With a splendid float called "Taiwan Lantern Festival", China Airlines won the International Trophy for the most beautiful entry from outside the continental United States, in the 120th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. This marks the 18th time that CAL has won an award in the event, which is held every New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

China Airlines, for the first time, cooperated with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Bureau of the Republic of China in the Rose Parade. Based on the design concept of "Taiwan Lantern Festival", CAL and Tourism Bureau worked together to develop a legendary fire phoenix in the center of float as a symbol of eternal excellence and matchless beauty, rendered in red, yellow, gold, orange and hot pink roses, along with blue irises, gladiolas, and butterfly orchids. The magnificent float depicted the entertaining lanterns and rich cultural history of the Chinese New Year family gathering and the Lantern Festival celebration.

The Taiwan Lantern Festival float was 55 feet long, 18 feet wide and 30 feet high, and it attracted cheers and applause from the audience when it appeared. The float, which also expressed a hope for world peace, earned great publicity for Taiwan, and for CAL. It is believed that more than 100 million viewers watched the television broadcast of this cherished century-old celebration.

China Airlines began its participation in the Rose Parade in 1987, and since then it has had 23 successful entries. With the lovely 2009 Lantern Festival float, CAL, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Bureau projected a beautiful image of Taiwan to the rest of the world.