Review of China Airlines flight from Taipei to Naha in Economy

Hello everyone,

happy to see you again for a new trip.
This time, destination Taiwan and the island of Okinawa.

The opportunity to try new companies, and new aircraft.

The routing will be as follows: 

I thought I’d get an exclusive on this flight to Naha.
But, another Flight reporter published the TPE-OKA flight 2 weeks ago;)

This delay will allow to test the A321 Neo of China Airlines on this destination, in the absence of the A330 already tested;)

I will leave Taipei Central Station 2.5 hours before the theoretical departure of my flight.
The journey is made by a Metro Express/ local for NT $ 150 (or about 4 €). 

The journey is comfortable and convenient, with a stop at each of the two TPE terminals.

The station is located just below the terminal.
We will reach the boarding stations in less than 5 minutes  

The first impression of the terminal is still that of my arrival at TPE.
The terminal looks quite old, but in good working condition 

I will leave my luggage in less than 5 minutes at the counter, helped by an agent of China Airlines.
The FIDS:  

On my way to the security check, a sign indicates changes of doors and delays for flights.
Good point for TPE:  

Security checks will be shipped in 5 min also.
Impressive fluidity at TPE.

We find ourselves directly in the duty-free zone, with all the European luxury brands: 

The airport is divided into two jetties, mainly divided between Eva Air and China Airlines (and their various partners).

On one side, we find ourselves with Eva Air.
With different special finishes:  

A321 Neo : 

Hong Kong Airlines, in A320 :

Scoot in B787
Cathay in A330 : 

Despite its age, the terminal is really beautiful and very pleasant:

Passing in front of the main lounge of Eva Air, which seems very pleasant:

Then, going down the stairs and across the terminal, the China Airlines lounge:

Each of the boarding gates is in the colors of a characteristic and tourist element of Taiwan, which gives a different and pleasant universe for each of the gates:

The second part of the terminal is therefore much more China Airlines friendly:
A321 Neo: 

A350 China Airlines : 

B777 China Airlines : 

B777 - 200 KLM to Manila:
(original triangle for KLM)

And Delta’s A330 Neo from Seattle (the line opened 3 days before): 

A third national company is also increasingly present in TPE.
Starlux, here in A 321 Neo: 

With, lounge already well positioned in the terminal:

And finally, to complete this magnificent terminal, a museum on Taiwan:

For us, it will be Pax-bus for today:

The waiting room will be well organized with a very nice view of the track.
B767 Japan Airlines that pushes back:  

A330 China Airlines : 

This will be followed by the arrival of the A380, which is very impressive from this point of view:

I will board the last pax-bus, which will leave only 10 minutes before the theoretical departure of our flight.
Can sense the delay:  

Still as impressive view from the Pax-bus on the A380:

Pas mal de spotting le long du trajet
A321 Philippines et A330 China Southern : 

A330 China Airlines : 

A321 Tiger Air Taiwan : 

Cargo area :

China Airlines maintenance :

Our A321 Neo is waiting for us off the coast, but on the Eva Air side of the terminal:

One of the two Leap-1A’s today:

Doar time :

Very cordial welcome in door by the chief of cabin, who will even allow to wish me a "good trip"!
Passage through the business cabin:  

My seat, the 65 A :

The cabin is in very good condition and very successful
It smells like new!

The pitch is very good for a flight of 1h:  

The screen is very large and of very good resolution:

Mood-lightning activé : 

The contents of the cover:

Outside, passage of a B787 Eva:

The safety video will be launched before the push back.
Very nice with drawings highlighting the Taiwanese culture:  

We’ll be 20 minutes late, same time as our neighbor:

Passing the maintenance of China Airlines, which seems to be very crowded.
Including no less than 4 B747 Cargo grounded: 

Then we will stop at the threshold for a good 10 minutes:

The opportunity to test the PEI, which is very comprehensive and responsive:

China Airlines Colour Earphones:

Cathay’s A321 Neo lands ahead:

It’s our turn, taking off over New Taipei:

Fast passage over cloud layer:

Then turn around and head northeast:

Taipei Flyover:

Then, of Keelung : 

We will leave the Taiwanese coast, to start our crossing of the Pacific towards the island of Okinawa.
I take this opportunity to test the geovision, which will be again of very good quality, with a beautiful modeling of our A321 Neo:  

Before service, we will receive immigration documents for Japan:

Due to the rainy season, we will be passing through many areas of turbulence:

But obviously, nothing to disturb the service.
The tray as distributed:  

This tray is quite reminiscent of a service for children.
Certainly, suitable for this very oriented family holiday service for Taiwanese.

The Uncovered Dish:  

The dish will be really good.
Noodles with vegetables and meat.

Wooden cover:  

Matcha cakes will also be very good:

The drink will be a cold green tea, very nice too:

Again, a perfect one for the catering, and this for a flight of 1h. Bravo!

Things are not getting any better outside.
We will have to bypass many cumulonimbus, adding 15 min of flight. 

Confirmed by the geovision:

As Naha approaches, the weather seems to clear up:

Descent will begin 20 min before landing:

Dissemination of the Taiwanese customs announcements, error quickly corrected by the CC:

Outside, it is getting dark again as we approach the coast of Okinawa:

The mood-lightning in the colors of China Airlines will be reactivated for landing.
The cabin is really very successful:  

Still no improvement in weather during approach:

Our funny trajectory of the day:

The final on Naha reminds me of the approach to Nice:

Naha hit, then full reverse, on a wet track:

The taxiing will be quite long, the runway being quite far from the terminal:

Spotting local colors Japanese.
Peach in A320:  

Sky in B737 : 

Eva, who left us 20 minutes earlier from TPE:

We are in Naha:

Quick landing, goodbye to our superb crew of the day:

The checks at the Japanese customs will be quite fast.
The luggage will be present on our arrival: 

I am very impressed by the quiet and the rather small size of the baggage claim room.
The international hall is very small compared to the national terminal of OKA.

At this late hour for japan, we are one of the last evening flights:  

Direction buses to reach the city center of Naha:

The airport is attached to the city, and I would take about 15 min to reach my hotel by bus for 250 Yen (1.5 €):

Thank you for reading this report

See you soon for the rest of the trip

Papa Sierra Golf 91