-
[QUOTE=Tiger 888]China Air does not exist, it is Air China. But the one with the poor safety record is the Taiwanese China Airlines. I would never fly them if avoidable.[/QUOTE]China Airlines is often referred to as China Air.
[b]China Airlines[/b], ROC Taiwan based, Skytrax Official 4 star (safety & class- same as Thai, British, Korean, Japan AL):
[url]http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm[/url]
[b]Air China[/b], PRC govt. owned, Skytrax 3 star (same as USA based United and Northwest AL):
[url]http://www.airchina.com/[/url]
Statistics show: No matter what airline you are on, you're always safer in the air than you are anywhere on the ground in Thailand. :D
-
I fly CAL (China airlines) across the Pacific 6 or 7 times a year. I am a Paragon member with them, which means the purser comes and bows in front of me, and my favourite magazine is in my seat when I board. The new 744 they fly to LAX is very nice, both in business and in first. The old 744 that goes to AMS and SFO is exactly that, old. There is PTV in business and first, but no AVOD. In the new 744, there is AVOD.
Service is always excellent, maybe due to my membership status, I don’t know. They walk me past other passengers, to let me off first, and walk me through customs at Bali airport.
I have recently started flying EVA also, on their new 777ER, nice aircraft, especially row number 6 or 10, middle aisle, as there is a secret little button under the leg rest which raises the leg rest parallel to the floor. Excellent food and cold bubbly.
If the plane crashes, I plan on asking for a BJ from one of the cute flight attendants as we plummet to the ground.
-
[QUOTE=1Ball]I fly CAL (China airlines) across the Pacific 6 or 7 times a year. I am a Paragon member with them, which means the purser comes and bows in front of me, and my favourite magazine is in my seat when I board. The new 744 they fly to LAX is very nice, both in business and in first. The old 744 that goes to AMS and SFO is exactly that, old. There is PTV in business and first, but no AVOD. In the new 744, there is AVOD.
Service is always excellent, maybe due to my membership status, I don’t know. They walk me past other passengers, to let me off first, and walk me through customs at Bali airport.
I have recently started flying EVA also, on their new 777ER, nice aircraft, especially row number 6 or 10, middle aisle, as there is a secret little button under the leg rest which raises the leg rest parallel to the floor. Excellent food and cold bubbly.
If the plane crashes, I plan on asking for a BJ from one of the cute flight attendants as we plummet to the ground.[/QUOTE]
I am a Diamaond with EVA, and the service is about the same. The service in Bali is nice, there was a two hour wait in to go through immigration one day, and I just smiled as my "guide " took care of the "paperwork", and I met him on the other side. EVA also takes care of my luggage, it is always set off to one side with an airline rep waiting to take me to my ride. :)
Where is that button??? :o
-
[QUOTE=1Ball]I fly CAL (China airlines) across the Pacific 6 or 7 times a year...If the plane crashes, I plan on asking for a BJ from one of the cute flight attendants as we plummet to the ground.[/QUOTE]And, you will probably get it as I know you are a [i]hansum[/i] man. At least that's what the girls say about you here in Bangkok! :D
-
Accidents:
8-12-70, 11-21-71, 2-27-80, 2-16-82, 2-16-89,4-26-94, 2-16-98, 8-22-89, 5-25-2002, 8-20-2007.
People call China Airline short China Air. These accidents all can be review in detail on AirSafe.com.
Some of these accidents are just bad luck being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also in 2007, last accident there is evidence that they made a review of where they were hiring their pilots and revised their management and since have made a turn around of the company.When it comes to safety, many citations comes from " Inadequate Repairs ".
On a personal note I flew China Airlines in the 90's mostly as a paying passenger but never like the service overall out of SFO/TPE/HK, but I didn't have the priveleges like 1BALL, flying Business or First Class with access to their club. First never belonging to their club and not having enough miles on the book, I never was able to book a seat in advance and although I was always the first one to check-in, I was never able to get a exit roll. When I got to Taiwan in the morning I could never get or find anyone to help me with just a simple question. The plane out of SFO, then and even now uses a 747 that is nearly 30 years old and still have movie screen in the aisle and if you are short and old like me can barely see anything! My last flight on China Airline was in November, and bless their heart for putting me on after I found out at the last minute Eva couldn't obtain a seat for me on standby. But from check in to arriving in TPE, I knew why EVA was the airline of my choice.
I'm not pushing Eva, in fact if you like your choice now stay with it! gives me a better chance whenever I go standby. Don't let the numbers scare you there are other airlines flying in our friendly skies with worst records! But like 1Ball says if the plane starts to go down, I running to the back,rip off the dresses of the Flight Attendants and do my thing for one last time!
LBM
-
[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Guido,
That is wrong info asia mile LAX to BKK take 85,000 mile round trip on enconomy ,they don't have any seat for redemption booking until end of sep ,I try to book a seat 6 month ago for June no chance ,I have to buy a ticket from SFO to HK cost 1600 usd for mid June for my business trip ,I have over 180,000 mile some will expire soon and all tax will cost about 180 usd included dep tax in bangkok not 40 usd .
Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]
Although I am a member of Asia miles its not a program with value for me.
I used AA miles to redeem for the Cathay flight. Availability can be good. I have also booked Biz class with miles in the past just a few shorts days before traveling.
When using miles planning in advance is not a bad thing. I can usually get the bookings I am looking for.
As to the $40 taxes it is correct with AA miles. Takes more AA miles than Asia miles. However miles are meant to be burned. They lose value over time.
Costs vary depending on carrier and country. I just booked LAX to St Petersburg RU on Air France Biz class and those damn French taxes will run $160. Still a deal.
Looking at a Oct economy booking on Cathay LAX - BKK $1,004 is available. You guys do plan ahead?
https://book.cathaypacific.com/pl/CathayPacific/wds/FareServlet;jsessionid=SpVVMPSQLGhZx5Ww1g21Lpn6T1nvtjJhqJQZLpL0prx9l5g5pmK2!1912245772!945382263
As to safety records??? Comments I made are from 50 years memory and not historical facts. I cannot quote every Aeroflot crash either but will not fly Soviet airlines either based on memory. The exception would be Trans Aero.
Bottom line is we have many choices for comfort/value. Its our job as consumers to find the best of both.
Helps to be a cheap bastard like me.
Anyone wanting to learn more on mileage use should check out Flyer Talk.com for a wealth of info.
Barko - Nice quote on statistics. I tend to go for the French Reds.
Quote "Statistics show: No matter what airline you are on, you're always safer in the air than you are anywhere on the ground in Thailand."
Guido88
-
[QUOTE=Mr Enternational]Before I left March 14 I did an option where I could keep my number for 6 months. But when I arrived last night and turned on my phone it said SIM card invalid. I stopped by the dtac shop in the airport and the guy said it was turned off two weeks ago. He recommended that I go to the 7-11 that is in the airport and buy a TrueMove SIM card. I did that. It was 49 baht and I bought 150 baht of time. True gives you 1 year without recharging. When I added my minutes I got a text saying it was good until June 4, 2011. Also with that chip it is only like 5 baht/min for international calls.[/QUOTE]When in LOS March 2010 the girls there were using prefix 008 and 009 when making calls from cell phones to overseas. This routes the international call via VOIP (internet)and is somewhat cheaper, used it myself and audio quality is fine. Can be used with Truemove, 12call prepaid etc.
-
"Brits", et al., F.Y.I.
Between "boom boom" sessions you better invest some money in getting your planned "imported" Thai wife some English lessons as well as put some effort in teaching her yourself to reinforce what she has learnt!
Also, if at all possible, TRY to avoid the "trap" that her only knowledge of English is the "dirty" language expressed during sex!
Cheers!
[url]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100609/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_immigration[/url]
-
If you use True Move use prefix '006'. Suppose to be cheaper than the two mentioned.
[QUOTE=Brian Boruu]When in LOS March 2010 the girls there were using prefix 008 and 009 when making calls from cell phones to overseas. This routes the international call via VOIP (internet)and is somewhat cheaper, used it myself and audio quality is fine. Can be used with Truemove, 12call prepaid etc.[/QUOTE]
-
Air mileage
[QUOTE=Guido88]Although I am a member of Asia miles its not a program with value for me.
I used AA miles to redeem for the Cathay flight. Availability can be good. I have also booked Biz class with miles in the past just a few shorts days before traveling.
When using miles planning in advance is not a bad thing. I can usually get the bookings I am looking for.
As to the $40 taxes it is correct with AA miles. Takes more AA miles than Asia miles. However miles are meant to be burned. They lose value over time.
Costs vary depending on carrier and country. I just booked LAX to St Petersburg RU on Air France Biz class and those damn French taxes will run $160. Still a deal.
Looking at a Oct economy booking on Cathay LAX - BKK $1,004 is available. You guys do plan ahead?
https://book.cathaypacific.com/pl/CathayPacific/wds/FareServlet;jsessionid=SpVVMPSQLGhZx5Ww1g21Lpn6T1nvtjJhqJQZLpL0prx9l5g5pmK2!1912245772!945382263
As to safety records??? Comments I made are from 50 years memory and not historical facts. I cannot quote every Aeroflot crash either but will not fly Soviet airlines either based on memory. The exception would be Trans Aero.
Bottom line is we have many choices for comfort/value. Its our job as consumers to find the best of both.
Helps to be a cheap bastard like me.
Anyone wanting to learn more on mileage use should check out Flyer Talk.com for a wealth of info.
Barko - Nice quote on statistics. I tend to go for the French Reds.
Quote "Statistics show: No matter what airline you are on, you're always safer in the air than you are anywhere on the ground in Thailand."
Guido88[/QUOTE]Guido,
AA is a partner airline of Cathay pacific, I use it on my south america business trip do you know you can transfer all AA mile to Asia mile or you can call marco polo to book any other airline on the one world program using your asia mile also, contact AA customer service for that, for airline safetly CP and Singapore have very good record only one accident in 40 yr.
Fast Eddie 48
-
[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Guido,
AA is a partner airline of Cathay pacific, I use it on my south america business trip do you know you can transfer all AA mile to Asia mile or you can call marco polo to book any other airline on the one world program using your asia mile also, contact AA customer service for that, for airline safetly CP and Singapore have very good record only one accident in 40 yr.
Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]
Fast Eddie
I like the flexibility of the AA program, ability to get flights and I think fair mileage costs. Being able to book Cathay as a partner or fly into Russia is a plus.
Asia miles although they are "One World" I get better value from AA. As you mentioned its harder to get bookings with Asia miles.
As for your 180,000 miles due to expire. Most programs will extend your expiration dates with any activity in the account. A credit card purchase or some small participation in a promotion should work.
95% the miles I earn do not come from actual flights, I rarely buy tickets. I only use credit card and promotion miles.
All in all air miles offer substantial benefits if used correctly for Biz & 1st class. So large I am surprised the IRS is not taxing them as income.....
Best of luck
Guido88
-
are you sure
[QUOTE=Guido88]Fast Eddie
I like the flexibility of the AA program, ability to get flights and I think fair mileage costs. Being able to book Cathay as a partner or fly into Russia is a plus.
Asia miles although they are "One World" I get better value from AA. As you mentioned its harder to get bookings with Asia miles.
As for your 180,000 miles due to expire. Most programs will extend your expiration dates with any activity in the account. A credit card purchase or some small participation in a promotion should work.
95% the miles I earn do not come from actual flights, I rarely buy tickets. I only use credit card and promotion miles.
All in all air miles offer substantial benefits if used correctly for Biz & 1st class. So large I am surprised the IRS is not taxing them as income.....
Best of luck
Guido88[/QUOTE]Guido88,
Are you sure you can get a redemption flight for just 40 USD first class on a long haul flight, it is hard to believe that airline add fuel tax, dep tax and processing charge, I once book a redemption flight from SF to Las vegas coach domestic flight tax is over 35 USD already.
Fast Eddie 48
-
BJ service
[QUOTE=1Ball]I fly CAL (China airlines) across the Pacific 6 or 7 times a year. I am a Paragon member with them, which means the purser comes and bows in front of me, and my favourite magazine is in my seat when I board. The new 744 they fly to LAX is very nice, both in business and in first. The old 744 that goes to AMS and SFO is exactly that, old. There is PTV in business and first, but no AVOD. In the new 744, there is AVOD.
Service is always excellent, maybe due to my membership status, I don’t know. They walk me past other passengers, to let me off first, and walk me through customs at Bali airport.
I have recently started flying EVA also, on their new 777ER, nice aircraft, especially row number 6 or 10, middle aisle, as there is a secret little button under the leg rest which raises the leg rest parallel to the floor. Excellent food and cold bubbly.
If the plane crashes, I plan on asking for a BJ from one of the cute flight attendants as we plummet to the ground.[/QUOTE]To I ball,
I thought that you get BJ on business and first class any way, do you know which airline flight attended offer rimming please let me know, if the plane crash last thing you worry about is getting a BJ.
Hahaha
Fast Eddie 48
-
HK to BkK
[QUOTE=FreebieFan]Correct. I read the US$ 40 tax comment and was somewhat suprised , as it recently cost me HK $ 1400 ( US $ 180 ) on a CX redemption KL /HK/ Heathrow.
Plus as you rightly state, so hard to get redemption on long haul flights.
Interesting with Malaysian Airlines, I just go to the check in counter, and if they have seats, they will issue you a boarding pass immediately, and deduct the mileage there and then. Perfect![/QUOTE]to FreebieFan,
I have book ticket HK to BKK at HKIA on arrival from US at the Macro polo counter on the same day ,they alway have seat 6 flight a day or you can use your asia mile on dragon air for domestic flight to shanghai also .
Fast eddie 48
-
Depends on the airline
[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Guido88,
Are you sure you can get a redemption flight for just 40 USD first class on a long haul flight, it is hard to believe that airline add fuel tax, dep tax and processing charge, I once book a redemption flight from SF to Las vegas coach domestic flight tax is over 35 USD already.
Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]
Just booked a first class round trip on Delta from Las Vegas to Houston with frequent flier miles (62,500) and the total charge was $10.
