By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle’s Chen Guanxin
Since the implementation of the U.S. visa waiver program, the number of Taiwanese travelers visiting the United States has increased by 23.8%. United Airlines has announced that it will officially launch direct flights between Taipei and San Francisco on March 31, 2014, and is offering promotional fares. The lowest round-trip economy class fare is NT$21,000, while the lowest round-trip business class fare is as low as NT$76,700, not including airport and fuel surcharges of approximately NT$10,200.
United Airlines will launch the Taipei-San Francisco direct flight route on March 31 next year. (Image provided by United Airlines)
When it comes to San Francisco, the “Golden Gate Bridge,” which has appeared multiple times in American movies and TV series, has always been a must-visit attraction. In addition, the “Twin Peaks,” known by the Spanish as the “Indian Maiden’s Bosom,” the largest and oldest Japanese enclave in the U.S.—San Francisco’s “Japantown,” and the “Palace of the Legion of Honor” art museum, gifted to the city of San Francisco by the celebrity philanthropist Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, known as the “Grand Dame of San Francisco,” are all must-see sights.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of San Francisco. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Starting March 31 next year, those wishing to visit San Francisco can take United Airlines flight UA872, a direct service from Taipei to San Francisco, departing at 11:25 AM from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport and arriving at San Francisco International Airport at 7:45 AM the same day, with a flight time of approximately 11 hours and 20 minutes. The return flight, UA871, departs San Francisco International Airport at 1:55 PM and arrives at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport at 6:35 PM the following day, with a flight time of about 13 hours and 40 minutes.
United Airlines’ Global First Class features fully flat seats with lie-flat options and bed-making services upon request. (Image provided by United Airlines)
The upcoming United Airlines Taipei-San Francisco route will use the Boeing 777-200 aircraft for daily service, with a total of 269 seats, including 8 Global First Class seats, 40 BusinessFirst seats, and 221 economy seats. Among these, 113 seats are Economy Plus, offering more legroom and extra personal space. Additionally, several services onboard have been tailored specifically for Taiwanese passengers, including a Chinese-language video system, movies with Chinese subtitles, and menus featuring Chinese dishes such as beef noodles. Each flight also has at least two Chinese-speaking flight attendants to provide service in Mandarin, which is a great advantage for travelers with limited English proficiency.
Business Class passengers can also enjoy the experience of lying flat during the flight. (Image provided by United Airlines)
Additionally, United Airlines has announced a MileagePlus mileage rewards program, offering double miles for passengers who purchase United Global First Class, United BusinessFirst, or select economy class tickets. Passengers who buy discounted economy class tickets will receive an additional 50% bonus miles. Those who purchase new itinerary tickets after November 15, 2013, and depart before June 20, 2014, will be eligible for this extra reward. MileagePlus members can register on the United Airlines website starting from November 22, 2013.
● Further Reading:
The largest and oldest Japanese enclave in the U.S.—San Francisco’s Japantown
http://goo.gl/ziidKJ