China Airlines to launch flight to New York

China Airlines, the national flag carrier of Taiwan, will launch thrice weekly scheduled services between Taipei and New York from April 29.The introduction of the first-ever Taipei/New York flights operated via Osaka’s Kansai International Airport are in response to a growing demand from the business and leisure sectors. We expect a strong response from the Australian marketplace, said Jim Wong, sales manager with China Airlines in Sydney.Australians can fly to New York from Sydney, taking a flight in an advanced Airbus A330-300 aircraft configured with 30 business class seats and 271 economy seats to Taipei to connect with the new service.Originating from Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport, the onward flights to New York will use totally refurbished 747-400 aircraft configured with 70 business class and 319 economy class seats.

Wong said that while there is competition on the Sydney/New York sector he believed that China Airlines would secure a strong passenger following because of three reasons: outstanding in-flight service which includes Advanced Video on Demand entertainment centres, “highly competitive fares and the option to stopover in Taipei and/or Osaka.Stopovers will be permitted in Osaka in both directions. As well, one stopover will be allowed in Taipei (maximum 72 hours) on either the outbound or inbound journey.Agents will be able to prepare stopover packages in both countries according to the needs of their valued clients or sell existing packages prepared by specialist operators, said Wong.The long term economy class fare valid for travel in the low season until March 2012 is $1785 including tax. The business class return fare with the same validity is $5226 including tax.China Airlines flights depart Sydney at 10pm and arrive in Taipei at 5am the next morning.

Wong says that timing is convenient for passengers travelling on to Osaka/New York as well as those heading to other popular destinations such as Hong Kong, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.
As well, it will allow passengers to connect with onward flight operated by SkyTeam member airlines from Taoyuan International Airport.China Airlines is the 16th member airline of SkyTeam, the prestigious global airline alliance which among numerous benefits provides passengers with access to a worldwide network as well as competitive value for money airfares, seamless connections with a single check-in, corporate travel benefits and a generous frequent flyer programme, said Wong.