October 2026 RT Economy Fares — Updated May 18

Prices checked via Expedia, KAYAK, Skyscanner, and EVA Air booking engine on May 18, 2026. Ranges reflect current listings; holiday weekends (Oct 9–11, 24–26, 29–31) will price above ceiling. Book spike weekends 2–3 months minimum in advance.

LAX: ~$750–$1,100 (Expedia from $762; nonstop on EVA, China Airlines, STARLUX)
SFO: ~$875–$1,200 (Expedia from $874; floor up from prior $815)
SEA: ~$620–$1,000 (Skyscanner floor $619 on cheapest days; STARLUX / EVA / Delta nonstop)
JFK: ~$950–$1,400 (Expedia from $957; no confirmed nonstop service)
IAD: ~$900–$1,300+ (Expedia floor $899; EVA nonstop economy from ~$1,184 RT; launch Jun 26)
IAH: ~$880–$1,200 (Expedia floor $882; ↓ significantly from prior $1,259–$1,337; United via hub)
LHR: ~$496–$900+ (Expedia from $496; stable)
AMS: ~$587–$900 (Expedia from $587; stable)
FRA: ~$600–$950 (floor ↓ from prior $669; ceiling ↓ from $1,049)

No industry analysis or airline statements linking the Trump–Xi summit (May 14–15) to airfare movements were found. No advisory upgrades were issued post-summit, which is the typical first trigger for booking-behavior shifts. Fares unchanged from prior geopolitical risk premium baseline.

EVA Air IAD Nonstop — Confirmed Schedule & Capacity

EVA Air's inaugural TPE–IAD nonstop launches June 26, 2026. October 2026 is the first full operating month.

Frequency: 4× weekly — Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun outbound (IAD); Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat inbound (TPE).
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9.
Capacity: 278 seats — 26 Business (Royal Laurel lie-flat), 28 Premium Economy, 224 Economy.
Economy RT fares Oct 2026: from ~$1,184 (EVA booking engine).
Business RT fares Oct 2026: ~$5,000–$5,600.
Outbound schedule: IAD departs 01:50 → TPE arrives 05:45 (+1).
Inbound: TPE departs 19:30 → IAD arrives 22:30.

Fleet & Route Notes

China Airlines EU fleet swap (Sep 1–Oct 24): A350-900 → 777-300ER on AMS (4×/wk) and FRA (daily) for Oct 1–24. A350 resumes Oct 25. Seats booked as A350 on EU routes may operate as 777-300ER through Oct 24.

STARLUX Prague: Launches Aug 1 (3×/wk), increasing to 4×/wk Oct 1. A350-900. First STARLUX European route.

STARLUX JFK: No DOT filing or press release issued as of May 18. Booking engine surfaces fares for TPE–JFK (possible pre-sale test). No confirmed launch date.

China Airlines YYC (Calgary) nonstop: Operational. Promo from CAD 1,199 RT.

China Airlines TPE–Toyama: New route, May 2026 launch.

October 2026 Events

Oct 9–11: National Day long weekend (Double Tenth Oct 10 = Sat; in-lieu Oct 9 Fri). Demand spike.

Oct 12–23: Lowest prices/crowds window (exclude Oct 24–26).

Oct 24–26: Retrocession Day weekend + Taipei Hakka Yimin Festival at CKS Memorial Hall. Demand spike.

Oct 29–Nov 1: Taiwan Pride (25th edition; 80,000–200,000 attendees; parade Oct 31). Major demand spike.

Oct–Nov, Miaoli/Hsinchu: Saisiyat paSta'ay (矮靈祭) Indigenous Festival — biennial; 2026 is an active year. Held in Miaoli and Hsinchu counties. One of Taiwan's most significant indigenous ritual events.

Sep 1–Oct 31: Taipei Jazz Festival, Taipei Music Center, Nangang.

Mid-Oct–mid-Nov: Taipingshan beech foliage, Yilan County.

Weather, Entry & Transit

October weather: High 27°C, low 22°C; fewest rainy days of the year; optimal window. September: 28–32°C, typhoon season active. November: 20–25°C, NE monsoon increases north/east coast rain.

Entry requirements (unchanged): TWAC mandatory within 72h before arrival (free; no printout required). US/EU/UK/AU/CA: 90-day visa-free. Thailand/Brunei/Philippines: 14-day visa-free through Jul 31, 2026 (no renewal announced). US State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions (unchanged post-summit).

TPE Transit Voucher: NT$600 (~US$18) voucher for non-Taiwan passport holders transiting ≤24h. Program runs Nov 1, 2025–Oct 31, 2026; vouchers valid through Dec 31, 2026. Claim at Tourist Service Center T1/T2 (07:30–22:30) with passport + onward boarding pass.