China Airlines - Melbourne to Taipei

We managed to book return economy tickets with China Airlines from Melbourne to Taipei during the April school holidays for just under A$1,000 — excellent value considering the peak travel period. Despite both legs being overnight flights, the overall experience was surprisingly pleasant, largely due to the airline’s family-friendly approach.

Highlights	China Airlines offers great value and family-friendly service, with kids’ meals, early boarding, and decent in-flight options — ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Website	www.china-airlines.com/au

China Airlines really shines when it comes to accommodating families. On both outbound and return flights, families with young children were allowed to board first — even before business-class passengers. This thoughtful gesture gave us ample time to settle in for the 9-hour flight without the usual boarding rush. Our kids were each given activity packs and toys, and were served specially prepared children’s meals, which came with more variety than the standard adult trays.

Meal quality was mixed: the food departing Melbourne was average, but the return meals from Taipei stood out — especially the bread, which was soft, warm, and delicious. The in-flight menu is accessible via the entertainment screen, and beverage options included wine, spirits, and even cocktails and mocktails. That said, the mocktails (particularly those mixed with tea) weren’t very palatable.

The biggest downside was having overnight flights in both directions while travelling with young kids. As we didn’t opt for business class, sleep was elusive and the fatigue did catch up with us. Still, the in-flight entertainment system was decent, with a good range of movies and shows. I personally watched Sonic 3 and enjoyed it, though I preferred using my phone for most of the trip.

On arrival and departure through Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport, we were impressed with the terminal amenities. There were plenty of shops — including high-end luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga — as well as a dedicated kids’ play area and a family room. Comfortable couches throughout the terminal also made waiting around a lot more bearable.

For the price and experience, China Airlines was a solid choice for a family trip to Taiwan. Their attention to the needs of families, especially with young children, made a big difference — even if sleep wasn’t on the cards. It’s a good, value-for-money option with thoughtful touches and decent in-flight offerings.

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