China Airlines has upgraded its B747-400 aircraft to include the latest Audio Video on Demand entertainment consoles.

China Airlines, the national flag carrier of Taiwan, will join the SkyTeam airline alliance on September 28 2011.

The airline will become the 15th member of the global airline confederation which currently includes Air France, Delta Airlines and KLM.

It’s most fitting that China Airlines is joining the prestigious SkyTeam alliance this year because we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of CI services between Taiwan and Australia in 2011, said Jim Wong, the airlines’ Sydney-based Sales Manager.

The new commercial agreement will have significant benefits for Australian passengers travelling on China Airlines.

For instance, Taipei will become a SkyTeam hub which means seamless global connections on partner airlines using the capital’s Taoyuan International Airport, he said.

In addition passengers will be able to avail of various pre departure benefits including single desk check-in and access to VIP lounges as well as consistent in-flight service, a generous frequent flyer programme and a variety of corporate travel benefits, he added.

Founded in 2000 by Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Airlines and Korean Air, SkyTeam is the last of three major airline alliances to be formed but it has grown to become the second largest airline grouping in the world in terms of passenger numbers and alliance members.

With the inclusion of China Airlines in late September, SkyTeam will consist of 15 carriers from four continents.

As of June, SkyTeam member airlines fly to 916 airports in 169 countries.  They operate more than 14,000 flights a day utilising a combined fleet of 3900 aircraft including those of associate carriers.

In addition, the alliance has 465 lounges around the world to serve its 474 million annual passengers.
China Airlines has four flights a week linking Sydney with Taipei.  Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday CI 052 flights leave Sydney at 2210 and arrive in Taipei at 0540 the next morning.

The timing is very convenient for passengers heading on to popular CI destinations in the region like Hong Kong, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City as well as long haul ports such as Vancouver, New York, London, Vienna, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

Australian passengers from Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide are provided with complimentary QANTAS domestic flights to connect with the four weekly CI flights ex Sydney and three weekly CI flights ex Brisbane.

Flights from Sydney to Taipei are operated in advanced Airbus A330-300 aircraft configured with 30 business class seats and 271 economy seats.

China Airlines’ A330-300s are equipped with advanced Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) entertainment consoles which allow passengers to freely choose from an extensive library of movies – current blockbusters to classic films – as well as short films.

Meanwhile China Airlines’ fleet of B747-400 aircraft have been retrofitted in a major upgrade of cabin amenities.

Used on select long haul routes, China Airlines’ fleet of retrofitted B747-400 aircraft are operated in a three class configuration.

There are 12 21 in. wide first class seats which recline 180° and 49 20 in. business class seats which recline 160°.  The 319 17 in. ergonomic economy class seats recline 110°.  

“China Airlines has released highly competitive fares which are available in all GDS,” said Mr Wong.

Sydney/Asia business class return fares are from $3141 (taxes inclusive) while economy class return fares are from $828 (taxes inclusive).

Sydney/USA business class return fares are from $4686 (taxes inclusive) while economy class return fares are from $1675 (taxes inclusive).

Sydney/Europe business class return fares are from $4779 (taxes inclusive) while economy class return fares are from $$1821 (taxes inclusive).