China Airlines Business Class For 2+ People (Feb-Dec 2023)
China Airlines continues to fly under the radar, but don't sleep on it. They provide a solid business class product to Asia. Of course, I'm always happy to see a fun way to get to Taiwan!
With plenty of dates with award space throughout 2023, this is an easy option to book two business class seats to Asia. Even if Taiwan isn't your final destination, it's worth a visit on your way to or from another country.
Important
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Now, let's get into the details!
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: LAX/ONT/SFO/YVR-TPE
Operating airline: China Airlines
Class of service: Business class
Dates: February - December 2023
Seats available: 2+
Cabin layout: 1-2-1
Book with (nonstop, per person, one-way):
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue:
- LAX/ONT: 94,500 miles
- SFO: 90,500 miles
- YVR: 82,500 miles
- *Delta SkyMiles: From 280,000 miles
- Korean Air SkyPass: 155,000 miles (round-trip only)
*No Surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person, one-way):
- From US: $5.60
- From YVR: ~$40
- From Taipei: ~$34
- Surcharges:
- From US: ~$96
- From YVR: ~$66
- From Taipei: ~$79
Bank transfer partners:
- Flying Blue: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Marriott
- Delta SkyMiles: Amex, Marriott
- Korean SkyPass: Marriott
Don't forget to let me know if you book and how you did it!
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Flight Experience
China Airlines provides a solid business class product. The cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout so everyone has a lie-flat seat and direct aisle access. If you fly out of Taipei, make sure you order from the noodle bar at the business class lounge.
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Available Dates
LAX-TPE
March:1, 6, 8, 13
April: 4, 12, 14, 18, 21, 23-28
May: 1-3, 5-10, 12, 15-19, 21-24, 26, 31
June: N/A
July: 15, 17-29
August: 1-4, 6-12, 14-21, 23-26, 28, 30
September: 1-4, 6, 8-11, 13-15, 16-23, 25-27, 29, 30
October: 1,2, 4-7, 9,11, 13, 14, 16-18, 20, 21, 23-25, 27-30
November: 1-15, 20-30
December: 1-6
TPE-LAX
February: 1, 2, 19, 22, 23, 26,
March: 1, 2,5, 9, 16, 22, 23
April: 5, 9, 12, 17, 21
May: 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14-16, 20-24, 26
June: 1, 5, 7-9, 12-14, 17-19, 21, 22
July: 16-21, 24-28
September: 4-8, 10-18, 20-27, 29-30
October: 1-16, 18-31
November: 2-24, 28-30
December: 1-6, 8-16
SFO-TPE
March: 6, 8, 14, 16, 21, 22
April: 1, 2, 4-6, 9, 11-16, 18-22, 24, 27, 29
May: 1, 3-5, 7-11, 14-18, 21-24, 26, 27, 30, 31
August: 17-31
September: 2, 4-29
October: 1-10, 15-27, 29-31,
November: 1-10, 12, 14-16, 19, 21-30
December: 1-7
TPE-SFO
February: 8, 9, 11, 13, 16, 21, 23
March: 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 16, 18, 21, 25, 26
April: 11, 13, 16-18, 22, 23, 26-30
May: 14-19, 21-29
June: 1-3, 5-7, 9-23
July: 16-19, 23, 24
August: 17, 20-31
September: 1-30
October: 2-31
November: 1-30
December: 1-7, 9-16
YVR-TPE
February: 6, 8, 10, 12-15, 18-24
March: 12-15, 17-19, 21-24
April: 10-15, 17-30
May: 3-7, 9-14, 16-30
June:1, 3, 5-12
July: 19-24, 27-31
August: 2-7, 10-16, 18,19, 21-31
September: 1, 2, 4-23, 25-30
October: 1-5, 7, 8, 10-17, 19-23, 25-31
November: 1-30
TPE-YVR
February: 6-22, 27, 28
March: 20-23, 25, 27, 28
April: 19, 21, 23-26, 28, 29
May: 1-5, 8, 10, 11, 14-22, 24-30
June: 3-11
July: 3, 8-19, 21-28, 30, 31
August: 1-3, 5, 6-9, 11, 12, 14-17
September: 1-13, 15-27, 29, 30
October: 1-31
November: 1-12, 14-29
ONT-TPE
February: N/A
March: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 25
April: 4,5, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18, 23-28, 30
May: 1, 4-7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 22, 26
June: N/A
July: 17-22, 25-30
August: 1-4, 6, 8-19, 23-25, 27-30
September: 1, 2, 4-10, 12-14, 16-30
October: 1-6, 8-31
November: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11-15, 19-30
December: 1-3, 5-7
TPE-ONT
February: N/A
March: N/A
April: 4, 5, 12, 14, 19, 22-24, 26
May: 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 15, 17, 19-22, 24
June: 2, 5, 7-9, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 20
July: 18, 19, 23-28
August: N/A
September: 5-7, 9-14, 16-20, 22-29
October: 1-8, 10-17, 19, 20, 22-30
November: 2-23, 28,30
December: 3-7, 9-16
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Best Ways To Book
While it might be possible to add a domestic connection on Delta or a connection within Asia, that could increase the award rate. Personally, I would plan on including a separate positioning flight to any of these departure cities.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Best Overall
Starting at 82,500 miles for a one-way nonstop and reasonable taxes/fees, Flying Blue is the best option overall. This is helped by the fact that you can transfer points from just about any points program to Flying Blue.
Delta SkyMiles: No Surcharges, But The Award Rate Is Steep
Before devaluing, you could book for 85,000 SkyMiles. Now, you'll need 280,000 SkyMiles for a one-way award if you're lucky. On some of these routes, you'll need 345,000 SkyMiles for a one-way ticket. Yikes!
Korean Air SkyPass: Best Award Round-trip Award Rate, Tough To Earn
Marriott is the only transfer option and few people have the co-branded Korean Air credit card so, while 155,000 miles round-trip is a solid option, it won't be accessible to many people.
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How To Book
If you don't know the exact dates you want to fly, I would search with Delta.
- Enter the origin & destination
- Select Roundtrip or One-way
- Select the number of passengers
- Select your date(s)
- Select "Shop with Miles"
- Select Advanced search
- Under "Best Fares For", select Delta One
- Run the search
- Select Price Calendar to see additional dates
- Click on Filter then select Non Stop
- Select a date with availability
- Select your flight
- Complete the booking
Once you know the exact dates you want, you can run the search with the program you'll be using to book. As always, I recommend confirming the program you're using sees the award space before you transfer points.
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Bottom Line
If you've never been to Taipei, I strongly recommend it if you like food, nature, friendly people, etc. I'd also suggest using the high speed rail system to explore more of the island from Chiayi to Kaohsiung and more.
Happy booking!
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