There are backroom discussions going on at the moment on whether to rename China Airlines or not. Changing the name of a very well known company is a huge decision that could have major repercussions.
Get it right and business will continue or improve. Get it wrong and people could run away from you in droves, never to be seen again. Usually you will only see something like this in mergers, but China Airlines’ situation is unique.
Rename China Airlines… Why?
China Airlines is not actually based in China, though some would dispute this. It is an airline based in Taiwan, with its home base in glorious Taipei.
-
- Taiwan is close to China, but it’s not really China
Politically, China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, which it plans to retake one day, perhaps by force. Thanks to these bits and pieces, you have a bit of a conundrum over the name.
Keep The Livery The Same!
One thing I really like about China Airlines is the plum blossom livery introduced in 1995 and refreshed in 2011. The colour palette is deliciously appealing with its elegant mauve and pinks. The tail is one of the friendliest out there too, as far as I am concerned.
-
- No matter what the name, this looks like a friendly and elegant airline
Part of the reason I have such a good impression of the airline is thanks to the people I have met from Taiwan. Friendly, pleasant people with a great sense of humour, yet also smart and interesting. It doesn’t hurt, that’s for sure!
Overall Thoughts
Whether they rename China Airlines or not is something we will discover in time. Naturally people will confuse the airline for a Chinese airline, which it is not. Perhaps it is a good time for a change, but to what?
Meanwhile, I am waiting for the Chinese Mafia to arrive at my door to correct me on the country of the airline, but hopefully they’re social distancing too!
What say you? Should China Airlines change its name but keep the livery? Or perhaps out with the old and in with the new should be the name of the game? Or perhaps no change at all? Let me know what you think! Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
To never miss a post, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
All my flight and lounge reviews are indexed here so check them out!
Featured image by ltdccba and tails by KCS, both via Wikimedia Commons.
Taiwan Airways or Taipei Airlines…anything with China label is bad for business and Evil. I love the people from China, but CCP really f**ked it up this time.
Well, someone I know on Twitter suggested Dynasty after their radio call sign with Air Traffic Control. I could think of worse things… I think Taipei Airlines wouldn’t be good, as it would be like British Airways being called London Airways. Thanks for the comment!
About time they change the name!
Hopefully it’ll be something cool!
Yes Trent!,
I certainly hope they don’t change the iconic tail logo? However, I agree, there are more people than not the think “Air China”, based in mainland Beijing, when one refers to “China Air”, based out of free China from Taipei, Taiwan. ( Perhaps “Free China Air”, or “Nationalist China Air” ) ?
Well, I’d say it would be a little off putting to have something that sounds like a slogan as an airline name, plus then it would need to be changed again if anything happened. Interesting point though!!
It is simple. Just rename it as “CAL” (all in upper case) and don’t spell it out or explain what it stands for. It is just a name. No one will then mistake it for mainland China. A few may think of ‘California’ but in Asia – only a handful. Any Chinese character version? Nope. Just “CAL”.
Sometimes the simplest solution might be the best. I think that sounds brilliant – everyone wins! Makes sense, nice work!
I prefer no change. China Airlines reminds of free China.
This could well be the best thing, as everyone who is travelling on China Airlines knows the name, so this is a good point. Thanks for the comment!
Since Taiwan isn’t communist China, I see how a lot of people would be confused. Maybe the name originated from the Chinese government being in exile in Taiwan.
Yes, even I get confused easily… when sourcing the pictures, I automatically put Air China in, which is an entirely different airline altogether! When I saw the livery, I was like, aww damn, wrong airline!! Crazy really.
Yes, it was named China Airlines as a successor to Civil Air Transport created out of the remains of CNAC after 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek relocated to Taiwan. The sore point was actually the ROC flag on the tail. Replaced in 1995 by the emblem flower of the ROC, the peony flower. There are many companies still starting with ‘China…’ in Taiwan. Late in his 2nd term, former president Chen (2000-2008) renamed many of them, as ‘Taiwan..’ only to be reverted by the next Nationalist government 2008-16. CI did not change name but used AE Mandarin aircraft livery on politically… Read more »
Thanks for that very informative comment there. Interesting to know a little more about the history behind why things are today. I appreciate that!