CAL celebrates inaugural non-stop flight from Taipei Taoyuan to London Heathrow

CAL now serves five European destinations with a total of 21 flights per week from Taiwan, providing more convenient and seamless service to its passengers.

“This latest addition to the CAL network highlights our commitment to the UK market, and our ongoing work to strengthen Taiwan’s position as one of the leading aviation hubs in Asia and the Pacific,” said China Airlines Chairman Philip Wei. “This is the only non-stop service between these two major commercial cities, and our strong network offers convenient connections for travelers from the UK who pass through our hub in Taiwan.”

The new thrice-weekly flights depart from Taoyuan International Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and an Airbus A340-300 aircraft will be deployed on the new route, with 30 seats in business class and 246 seats in economy. “We expect the new flight to promote closer ties between the UK and Taiwan, and provide greater convenience for business and leisure travelers,” said Mr. Wei. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the historic link were held at Taoyuan International Airport, and London Heathrow Airport.

CAL's famous “Taiwan Cultural Feast” will be served in business class, where passengers will enjoy Taiwan-style Sichuan beef noodles and Wang De Chuan oolong tea, a flavorful beverage that has 100 years of heritage. In addition, high-quality Kavalan whisky, which recently won the top prize in a blind taste test at a Burns Night festivity in Scotland, will also be served in business class. Both business and economy class passengers will enjoy champagne to celebrate the inaugural flights.

On March 3, 2009, Britain began granting six-month visa-free entry to holders of Taiwanese passports, a move that encouraged more people from Taiwan to travel to the UK. To better serve its customers, China Airlines will work with major travel agencies to provide a variety of new package tours to London.