China Airlines has a beautiful lounge in Taipei Terminal 1 that is virtually unchanged since my 2017 review. Nevertheless, here’s an updated look at China Airlines’ flagship lounge.
China Airlines Lounge Taipei Review (TPE)
The lounge is open daily from 5:00 am to 11:30 pm (though keep in mind there is a mirror copy lounge two doors down that has more limited operating hours).
Access is granted to:
- SkyTeam business class passengers
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on a SkyTeam airline same day (plus one guest)
China Airlines describes this lounge as “a feeling of oriental calm both in physiology and psychology,” and I quite agree…it almost feels like you are stepping outside into a garden in the late evening. I love the stonework and do not mind the lack of natural light precisely because the lounge provides a feel of being outdoors after sunset.
There’s a wide selection of food available–mostly regional, though I saw some chili con carne that I was not adventurous enough to sample:
I was still in the breakfast mood and indulged in a croissant and pain au chocolat with a strong cappuccino…I loved the warming oven for the pastries.
My son Augustine–a little suspiciously I might add–made himself a large green salad and proceeded to eat it in front of me.
But I soon understood why when he brought over his next course…
The bathrooms and showers were crowded, so no pictures.
My only complaint was that the internet bumped me off at least 50 times during my four-hour visit. Very, very annoying! Over and over again I had to re-enter the username and password to get online. What causes this?!
That said, I still very much like this lounge and consider it one of the finest business class lounges in East Asia.
My original review of the China Airlines Lounge in Tapei (TPE), published on March 2, 2017, is below. I’m pleased that so little has changed!
China Airlines has an impressive lounge in Terminal 1 of Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). This lounge took me by my surprise — it really is worth a visit.
China Airlines describes its Terminal lounge glowingly–
Following China Airlines’ NexGen design theme of “oriental literati aesthetics”, the China Airlines Lounge in Taoyuan airport T1 applies the fun of strolling in a Jiangnan (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River) garden to its interior design. Once stepping into the China Airlines Lounge, customers could immerse themselves in a natural and thick cultural atmosphere of the old days, completely serene and relaxing. A feeling of oriental calm both in physiology and psychology can be sensed. Books, together with the light radiating from tungsten lamps, background the makings of literates. Amber glasses, brass implements and artworks that reveal a sense of time as well as other materials whose appeal intensifies over time are applied in modern and sophisticated styles, bringing out the oriental literati bearing in China Airlines. China Airlines embraces the world with its foothold set on the oriental history.
Upon arrival I was welcomed in by a team of no less than five agents (reminded me of the welcome committee at the Cathay Pacific first class lounges in Hong Kong) and directed down the hall to the business class lounge. On the left was a selection of newspapers and magazines. On the right was an “Exclusive” section that appeared reserve for SkyTeam elite members. It was about half the size of the business lounge.
The interior of the lounge was indeed as impressive as the description. It did feel like I had stepped out into a garden on a dark evening. The lighting, colors, and sounds of the lounge all worked to give it a unique feel.
China Airlines Lounge Food
In the center of the lounge a four-sided buffet offered hot and cold beverages, desserts, and Chinese and Western main options. A noodle bar offered customized dinning with a cook happy to prepare the dish of your choice.
China Airlines Lounge Seating
For the most part, seating in the lounge was clustered into four chairs facing each other (2 x 2). This maximizes privacy when the lounge is now crowded and gives a semi-private feel to families or groups traveling together.
China Airlines Lounge Restrooms and Shower
Shower facilities (not pictured) are available. Down the hall from the business lounge, near the entrance, are the showers. Request a shower at the front desk: they are not self-serve. The men’s restroom was clean, modern and spacious.
China Airlines Lounge Lockers and Business Center
Across from the bathrooms is a small business center with individual lockers.
China Airlines Lounge Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi worked remarkably well in the lounge — I was easily able to make multiple phone calls on Skype during my layover.
CONCLUSION
Although I only had a cappuccino during my visit, I can certainly attest that the food selection was comprehensive, the lounge was clean, and the staff was great. Hours of operation are from 05:30 – 23:30 daily.
