Mandarin Airlines
A Taiwanese regional carrier and China Airlines subsidiary, operating domestic and short-haul international services with a strong presence at Taichung.
About Mandarin Airlines
Mandarin Airlines is a scheduled Taiwanese carrier founded in 1991 and headquartered in Taipei. It operates as a subsidiary of China Airlines, Taiwan’s principal international airline. The Mandarin name originated with services intended to complement its parent company’s network, while the airline later developed a clearer regional role linking Taiwan’s major cities, offshore islands and nearby Asian markets.
Taichung is Mandarin Airlines’ busiest departure hub, followed by Taipei and Kaohsiung. Its network comprises 56 routes serving exactly 23 destinations across 6 countries. Domestic services include important links to Kinmen and Makung, while international and cross-strait flying reaches cities such as Xiamen, Changsha, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Zhengzhou, Fuzhou and Hanoi. The network is designed largely around short regional journeys and connections with China Airlines services.
Aircraft associated with Mandarin Airlines’ operations over time include the Airbus A320, A321, A330-300 and A340-300, Boeing 737-800 and 747-400, and Embraer ERJ-190. Some larger jets were connected with earlier long-haul operations or services flown in cooperation with China Airlines rather than the carrier’s present regional focus. Cabin layouts, travel classes and onboard amenities therefore vary by aircraft and operating arrangement.
Mandarin Airlines is not independently listed as a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, although parent company China Airlines belongs to SkyTeam. Eligible passengers can use China Airlines’ Dynasty Flyer programme to earn or redeem miles under the applicable fare and route conditions. Benefits depend on membership tier, ticket type and whether a flight is operated directly by Mandarin Airlines or under another China Airlines group arrangement.
A notable strength is the airline’s coverage of Taiwanese regional points and offshore islands, especially from Taichung, which can remove the need to connect through Taipei. Travellers should nevertheless check the operating carrier and aircraft before booking because equipment and service standards can differ across the network. Weather can also disrupt island routes, so passengers with onward connections should allow a sensible buffer between flights.
Good to know
Flying with Mandarin Airlines — what to expect
Check Operating Carrier
Some tickets are sold within the China Airlines group, so confirm which airline operates each segment. The aircraft, cabin layout and onboard service can vary accordingly.
Island Flight Disruptions
Services to Kinmen and Makung can be affected by poor visibility, strong winds or other weather conditions. Leave extra connection time and monitor the flight status before travelling.
Baggage Rules Vary
Allowances depend on the fare, route and operating carrier. Check the baggage terms shown on your ticket rather than assuming that every Mandarin Airlines itinerary follows identical limits.
Taichung Connections
Taichung is the airline’s largest departure hub by route count and a practical gateway for central Taiwan. Confirm terminal and minimum connection details when combining separate tickets.
Regional Aircraft Cabins
Many journeys are relatively short, and cabin facilities may be simpler than those found on China Airlines’ long-haul aircraft. Review the scheduled aircraft type if seat features matter to you.
Dynasty Flyer Credit
Eligible flights may earn Dynasty Flyer miles, but accrual depends on the booking class and ticket conditions. Add your membership number before departure and retain your boarding pass until credit appears.
Network overview
Where Mandarin Airlines flies
Mandarin Airlines operates 56 routes to 23 destinations across 6 countries, its longest sector reaching Taichung to Ho Chi Minh City (2,098 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Mandarin Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Taichung → Ho Chi Minh City
2,098 km · RMQ → SGN
The longest sector in the Mandarin Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Mandarin Airlines
Notable destinations on Mandarin Airlines's network.
AETaichungdirectAETaipeidirectAEKaohsiungdirectAEXiamendirectAEChangshadirectAEHangzhoudirectAEKinmendirectAEMakungdirectAENingbodirectAEZhengzhoudirectAEFuzhoudirectAEHanoidirectDestination list is indicative of Mandarin Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Mandarin Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2016–2022- 58
- 48
- 33
- 22
- 10
What travellers flew
Counted from the 21 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
The Flight Attendants Are Not Pleasant
One of the two flight attendants on my flight definitely had an ax to grind. She said I could not use my laptop because that was against the law in Taiwan. She said: "Using a laptop on a plane is against the laws of domestic airfare in Taiwan." I was typing on… See more Word. My laptop was in flight mode. After I disembarked, I called the government. They told me the flight attendant made it up -- she was not telling the truth. There is no such law. The flight attendant pointed to the flight safety card and said the regulations were there as well. That was untrue. Mandarin Airlines has said they forbid laptops on their flights. This is not what the flight attendant told me. She said they were against the law on domestic flights. Actually, she was on my case from the time I boarded.
See lessPosted August 2022 by Patrick C, Taipei
Small plane but with nice service
It’s a very small plane, only 2+2 seats a row but the distance between rows is ok. And the flight attendants are nice and friendly and always smile. Besides, flying time is quite accurate, no delay.
Posted January 2020 by Tracy P, Hong Kong
比想像還要好太多! Better than expected!
原本沒什麼期待，位子應該很小，因為是ERJ190 2/2 但其實實際坐的時候比B738還要好坐 坐裡面也不會跟別人擠，位子間距也很夠! 短短的香港線還有提供熱餐 組員服務殷切貼心 唯一小缺點就是沒有機上娛樂 但還是推薦選搭! Didn't I expected for such RMQ-HKG short haul flight. and it was ERJ190 configuration 2/2 single aisle aircraft. But I was fully surprised that it… See more was more comfort than B738. There is sufficient leg room and I don't need to worry if I want to go to lavatory would interrupt with my neighbor. And there was decent food offered and the cabin crew also provided good service. Even though there's no entertainment in flight, But still recommend to choose.
See lessPosted December 2019 by TOMHSU, Taiwan
value for money
A good budget airline. A simple but satisfactory meal was provided even for the 1.5 hour flight, with hot meal box, water and snack. 30-kg checked bag allowance was included. Staff were nice and helpful.
Posted December 2019 by Lawrence_Hui, Hong Kong
Unexpectedly good & comfortable flight
First time with Mandarin Airlines on a route that I fly often, usually with HK Express. My expectations were low, as I have flown with Chinese airlines previously but Mandarin Airlines were exceptionally good - the plane was quite new, and despite being a… See more small 2-2 configuration the seats were roomy and comfortable, and infinitely better than the same route on HK Express. Staff were friendly, all spoke English and actively engaged with me. Checked luggage was included in the cost (I booked through Expedia, so not sure if this is normal) which meant that there was plenty of space for luggage in the cabin, and they even included a meal on the 1hr 10-minute flight. For once I am looking forward to my return trip.
See lessPosted October 2019 by HongKongHowler
Direct Flight is a plus, but it’s a small jet. Ground checking staff is young and less experience.
Direct Flight is a plus, but it’s a small jet. Ground checking staff is young and less experience. It took very long time to process checking. Inflight meal not delicious. Seat is not comfortable. If there is better choice please take it, but sadly it’s none.
Posted December 2018 by jw2018939, Ho Chi Minh City
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Mandarin Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Fares are often lower outside major Taiwanese holidays, school breaks and peak weekend travel periods. Compare nearby dates and book earlier for popular island or cross-strait services.
- Carry-on limits can vary by route, fare and operating aircraft. Check the allowance stated on your booking, particularly for regional aircraft where overhead-bin space may be limited.
- Mandarin Airlines serves Taiwanese cities and offshore islands as well as nearby Asian markets. Destinations include Taichung, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Kinmen, Makung, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Hanoi and Zhengzhou.
- Mandarin Airlines serves exactly 23 destinations across 6 countries, operating 56 routes.
- The busiest departure points by route count are Taichung, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Xiamen and Zhengzhou, in that order.
- The longest route is Taichung to Ho Chi Minh City, about 2,098 km nonstop.
- Taichung is Mandarin Airlines’ busiest departure hub by route count. Taipei and Kaohsiung are also important bases within its network.