China Airlines

Not to be confused with Air China or China National Aviation Corporation.

China Airlines Co., Ltd.
中華航空股份有限公司
中华航空股份有限公司

IATA CI ICAO CAL Callsign DYNASTY
Founded	16 December 1959
Hubs	Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei)
Focus cities	Kaohsiung International Airport Hong Kong International Airport Kansai International Airport (Osaka) Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)
Frequent-flyer program	Dynasty Flyer
Airport lounge	Dynasty Lounge
Alliance	SkyTeam
Subsidiaries	Mandarin Airlines
Fleet size	72
Destinations	112(incl. cargo)
Company slogan	Journey with a caring smile
Parent company	China Airlines Group
Headquarters	CAL Park, Dayuan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Key people	Sun Huang-hsiang (President)
Revenue	NTD138,140 million (2010)
Net income	NTD15,000 million (2010)
Website	www.china-airlines.com

CAL Park, the company's headquarters in Dayuan, Taoyuan

China Airlines (CAL) (traditional Chinese: 中華航空公司; simplified Chinese: 中华航空公司; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Hángkōng gōngsī, commonly abbreviated as Huáháng (traditional Chinese: 華航; simplified Chinese: 华航)) (TWSE: 2610) is the largest airline in Taiwan. Although not directly state-owned, the airline is owned by China Airlines Group, which is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation (traditional Chinese: 中華航空事業發展基金會; simplified Chinese: 中华航空事业发展基金会; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Hángkōngshìyè Fāzhǎn Jījīnhuì), which is in turn owned by the government of the Republic of China.

The airline, with headquarters in and flight operations from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, flies to destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. China Airlines has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Northeast Asia. The airline started scheduled chartered flights between Taiwan and China on July 2008. Most flights serving this market are concentrated at Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. China Airlines has operated the Hong Kong route since 1967, which is the airline's most profitable market, generating 13.3% of its NT$121.9 billion (US$3.7 billion) revenue in 2006 with over 140 flights flown a week between Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Hong Kong.

China Airlines' wholly owned subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines, manages regional flights to secondary cities with smaller capacity requirements. China Airlines' cargo division China Airlines Cargo operates CAL's dedicated freighter fleet, and manages the cargo-hold capacity in CAL's passenger aircraft.

History

Formation

China Airlines (CAL) McDonnell Douglas MD-11

Airbus A340-300 at Frankfurt Airport (2005)

Before the Chinese Civil War, there were three airlines operating in the Republic of China. One was Civil Air Transport, founded by General Claire L. Chennault and Whiting Willauer in 1946. The other two were joint ventures by the ROC government with Pan American World Airways and Lufthansa. As a result of the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party of China took control of mainland China, and only Civil Air Transport moved along with the Kuomintang (KMT)-controlled ROC government to Taiwan.

With a fleet of two PBY Amphibians, China Airlines was established on December 16, 1959, with its shares completely held by the Republic of China government^{[citation needed]}. It was founded by a retired air force officer^{[citation needed]} and initially concentrated on charter flights. During the 1960s, China Airlines was able to establish its first scheduled routes. In October 1962, a flight from Taipei to Hualien became the airline's first domestic service. Growth continued with the introduction of jet powered airliners the French built Sud Aviation Caravelle and three Boeing 727-100s and on December 1, 1966, Saigon, South Vietnam became the airline's first international destination followed by Hong Kong and Tokyo's International Airport at Haneda. Trans-Pacific flights to San Francisco were initiated on February 2, 1970 stopping at Tokyo's International Airport at Haneda with the airlines' first two Boeing 707 aircraft. Four more Boeing 707s would join the fleet over the next four years permitting services to be extended to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila,Osaka and Los Angeles by way of Tokyo-Haneda and Honolulu, Hawaii.^{[citation needed]}

The China Airlines Taipei Branch Office and the former China Airlines headquarters in Songshan District, Taipei

The airline's true global reach began in 1976 with the introduction of the first Boeing 747 aircraft to the fleet with two ex-Delta Air Lines 747-100s secured via the Boeing Aircraft Co. This move was forced by standard utilization of the wide-body 747 on the highly profitable Trans Pacific - USA routes dominated by Northwest Orient Airlines (from Taipei using 747s since 1971) along with regional carrier usage by Japan Air Lines, Korean Air Lines, Pan Am and Singapore Airlines. Only China Airlines plied the Pacific using the narrower single-aisle Boeing 707. The 747 acquisition placed China Airlines on par with the competing larger carriers. The two aircraft were immediately placed as a Hong Kong originator to Taipei on to Tokyo-Haneda-Honolulu and finally to Los Angeles.

Shortly thereafter, four brand new Boeing 747SP (Special Performance) aircraft were purchased directly from the Boeing Co. with the 1st arriving in 1977 and the last in 1982. With the People's Republic of China (PRC) political obstacles interfering and preventing and effectively severing Japan services for China Airlines, the 747SP aircraft made it possible for China Airlines to now fly daily nonstop services from Taipei to Los Angeles and San Francisco individually. Johannesburg and Dhahran were added to the route structure because of these ultra long range jetliners. Until 1979 all operations were from the downtown mid-city Songshan International Airport - too small to accommodate the carrier's fast growing fleet. The year 1979 saw the opening of the much larger and current Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and within 3 years 5 additional full sized 747-200 aircraft would be added along with the first services to Europe, Amsterdam in particular. Also a deal had been struck with Japan to allow China Airlines to again return to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda whereas Japan had now opened (1978) New Tokyo International Airport at Narita where all international airlines had relocated that same year, leaving China Airlines as the sole international operator at Haneda which at the time was an exclusive domestic facility. The premise being that air carriers from the PRC and Taiwan were prevented crossing paths at any Japanese airports. Thus CAL's Osaka service, due to the city's only airport at Itami, would not be reinstated until years later.

Oddly enough, the crossing of flag-carriers (Taiwan based-airlines and Mainland China PRC based-airlines) occurred almost hourly at then British-controlled Hong Kong's Kaitak International Airport. The 1 hour 30 minute Taipei-Hong Kong route alone, between just two airlines, saw approximately 13-17 roundtrips flights per day (actual flight totals depending on day of the week and airline) per carrier (between China Airlines and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways) this was indeed the busiest air corridor on the planet reaching the point where the service was purely operated by wide-boded jetliners. Add to those frequencies at least seven additional airlines flying that single route. Adversely, other regional airports such as Bangkok, Singapore and Manila were entirely spared of this indignity imposed on Japan by China. But the combination of China's necessary access to Japan, the most highly prized aviation center in Asia, notably the slot-restricted Tokyo-Narita at the time, coinciding with the opening of China to the global trade markets of the world, Japan itself needed commercial aviation access to Chinese airports for pure business and competitive reasons and therefore acquiesced to China's insistence of air carrier separation. In retrospect, it now seems like a brilliant strategy on China's behalf to gain unfettered (as opposed to treaty negotiated) access to Japanese airports at levels only enjoyed by the United States. By 2010 however, this would all perish as direct nonstop flights between every major Taiwan and Chinese airports materialized for all carriers of both former enemy states.

The next 20 years saw sporadic but far-reaching growth for the company. Later, the airline inaugurated its own round-the-world flight: (Taipei-Anchorage-New York-Amsterdam-Dubai-Taipei).^{[citation needed]} 1993 saw China Airlines listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Later CAL would place one of the largest orders for the newest Boeing 747, the 747-400 orders (primarily the largest 747-400F freighter models was placed. Routes were opened to Vancouver, Rome, Frankfurt, New York and many cargo destinations such as New Delhi, Manchester, Atlanta, Chicago and more. But just before this and along with the earlier 747 fleet expansion, CAL placed an order with European aircraft giant Airbus Industries SAS for over a dozen A300B4 wide body regional jets. These fuel efficient twin jets immediately replaced the fuel-guzzling Boeing 707s on Asian routes while adding cabin capacity with the Airbus twinjets seating between 266 to 276 passengers versus 160 or so with the 707s while burning less fuel. The A300s allowed for addition destination growth with such regional cities as Penang, Denpasar (Bali) Nagoya and Fukuoka and vastly increased frequencies to cities already served. With success from the first Airbus jumbo jet, CAL went on to order the newer longer range version dubbed the A330, receiving its first in 1995. And five years later CAL added the four-engined long range Airbus A340 aircraft and went on serve Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane in the South Pacific and Rome, Vienna, Delhi, Frankfurt and London (London service lasted about 1 year before being suspended in 2012) as well as a huge fleet of new Boeing 737-800 aircraft to augment regional services and add Kagoshima, Toyama, Shizuoka, Miyazaki, Sapporo, Phnom Pehn, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Chiang Mai.

With the embracing of a capitalistic economy, the Beijing Gov't and the Taiwan Gov't saw beneficial opportunities by way of commercial cooperation rather than political antagonisms and negotiated a direct air treaty between the two nations ending the perennial 'airline war' between the two nations. This allowed airlines from the two countries to practically fly anywhere they wished within one another's borders - this opened up a slew of new markets for each side and today they are taking full advantage of the new treaty. CAL finds itself in a mad rush to meet demand between Taipei and Kaohsiung to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xian, Chongqing, Tianjin and other thriving mainland metropolises. In one sudden move a minimum of ten cities were opened up for immediate service from both Taipei and Kaohsiung. Today, China Airlines enjoys the status of having one of the worlds largest all cargo operations. Even long distance destinations such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco see double daily non-stop passenger operations per day from Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai all receive several services on a daily basis. The once obscure and tiny regional carrier now finds itself a respectively large airline serving Europe, Asia, the Pacific and North America along with the fleet capability to open virtually any new international destination it sees fit.^{[citation needed]}

Change of logo and livery

A Boeing 747-400 in CAL's initial livery, with the ROC flag

As the flag carrier for the Republic of China, China Airlines has been affected by disputes over the political status of Taiwan, and under pressure from the People's Republic of China was barred from flying into a number of countries maintaining diplomatic relations with the PRC. As a result, in the mid-1990s, China Airlines subsidiary Mandarin Airlines took over some of its Sydney and Vancouver international routes. Partly as a way to avoid the international controversy, in 1995 China Airlines unveiled its "plum blossom" logo, replacing the national flag, which had previously appeared on the tail fins (empennage), and the aircraft livery from the red-white-blue national colors on the fuselage of its aircraft.^{[citation needed]} Plum blossom (Prunus mume) is the National Flower of the Republic of China.

Throughout the 1990s, the airline employed many ex-ROC Air Force pilots. Due to the company's poor safety record in the 1990s, China Airlines began to change its pilot recruitment practices and the company began to actively recruit civilian-trained pilots with proven track records. In addition, the company began recruiting university graduates as trainees in its own pilot training program. The company also modified its maintenance and operational procedures. These decisions were instrumental in the company's improved safety record, culminating in the company's recognition by the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

In late 2004, President Chen Shui-bian proposed the renaming of all state-owned enterprises bearing the name "China" to "Taiwan." This was opposed by the Pan-blue coalition, the opposition parties in the ROC legislature. The airline also voiced concern over its international operations, codeshare agreements and other commercial contracts. The issue was dropped after the 2004 Legislative Yuan election when the pro-Chen Pan-Green Coalition failed to win a majority. In 2007, however, the issue resurfaced with the renaming of several state-owned companies such as Chunghwa Post, whose name was changed to Taiwan Post (a name that was reverted again to Chunghwa Post when the KMT won both the presidential and legislative 2008 elections) and CPC Corporation.

“	Our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost our competitiveness among international carriers.	”
—Philip Wei (魏幸雄 Wèi Xìngxióng), Former Chairman of China Airlines

SkyTeam

China Airlines Boeing 747-400 taxiing at Hong Kong International Airport.

China Airlines signed an agreement to begin the process of joining the SkyTeam airline alliance on September 14, 2010 and officially became a full member on September 28, 2011. This was marked by an update to the logo of the airline and the typeface in which "China Airlines" is printed.

The float built by China Airlines won the International Trophy in the Rose Parade in California on January 2, 2011 for the 20th time in a row.

China Airlines changed its Taipei-New York stopover from Anchorage to Osaka, ending Anchorage's only non-seasonal international passenger flight after 28 years, on April 28, 2011.

The Japanese government awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to China Airlines for its post-quake efforts.

China Airlines announced its intention of increasing the size of its fleet from 68 to 100+ within at most 10 years. With the orders of the Airbus A350s (14 orders and 6 options), China Airlines recently announced its intention of leasing more Airbus A330s or narrow-body aircraft in order to meet the increasing demands of regional routes and cross-strait routes. China Airlines also announced that the decision of the long-haul fleet plan will be announced by the end of 2012, at the latest.

Branding

Livery and Uniforms

China Airlines' original livery prior to 1995 was a livery with the Republic of China Flag printed on the tail. It changed its livery since the Chinese mainland government prohibits any aircraft flying with the Republic of China Flag printed on the plane to land in the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau and pressured other countries to do so too. Under political pressure, China Airlines changed its livery to the present 'plum blossom' paint scheme.

China Airlines has had many uniforms since its 1959 debut. China Airlines' uniform was changed in 2007 to celebrate its 47th anniversary.

China Airlines A330 in Singapore (2011)

Marketing Slogans

China Airlines has used different slogans throughout its operational history. In 2006, a second slogan was introduced to complement the new uniforms and to celebrate the 47th anniversary. China Airlines' slogans have been as follows:

• "We treasure every encounter" (1987–1995)
• "We blossom everyday" (1995–2006)
• "Journey with a caring smile" (2006–present)

Destinations

Further information: China Airlines destinations

Most of China Airlines' flights originate out of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, its main hub near Taipei, Taiwan. At Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, China Airlines' flight operations are in Terminal 1 and 2. China Airlines' regional flights as well as European flights, are mainly concentrated in Terminal 1. Its long-haul flights, especially American, and Australian, are mainly concentrated in Terminal 2. Additionally, China Airlines and its domestic subsidiary Mandarin Airlines operate numerous flights out of Kaohsiung International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport. China Airlines' focus cities outside Taiwan are mainly Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, Hong Kong's Hong Kong International Airport, and Osaka's Kansai International Airport.

Through the mid-2000s, China Airlines' route network was affected by the political status of Taiwan, which has historically limited access for Taiwanese airlines to Europe and certain Asian countries. Because Taiwanese carriers did not have direct access to China, China Airlines used Hong Kong as its interline destination. China Airlines started to operate regular charter flights to China in 2008. The airline began regularly scheduled, direct cross-strait operations in December 2008, following the restoration of direct travel links.

China Airlines now serves 112 destinations in 28 countries and territories (including cargo) on four continents, with a well-developed Asian network.

Codeshare agreements

China Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines: (* denotes as SkyTeam members and/or affiliates)

Alitalia * China Eastern Airlines * China Southern Airlines * Czech Airlines * Delta Air Lines *

Garuda Indonesia (future SkyTeam member) Japan Airlines (Oneworld) KLM * Korean Air * Shanghai Airlines *

Transaero Airlines Vietnam Airlines * Xiamen Airlines *

In addition, China Airlines has a codeshare agreement with Deutsche Bahn.

Interline agreements

China Airlines has interline agreements with the following airlines:

Virgin America WestJet

Fleet

Passenger

The China Airlines passenger fleet consists of the following aircraft. The Boeing customer code for China Airlines is 7x7-x09.

China Airlines Passenger Fleet (as of December 2012)

Aircraft	In Service	Orders (Options)	Passengers				Notes
			F	J	Y	Total
Airbus A330-300	12	2	0	36	277	313	Deliveries until 2014
	10			30	277	307
Airbus A340-300	6	—		30	246	276	Being replaced by B777-300ER from 2014 and A350-900 from 2015
Airbus A350-900	—	14 (+6)		36	291	327	Deliveries from 2015 6 options probably will transfer to orders of A350-1000
Boeing 737-800	10	6		8	150	158	Leased from ILFC Deliveries from 2013 second quarter Will lease 10 more before end of 2016
Boeing 747-400
	4	0	12	49	314	375	Version 3
	6		0	70	319	389	Version 4 (Refurbished)
	3		12	49	319	380	Version 5 (Refurbished)
Boeing 777-300ER	0	10 (+4)	350+ in a 3-class configuration				Deliveries from 2014 Including 4 to be leased from GECAS
China Airlines Cargo Fleet
Boeing 747-400F	21	—	N/A
Total	72	32 (+10)

China Airlines' average fleet age is 9.6 years as of December 2012.

Special Liveries

China Airlines Boeing 737-800 in 50 years anniversary Livery at Yangon International Airport

China Airlines printed a 50 years anniversary icon on each of its plane type: A330, A340, 737, and 747. China Airlines special liveries are shown below:

• Airbus A330-300 - Butterfly Orchid Livery (B-18305)
• Airbus A330-300 - SkyTeam Alliance Livery (B-18311)
• Airbus A330-300 - 50 years anniversary Livery (B-18302)
• Airbus A340-300 - 50 years anniversary Livery (B-18806)
• Boeing 737-800 - Lavender Livery (B-18610)
• Boeing 737-800 - 50 years anniversary Livery (B-18606)
• Boeing 747-400 - Boeing Dreamliner Livery (B-18210)
• Boeing 747-400 - 50 years anniversary Livery (B-18208)
• Boeing 747-400 - SkyTeam Alliance Livery (B-18206)

Fleet Plans

Two of China Airlines' earliest 747-400s (B-18271 and B-18272) have been given to Boeing and converted to Boeing LCFs for transportation of 787 parts. In return, four new 747-400s were delivered to China Airlines. The livery of one of the new 747s (B-18210) is a combination of the China Airlines plum blossom tail and Boeing's Dreamliner colors design. These were the four last passenger 747-400s to be manufactured and delivered, and feature the Boeing Signature interior in common with the 747-400ER and most notably the Boeing 777.

In an interview with Taiwan's Economic Daily newspaper, China Airlines' CEO announced a cabin upgrade of all the airline's Boeing 747-400s lasting from 2011 to 2012, at a cost of around billion New Taiwan dollars. The 747-400s will be have two new configurations, with six in a two class configuration of Dynasty (Business) Class and Economy Class for flights to regional destinations in Asia and to Amsterdam, and the others in a three class configuration of First Class, Dynasty (Business) Class and Economy Class for long haul flights to America. The first 747-400 in the two class configuration will be finished by the end of April, 2011.^{[citation needed]}

The airline is undergoing a fleet renewal and simplification program. The A300-600R has been replaced with the A330-300 and there are plans for a long-haul fleet renewal. On December 11, 2007, China Airlines signed a letter of intent to purchase 20 Airbus A350-900s to replace their fleet of Airbus A340s, and the order was confirmed on January 22, 2008. The Airbus A350 will offer 2-class (Business and Economy) service with 327 seats, with the business class offering fully lie-flat beds.

China Airlines recently announced the intention of leasing more A330s or narrow-body aircraft in order to meet the increasing demands of regional routes and cross-strait routes. China Airlines also announced that the decision of the long-haul fleet plan will be announced by the end of 2012 at the latest.

In June 2012, Sun Hongxiang, the president of the company, said that the airline was considering models such as the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-300ER to replace older Boeing 747-400 aircraft on long-haul routes, with the decision being finalized within the next 12 months. In addition, it was disclosed that the airline was evaluating the purchase of more narrow-body aircraft, for use in expanding its regional operations.

In December 2012, China Airlines announced the purchase of six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, as well as a lease on four additional frames through GECAS. The aircraft will primarily be deployed on North American and European routes, either supplementing or replacing their existing 747 fleet.

Cargo

China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 taxis after landing at Manchester Airport, England.

China Airlines Cargo is the airline's freight division, operating in Asia, Europe and North America. It operates a fleet of 19 freighters to 38 destinations around the world, in addition to utilising the cargo space on its passenger aircraft. China Airlines operates one of the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747-400Fs. The cargo division ranked seventh in the freight category of the 2008 The World's Top 25 Airlines by Air Transport World.

Cargo Fleet Plans

China Airlines has announced the plan of expanding its cargo fleet by the induction of either A330-200 Freighters or Boeing 777 Freighters.

Services

Catering

Dynasty Class dinner

Food and beverages served on flights from Taipei are provided by China Pacific Catering Services (CPCS) facilities in Taipei. China Airlines offers a variety of meals on intercontinental routes, depending on seat class, destination and flight length. Western and Eastern menu selections are typically offered, including seasonal menu selections varied by destination. Special meal offerings can be requested in each class during booking, including children's, religious, vegetarian, and other meals. Meals from famous Taiwanese restaurants or hotels are offered, mostly to First and Business Class passengers.

China Airlines also offers refreshments (also known as light meals) or snack boxes on all of their international flights. Pre-flight drinks and mixed nuts are available in First Class, Dynasty Supreme Class, and Dynasty Class. China Airlines offer only coffee, tea, and water for economy class passengers in flights that are less than three hours. However, drinks and alcohol are still available to First Class, Dynasty Supreme Class, and Dynasty Class passengers.

In-flight entertainment

"Fantasy Sky", China Airlines' in-flight entertainment system, is available on all aircraft with Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD). Fantasy Sky contains over 100 movies, television shows, songs, and video games, as well as aircraft exterior views (such as the nose wheel). It is available in three languages: English, Japanese, and Mandarin. China Airlines intended to fit Fantasy Sky entertainment systems on all the Boeing 747-400s by Q2 of 2012.^{[citation needed]}

In-flight magazine

DYNASTY, China Airlines' in-flight magazine, is provided on all flights. It has articles in English, Chinese, and Japanese. The articles feature local and international events, descriptive culture, social introductions, personal interviews, in-flight entertainment instructions, and China Airlines' news.

Sky Boutique, China Airlines' duty-free sales magazine, is provided on all flights.

Technology

China Airlines launched more methods to check in for flights. Among them were self-check in utilizing a kiosk at Taoyuan Airport and other selected destinations. China Airlines also offers check-in via mobile phone. Worldwide, only a limited number of other airlines offer these options. China Airlines later announced the airline's first ever mobile boarding pass application, dubbed CI Mobile, was launched. Passengers can use the application to check flight arrivals and departures and check in for their flights. CI Mobile has become a hit with passengers, making China Airlines into one of the industry leaders in offering mobile services to users of smart phones.^{[citation needed]}

China Airlines is also now following a trend among many airlines to improve its brand image to customers and shareholders with social media. The airline now utilizes Facebook to share ideas with customers.^{[citation needed]}

China Airlines Cargo, the cargo division of the airline, has become the first airline operating out of Taipei to fully switch to e-air waybill. This eliminates the need for all paper documents when issuing air waybills. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) selected nine countries/territories and airlines in which to run the e-AWB pilot programme, including Taiwan and China Airlines.

Lounges

China Airlines operates airline lounges, under the brand name Dynasty Lounge, in major destination airports. Passengers eligible to enter these facilities include business class passengers and Dynasty Flyer Gold, Emerald, and Paragon card holders. China Airlines' flagship lounge, located at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, features separate facilities: Business and First. Other VIP lounges are operated in cooperation with partner airlines.

Dynasty Lounge services typically include refreshments, business facilities, and television and reading entertainment. The lounge at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Terminal 2, has separate eating facilities at different levels; a check-in facility is reserved for Paragon card holders.

Private bus services in the United States

In the United States, China Airlines operates private bus services from airports with China Airlines flights to areas.

The airline operates a bus to John F. Kennedy International Airport from Fort Lee, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Edison in northern New Jersey, and several points in Greater Philadelphia, including Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Center City Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia. Previously the shuttle served Chinatown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Taipei Times reported that passengers "highly appreciated" the China Airlines JFK bus service.

The airline operates a bus to San Francisco International Airport from Milpitas and Cupertino in California. The airline operates a bus to Los Angeles International Airport from Monterey Park and the Rowland Heights area of unincorporated Los Angeles County in California.

Previously the airline operated free buses in Houston, Texas and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Houston bus service served Sugar Land and the Houston Chinatown. It ended in 2008 when China Airlines ended its Houston service.

Cabin Classes

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China Airlines Fleet Cabins

Aircraft	First	Business			Economy		Fantasy Sky Type
	First	Dynasty Supreme	Dynasty Supreme Regional	Dynasty	New Economy	Economy
A330-300 (1)	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Panasonic 3000i
A330-300 (2)	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Panasonic 3000i/eX2
A330-300 (3)	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Panasonic 3000i/eX2
A340-300	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Panasonic 3000i
737-800	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	N/A
747-400 (3)	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Panasonic 3000i
747-400 (4)	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Panasonic eX2
747-400 (5)	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Panasonic eX2

First Class

First Class is offered in selected 747s, more specifically, version 3 and 5 747s. 12 suite seats with 83" pitch, 180° recline, and 15" AVOD are offered in version 3 and 5 747s.

There is a difference between first class seats in version 3 747s and version 5 747s. Panasonic 3000i is the AVOD of version 3 747s. However, Panasonic eX2 is the AVOD of version 5 747s.

In present, all CI B747 planes equipped with first classes are serving at TPE-SFO and TPE-LAX scheduled flights, and recently added TPE-PVG and TPE-PEK flignts.

Business Class

China Airlines have three different business class in its different planes: Dynasty Supreme, Dynasty Supreme Regional, and Dynasty Class.

Dynasty Supreme Class

Dynasty Supreme Class is provided only in selected A330s and A340s.

30 Dynasty Supreme shelled seats with 63" pitch and 166° recline are provided in selected A330s. A 10.4" AVOD is also provided.

In A340s, 30 Dynasty Supreme seats with 60" pitch and 150° recline are provided. A 10.4" AVOD is also provided.

Dynasty Supreme Regional Class

Dynasty Supreme Regional Class is provided only in regional A330s. 36 Dynasty Supreme Regional shelled seats with 52" pitch and 140° recline are provided in a regional A330. A 10.4" AVOD is also provided.

Dynasty Class

Dynasty Class is provided only in 737s and 747s.

In 737s, 8 Dynasty class seats with 40" pitch and minimal recline are offered.

In version 3 747s, 49 Dynasty class seats with 60" pitch, 140° recline, and 10.4" AVOD are offered. Version 4 and 5 747s offer 160° recline angled lie-flat seats will with 15" AVOD with 3D games, 160° recline, 60" seat pitch, USB charger, and transfer information for their main hub, Taoyuan Airport.

Economy Class

Economy Class is offered in 737s. Economy Class seats are not equipped with AVOD. Economy Class seats, with 31-32" pitch, are all designed by BE Aerospace.

New Economy Class

New Economy Class is offered in A330s, A340s, and 747s. AVOD is offered in all new economy class seats. In A330s, A340s, and in version 3 747s, BE Aerospace seats with 31-32" pitch and 115° recline and Panasonic 3000i is offered. However, in newly refurbished 747s, version 4 and 5 747s, Recaro seats with 31-32" pitch and 110° recline and Panasonic eX2 is offered.

Dynasty Flyer

Dynasty Flyer is China Airlines' frequent flyer program. There are four tiers where three elite tiers are Gold, Emerald, and Paragon. Members can qualify for these elite tiers by earning enough air miles and/or segments within 12 calendar months. Elite members have more privileges such as access to the VIP Lounge, a higher checked baggage allowance, and being able to upgrade their ticket to a different cabin. All elite memberships last two years and soft landings are available.

Dynasty Flyer Membership Tiers

Tier Level	Mileage requirements	Membership benefits			Validity
		General benefits (tier additive)	Extra baggage	VIP lounge access
Dynasty	None	Convenient Reservation Mileage Earning Additional Miles for Package Seat Selection	None	None	3 years
Gold	30,000 miles OR 10 flights in First or Business class OR 24 weighted trips	Convenient Reservation Mileage Earning Additional Miles for Package Birthday Gift Miles Reservation Hotline Priority Reservation Seat Selection Airport Courteous Reception Priority Baggage VIP Lounge	10 kg (22 lb)	Cardholder	2 years
Emerald	70,000 miles OR 30 flights on First or Business Class	Convenient Reservation Mileage Earning Additional Miles for Package Birthday Gift Miles Welcome Offer Reservation Hotline Priority Reservation Confirmed Reservation Seat Selection Airport Courteous Reception Priority Baggage VIP Lounge Discounts on in-flight Duty Free Shop Spouse Upgrade	10 kg (22 lb)	Cardholder and 1 guest	2 years
Paragon	140,000 miles OR 50 flights on First or Business Class	Convenient Reservation Mileage Earning Additional Miles for Package Birthday Gift Miles Upgrade Mileage Welcome Offer Reservation Hotline Priority Reservation Confirmed Reservation Seat Selection Airport Courteous Reception Priority Baggage VIP Lounge Discounts on in-flight Duty Free Shop Spouse Upgrade Incentive Mileage Spouse Gold Card	20 kg (44 lb)	Cardholder and 2 guests	2 years

Headquarters

CAL Park, headquarters for the company

See also: CAL Park

China Airlines has its headquarters, CAL Park (Chinese: 華航園區; pinyin: Huáháng Yuánqū), on the grounds of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Dayuan Township, Taoyuan County. CAL Park, located at the airport entrance, forms a straight line with Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the future Terminal 3.

Previously China Airlines had its headquarters in Songshan District, Taipei. Previously China Airlines had operations at its headquarters, facilities on the east side of Taipei Songshan Airport, and at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The airline consolidated all of those functions in its new headquarters site. The airline will rent space in the six floors making up its former headquarters to tenants. The monthly rent will be $2,000 New Taiwan Dollars per ping. In September 2009 the airline estimated that it would make $7 million NTW in monthly rental income. Han Liang-zhong, a China Airlines vice president, said that the rental income would cover the bank loans that the airline borrowed to finance the construction of the CAL Park. As a result of the headquarters move, China Airlines will develop part of the training center at Taipei Songshan Airport into a business aviation center. The airline's Taipei Branch Office (Chinese: 台北分公司; pinyin: Táiběi Fēngōngsī) remains at the former headquarters site.

Subsidiaries and associates

China Airlines has diversified into related industries and sectors, including ground handling, aviation engineering, inflight catering.

Companies with major China Airlines Group stake include:

Company	Type	Principal activities	Incorporated in	Group's Equity Shareholding (10 March 2010)
Mandarin Airlines	Subsidiary	Airline	Taiwan	93%
Yangtze River Express	Joint Venture	Cargo airline	China	25%
Taoyuan International Airport Services Limited	Subsidiary	Ground handling	Taiwan	49%
China Pacific Catering Services Limited	Subsidiary	Catering services	Taiwan	51%
Hua Hsia Company Limited	Subsidiary	Laundry	Taiwan	100%
China Pacific Laundry Services Limited	Subsidiary	Laundry	Taiwan	55%
Taiwan Air Cargo Terminals Limited	Subsidiary	Cargo Loading	Taiwan	54%
Global Sky Express Limited	Joint Venture	Cargo Loading	Taiwan	25%
CAL Park	Subsidiary	Headquarters	Taiwan	100%
Dynasty Holidays	Subsidiary	Travel agency	Taiwan	51%
Cal-Aisa Investment Inc.	Subsidiary	Holding Company	British Virgin Islands	100%
China Aircraft Services Limited	Joint Venture	Maintenance Company	Hong Kong	20%

Incidents and accidents

China Airlines has suffered numerous incidents and accidents since its formation. The last major accident was in 2007, while the last fatal accident occurred in 2002:

• On 2 January 1969, Flight 227, a Douglas C-47A, struck the side of Mount Paku, Taiwan after encountering turbulence and a downdraft. The aircraft was operating a domestic scheduled passenger flight from Taitung Airport to Kaohsiung International Airport. All 24 passengers and crew were killed.
• On 12 August 1970, Flight 206, a NAMC YS-11A, struck a ridge in thick fog while on approach to Taipei, killing 14 of 31 on board.
• On 20 November 1971, Flight 825, a Caravelle III aircraft, blew up after a bomb on it exploded, causing the deaths of 25 people over the Penghu Islands.
• On 24 March 1975, Douglas C-47A B-1553 crashed at Kompong Cham following a mid-air collision with a Cessna L-19 Bird Dog.
• On 11 September 1979, Boeing 707-320C, registration B-1834, crashed off Chiang Kai-shek International Airport shortly after takeoff during a training flight, killing all six crew on board.
• On 27 February 1980, a CAL Boeing 707-300C, registration B-1826, crashed short of the runway at Manila International Airport, killing two of 135 on board.
• On 21 August 1983, Flight 811, a Boeing 767-200 from Taipei, landed in Manila International Airport. Benigno Aquino Jr. the former senator in Philippines was assassinated after being escorted from the plane.
• On 19 February 1985, Flight 006, a Boeing 747SP, performed an uncontrolled descent over the Pacific Ocean resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
• On 16 February 1986, Flight 2265, a Boeing 737-200, crashed 12 mi off Makung, Penghu, killing 13. During landing, a nosewheel tire blew. The crew performed a go-around during which the aircraft crashed; the wreckage was found on March 10 in 190 feet of water.
• On 3 May 1986, Flight 334, a Boeing 747-200F, was hijacked by its pilot, who landed the plane in Guangzhou, China where he defected. The ROC government sent a delegation to discuss with their mainland counterpart regards the return of the plane and 2 remaining crew.
• On 26 October 1989, Flight 204, a Boeing 737-200, struck a mountain near Hualien, Taiwan after the crew used the climbout procedure of the incorrect runway, causing the aircraft to make a wrong turn. All 54 passengers and crew aboard were killed.
• On 29 December 1991, Flight 358, a Boeing 747-200F, hit a hillside near Wanli, Taiwan after separation of its No.3 & 4 engines, killing all five crew on board.
• On 4 November 1993, Flight 605, a brand new Boeing 747-400, overran the Kai Tak Airport runway 13 while landing during a typhoon. It had touched down more than 2/3 down the runway and was unable to stop before the end of the runway, finishing up in Hong Kong harbor. All 396 people on board were safely evacuated but the aircraft was written off. The vertical stabilizer was dynamited away due to its interference with Kai Tak's ILS systems.
• On 26 April 1994, Flight 140, an Airbus A300, crashed while landing at Nagoya, Japan due to crew error, killing 264 of 271 on board.
• On 16 February 1998, Flight 676, an Airbus A300, crashed after a failed missed-approach at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, killing all 196 aboard along with 7 on the ground, including ROC Central Bank chief Hsu Yuan-Dong.
• On 22 August 1999, Flight 642, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, flipped over while landing at Hong Kong airport during a typhoon. Three people were killed.
• On 25 May 2002, Flight 611, a Boeing 747-200B, broke up in mid-air on the way to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan. All 206 passengers and 19 crew members died. The aircraft was the last 747-200 in China Airlines' fleet. The cause was improper repair after a tailstrike incident in Hong Kong in 1980.
• On 20 August 2007, Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800 inbound from Taipei caught fire shortly after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. After stopping on the tarmac, the engine started smoking and burning, and later exploded causing the aircraft to catch fire. A statement from the airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and a ground engineer knocked off his feet by the blast was unhurt. The cause of the explosion has been attributed to a fuel leak caused by a bolt from the right wing slat puncturing the fuel tank.

See also

• EVA Air
• List of airports in Taiwan
• List of Taiwanese companies
• Transportation in Taiwan
• Air transport in Taiwan

External links

• China Airlines
• China Airlines Cargo Service
• China Airlines Fleet Age
• China Airlines Fleet Detail
• Ho, Jessie. "China Airlines takes air safety to new levels." Taipei Times. Monday December 24, 2004.