China Airlines offers free inflight WiFi on Australia, UK flights

Passengers travelling in business class and premium economy with China Airlines can now enjoy complimentary inflight Internet aboard the airline’s flights from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to Taipei: the airline’s home in Taiwan.

Coinciding with China Airlines’ flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland and London being upgraded to the WiFi-equipped Airbus A350, the promotion runs through June 30 2018, with each passenger able to request one complimentary 24-hour voucher per itinerary.

While it’s not quite free WiFi on every flight, a savvy traveller connecting from one China Airlines Airbus A350 service to another – such as from Sydney to Taipei and then onward from Taipei to London’s Gatwick Airport – would be able to use the voucher across both flights.

China Airlines’ inflight Internet promotion: eligibility

Want to surf for free? Then you’ll need to be booked on one of the flights below in business class or premium economy, and request your Internet voucher before stepping on the aircraft.

The following China Airlines flights are covered by this promotion:

• CI51/CI52/CI55/CI56 between Sydney and Taipei
• CI57/CI58 between Melbourne and Taipei
• CI53/CI54 between Brisbane and Taipei
• CI53/CI54 between Auckland and Taipei, via Brisbane
• CI53/CI54 between Brisbane and Auckland only
• CI69/CI70 between Taipei and London Gatwick
• CI23/CI24 between Taipei and Ontario (California), also

For passengers on flights CI53 and CI54, that covers you whether you’re making the full journey between Auckland and Taipei via Brisbane; are travelling only between Brisbane and Taipei; or are travelling exclusively across the ditch between Brisbane and Auckland aboard China Airlines’ trans-Tasman flights.

All paid business class and premium economy fares are eligible for this promotion, provided the booking was issued by China Airlines with a 297 ticket number, as are flights booked or upgraded using China Airlines Dynasty miles, except for last-minute upgrades processed at the airport.

However, if your flight booking was processed by another airline – and therefore, the long ‘ticket number’ on your reservation doesn’t begin with 297 – you’re not eligible. This includes flights booked using other SkyTeam frequent flyer points, which won’t have 297 ticket numbers.

Requesting your complimentary inflight Internet voucher

Covered by the above? Then head to this page on the China Airlines website, scroll to the bottom of the page, click the small checkbox, and then click ‘next’.

Then, key in your booking details, entering your six character reservation code (also known as a PNR) into the “reservation number” box, and your 13-ticket ticket number in the box beside, which will begin with 297:

Can’t find your ticket number? Look towards the top of the China Airlines eticket receipt you’ll receive by email after booking your flight…

… or, open your reservation through the ‘manage my booking’ system on the China Airlines website, and look for a number beginning with 297.

Follow the prompts, and you’ll soon find an access code in your email inbox. You’ll want to write this down or save it in a notepad file on your smartphone or laptop for use inflight:

Once on board, keep your eyes peeled for the “access code” option on the WiFi screen, and key in your code to begin or continue your session.

You’ll then be able to surf from your seat, so get comfortable in China Airlines’ new Airbus A350 business class suites, which now appear on all flights to Australia, New Zealand and London:

Frequent travellers may recognise these as being similar to Virgin Australia’s lauded The Business suites, but while China Airlines doesn’t offer a tended bar on board, there’s still a ‘Sky Bistro Bar’, where business class passengers can stretch their legs and grab a drink or snack:

As your inflight Internet voucher won't cover your journey home, WiFi can also be purchased during the flight at 100TWD (A$4.30) for one hour, 500TWD (A$22.15) for three hours, or 650TWD (A$28.90) for 24 hours.

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.