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China Airlines eyes Boston, DC as US expansion options for new planes
Edward Russell
Contributor
Edward Russell is a contributor for TPG. An AvGeek at heart, he covered the airline business at FlightGlobal for eight years and previously covered finance in New York and Hong Kong.
July 08, 2025
•
3 min read
China Airlines eyes Boston, DC as US expansion options for new planes
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Taiwan's China Airlines is eyeing significant U.S. expansion as it takes delivery of new long-haul jets in the coming years.
The SkyTeam Alliance carrier is considering adding Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) to its map, Chen Han-Ming, president of China Airlines, said at an event at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Monday.
Before China Airlines adds new markets, however, the airline will add more flights to some of its largest North American gateways, including JFK, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Chen added.
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"As we continue to receive new aircraft, we will keep evaluating opportunities to add new routes or increase flight frequencies based on market demand," he said.
China Airlines had 55 passenger planes — including 10 Airbus A350-1000s, 10 Boeing 777-9s and 24 Boeing 787s — on firm order at the beginning of June, an investor presentation shows. At least 16 aircraft will be used to replace older Airbus A330-300s.
Chen was in New York to announce China Airlines' decision to move to the new Terminal 1 at JFK when it opens in June 2026. The carrier currently uses Terminal 4 at the airport.
China Airlines' expansion plans come amid growth by its main competitors — EVA Air and Starlux — to the U.S. The former lands in October at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), its seventh U.S. destination; the latter starts at Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California in June and in PHX in early 2026.
Schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that seats to the U.S. on China Airlines, EVA and Starlux are set to increase by nearly 12% this year combined compared to 2024.
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China Airlines' last new U.S. destination was SEA in 2024. The airline also serves LAX, ONT and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Cirium schedules show — and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
The carrier unveiled a new interline partnership with Southwest Airlines in June. Beginning in 2026, the pact will allow China Airlines and Southwest passengers to connect between their flights at joint gateways. However, it will not initially include loyalty benefits.
China Airlines also partners with Delta Air Lines. SkyMiles loyalty program members can earn and redeem points on the Taiwanese carrier.
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Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.