China Airlines Launches First Asian Direct Flights to Phoenix: New Taipei-Phoenix Route Starts December 2025

Despite being one of the smallest countries in Asia, even in terms of population, Taiwan is of extreme strategic importance industrially, economically and for all purposes of this post for aviation. The island of Formosa is home to nearly 24 million people and 3 major carriers (Starlux Airlines, EVA Air and China Airlines). That is a lot of airlines for such a small population. What really supports the three airlines is the country’s massive industrial output, particularly on high tech manufacturing. Ties are therefore strong with commercial partners such as the US to which China Airlines is launching a new route in late 2025.

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Breaking: First Asian Airline to Serve Phoenix Hub

Getting immediately into interesting facts about the new China Airlines CI36 Taipei to Phoenix flights, this will be the first time ever for an Asian carrier to operate to Arizona.

Now there’s a reason for none other than a Taiwan based airline to be the first Asian airline operating flights to Phoenix.

Phoenix has become over the past decades one of the US’ main production areas for semiconductors (AKA microchips) and the development of self-driving cars and drones.

With Taiwan being the driving force in the production of chip and semiconductors that’s why it makes so much sense for this service to enter the China Airlines route network.

I’m confident the airline will be making just as much, or more for the matter, on cargo fees as it will from passenger ticket sales.

Three Weekly Flights: Taipei-Phoenix Flight Schedule and Times

The schedule of China Airlines’ new CI36 flight from Taipei to Phoenix also hints how this service could be more focused on cargo than passengers.

China Airlines will operate only 3 weekly flights on the Taipei to Phoenix route starting December 3rd 2025, every:

• Wednesday
• Friday
• Sunday

This is a business focused flight despite it not having a typical higher frequency. Also Phoenix isn’t a tourist hotspot you’d see many looking to travel too from Taiwan or the larger southeast Asian region for that matter.

To my eyes this looks like a cargo service for low volume goods which wouldn’t justify the use of a freighter aircraft. So why not use a passenger plane, make some extra cash on passenger fares while also carrying hold cargo.

As for China Airlines flight CI36 from Taipei to Phoenix timings:

Airbus A350-900 Service: What to Expect on CI036/CI035 Flights

The A350-900 is the newest addition to China Airlines’ fleet and has grown to become the backbone to much of its long haul operations. The aircraft comes in two very modern but different configurations featuring different hard products across all travel classes.

Aircraft	Business	Premium Eco	Economy
A350-900	32	31	243
A350-900	40	32	228

Both configurations come with 1-2-1 seat layouts in Business class offering direct aisle access. Premium Economy comes in a 2-4-2 layout while economy in the standard 3-3-3 setup.

China Airlines has come to be known as one of the best airlines in the region for its service and amenities. So, particularly in the premium cabins, you are in for a comfy trip. Finally each seat comes with personal entertainment screens.

Return Flight Routing: Phoenix-LA-Taipei Connection Details

Something else, that some of you might have already noticed, that makes this flight special specifically in regard to its schedule, is that CI36 operates as a non-stop service from Taipei to Phoenix, while it makes a stopover in Los Angeles, of 2 and a half hours, on the return CI35 flight.

China Airlines states this is a technical stopover for refueling. That could be down to either:

• Strong winds forecasted, which would increase fuel burn
• Low forecasted passenger volumes on the return leg
• Higher expected heavy cargo on the return leg

Game-Changer: Southwest Partnership Opens 30+ US Cities

Adding another layer on top of what we’ve covered so far on the passenger operations, this flight is also structured to offer onwards travel opportunities. Over 30 destinations will be accessible in the US with a single China Airlines ticket and reservation. That is because on June 2, 2025, the Taiwan based airline announced an interline partnership with Southwest Airlines which is a prominent carrier at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

That deal allows passengers to travel on a single ticket without having to check in again at the airport onto one of over 30 services Southwest operates from its Arizona hub.

This is something that can help attract more passengers to the new China Airlines CI36 Taipei to Phoenix flight.

China Airlines Goes Big: Sixth US Destination Added

Setting up its new CI36 Taipei to Phoenix flight marks an important expansion push for China Airlines into North America.

Come December 3rd 2025 China Airlines will boast a 7 destination network in North America, 6 of which in the US. Including:

• San Francisco
• Los Angeles
• Ontario, California
• New York
• Seattle
• Vancouver, Canada
• Phoenix

We might be also seeing more action from China Airlines in the US, particularly in New York JFK with possibly new frequencies coming online once the new terminal facilities are active.