It seems the route between Taipei and Phoenix was too good for just one airline, with China Airlines planning to join the party.
China Airlines will inaugurate a new service to Phoenix, Arizona, on 3rd December 2025, with a three-times-a-week route. The route is a little interesting, as it will operate via Los Angeles on the return leg.
Operations are as follows:
CI036 DEPART TPE 10:55 ARRIVE PHX 0800 CL035 DEPART PHX 11:55 ARRIVAL LAX 11:55 CL035 DEPART LAX 14:50 ARRIVE TPE 21:30+1 Commences 3rd December 2025 Operates from TPE on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays Booked Equipment: Airbus A350-900
China Airlines operates two variants of the Airbus A350-900 – one with Thompson Vantage XL seats, one with Collins Aerospace SuperDiamond Business Class Seats at the front of the aircraft. These both have slightly different configurations, so check when you book.
This route has been set up to help China Airlines expand its North American network – but mainly to connect with some of the work building out in Phoenix with TMSC. The airline has noted that Phoenix is an emerging tech hub with a growing demand for business travel. Phoenix also offers convenient connections to other inland American cities.
From Phoenix, passengers can connect with Southwest Airlines for connections to 30 cities.
Lead-in pricing starts at TWD 22,790 (before tax) in Economy Class.
Starlux will be happy…
… not.
Starlux was the first airline to have a nibble at Phoenix, with the airline planning to start a three-day-a-week service from 15 January 2026 with flights departing Taipei on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays – so there’s going to be one day when both services overlap (Sunday).
It seems that China Airlines is now beating them to the punch on the route launch, offering the same frequency, starting a little earlier.
There is one thing that might swing it for passengers, which is that Starlux will operate non-stop between Phoenix and Taipei on the return leg, whereas the China Airlines service will have a time penalty of three hours on the ground.
The will be some questions that will shake out in this mess:
- Can Taipei – Phoenix sustain six flights a week from nothing?
- Will a larger network connection help China Airlines?
- Will EVA Air decide to put its hat in too?
Get the popcorn. This route has turned from “hmmm” to “oooh” rather fast.
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