China Airlines lead global aviation with comfort and sustainability

China Airlines provides a high level of service, both in economy and business class. What specific steps are you taking to maintain and improve passenger comfort in these classes, especially compared to your competitors? 

Taiwan-based carrier China Airlines (CAL) European routes are primarily operated by the Airbus NexGen aircraft A350 with three-class configuration including Premium Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Passengers will be able to recognize CAL's unique cabin upon sight from the large finishes of persimmon wood grains. Feel right at home at the sight of familiar design. Walking into the cabin is not only a walk into nature, but also a walk into a comfortable seat covered by soft linens and smooth leather. It is a seat where your mind and body can find comfort, where the anxiety of flying is greatly reduced.

CAL has had a glorious history but is always seeking to outdo itself. As an airline with rich human capital accumulated from the past, the design of the new cabin fuses creativity to give the cabin just the right touch of warmth and hospitality. Persimmon, a fruit whose tree is symbolic to good wishes, is an emblem to wishing every passenger a pleasant journey. Apart from the wood grain finishes, the cabin is also covered in a dark carpet with geometric images of the persimmon fruit. Between each seat in every cabin, you will find a metallic stitch design of different materials as well as a hidden second layer of royal blue. These minor details deviate from the traditional uni-color design. Looking from afar, the clashing dark gray and pink in economy class not only bring vitality into the cabin but symbolize CAL' blossoming plum flowers. Looking closely, you will find traces of traditional oriental aesthetics in the cabins and in your seats. Small surprises await you everywhere! The 12 kinds of mood lighting throughout the cabin, combined with detailed halo layer effects, will offer passengers a different flying experience!

Flying is an experience which not only brings wonderful imaginations, but is also a start of a journey. We have reinterpreted the oldest metaphor with contemporary creativity in the A350 cabin, hoping to let each passenger feel our change.

In recent years, new technologies and innovations have been rapidly developing in the aviation industry. How is China Airlines using advanced technologies, such as in the areas of sustainability, flight operation, optimization, and customer service, to keep up with the globalized and green trends in the industry?

CAL regards environmental protection as a major focus for corporate governance, and is thus taking initiatives in promoting energy conservation, carbon reduction, and environmental management operations. We have implemented specific environmental principles and policies to ensure our compliance with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to strive for a sustainable future. 

Sustainability has long been promoted by CAL. It was not only the first airline in Taiwan to introduce SAF on ferry flights of new aircraft deliveries in 2017, but also the first Taiwan-based carrier to add SAF on a passenger-carrying commercial flight. The airline even partnered with businesses to operate the first freighter in Taiwanese history fueled with SAF, redefining the paradigm for the sustainable development of the air cargo value chain. CAL will continue to cooperate with aviation fuel suppliers. Upstream/downstream vendors and customers are invited to join in the realization of carbon reduction targets for the Taiwanese airline industry, as well as the energy and sustainability transformation of the transportation industry. Towards the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In additional, major domestic and international accolades garnered by CAL in recent years include a gold award at the first ESG Transportation Sustainability Award; consecutive wins at the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards and Global Corporate Sustainability Awards; being selected for the FTSE4Good Emerging Index and FTSE4Good TIP Taiwan ESG Index; being chosen as a constituent stock of Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the eighth time.

CAL sincerely invite customers to join our initiative by first adopting eco-friendly travel practices, such as packing light and minimizing excess luggage. Afterward, offset customers' carbon emissions through our 'ECO TRAVEL Carbon Offsetting Program' to support global climate action initiatives.

ECO TRAVEL Carbon Offsetting Program is CAL' service for customers' carbon offset needs. Delivered in partnership with Climate Impact Partners and Carbon Analytics, it allows customers to measure the emissions generated by flight, offset them with Climate Impact Partners, and be a friend to our Earth and the environment. Please find out more details HERE.

Many airlines have invested in modernizing their fleets in recent years. What innovations and improvements can passengers expect on board China Airlines in the coming years, and how will these changes affect the overall flight experience?

The CAL fleet currently consists of 67 passenger aircraft and 17 cargo aircraft. An all-new 787 fleet consisting of eighteen 787-9 and six 787-10 aircraft will be progressively delivered as well. This year, deliveries of the next-generation A321neo narrow-body passenger aircraft are expected to reach 19 aircraft with another three leased. The full fleet of 28 aircraft will be delivered in 2027 and all 10 of the 777F freighters should be in place this year too. In addition, CAL has already placed orders for ten A350-1000, ten 777-9, and four 777-8F freighters. Deliveries of these next-generation aircraft models should commence in 2029.

Additionally, CAL will begin upgrading the cabins aboard its existing fifteen fleet of A350-900 aircraft in 2027. Airbus has been commissioned to provide integration and technical services for the cabin retrofit as well. The upgraded aircraft will join the new A350-1000 aircraft to form CAL’ new flagship fleet of A350s with their distinctive Asian aesthetics and branding.

The new A350-1000 and 777-9 passenger aircraft will retain CAL’s three-class configuration of Premium Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class. The A350-1000, with its more spacious cabin, high-tech electronic curtains, cabin pressurization and humidity control, and quieter flying environment, will contribute to the comfort of long-haul flights and provide a premium flying experience. Furthermore, the 777-9 passenger aircraft offers a higher arched ceiling, an improved cabin air exchange system, and dynamic LED mood lighting. A more spacious cabin and a brand new design will offer travelers a new level of comfort on long-distance flights.

Besides, CAL is partnering with various Michelin restaurants in Taiwan to upgrade the in-flight cuisine on routes from Taiwan to Europe. This includes Le Palais (a three-star Michelin restaurant), vegetarian cuisine from Yang Ming Spring (Michelin Green Star), and two new exclusive alcoholic cocktail beverages by SUNMAI and the trendy bar brand BLAH BLAH Bar.

What are China Airlines' main development plans in the next five years in terms of expanding into new markets, improving its offering, and ensuring competitiveness in the global market?

Regarding the branding strategy, CAL has launched its new 2025 “Take it Easy, Take it Slow” calendar and an all-new brand commercial, “#Storybehindthetrip”, turning the drama from trips into short and funny memes. The calendar is presented as check-in posts on social media while the brand commercial is narrated by the traveler’s inner voice, allowing viewers an inside peek into everyday situations. Stories are humorous and inspirational, aligning with the CAL mission to create wonderful more moments through flying.

On the other hand, the CAL network strategy can be defined as a robust network and targeted stations. In the short-term, we must deal with the realities of global airline supply chain challenges and delivery delays. We must progressively expand our network with limited capacity, target high-growth markets and key transit stations, and optimize our flight schedules and aircraft assignments. For example, the A350 and 777-300ER passenger aircraft are assigned mainly to long-haul European routes, such as Prague, Frankfurt, London, and Amsterdam, and North American routes such as New York, San Francisco, Vancover. Seattle and Los Angeles, and  Oceania routes. The A321neo is mainly assigned to regional routes in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia where they offer premium services such as fully flat seating in Business Class, Wi-Fi, and personal infotainment systems. More than 300 flights are flown on average each week. Network coverage is also extended through airline alliance partners to connect 192 destinations in 29 countries around the world in North America, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, and major Taiwanese cities, boosting transit efficiency and global coverage.

In the medium and long-term, once the new aircraft are delivered CAL will gradually shift beyond the current robust network strategy and gradually increase the number of flights. Our goal is to become the first choice for convenient transits within the Asia-Pacific region for international travellers. We will also actively target destinations with development potential in order to become the leading airline in the Asia-Pacific.

With the advent of new technologies and digitalization, the way passengers perceive airline services is changing. How is China Airlines implementing new technologies to improve not only efficiency, but also comfort and experience for passengers in all three travel classes?  

CAL has strategically positioned itself for the future by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) this month with Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories (CHTTL) to expand the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology resources. The two companies will share their respective industry applications and R&D technology to co-develop an integrated AI development and management platform. This strategic move will not only make services more accessible to travelers but also define a new roadmap for AI development in the airline industry.

Moreover, customers traveling with CAL can use Apple’s new Share Item Location feature to privately and securely share the location of their AirTag or Find My network accessory with the airline’s customer service to more quickly locate lost or delayed bags and reunite them with customers, providing travelers with greater convenience and peace of mind when flying.

User experience and feedback are important to CAL. Digital services underwent a comprehensive overhaul and new services such as the CAL App, Dynasty Sky Reading, Online Check-in, Auto Check-in, and iFoundU were added. Cutting-edge digital technologies are now being harnessed to develop even smarter and more structured services. CAL puts itself in the user’s shoes, seeking to add services that not only eliminate travel stress but create a more enjoyable experience.