Direct Flights from Shanghai to Taiwan

November 11, 2008 dinglesp 31 comments

I took a direct flight from Shanghai to Taipei on Sunday, the first time I’ve done this since they became available.

Traditionally the journey to Taipei was a bit of a slog, you’d have to take two flights, one from Shanghai to Hong Kong (going past Taipei on the way) and then one back up to Taipei, typically a full days travel by the time you’ve arrived at the hotel in Taipei. What’s more the Shanghai to Hong Kong route is notorious for delays, I’ve lost count of the number of times the plane has pulled back and then the pilot announces “Ladies and gentlemen, due to air traffic control restrictions….”, I was once stuck on a plane for 5 hours at Hong Kong before it finally took off.

So, anyway, a full days travel reduced down to a single flight to Taipei of around let’s say 75 minutes at a guess, WRONG!!! It’s a 3 hour flight.

Here’s the route the flight took:

I’m sure there’s an extremely complicated political reason for doing this, but I hope it gets sorted out soon!

Edit: Can I just add that after nearly 4 years in China the route of the plane came as no surprise whatsoever!

Eccentrically Asian none

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Written by kristi about 4 years ago.

Seriously?

What’s wrong with that other little dot in the middle there (between point A and B)? How many times have you had to spend the night in the airport? I friggin hate that.
Written by shopgirl about 4 years ago.

that’s so stupid, very interesting news though, i just read that china and taiwan has increased theor routes to eachother and it will make it easier to travel to taiwan directly from let’s say shanghai. im sure they will fix that problem soon.

since it’s a short(supposed to be) flight to taiwan, how much are the flight tickets…
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

Shoopgirl, yes, well these ARE the direct flights to Taiwan which they’re talking about on the news at the moment!

Kristi, my best guess is that they never allowed direct flights, you had to stop at Hong Kong and change planes etc. this is the first step in the right direction, they still have to go via Hong Kong but without the formality of landing, the plane just flies over HK territory.
Written by Taiwan » China – Taiwan about 4 years ago.

[...] Direct Flights from Shanghai to TaiwanI took a direct flight from Shanghai to Taipei on Sunday, the first time I’ve done this since they became available. Traditionally the journey to Taipei was a bit of a slog, you’d have to take two flights, one from Shanghai to Hong Kong … [...]
Written by Angie in Texas about 4 years ago.

i love that you’ve just given into chinese thinking and accept all this as “normal”.
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

there really is no other option Angie, it’s either that or go completely insane
Written by kristi about 4 years ago.

I choose go completely insane.

The whole thing is a little one flew over the cuckoos nest if you ask me.
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

It’s not really that crazy. The Taiwanese still insist the flights fly over “neutral” airspace before flying into Taiwanese airspace. So if they see on their radar an aircraft flying directly from Chinese airspace they know they’re being invaded.

And 3 hours is MUCH better than the old way of landing in HK, so stop moaning.

Shopgirl – the flights are very expensive because they’re quicker and there aren’t many of them at the moment. Supply and demand economics.
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

Kristi – Have you ever tried flying from Miami to Havana? I reckon you’d have to go through Canada even though it’s like 10 minutes flying time away.
Written by Angie in Texas about 4 years ago.

haha woai, that is EXACTLY what people in the US have to do . . . or fly through Mexico.
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

oh don’t get me wrong, it’s much better than before. I don’t think the ticket price was so bad really 3800rmb including all the taxes. Flying to japan is much more expensive I think, as are the flights from hongqiao to the city centre airports in Seoul and Tokyo.
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

Angie – That’s what I am saying. It’s mad but there are good reasons for it. Anyone wanna join me in Cuba next year some time?

Dingle – You fly economy? I thought you were the big boss man who has assistants flying with you just to carry your bag of toiletries and your gym clothes!
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

Ah yes, sorry, that was just the excess luggage charge
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

Dingle – I think it’s very rude of you to refer to your assistants as “excess luggage” even though I applaud you deep down for not giving excessive undeserved respect to these minions.
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

well, they are in the luggage hold so I think ‘excess baggage’ is justified here
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

DOn’t get me wrong they’re definitely baggage, I just thought the word “excess” was a bit cruel, since it implies they’re superfluous and unnecessary.
Written by kristi about 4 years ago.

Good point Woai, and you’re right about Cuba (obviously).

Americans usually enter Cuba through Mexico or a South American country and have to get a press credential. Do you guys have to get some kind of visa before going there?
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

Woai, I understand that English isn’t your first language so I’ll be patient. I am using excess in reference to the weight of my baggage, the airline allows 20kg, each of my assistants weigh 40kg (they’re only light seeing as don’t allow them time to eat).
Written by sarah about 4 years ago.

WoAi – I get the feeling you were using this post to get to the top of Dingle’s “Top Commenters”
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

Oh, I certainly wouldn’t put it past him Sarah!
Written by Angie in Texas about 4 years ago.

i’d like to join you in cuba next year, but i’m trying to sneak my way to another one of HSBF’s trips in the spring. =)
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

Where’s he going this time Angie?
Written by Angie in Texas about 4 years ago.

he’s got a few trips, but the one i’m most interested is Chile. =) it’s been forever since i’ve been to south america . . . the little trips throughout america don’t interest me as much.
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

Angie from Chile you can fly to Cuba and have the best of both worlds. The first mojito is on me.

Dingle – Fly first class, you get a bigger allowance and won’t need excess baggage. Having said that I do hope your 40kg assistants are female, otherwise that’s one skinny motherf***er!
Written by dinglesp about 4 years ago.

hmmm, more info today from my Taiwanese colleagues, apparently in the new discussions the flights will be able to fly more directly between Shanghai and Taiwan. The reason for the round trip above may be as simple as there were no established flight paths between China and Taiwan and these have had to be discussed for military reasons etc.

Of course, all of this is beside the point as my return flight tomorrow is still going the long way!
Written by WoAi about 4 years ago.

That’s classic case of two sides to a story. The Chinese say it’s because Taiwan is too afraid and the Taiwanese say it’s just because there’s no established direct route (hmmm …. it’s SKY, it’s not like they need to build tracks!).

I suppose the real reason is something like a combination of the two.
Written by Olivier in Australia about 3 years ago.

Hi all,
could someone please advise on the following:
do these flights operate both ways to or from Taipei to Shanghai?
frequency? daily?
airline company that operates these flights?
i take it that bookings are fairly heavy?

Thanks in advance.
Written by Swiss James about 3 years ago.

Olivier- I would recommend asking these questions to a qualified travel agent.

Instead of someone whose blog tells you the best way to put toilet paper down before you poop.
Written by dinglesp about 3 years ago.

Oliver please ignore the troll, you’ve come to the right place!

Yes, the flights operate daily, in fact there are a number of flights and they operate in both directions. I flew with china airlines but this was a code share with a domestic airline, can’t remember which one.

The flight was completely sold out both ways and seeing as I’d not reserved a seat online ended up with a centre seat. Booked my seat a week before without an issue.
Written by Miss Jane about 3 years ago.

Only if there were a fast ferry from Shanghai to Taipei…geeeeeeeeez Chinese ppl!!!!
Written by Olivier in Australia about 3 years ago.

Hi dinglesp,

Thanks for your prompt response to my enquiry.
I didn’t particularly want to have to spend any time in H.K. and this new alternative makes it somewhat easier.

Cheers!

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