China Airlines has shared a first look inside its new Airbus A350 fleet, which will begin flying in the second half of this year from Taipei to a host of cities across Europe.
The SkyTeam member has 14 of the advanced fuel-efficient jetliners on order with four slated for delivery from July to the end of 2016, six more in 2017 and a final four in 2018.
While the first tranche of A350s will allow China Airlines to retire its gas-guzzling A340 fleet on European routes, later deliveries will take wing to Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.
The A350 interiors have been shaped by Taiwanese designer Ray Chen, who also created the new look of China Airlines' Boeing 777-300ER cabin and its flagship lounge at Taipei's Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 (shown below), which takes its cues from Chinese art and architecture to present a “Southern China-style garden" in the middle of the terminal.
China Airlines' Airbus A350 will exude similar influences, especially in the Premium Business Class cabin.
Starting from the same B/E Aerospace Super Diamond seat as on China Airlines' Boeing 777-300ER, and also adopted by Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia among others, each of 32 passengers will enjoy direct access to the aisle.
The seats convert into a 78 inch (1.9 metre) fully-flat bed, with an 18 inch video screen to keep you entertained during the flight.
However, Chen says that while the Boeing 777's cabin was built on an 'Ancient Oriental' theme, the A350 adopts a brighter 'Modern Oriental' palette, including LED mood lighting which counts among its schemes a cheery Chinese New Year display.
Behind the business class cabin is the Sky Bistro bar with self-serve drinks and snacks.
Further back are 31 premium economy seats arranged in rows of 2-3-2...
... which at 20 inches wide and with a 39 inch pitch add two inches in width and seven inches of pitch compared to the A350's 243 standard 3-3-3 economy seats.
All passengers will be able to tap into an inflight satellite Internet service.
Also read:
- Review: Finnair Airbus A350 business class
- Can Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 redefine long-range flying?
- First impressions: Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 business class
- Finnair brings Airbus A350 to Hong Kong, Singapore
- Airbus considers split-level layout for A350-1000
- Singapore Airlines' new regional business class for Airbus A350, Boeing 787-10
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2015
Total posts 121
This is a HUGE improvement over what they have on the 747's now. Their interiors were in desparate need of improvement. I'm very impressed. Hope we'll see the aircraft in Australia as well.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
A touch on the bling-y side for my taste... looks almost like a casino in Macau... but its not that bad. I think the mood lighting takes the edge off a little (hence why picture 5 looks a bit more understated relative to picture 4).
Its a massive improvement relative to their old product, and it also is still very striking in its appearance. This "modern Oriental" look will work better with the new staff uniforms than the "ancient Oriental" 777s (although I think the 777s look cooler).
The sky bistro looks great too.
Good work China Airlines! I'd gladly fly with you through Taipei.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2012
Total posts 236
At first glance it looks a bit like a purple version of BA's First product on their 747s.
I like it (even the blingy lamps!).
21 Oct 2015
Total posts 26
Any pics of the PE seats? 20" wide and 39" pitch sounds pretty good.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
See the last photo.
Judging fm the photo and the stated seat dimensions, this PY design is identical(And likely similar/same in terms of colour scheme too) to the PY on CI's 77W in service since 2014.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 501
Can't wait to see it it in person! Much better job at bling than EK!
27 Mar 2014
Total posts 39
Many airlines should be getting some decent fit outs and upgrades with the new aircraft arriving (A350, B787, etc), wonder what the soft product in terms of service and food is like??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Aug 2014
Total posts 72
Will they be serving warm beer like usual ????
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
It's interesting that U raised this point.
I don't know about Taiwan but in mainland China(especially the northern part), it's considered normal for any F&B outlet to serve beer @ room temperature....if U want cold beer, U hv to specifically instruct your server. I suspect this is a local customer preference/cultural thing....
For the record, crew hv never served warm beer to me during my last 10+ flights with CI.
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