Review: China Airlines Business Class on the Airbus A321neo

Wednesday newsletters feature a hotel or flight review.

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a holiday in Hong Kong, Taiwan & Palau. You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Regent Hong Kong Hotel
Review: Eva Air Business Class Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Hong Kong to Taipei
Review: Capella Taipei Hotel
Review: China Airlines Business Class Airbus A321neo from Taipei to Palau
Review: Cruise in Palau with Four Seasons Explorer
Review: United Airlines Business Class Boeing 737 from Palau to Tokyo
Review: All Nippon Airways (ANA) Business Class Boeing 787 from Tokyo to Brussels

Review: China Airlines Business Class Airbus A321neo (Taipei to Palau)

I recently flew on a China Airlines Airbus A321neo from Taipei, Taiwan, to Palau in Micronesia. Founded in 1959, China Airlines is Taiwan’s flag carrier and largest international airline. Its name reflects Taiwan’s historical official name, the Republic of China, and should not be confused with Air China, the flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China, which is based in mainland China. Based at Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, China Airlines operates an extensive network of regional and long-haul routes across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania with a modern fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

In recent years, China Airlines has introduced the Airbus A321neo to its fleet, with a Business Class cabin that feels more sophisticated than one might expect on a single-aisle aircraft. The product’s highlight is undoubtedly the fully lie-flat seat, but the experience extends beyond the seating itself. Contemporary cabin design, thoughtful details, large 4K entertainment screens and a premium service make this aircraft an appealing option for travelers flying between destinations across Asia. Unlike many airlines that reserve their most comfortable seats for long-haul aircraft, China Airlines has invested in a Business Class product that allows passengers to stretch out completely, even on relatively short flights. There are compromises, particularly when it comes to privacy and storage, but the overall concept represents a considerable step forward for narrow-body business class.

I must admit that choosing to fly with China Airlines initially came with some reservations. The airline had a troubled safety record in the past, with several fatal accidents that earned it a reputation as one of the world’s least safe carriers. Although this historical reputation no longer reflects its more recent safety record, it was something I had to put into perspective before booking. Ultimately, I decided to give the airline a chance and experience its onboard product for myself for the sake of this blog. FYI, I paid TWD 33,374 (approximately $1,040 USD) for my Business Class ticket from Taipei to Palau.

Have you ever flown with China Airlines? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

Flight details:

Trip: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Palau International Airport (ROR)
Airline: China Airlines
Aircraft type: Airbus A321neo
Aircraft registration number: B-18112 (delivered in 2024)
On time departure: Yes (12:30 pm)
On time arrival: Yes (5:30 pm)
Distance: 1,700 miles (2,735 km)
Flight time: 4 hours
Class: Business Class
Seat: 12K

In this review (more information & photos below my YouTube video):

About China Airlines: facts & figures
Lounge
Business Class cabin
Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
Amenities & bedding
Meals
Entertainment
Onboard internet
Other inflight experiences
Final thoughts & my verdict (score)

1. About China Airlines: Facts & Figures

China Airlines was founded on December 16, 1959, by a group of former military pilots in Taiwan. Initially a small operation with limited resources, the airline gradually developed into Taiwan’s leading international carrier as the island’s economy and aviation industry expanded. It began operating scheduled passenger services in the 1960s before entering the jet age with the introduction of Boeing 727 aircraft in 1967. Over subsequent decades, China Airlines continued to grow, adding destinations across Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania. In 1993, the airline became a publicly listed company on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Its brand identity features the plum blossom, Taiwan’s national flower, which appears prominently in its logo

China Airlines has also had a difficult history when it comes to aviation safety. A series of fatal accidents, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s, severely damaged its reputation, and the airline was once widely regarded as one of the world’s least safe carriers. One of its darkest moments came in May 2002, when Flight CI611, a Boeing 747 flying from Taipei to Hong Kong, broke apart in mid-air over the Taiwan Strait, killing all 225 people on board. The investigation traced the accident to the failure of an improperly repaired section of the aircraft’s fuselage. The tragedy became a catalyst for changes to the airline’s maintenance procedures and safety practices. Since then, China Airlines has significantly strengthened its safety management systems and operational procedures, and its historical reputation no longer reflects its more recent safety record.

Today, China Airlines operates a modern fleet that includes Airbus A321neo and A350-900 aircraft, as well as Boeing 777-300ERs. Its network spans destinations throughout Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, with Taipei serving as its main hub. The airline joined SkyTeam in September 2011, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to join an international airline alliance. Membership provides passengers with benefits such as frequent-flyer privileges and connections across participating airlines. China Airlines continues to invest in its onboard experience, including upgraded business class cabins and modern passenger amenities, as demonstrated by the A321neo featured in this review.

2. Lounge

China Airlines’ flagship lounge at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is located one floor above the main concourse. The lounge is accessed via a long, dimly lit corridor that almost feels like the entrance to a nightclub. The lounge itself occupies a large, rectangular space, with different seating arrangements distributed around a central food station. Rather than offering separate rooms or clearly defined zones, the lounge is essentially one large open-plan area, with comfortable armchairs, sofas and dining tables catering to different needs. The interior features dark wood, warm lighting and understated finishes, creating an elegant atmosphere. However, there is very little natural daylight, which makes the space feel somewhat enclosed.

The lounge’s highlight is undoubtedly the food. The buffet offers a selection of Taiwanese and international dishes, while the noodle station is particularly appealing for passengers wanting to sample local cuisine before departure. Hot dishes, dim sum, salads, fruit and snacks provide plenty of choice, and the emphasis on Taiwanese flavors gives the lounge a distinctive identity. Additional lounge facilities include shower rooms and areas for relaxing or working between flights. Although the lack of daylight and the open-plan layout may not appeal to everyone, the food selection is a definite strength and makes the lounge a pleasant place to spend time before boarding a China Airlines flight.

China Airlines check-in desk at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

China Airlines Lounge at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

3. Business Class Cabin

Business Class on China Airlines’ Airbus A321neo consists of just 12 seats spread across three rows (numbered from 10 to 12) in a 2-2 configuration. Within each pair, the seats are slightly angled towards each other, facing away from the windows and the aisle. This arrangement adds an extra layer of privacy, as you never look directly at the passenger seated across the aisle; a privacy screen between each pair of seats further enhances the sense of separation for solo travelers. While I personally prefer a 1-1 configuration, which several airlines now offer on narrow-body aircraft (e.g. Etihad Airways, JetBlue), the 2-2 layout is understandable given the limited cabin width.

Overall, the cabin feels modern and airy, bringing a premium long-haul aesthetic to a narrow-body aircraft. Developed in collaboration with JPA Design, China Airlines’ A321neo has a design story inspired by a journey through Taiwan’s landscapes, from tranquil mountains and forests to the vibrant energy of its cities. The experience begins at the aircraft entrance, where a scenic mountain landscape featuring forests, butterflies and shimmering light welcomes passengers onboard. In Business Class, the design takes inspiration from a traditional mountain teahouse, with warm colors, elegant finishes and a calm, refined atmosphere. The Economy Class cabin continues the journey, drawing on the colors, textures and lively character of a Taiwanese city.

China Airlines Business Class on the Airbus A321neo — China Airlines Business Class cabin on the A321neo

4. Business Class Seat (+ Best & Worst Seats)

China Airlines has equipped its A321neo with the STELIA Aerospace ELYSIUM seat. The seat 22.5 inches (57 cm) wide, with a pitch of 61 inches (155 cm), providing a sufficient amount of personal space for a single-aisle cabin.

In front of the seat is a large 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen for the inflight entertainment system. Directly underneath, a small storage compartment provides space for personal belongings. Its opening flap has a dual purpose: when lowered, it doubles as a convenient cocktail table for placing a drink or other small items. Beneath the screen is the footwell, which is relatively narrow but provides the necessary space to stretch out when the seat is converted into a bed.

A side panel next to the seat’s headrest incorporates several practical features, including a reading light, the handset for controlling the inflight entertainment system, and a headphone jack. There is also a small storage compartment in this area, with a universal power outlet and a hook for hanging your headphones when they are not in use. A sliding divider is integrated into the side panel and can be extended when you want more separation from the passenger next to you; moving the divider forward also reveals a mirror, a thoughtful detail for freshening up during the flight.

The shared armrest between each pair of seats houses the tray table. It needs to be pulled up before use, revealing a generously sized surface for meals or working on a laptop.

When it is time to rest, the seat converts into a fully flat bed measuring 198 cm (78 inches) in length. A pillow and duvet are provided, enhancing the sleep comfort, even during a short flight. The flatbed offers good support for the body, although the narrow footwell can feel restrictive, particularly for taller passengers or those who like to move around while sleeping.

What are the best Business Class seats on China Airlines A321neo?

Best for solo travelers: window seats in rows 10 or 11 are good choices if you value a window view and a more sheltered position. The angled layout and privacy divider help separate you from other passengers.
Best for easy aisle access: choose aisle seats in rows 10 or 11 if you don’t want to climb over your neighbour to leave your seat. The trade-off is less privacy from the aisle and passengers walking past.

What are the worst Business Class seats on China Airlines A321neo?

The last row of Business Class is immediately in front of Economy, where bassinet positions are located. This may expose you to more noise from the cabin behind, particularly when travelling with infants.

Click here for a seat map of China Airlines’ Airbus A321neo.

5. Amenities & Bedding

As this was a regional flight rather than an intercontinental service, the amenities provided during my flight in China Airlines’ A321neo Business Class were relatively simple. Passengers received a pillow, a blanket, slippers and noise-cancelling headphones.

6. Meals

The menus on this China Airlines’ A321neo Business Class flight were beautifully presented, with an appealing selection of dishes combining Taiwanese flavors and international cuisine. The wine list was particularly impressive, even though I don’t drink alcohol myself. The menu featured a fresh abalone and chicken breast salad with passion fruit vinaigrette, followed by a choice of three main courses: signature braised beef short ribs with quinoa rice, braised chicken thigh in oyster sauce with black dates and red jujube rice, or seafood fettuccine in tomato sauce. Bread options included a rum raisin roll and black truffle and garlic focaccia, while dessert consisted of seasonal fruit and premium ice cream.

Lunch was served on a single tray shortly after takeoff, with the individual dishes neatly arranged. I had hoped to try the signature beef short ribs, which sounded particularly appealing, but unfortunately they were no longer available by the time the crew took my order. This left the chicken as my only remaining choice, which was disappointing given the limited alternatives. Nevertheless, the meal was attractively presented, and the overall selection looked promising for a regional flight. The combination of a thoughtfully designed menu, a varied wine list and premium ingredients helped create a business class dining experience that felt a step above a standard short-haul service.

7. Entertainment

China Airlines’ A321neo offers a modern inflight entertainment system delivered through a large 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen. The high-resolution display delivers crisp images and vibrant colors, making it enjoyable to watch films and television programs throughout the flight. The system offers a selection of Hollywood blockbusters, international films, television series and music, providing a reasonable range of entertainment for a regional journey. The interface is straightforward to navigate, and the screen responds well to touch, although a separate handset is also provided for passengers who prefer to control the system without reaching forward. The handset is conveniently positioned beside the seat and allows you to browse the entertainment library and adjust playback while relaxing in your seat or lying flat. Noise-cancelling headphones are supplied, helping to create a more immersive viewing experience.

8. Onboard Internet

China Airlines offers onboard Wi-Fi on its A321neo, allowing passengers to browse the internet, check emails and stay connected during the flight. Business Class passengers as well as Paragon, Emerald and Gold members of the airline’s Dynasty Flyer frequent flyer program enjoy unlimited internet access. Other passengers can purchase an unlimited browsing package, with prices starting at $11.95 USD for one hour, $16.95 USD for three hours or $21.95 USD for the entire flight.

9. Other Inflight Experiences

# Crew: the cabin crew also deserves special mention. When I asked whether I could board a little earlier to take photographs of the cabin before other passengers arrived, they happily accommodated my request. This willingness to help was a lovely first impression and something I particularly appreciated. Throughout the flight, the crew appeared to take genuine pride in their work, delivering attentive, polished and impeccable service. Their warm attitude and readiness to assist added a personal touch to the experience and helped make the journey on China Airlines a pleasant one.

# Lavatory: China Airlines’ AirbusA321neo has four lavatories, with one reserved for Business Class passengers at the front of the aircraft and three serving Economy Class at the rear. The dedicated Business Class lavatory was kept clean and dry, and was stocked with toiletries from Pure Altitude, a French spa brand. While the facilities are necessarily compact on a narrow-body aircraft, the separate lavatory for Business Class is a welcome touch.

10. Final Thoughts & My Verdict

Overall, China Airlines’ A321neo Business Class exceeded my expectations, offering a comfortable lie-flat seat, a contemporary cabin design, a large 4K entertainment screen and, above all, warm and attentive service from a crew that clearly takes pride in its work. There are some compromises, including the 2-2 seating configuration, limited storage and a relatively narrow footwell, while my lunch experience could have been better. Nevertheless, China Airlines has created an impressive Business Class product for a narrow-body aircraft, with a level of comfort that makes regional travel across Asia more enjoyable. Although it does not offer the privacy of some competing 1-1 layouts, I would happily consider flying with China Airlines again, particularly on routes where having a fully lie-flat seat makes a real difference.

Here’s my verdict of China Airlines’ A321neo Business Class product: