The next flight that I chose to report on is on China Airlines, as a number of folks often asked for the comparison of various operators on this popular Hong Kong to Bangkok route, especially those couple of non-HK and non-Thai carriers offering very attractive business class prices. I flew CX, TG, EK, GF, and AY on this route, and so far, all the so-called “second-tier airlines,” such as AY, GF, and CI really offer a decent product. China Airlines definitely impresses, as it offers a full hot meal (similar to those offered on long haul flights) on this two hours flight, instead of a light meal on CX, EK and TG.

November 8, 2006
CI 641 HKG-BKK Lv1140 Arr1325 Airbus A330-300 B-18203
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Check-in experience is as seamless as possible, and the wait is literally two minutes, as I missed the peak time. I believe it will be busier earlier and later in the afternoon and evening of course. The agent was friendly and entered my DL number with no problem. She even offered to block 1B for me, but the flight load was really light – not really necessary. Not more than five people on the flight, and we can each have a row of seats. The China Airlines lounge is okay with some nice dim sum, buns, pastries, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage selections, as well as cup noodles. There is complimentary wireless Internet. The aircraft arrived a bit late from TPE, so our departure time was pushed back to 11:50am, but CI did a good job in turning the plane around considering there is catering done at HKG. Boarding began at 11:20am and there is a separate J and Y line, which is a really good design at HKG, compared to Singapore and Bangkok. I waited a bit before boarding, as I wanted to take pictures of the CO’s Peter Max 777 pushing back. There is no wait as I boarded. The F/As immediately welcomed us aboard. Pre-takeoff beverage with a bag of mixed nuts was offered, as well as a selection of Hong Kong and Taiwanese newspapers, as well as a pair of slippers. Menus were offered and a new design is introduced (as seen in photos), and I noticed that China Airlines has changed its brand from “Dynasty” class back to “Business” class. CI seems to follow SQ in taking away unique Business brand name to the normal Business brand name. Door was closed at 11:47am and we pushed back right at 11:50am, the renewed departure time. We took off from Runway 7R at 12:02pm for our two hours and twenty-one minutes flight to Bangkok. We climbed up initially to 35,500feet (10800m) as we crossed Hainan Island, and climbed up to 36,000feet after entering the Vietnamese airspace.

With a light load, the F/As were not as rushed with the service and took their time in serving the well spread out meals. Beverage was offered with a plate of canapés: Smoked salmon on white bread, Cream cheese on cucumber slices, and chicken salad in puff pastry topped with peach. I had a glass of champagne, which was decent. Then I switched to a glass of red wine, Mondavi. Then appetizer tray was passed out with a salad and a choice of breads (sesame twists, garlic bread, and wholemeal rolls). The salad is a basic Iceberg salad with Romana cheese, bacon bits, and pine nuts and Thousand Island dressing. Then an entrée is passed out, followed by a fruit plate (watermelon, pineapple, melon, strawberry, and orange), and dessert. The meal is really nice.

Wine List
Champagne
J.M. Gremillet, Brut

White Wines
Chablis Chardonnay 2004, France Raoul Clerget
Camelot Chardonnay, California 2004, USA, Camelot
Premier Selection, Riesling 2004, Australia, Lindemans

Red Wines
Bordeaux – Haut-Medoc Saint-Paul 2002, France, C.H. Saint-Paul
Robert Mondavi, Private Selection 2003, USA, Napa Valley, USA
Premium Selection, Shiraz Cabernet 2004, Australia Lindemans

Lunch
Marinated Prawn and Scallop Platter
Garden Salad with Thousand Island Dressing

Main Dish
Stir-fried Chicken in Sweet bean paste sauce with rice
Or
Double cooked beef tenderloin with rice
Or
Pan-fried Tilapa fish in basil cream sauce with noodles
I had the chicken entrée, which was delicious.

Dessert
Coffee Panna Cotta Pudding
Nice pudding!
Or
Haagen-Dazs Ice cream

Fresh Fruits of the Season

Entertainment system started off after takeoff, and it was an on demand system, and I watched the Taiwanese television systems. We descend after 1:55pm (12:55pm BKK time), and we landed on R/W1R at 1:23pm and of course, parked at the furthest possible gate at the E concourse, E9.