to me.

[Author]

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