China Airlines

[game4shame]

I booked a flight to BKK yesterday through the china airlines website whilst yapping away to my mate on the phone.

as I was reviewing the finalised booking I realised the mother of all schoolboy errors - I had entered my forename and surname the wrong way round on the booking.

now I was already aware airlines - in the main - do not allow name changes and as I scrutinised the ticket rules my fear was confirmed - no name changes allowed.

so I had to wait 'til today to call (monday) as the UK call centre is closed at weekends. I was convinced they were going to say I had to cancel the ticket at a charge of 150GBP and rebook. I had a white lie prepared to make out I had entered the details 100% correctly and there must be a mistake on their website (pathetic ).

anyway, I phone up as soon as the call centre is open at 9am and the operator says its not a problem - apparently other airlines can get arsey about it but china airlines accept the booking if all names are present and spelt correctly.

so thumbs up to CI for customer service................and I recommend full concentration when booking flights online ie no phone calls to mates whilst punching a few hundred squid onto the plastic.

game

[gosompoi]

From my experience China Airlines is one of best to fly. The planes are new, the staff is pleasent and helpful and their prices are sometimes the best too!

[britmaveric]

However their planes like to crash...

[cdnvic]

However their planes like to crash...

Yep, one of the worst safety records of any major airline. That's the hazard of shopping by price.

[Fatfrank]

However their planes like to crash...

Yep, one of the worst safety records of any major airline. That's the hazard of shopping by price.

true but that is in the past, CI is now under close scrutiny by their local Civil Aviation Agency and cannot afford another "problem", they are probably one of the safest airlines to fly today.

[peterallard]

It is true that China Airlines had a horrible safety record in the 1990s, but have since completely turned it around, to the point where IATA has cited them for their intense safety efforts. My experience flying with them has been nothing but excellent, from their inexpensive fares to their outstanding in-flight service. I have never had occasion to contact their customer service department, but I am not surprised at the fine treatment the OP received.

[cdnvic]

true but that is in the past, CI is now under close scrutiny by their local Civil Aviation Agency and cannot afford another "problem", they are probably one of the safest airlines to fly today.

Everyone's crashes are "in the past".

With so many choices out there with excellent records, such as their fellow countrymen at EVA, why take a risk on a frequent crasher?

[neverdie]

Love it, Great Customer Service on an airline most renowned for crashing and burning.

" Hello ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking, thankyou for flying China Airlines.....unfortunately we are about to impact with the ground at 900km/h, despite that, I hope you enjoyed ur flight. Thankyou"

[jtp]

Yep,no one wants to hear the words "Put your head between your legs....And kiss your ass goodbye"!

[scorecard]

It is true that China Airlines had a horrible safety record in the 1990s, but have since completely turned it around, to the point where IATA has cited them for their intense safety efforts. My experience flying with them has been nothing but excellent, from their inexpensive fares to their outstanding in-flight service. I have never had occasion to contact their customer service department, but I am not surprised at the fine treatment the OP received.

I also confirm:

China Airlines, great service, very customer focused, never ever felt like one of the sheep being herded. 'Can do' attitude and always seem to come up with a not too bad alternative if needed.

A few months back I noticed a young Chinese lady with 3 young kids at China Airlines economy check-in at Shanghai, Pu Dong airport, supervisor quickly organized a ground crew person to escort the mother and kids through passport control and she stayed with them until boarding time and made herself useful, came on board with the family and ensured they were comfortable etc. Well done. On board staff also very attentive with real help, took the older kids for a walk round the aircraft etc., so that the mother could feed the baby. Well done.

DragonAir and Shanghai Airlines very similar.

[Dah fahrang]

I also confirm:

China Airlines, great service, very customer focused, never ever felt like one of the sheep being herded. 'Can do' attitude and always seem to come up with a not too bad alternative if needed.

A few months back I noticed a young Chinese lady with 3 young kids at China Airlines economy check-in at Shanghai, Pu Dong airport, supervisor quickly organized a ground crew person to escort the mother and kids through passport control and she stayed with them until boarding time and made herself useful, came on board with the family and ensured they were comfortable etc. Well done. On board staff also very attentive with real help, took the older kids for a walk round the aircraft etc., so that the mother could feed the baby. Well done.

DragonAir and Shanghai Airlines very similar.

Are you confusing Air China with China Airlines?

Air China is the national carrier of the PRC - China Airlines is a carrier from Taiwan.

I don't think China Airlines (from Taiwan) would fly into Shanghai - until the two China's have reconciled their bitter territorial differences

I think China Airlines are renaming and repainting as Mandarin Airlines for this same and very reason.

[tuky]

anyway, I phone up as soon as the call centre is open at 9am and the operator says its not a problem - apparently other airlines can get arsey about it but china airlines accept the booking if all names are present and spelt correctly.

Could that be because in a lot of cases Asian names are more fluid than what we are used to?

My girlfriend is 23 yrs old and her name is XoX.

Her Id card says she is 29 and her name is xOx

Her passport has her at 29 and her name being X0x.

We just flew a week or so ago and had no troubles.

Also, my resident card (Indo) has me 145cm and Asian apprearence.

My Car license has me at 165cm

and my bike license has me at 175cm.

[geriatrickid]

However their planes like to crash...

Yep, one of the worst safety records of any major airline. That's the hazard of shopping by price.

true but that is in the past, CI is now under close scrutiny by their local Civil Aviation Agency and cannot afford another "problem", they are probably one of the safest airlines to fly today.

try the aviation insurance underwriters. Large deductibles and co insurance clauses hit the bottom line and that was the incentive. Had insurance been refused, the planes would have been grounded and the airline shut down. It was more like an ultimatum I think.

[game4shame]

However their planes like to crash...

blah, blah, blah - next time I'll book with a safe european airline......like.....em......air france.

With so many choices out there with excellent records, such as their fellow countrymen at EVA, why take a risk on a frequent crasher?

I believe EVA don't codeshare to ABZ (my local airport) - I have only heard good things abouth them though so I'd like to give them a shot sometime.

back to CI - a frequent crasher? wikipedia says they've had 3 incidents in the past decade. I wouldnt consider that 'frequent'.

they'd be booted out of europe if they weren't safe - remember what happened to phuket air. besides, as mentioned previously, their past record would mean they have no choice but to be extra vigilant re safety these days.

I've flown the krung thep route with BA, qantas, emirates, qatar, etihad, gulf air, KLM, air france, thai and this will be my 3rd time with CI. I can honestly say, on a whole, CI are just as good as any of the aforementioned, if not better.

[Texpat]

I like CA. The CKS airport is 100x better now than it was a few years ago, too.

[Randell]

I have flown with CI for about 10 years. There service has always been good and the most reasonable price for me from Vancouver to Bangkok. But that said I want to give Eva a shot. And Texpat is right about the airport upgrade alot better than befor but still not in Singapore's league. Randell

[cobra]

I actually was on (the now famous) take-off from a taxi way (Anchorage AK),

the taxi way only being half the length of the adjacent run way, almost took out the perimeter fencing and left plow marks from the gear trailing across the snow berm at the end, also no one in the cockpit capable of fluent English, (a requirement if operating in North American airspace).

Still, once we got up on step, the best long haul flight I've ever had, great service, actually let off the people who had tight connections in Taipei first with escort right up to the gate and actually held that flight for us, (Another CI flight), don't know of many carriers that would go that extra mile.

Now on the above, it's been reported that the pilot was aware he was on a taxi-way, said taxi way was within acceptable length for take off and that he elected to do so to negate having to be de-iced yet for a second time.

Hey that's why they call it adventure travel,

[geriatrickid]

China Souther & China Eastern have far worse records. However, for the sake of the thread, I had a quick look at Simon Hradecky's* log of events for the past 2 years brings up the following incidents;

1. China Southern A320 at Shenzhen on Aug 31st 2008, nose gear steering failure

2. China Airlines B744 near Bangkok on Oct 2nd 2008, clear air turbulence injures 32 peopleA China Airlines Boeing 747-400, registration B-18202 performing flight CI641 from Hong Kong (China) to Bangkok (Thailand) with 147 passengers and 16 crew, encountered severe clear air turbulence about 30 minutes prior to landing while cruising at FL400, which injured 21 passengers and 11 crew. The landing was safe, the injured were rushed to a hospital. 2 of the injuries are reported serious.

3.China Airlines A343 at Seoul on Aug 15th 2008, fuselage cracked. China Airlines Airbus A340-300, registration B-18802 performing flight CI160 from Taipei (Taiwan) to Seoul (South Korea), had normally arrived at the gate at Seoul, when ground personnel discovered a 15 cm (6 inch) long crack in the right rear fuselage obviously stemming from the impact of a foreign object. A further examination showed, that two tyres had deep cuts.

South Korea's Safety Council reported, that the airplane may have hit runway lights while landing in rain at around 11:45 local (02:45Z).

4.China Airlines B738 at Okinawa on Aug. 20th 2007, airplane in flames arriving at stand. The Japanese Aircraft and Railway Accident Investigation Commission finds, that the most probable cause of the accident was a maintenance error. According to the report a required washer was not attached to a nut, when maintenance work was carried out by China Airlines.

5. China Airlines B744 near Bali on Sep 20th 2008, turbulence injures 11, 5 flight attendants and one passenger received serious injuries (fractures and neck injuries), 5 more people minor injuries. The airplane landed in Denpasar without further incident.

6.China Airlines B744 at Taipeh on Dec 8th 2007, cabin door opened in flight China Airlines B744, registration B-18210 performing flight CI008 from Taipeh to Los Angeles with 264 passengers, had to dump fuel and return to Taipeh, after the left hand cabin door between seat row 46 and 47 suddenly opened about 5 minutes after takeoff. The airplane landed safely, no injuries were reported.

7.China Airlines B738 at Saga on Oct 5th 2007, overran runway on takeoff running through approach lights and got airborne. The pitot-system of the airplane was found clogged with bugs resulting in false instrument readings.

* Simon does a great job of reviewing all of the published incident & accident reports and compiling them. He provides an invaluable service by reporting the data as it is written, in an unbiased manner.

[cdnvic]

People can ride whatever airline they wish, I just think an informed choice is in everyone's best interest.

[geriatrickid]

good point about informed consent.Unfortunately, the only agency that compels airlines to release info like ontime performance, lost luggage, bumping, lost animals etc, is the US FAA. Canada certainly doesn't provide reports to the public. I'd be surprised if the UK or Aus do it either. If it wasn't for the FAA or people like Simon I'd not be able to be "informed".

On the main ticket booking engines, on time performance for the specified US flight is displayed. Go to a non US flight booking site and the info isn't available. Yes skytrax will compile it, but the average consumer can't be expected to spend hours looking.

btw i made stupid error including china southern in my list. sorry.

Edited July 22, 2009 by geriatrickid

[Zpete]

I actually was on (the now famous) take-off from a taxi way (Anchorage AK),

the taxi way only being half the length of the adjacent run way, almost took out the perimeter fencing and left plow marks from the gear trailing across the snow berm at the end, also no one in the cockpit capable of fluent English, (a requirement if operating in North American airspace).

Still, once we got up on step, the best long haul flight I've ever had, great service, actually let off the people who had tight connections in Taipei first with escort right up to the gate and actually held that flight for us, (Another CI flight), don't know of many carriers that would go that extra mile.

Now on the above, it's been reported that the pilot was aware he was on a taxi-way, said taxi way was within acceptable length for take off and that he elected to do so to negate having to be de-iced yet for a second time.

Hey that's why they call it adventure travel,

A slightly late flite with Orient-Thai from Honkers to Bangers connecting with a connection to Phuket.

We were met as we left the aircraft, given an ID sticker, rushed thru' immigration, baggage was transferred.

All sweet, best connecting service I have had.

May be a cheapie airline, but service was tops.

Edited July 23, 2009 by Zpete

[cdnvic]

A slightly late flite with Orient-Thai from Honkers to Bangers connecting with a connection to Phuket.

We were met as we left the aircraft, given an ID sticker, rushed thru' immigration, baggage was transferred.

All sweet, best connecting service I have had.

May be a cheapie airline, but service was tops.

Their landings need work.

Their geriatric aircraft are also banned from the EU for safety reasons.

Enjoy the service.

Edited July 23, 2009 by cdnvic

[EvilDrSomkid]

I LOVE China Airlines.

I have flown exclusively with this outfit AMS-BKK-AMS since 2006. I love their air staff , service and prices and I even like the food. Leg space is good too, even in Economy.

Got a Dynasty Flyer card and recently qualified for a Gold Card and an upgrade from cheapy class to Business, all on miles.

Flew CI business for work a few times, and that was excellent.

A business class BKK return ticket for €598 kicks ass in my book. The service desk in NL is very helpful and friendly.

EVA is good too, but has a little tired look.

KLM can go f... eehmm... suck eggs with their farmgirl, surly, fat chicks they call stewardesses.

I dont do stopovers.

[zzaa09]

From my experience China Airlines is one of best to fly. The planes are new, the staff is pleasent and helpful and their prices are sometimes the best too!

Kudos seconded. China Airlines is quitely gaining in status as one of the premiere class airlines worldwide - actually, you'll find that consistently, quite a number of Asian carriers lead the award class year in and year out.

[bridge]

I have flown China Airlines several times over the last year. I have always had great in flight service. When you call reservations in BKK, you get through straight away as well. I would choose them over Thai any day of the week.

[MarkyM3]

Anyone thinking about flying Orient-Thai or 1-2-Go should take a look at various posts "InvestigateUdom" has made on www.pprune.org (professional pilot's website). No wonder O-T got banned from the EU....

[No1Britguy]

I have flown China Airlines several times over the last year. I have always had great in flight service. When you call reservations in BKK, you get through straight away as well. I would choose them over Thai any day of the week.

I am flying China airlines in sept from A'dam to BKK and looked them up, they seem to be a top notch airline.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/CI.htm

[moe666]

Travelled China Airlines for a number of years got the upgrades to business as well service was good. When they upgraded the cabin seats with all of the electronics and no up grade the flight back to LA was pure hel_l. My knees rubbed on the seat in front of me for eleven hours. Also unable to make reservations on the internet and recieve extra miles other than these little wrinkles I liked China Airlines.

Friends had been bugging me about EVA so on the next trip gave it a try, with my long legs and big fat butt economy deluxe was just the ticket. I haven't looked back since, got the miles for upgrade to business and can use the club in LA., Taipei, and Bangkok. On one trip changed my flight 3 times in one day no charge

[losworld]

I booked a flight to BKK yesterday through the china airlines website whilst yapping away to my mate on the phone.

as I was reviewing the finalised booking I realised the mother of all schoolboy errors - I had entered my forename and surname the wrong way round on the booking.

now I was already aware airlines - in the main - do not allow name changes and as I scrutinised the ticket rules my fear was confirmed - no name changes allowed.

so I had to wait 'til today to call (monday) as the UK call centre is closed at weekends. I was convinced they were going to say I had to cancel the ticket at a charge of 150GBP and rebook. I had a white lie prepared to make out I had entered the details 100% correctly and there must be a mistake on their website (pathetic ).

Never had any problems with China Airlines. Allowed no penalty return flight changes. Helpful and courteous. Good value.

anyway, I phone up as soon as the call centre is open at 9am and the operator says its not a problem - apparently other airlines can get arsey about it but china airlines accept the booking if all names are present and spelt correctly.

so thumbs up to CI for customer service................and I recommend full concentration when booking flights online ie no phone calls to mates whilst punching a few hundred squid onto the plastic.

game