It looks like SkyTeam member China Airlines will soon be bringing back its second departure to and from Jakarta. Better yet, the flight will be operated by the airline’s newest aircraft family ~

Additional Jakarta Flights

Starting June 15, 2023, China Airlines will be upping its Jakarta flight rotation to ten weekly flights. Specifically, the airline has updated its schedule in which Jakarta (CGK) will be serviced with three additional weekly flights. The flights have been loaded into the airline’s system and are bookable until the end of the summer schedule (October 28, 2023). This complements the existing daily service operated by the airline between Jakarta (CGK) and Taipei – Taoyuan (TPE).

CI 763 Departs 19:55 Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) Arrives 00:15 Jakarta (CGK)
Non-stop | Airbus A321neo (32Q) | Flight time 5:20 | Effective 2023-06-15

CI 764 Departs 01:15 Jakarta (CGK) Arrives 07:40 Taipei Taoyuan (TPE)
Non-stop | Airbus A321neo (32Q) | Flight time 5:25 | Effective 2023-06-16

Whilst China Airlines’ existing flights are timed to connect to and from its North American flights, these flights will be suitable for connections to the airline’s East Asian and London departures. For instance, flying China Airlines between Jakarta and Japan will necessarily require an overnight layover in Taipei in both directions. As I have experienced for myself, this isn’t an ideal itinerary, easily putting crossing out China Airlines from many people’s options in such a market. But as seen below, this flight allows for favourable itineraries, featuring transit times under 3 hours.

CI 101 Departs 14:30 Tokyo Narita (NRT) Arrives 17:20 Taipei Taoyuan (TPE)
Non-stop | 77W/359/333 | Flight time 3:50 | Effective until 2023-10-28

CI 763 Departs 19:55 Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) Arrives 00:15 Jakarta (CGK)
Non-stop | Airbus A321neo (32Q) | Flight time 5:20 | Effective 2023-06-15

China Airlines’ Airbus A321neos

These new redeye flights will be operated China Airlines’ recently introduced Airbus A321neo fleet. Despite being a narrowbody aircraft, the jet is equipped with the comforts of its widebody siblings. At the front of the cabin are the 12 Business Class seats, which can be converted into a 78-inch long fully-flat bed inflight.

Despite the lack of direct-aisle access, this seat puts China Airlines in the league of the world’s top airlines even on its narrowbody fleet. Each seat of the 2-2 configured cabin features a 4K 15.3-inch personal television along with a generous 61-inch seat pitch.

The worldly frills extend behind the curtain, where lies the aircraft’s 168 Economy Class seats. Equipped in a 3-3 configuration spanning 28 rows, each seat features a 31” pitch and a 13.3” 4K touchscreen television. A USB port, adjustable headrest, and multiple seatback pocket spaces are also built into the seat.

Interestingly enough, China Airlines has also recently introduced a Pokemon-livered A321neo. Flights operated by the plane will feature a special service theme revolving around the Pokemon characters. Although I don’t expect Jakarta to get these special flights, I wouldn’t necessarily exclude the possibility – especially since EVA Air has occassionally flown its similarly-marketed Hello Kitty jets to Jakarta and Bali.

Not First Time

As recently as 2018, China Airlines also operated a complementary fifth freedom service between Jakarta (CGK) and Hong Kong (HKG) with the code CI679/CI680. Over its decades of service, this flight had once proved to be a popular service to budget-conscious travellers between the two cities as China Airlines frequently had the lowest fare over any other airline. Whilst I don’t see this service coming back any time soon, it sure is nice to see the SkyTeam member increasing its presence in Jakarta once more.

Starlux Airlines Indonesia service?

Just last month, Starlux Airlines Chairman Chang Kuo-wei announced that his airline has received operation authorisation for flights to Indonesia, as reported by Taiwanese media. The quickly growing Taiwanese airline is currently said to be in its route planning stages for Indonesian services, although such a service could be postponed further if flight times are ‘not ideal’. In any case, it would be interesting to see what Starlux has in plans and whether China Airlines’ increased presence will affect this planned service.

What do you think of this new service?