China Airlines Premium Economy Boeing 777-300ER — is it worth it?
As someone who frequently travels between the U.S. and Taiwan, I've experienced many long-haul economy flights. While the cost savings of economy tickets are appealing, the discomfort of cramped quarters and limited legroom often outweigh the financial benefits — especially on the 17.5-hour journey between New York and Taipei, considering I'm 5'6".
That's why I was excited to learn about China Airlines' Premium Economy from my partner. He shared videos and reviews of the service, and I decided to splurge on an upgrade. After hearing about the extra perks and seeing the rave reviews, I couldn't resist the temptation of more space and comfort.
I've flown on China Airlines Premium Economy four times — twice in 2023 and twice in 2024.
In this update, I’ll discuss my recent impressions of China Airlines since my last flights, comparing my experiences from the first four times in 2023 to my more recent trips in 2024.
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
the Premium Economy upgrade decision
I had a tough time deciding whether to upgrade to Premium Economy due to the significant price difference compared to Economy. Even with the extra $400 cost and Chase Sapphire credit points deducting my ticket, I believe that the investment would lead to a much better travel experience.
My previous uncomfortable economy flights made me prioritize comfort and relaxation for this long 17.5-hour journey.
The appeal of additional space, improved amenities, and better service, not to mention better meals and a potentially more enjoyable flight experience, ultimately influenced my decision.
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
checking in
When you arrive at the airport to check in for your flight, China Airlines Premium Economy has its own dedicated line, allowing you to avoid waiting with other Economy passengers.
Keep in mind that kiosk check-in is only available for domestic flights. For international routes — such as flights from the U.S. to Taiwan — a Taiwanese passport is required to use the kiosk.
For Premium Economy baggage allowance, you’re allowed:
One personal item (e.g., a small handbag, backpack, or laptop bag).
One carry-on bag within the airline’s size and weight limits.
All other luggage must be checked in.
If you're wondering about adding your boarding pass to your phone wallet, unfortunately, it does not work. You will need to print a regular boarding pass to board the flight.
While the airline’s mobile app allows you to check-in, it only streamlines a few basic steps. You’ll still need to check in at the airport, making the app feel somewhat redundant for international travelers.
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
China Airlines app
The China Airlines app makes trip planning more convenient by allowing you to select your seat and meal preferences in advance.
That said, the app sometimes feels a bit outdated and can be laggy. However, if you have notifications enabled, you’ll receive a reminder when it’s time to board — so no need to worry about missing your flight! ✈️
One of the standout features is the ability to pre-order special meals that cater to various dietary needs. When I flew in 2024, China Airlines partnered with a 3-Michelin-starred chef to offer an exclusive dining experience. However, this special meal option is only available on flights departing from Taipei (TPE) to Europe, North America, Australia, and Canada — meaning you must be flying out of Taiwan to enjoy it. I took advantage of this upgrade, and I must say, it was pretty good! 🍽️✨
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
boarding process
One of the most important features of Premium Economy is priority boarding.
I found my experience in Premium Economy to be a refreshing change from the usual chaos of Economy Class.
I appreciated the priority boarding, which allowed me to board right after First and Business-class passengers.
This meant I was the second to board right after them, which allowed me to skip the long queues and settle into my seat without any stress.
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
in-flight experience
Seats
On my first year of flying, I sat in the front row of Premium Economy, where I had plenty of legroom and a more comfortable experience. However, in my second year, we sat in the row directly behind the front, and I quickly realized the difference.
While the seats have a fixed recline, once you lean back, there isn’t enough space for your legs to fully stretch out, creating an awkward sleeping position. If you’re a side sleeper like me, you might find it uncomfortable — and yes, your legs will go numb. 😂
If you want to secure a seat, be prepared to pay a $65 seat selection fee.
One thing to keep in mind: if you’re sitting in the front row, you’ll need to store your personal items in the overhead bin during taxi, takeoff, and landing. There are designated storage compartments for the front row, which you can see in the photo above — the smaller bin is specifically for these seats.
Once settled in, I did appreciate the 2-4-2 seating configuration, which felt much more spacious and open compared to the tightly packed Economy section.
Additionally, the fixed recline design is a great feature. When you recline, your seat doesn’t encroach on the person behind you, so you can lean back without worrying about invading someone else’s space. While it doesn’t lay flat like Business Class, Premium Economy still offers a noticeable upgrade in comfort and personal space!
Noise-canceling headsets
During previous flights with China Airlines, I experienced the joy of using their noise-canceling headsets, which I found to be a lifesaver. However, on my flight in 2024, the headset I received had been used by someone else, and the headphone jack was bent, making it impossible to plug in. I was disappointed but informed the flight attendant, who promptly provided me with a new pair of headphones.
The headphones in 2024 are still the same old headphones I used in 2023 and were a bit outdated and worn compared to the newer, fresher headphones I had used in 2023.
Slippers
Really average disposable slippers that allow you to remove your shoes and feel comfortable in your seat.
However, I still recommend wearing your regular shoes when going to the bathroom.
If you choose to keep these slippers after your flight lands, taking them home is perfectly fine!
Amenity kit
The amenity kit was thoughtful, offering essential travel items like an eye mask, earplugs, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a plastic comb, travel-sized lotion, and hand sanitizer. It was a convenient way to freshen up during the flight.
You can always return your amenity kit to the flight attendant if you don’t need it.
Meals
You can request your meal online or through the China Airlines app starting 21 days before your flight and up until 24 hours before departure. To do this, visit Onboard Dining and enter your given name (first name), family name (last name), and reservation number (booking reference number).
On this flight, you’ll receive two meals:
The first meal is served after takeoff
The second meal is served about two hours before landing
Vegan meatball penne with red sauce
For my second-year trip to Taiwan, I decided to try the standard in-flight meal options rather than pre-ordering a special meal. However, during my 2023 trip, I reserved the Chinese Vegetarian Meal. The meal from JFK to TPE was quite bland, but on my return from TPE to JFK, the food was much better. Honestly, I wasn’t surprised — the meals prepared in Taiwan were noticeably better and more flavorful compared to the ones from the U.S. kitchen. 😅
During my 2024 trip, I skipped pre-ordering a special meal again, but I noticed that China Airlines offers an exclusive Special Meal for flights departing from Taiwan (TPE) to select destinations like North America and Australia. This offering changes, so it’s best to double-check the email confirmation before your flight.
Since I was flying out of Taiwan, I decided to try the Taiwan 3 Michelin Stars in the Sky meal. I went with the vegan meatball penne with red sauce, and it was actually delicious! 🍝✨ However, I found it odd that while I could select this premium vegetarian meal, I wasn’t given the option to choose a vegetarian second meal for the same flight. It was a little confusing — why allow customization for one meal but not the other? 🤔
Smaller bathroom in Premium Economy
Bathrooms
Previously, I mentioned that the Premium Economy bathrooms are larger and considerably better than those in Economy.
However, I later discovered that there are two separate bathrooms: one is the same size as the Economy bathroom, while the other is the bigger one. Depending on where you sit, you can only access the larger bathroom, which is located on the left side of the plane.
In 2024, we were seated on the right side, which meant we had to use the smaller bathroom. If that bathroom is occupied, the flight attendants may suggest that you use the Economy bathrooms. When I did, I found that the Economy bathroom offered the same amenities as the Premium Economy bathroom, including hand soap, hand lotion, and spray.
Late-night snacks?
On our recent flight, I knocked out after taking melatonin and missed the main round of snacks (which I think were sandwiches or something), but I did wake up just in time to catch the flight attendants passing out a small Asian snack and some water — just what I needed!
Back in 2023, if you wake up in the middle of the night feeling hungry, the flight attendants are happy to offer snacks to curb those late-night cravings.
Since I had pre-ordered the Chinese Vegetarian meal online, they made me a vegetarian sandwich instead of the pork sandwiches they were serving — without me even having to ask! That small but thoughtful gesture made me feel truly seen and welcomed like they actually remembered my dietary preference. And best of all? I didn’t have to starve through the night. Ha! 🤤🥪
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
previous China Airline Economy photos
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
final thoughts
After an incredible experience with China Airlines in 2023, I was excited to return in 2024 and share this experience with my partner.
I still love their fixed-recline seats and priority boarding, which made the journey feel smoother.
However, this time, a few things gave us pause.
Lots of scratches on the window
The amenities were outdated — the headphone jack they initially gave me was crooked, the pillows were mediocre, and blankets weren’t provided unless requested.
My partner, who is 5’10.5”, struggled with the fixed recline — his seat didn’t fully accommodate his height, and he ended up with cramped legs, making it hard to sleep comfortably. Sitting in the back also wasn’t ideal (if you’re not sitting in the front row), and the chipped windows on the Boeing 777-300ER made me wonder — what happened to China Airlines? The once-impressive experience now feels outdated.
If you’re over 5’10”, I highly recommend reserving a front-row seat for more space.
Customer service remains excellent, but with high ticket prices, I expected more. The once-elevated experience now feels like a standard upgrade rather than a true premium offering.
To Fly or Not to Fly?
China Airlines Premium Economy is still a decent option, especially for priority boarding and fixed-recline seating. However, the outdated amenities and inconsistencies make me hesitant to recommend it as a premium upgrade. If they refine the details that once made the experience stand out, I’d be happy to fly with them again.
What are your thoughts?
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
FAQ
Q: Which do you prefer, China Airlines Premium Economy vs EVA Air Premium Economy?
A: Both airlines offer a solid premium economy experience, each with its strengths. While I appreciate China Airlines’ fixed-recline seating and priority boarding, I find EVA Air’s high-quality amenities, attentive service, and overall comfort to be more consistent. Ultimately, the best choice depends on what matters most to you — whether it’s seating style, priority boarding, service, or amenities.
Q: How far do the seats recline?
A: The Premium Economy seats offered a generous 39-inch pitch, providing abundant legroom compared to the cramped conditions of Economy class. The seats are a fixed recline, meaning they don’t bother the people behind you, and you can recline back without worrying if you’re in someone’s personal space. Unfortunately, the recline doesn’t lay flat, but it’s better than Economy’s recline.
Q: Are Air China and China Airlines the same?
A: No, it’s not. Air China is a completely different airline than China Airlines.
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
watch my China Airlines Premium Economy overview
⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡✈︎⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆
DISCOVER MORE
11092024 23:52 12082024 16:42
Last Updated: 02.06.2025
Plan your dream trip without the stress! 🌍✈️ From itinerary hacks to smart booking tips, this guide has everything you need for a smooth and hassle-free adventure.