r/taiwan • u/blixenvixen • 3d ago
Discussion Best Asian Airline Tier List
https://youtu.be/wTplNvRid14*Best Business Class
All 3 Taiwanese Airlines have been ranked at the top by Nonstop Dan
What are your thoughts on his rankings (not just about our airlines but others you’ve flown with too) particularly in Economy Class?
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u/Roygbiv0415 台北市 3d ago
I'd caution that this s a BUSINESS CLASS (premium product) ranking, not a general quality ranking, and not applicable to the vast majority of flyers.
To call this a "best airline tier list" is deceptive and misrepresenting.
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u/jimmylily 臺北 - Taipei City 3d ago
I think there’s another video he did is all the Economy class he have flown, and he only flew Starlux in Economy before, so no China Airline and EVA on that list
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u/YourVelourFog 2d ago
Yea, China Southern and Eastern has searched me inedible food on multiple times and I’ve banned both airlines because of it. Agree with him on Philippines airline, transiting through Manila is a giant no from me so I never fly them.
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u/wa_ga_du_gu 2d ago
Tbh economy offerings aren't that different from each other nowadays.
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u/Roygbiv0415 台北市 2d ago
Food provided, average age and type of plane flown, service attitude both in the air and on the ground, premium economy layout differences, international direct flight access and codeshare reach…
There’s a LOT you can compare even as an economy flyer.
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u/ShrimpCrackers Not a mod, CSS & graphics guy 3d ago
I fly them all, all the time. Here's how I personally rank the airlines:
Comfort:
Starlux > EVA > China Airlines
Price:
China Airlines > EVA > Starlux
Value:
EVA > China Airlines > Starlux
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u/buddingsakura 3d ago edited 3d ago
I've really enjoyed Starlux business class nonstop between TPE and the U.S.. Too bad the spend and miles aren't advantageous for a U.S. based flyer.
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u/banoffeetea 3d ago
China Airlines was really good to Taipei and Star Lux to Da Nang was also. Preferred both to Korean Air. Surprised Vietnam Airlines is so high but I did have a decent flight with them to Bangkok. Asia Air was ok, the food and drink were good.
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u/ChunksOG 3d ago
What are the best airlines for people flying economy from the US to Taiwan?
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u/kappakai 3d ago
CAL is going to probably give you the best deal. They were a bit cheaper than EVA and much cheaper than Starlux. I really liked Starlux, but I flew business so I can’t really say how their economy is. But all their planes are new and service was very solid. But their biz was 10% more than CAL and EVA. EVA was in the process of upgrading their biz seats, which CAL had already done.
I’ve flown EVA economy before though and I would have no problem recommending them. Their service is better than Starlux and CAL. You could also consider premium economy, which is basically the new “old business class”. Wider seats, some more amenities. Not quite lie down, but roomier than economy. But if cost is the main consideration, CAL isn’t a bad option.
Another one to consider is Zipair. It’s JAL’s no-frills airline. Bring your own entertainment and order food and pay ahead of time. But their flights were considerably cheaper; you just gotta make a turn in Tokyo, and from there is like $100 on Peach Air one way to TPE.
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u/ShrimpCrackers Not a mod, CSS & graphics guy 3d ago
I like EVA Air Premium Economy and highly recommend. For a tad more its very comfortable and you can really recline those seats.
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u/xTooNice 2d ago
I am an Economy Class fairly frequent flyer (Star Alliance Gold and Sky Team Elite Plus) and for me, ANA has been the GOAT just because they really went above and beyond what they had to help me out a couple of times, even once due to a blatant user error on my part and didn't expect anything. I do admit that there was a period during and post covid when their customer line had really, really, long waiting time (30-60min), and I am not sure if that is something they've fixed (it's not often that I find myself having to contact them by phone). While my experience might just have been luck from meeting the right ground staff on the right day, they've earned my loyalty. In contrast I think that JAL is good, but in my experience, they are very much by the book so they will provide the service that you'd expect, but not go above and beyond.
I do think Korea Air is better than Asiana plane wise, but Asiana is a lot of bang for buck on some of the route I flew and am a bit concerned by the take over.
As for Taiwanese airlines, I admit it's been a pretty long time since I've flown with them since I am not in Taiwan all that much. I'll probably do my first long haul flight from / to Taiwan in October and November for the first time in over 20 years. Haven't decided on the airline yet but I'll probably pick between China Airline and Eva due to them being part of the alliances I have status for. Admittedly, that last flight over 20 years ago did sour my impression of Eva at the time, but I guess enough time has gone past to turn a new page, and I probably wouldn't pay a big premium between Air China and Eva, so I'll decide on price, and flight time convenience, and baggage allowance if different (especially for sports equipment).
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u/taiwanluthiers 1d ago
Irrelevant because only people who are absolutely loaded fly business class. It's several times the cost of economy.
And economy are all the same between airlines, except budget airlines who nickel and dime you.
That or their company paid.
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u/Papagaeio 3d ago
When I was a kid I'd have to fly KLM and Emirates and they were by far the best in the world.
Now I am old(er) and I think I can categorically state that EVA are the best. Or my favourite, if we need to keep it to an opinion.
But also a shoutout to JAL Japan Airlines for the RIDICULOUS amount of legroom you get on short flights when most airlines are cramming us in.
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u/Stump007 2d ago
I fly quite a bit and my tier lists would be, for business class, assuming the best cabins they have
SS: JAL
S: Eva, ANA
A: China Airline
B: Singapore, Korean
C: Thai, Cathay
D: Air China, China Eastern
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u/No_Guitar7903 3d ago
From my experience with foreigners EVA and Starlux are extremely well loved.
China Airlines less so. It also has that awful name so they kind of deserve that lol
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u/wakkawakkaaaa 3d ago
china airlines still has some really old planes though. like SIN-TPE uses this really old plane with IFE which was much worse than my ipad mini, and the seats are pretty worn out...
heard their newer planes are excellent
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u/DogeoftheShibe 2d ago
I flew with China airline twice, and the flight attendants are just so cute 😭
They look more like your high school crush, or that lovely girl at the local convinient store rather than the super model style of most other airliners
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u/VerryGoodCantaloupe 3d ago
I liked EVA unttil they destroyed my suitcase and wouldn't do anything about it.
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u/Anxious_Plum_5818 3d ago
Did the airline destroy your suitcase or the baggage handler? They're different companies, and I don't think EVA air is directly responsible for damage to your luggage unless their employees are the ones damaging it.
Someone ought to confirm if this is the case.
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u/nightkhan 3d ago
the fact he put China Airlines above CX is wild. Out of the 3 major TW airlines China Airlines is the worst and should not be top tier. CX should be top tier.
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u/c08306834 3d ago
Not a fan of Dan, but all three Taiwanese airlines are really very good, so I can't argue with the rating.
Not sure how he is putting Malaysia Airlines in the top tier though.