China Airlines Review: Is China Airlines a Good Airline?

Flat beds in Business Class, a brand-new Premium Economy cabin planned for its future Boeing 787s, and flights from Taipei to destinations across Asia: China Airlines has plenty to offer! Despite its name, it is not a Chinese airline but Taiwan's national airline.

Want to know more before booking your flights? Trip.com explains how to fly with China Airlines from the UK, what to expect on board, which baggage you can bring and how to earn Miles!

China Airlines: Taiwan's National Airline

Founded in 1959, China Airlines takes its name from the “Republic of China”, the official name used by Taiwan. So it has nothing to do with Air China or China Eastern, which are based in mainland China. Confusing, isn’t it?

All its flights depart from Taoyuan International Airport, around 40 minutes from central Taipei by Airport MRT. From there, the airline flies to around 100 destinations, from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

China Airlines joined SkyTeam in 2011, putting it in the same alliance as Air France, KLM and Delta. This is a real bonus if you have a Flying Blue membership.

A quick look at its fleet:

• A350-900s and 777-300ERs operate most long-haul flights, including routes to Europe.
• 24 Boeing 787s have been ordered, with the first delivery expected by the end of the year.
• 15 Airbus A350-1000s are expected to join the fleet over the coming years.

How to Get to Taiwan from the UK with China Airlines

Here’s the key point: China Airlines operates direct flights from London Heathrow to Taipei five times a week. If you’re flying from elsewhere in the UK, you may need to connect through London or another European hub.

From Amsterdam or Frankfurt, the flight to Taipei takes just over 14 hours. If you’re travelling from the UK, flying directly from London is the simplest option. If you’re based elsewhere, connecting through a European hub may be worth considering.

Frankfurt is another practical option, particularly for travellers who can easily reach the airport and prefer its daily service to Taipei.

Once you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport, China Airlines and its regional subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines, offer connections to other destinations across Asia. Bali, Cebu, Fukuoka and Nagoya are among the destinations featured on China Airlines’ Trip.com page.

China Airlines Economy and Premium Economy

On the A350-900 aircraft used for most European routes, Economy Class has a 3-3-3 layout, with nine seats per row. This is standard for modern long-haul aircraft, with a personal screen at every seat.

Highlights:

• Modern, well-maintained aircraft on European routes.
• Highly rated cabin crew service: this is the airline's best-rated feature among passengers on AirlineRatings.
• Premium Economy available on European routes, a welcome upgrade for such a long journey.

Areas for improvement:

• Meals receive lower ratings than the cabin crew service from the same passengers.
• Longer overall journey times from London, only five direct flights per week, and most flights require a stopover.
• Average passenger ratings: on AirlineRatings, 58% of passengers who rated the airline recommend it.

Premium Economy is also worth considering. China Airlines has recently unveiled a completely new version for its Boeing 787 aircraft, featuring:

• 28 Recaro seats in a 2-3-2 layout.
• A leather leg rest.
• A 15.6-inch 4K screen that can be controlled using your own smartphone.

The new cabin will initially operate on flights to Seoul and Osaka. All 24 aircraft are due to be delivered by 2028, with Marc Jacobs-branded amenity kits on board.

Is China Airlines Business Class Worth It?

In Business Class, China Airlines offers a warm, welcoming cabin, rather than the cool, grey interiors found on some rival airlines. On both the A350-900 and the 777-300ER, seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access and a fully flat bed.

It’s the thoughtful details that make the difference, from khaki wood-effect finishes to an individual reading lamp at every seat. It feels a world away from a standard seat that simply converts into a bed.

China Airlines Baggage Allowance

China Airlines’ baggage allowance varies depending on your cabin class and fare type.

Each piece of cabin baggage must measure no more than 56 × 36 × 23 cm. You can also bring one small personal item.

📌 Trip.com tip: If you connect to a China Airlines long-haul flight via Amsterdam on an Air France or KLM flight, the baggage allowance for the journey may depend on the airlines operating your flights and your ticket conditions. Check the baggage details in your booking before you travel.

Dynasty Flyer and SkyTeam: Earning and Using Flying Blue Miles

For UK travellers, this is one of the biggest advantages of flying with China Airlines. As a SkyTeam member airline, China Airlines lets you earn Flying Blue Miles on eligible flights, which can be credited to your Air France-KLM Flying Blue account. These flights may also count towards your Flying Blue status, making it easier to earn rewards as you travel.

China Airlines' own Dynasty Flyer frequent flyer programme was revamped in late 2025:

• Reward flights can now be booked directly using Miles, replacing the old reward number system.
• Expired Miles can be reinstated within six months for a fee.
• Gold, Emerald and Paragon remain the three elite membership tiers.

China Airlines Safety Record and Passenger Reviews

In terms of safety, AirlineRatings currently gives China Airlines the maximum score of 7 out of 7, placing it among the airlines with the highest safety standards. It has also had no major incidents in the past 20 years.

As for service quality, Skytrax awards the airline a four-star rating. In September 2026, China Airlines climbed to 30th place worldwide in the Skytrax rankings, up from 37th the previous year. That is a strong improvement, although fellow Taiwanese airline EVA Air still ranks higher.

Is China Airlines a Good Airline?

Yes, and it could be a particularly good choice depending on what matters most to you:

• You collect Flying Blue Miles? China Airlines is Taiwan's only SkyTeam member, so eligible flights can earn you miles and count towards your Air France-KLM Flying Blue status.
• You want to save money and don't mind a stopover? Fares with a connection via Amsterdam or Frankfurt can often be cheaper than direct flights from the UK.
• You're planning to travel onwards to Japan, the Philippines or Indonesia? China Airlines offers an extensive network from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, making it a useful option for exploring more of Asia.
• You prefer to avoid stopovers? Consider EVA Air instead, although you may have to pay a little more for your ticket.

China Airlines vs Other Airlines: Which Should You Choose for Taiwan?

Taiwan has several international airlines serving travellers flying from the UK, but journey times and connections can vary considerably.

• China Airlines offers five direct flights a week from London to Taipei, with a journey time of around 13 hours and 10 minutes. It's a convenient option if you'd prefer to avoid a stopover.
• EVA Air offers flights from London to Taipei via Bangkok, taking around 16–17 hours. It's worth considering if you prefer EVA Air and don't mind a connecting flight.
• China Eastern Airlines offers connecting flights from London Gatwick to Taipei via Shanghai, with a total journey time of around 20–23 hours.
• Cathay Pacific flies from London to Taipei via Hong Kong, with a total journey time of around 16 hours.

Tips for booking China Airlines flights

💡 The best time to visit Taiwan is October to December or March to May. If possible, avoid July to September, which is typhoon season, and the Lunar New Year period (6 February in 2027), when fares can rise sharply.

Book two to three months in advance for Economy Class, and a little earlier for Premium Economy or Business Class.

Try comparing flights with different stopovers, too. Routes via Vienna or Prague may sometimes be cheaper than those via Amsterdam on the same dates.

More Travel Guides