Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) has inaugurated its Taipei-Phoenix route making Phoenix its seventh hub in North America as well as its first in the American Southwest. The duration of the non-stop flight is about 12 hours, six hours less compared to itineraries with connecting flights.
China Airlines has assigned the next-generation A350-900 passenger aircraft to the Taipei-Phoenix route. The inaugural flight on December 3 was fully booked. China Airlines Chairman Kao Shing-Hwang said that Phoenix is the gateway to the American Southwest and a key hub for many connecting flights. Kao believed that the new service to Phoenix will help bring more business travelers and tourists to the American heartland, making it the preferred destination for every traveler.
Lin Yu-Min, an expatriate baseball player sponsored by China Airlines currently playing with one of the teams affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, attended the inaugural flight ceremony, celebrating the milestone in the Taiwan-US travel partnership. A lottery was also held that day, giving five lucky travelers the chance to receive a baseball signed by Lin.
China Airlines will be flying non-stop services to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, the largest international airport in Arizona, every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Travelers can take advantage of interline tickets with Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, WestJet, and Sun County Airlines and continue on to other American cities including Denver, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Kansas, and Chicago.
Star-rated cuisine was served by China Airlines aboard the inaugural flight. Travelers in all classes departing from Taipei were treated to Michelin 3-Star cuisine from the Les Palais restaurant as well as trendy cocktail beverages from BLAH BLAH Bar. The mains for the three classes were Simmered Chicken Porridge with Premium Abalone, Steamed Rice with Chinese Sausage, Chicken and Shiitake, and Surf and Turf Stir-fried with Rice. Travelers accompanied the meal with their choice of the Passionfruit Lemon Cocktail or Oolong Blackcurrant Cocktail. The famous American coffee brand Peet’s Coffee was featured onboard for the first time and every traveler on the inaugural flight enjoyed the rich, aromatic brew. Starting next year, Peet’s Coffee will be served in Premium Business Class and Premium Economy Class on all routes.
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