Is EVA Air business enterprise class worth it on the Boeing 787-ten?

EVA Air’s business enterprise class on the Boeing 787-ten Dreamliner has a sleek cabin paired with best-notch client service, enjoyable meals and comfy bedding, but lacks a handful of important elements that would make it a genuinely luxurious expertise.

Pros:

• Comfy seats with a clever style and plush bedding.
• Superb client service and scrumptious meals.
• Higher-finish amenities like designer pajamas and Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits.

Cons:

• Disappointing lounges, with crowded spaces and restricted meals choice.
• Subpar inflight entertainment selections.
• Highly-priced and slow Wi-Fi.

How substantially does it price to book business enterprise class on EVA Air?

I redeemed 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for a a single-way redemption from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Right here is a snapshot of what paid fares on this very same route are like more than the subsequent year as properly as some award redemption selections making use of points and miles from two of EVA’s Star Alliance partners’ frequent-flyer applications, Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus.

ClassEconomyPremium economyCompanyAirfare$900-1,800.$1,900-two,500.$five,400-7,000.Aeroplan points50,000 points + $82 taxes.Not offered at time of publication.75,000 points + $82 taxes.United MileagePlus miles38,500 miles + $39 taxes.Not offered at time of publication.88,000 miles + $39 taxes.

The most up-to-date EVA Air business enterprise class (or “Royal Laurel Class,” as the airline calls it) seats are discovered on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 and 787-ten aircraft. At the time of writing, Seattle is the only North American location exactly where these planes operate. You can also come across these jets on flights to Brisbane, Australia (BNE), and on pick European and Asian routes.

Company class on EVA Air. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

EVA serves other U.S. cities, like Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with the airline’s older business enterprise-class seats aboard (pictured beneath). These nonetheless provide direct-aisle access in a 1-two-1 setup but have reverse herringbone seats that have definitely been in service for longer.

Older business enterprise-class seats on EVA Air. ETHAN STEINBERG/THE POINTS GUY

Flying out of Seattle, you are going to get a modern day onboard item but, sadly, a lackluster lounge. Flying out of the other cities (except New York-JFK) will get you an older seat but also access to United Airlines’ great Polaris lounges.

A Polaris lounge. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY.

EVA Air is aspect of Star Alliance, which means you can use points and miles with companion airlines to book an award redemption. One particular of the very best redemptions is making use of 95,000 ANA Mileage Club miles for a round-trip business enterprise-class flight in between North America and Taipei. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to ANA, but note a 48-hour transfer time.

You can also use 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for a a single-way redemption, which is what I did. You can transfer points to Aeroplan from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One particular Miles. Add a stopover in Taipei prior to a connecting flight elsewhere for only five,000 added points.

Avianca LifeMiles charges 83,000 miles and United MileagePlus calls for 88,000 miles for a single-way redemptions in between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Along with your seat, here’s what other amenities and solutions an EVA Air business enterprise-class ticket involves.

Company classSeat choice/priceCabin baggage allowance/priceChecked baggage allowance/priceMoney fares$.two pieces (15 lbs/7 kg every single) + a single individual item.two pieces (70 lbs/32 kg every single.)Redemptions$.two pieces (15 lbs/7 kg every single) + a single individual item.two pieces. (70 lbs/32 kg every single.)

Checking into and boarding business enterprise class on EVA Air

EVA Air’s ground expertise can differ based on your departure point, but business enterprise-class passengers can count on the following solutions.

Priority boarding.Yes.Boarding group.Quantity 1.Lounge offered.Yes (The Infinity and The Star.)Does the airline participate in TSA PreCheck?Yes.

I began my journey in Da Nang, Vietnam, flying on China Airlines to Taipei, exactly where I had a 3-hour layover prior to my onward flight to Seattle on EVA. It was an straightforward 12-minute transfer by foot from Terminal 1 to Terminal two, like passing via safety.

I was capable to verify into my EVA flight on the internet 24 hours prior to the flight, and the China Airlines verify-in agent in Da Nang interlined my checked bag onto my EVA flight without the need of my needing to choose it up in Taipei.

A terminal in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

Generally, a 3-hour layover is not some thing to appear forward to, but I had higher hopes for EVA’s business enterprise-class lounge, provided that Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is its key hub. Regrettably, I was extremely disappointed (and upon analysis into on the internet critiques, I am not the only a single).

There are 4 EVA-branded lounges at TPE. The most premium a single is named The Garden and is only accessible by best-tier EVA Infinity MileageLands Diamond elites.

Signage for EVA-branded lounges at TPE. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

Subsequent is The Infinity, which Star Alliance very first- and business enterprise-class passengers can access along with Infinity MileageLands Gold and Star Alliance Gold elites. I have to say that this is a single of the most disappointing Star Alliance business enterprise-class lounges that I’ve come across in a hub.

The late evening is a single of the busiest banks of departures for EVA, with 4 flights to the West Coast of North America (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver) all departing inside half an hour of every single other. This implies that through my go to at ten p.m., the lounge was crowded, with just a single substantial sitting space and a wait for showers. The meals choice was extremely restricted, apart from the self-service ice cream station by Movenpick.

So what are the options? Very first, you could cross the hallway into The Star. The lounge is accessible to Star Alliance Gold elites, even if they are not flying in a premium class of service. Whilst technically, it really is an inferior lounge, it is much less crowded and delivers equivalent meals selections to The Infinity. There is also The Club, an EVA lounge for its MileageLands Silver elites, even though I did not go to it on my layover.

One more resolution — if you have a card that grants you access, like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Capital One particular Venture X Rewards Credit Card— is to stroll two minutes to the Plaza Premium Lounge. You are going to come across a a lot more tranquil space with a superior meals choice, like a created-to-order noodle bar. If you happen to be searching to freshen up, there are private nap rooms and hot showers, and there was no wait to use them. Maintain in thoughts that this lounge closes at 11 p.m.

I discovered most passengers currently at the gate a single hour prior to departure due to the added measures passengers will have to pass via there. There is an person passport verify at every single gate. Gate locations are crowded and bathed with vibrant fluorescent lighting (not best for late-evening departures), with only restricted seating and energy outlets, so charge your devices beforehand. There are separate lines for business enterprise- and economy-class passengers.

How comfy was business enterprise class on EVA Air?

Quantity of seats.34.Cabin layout.1-two-1.Seat pitch76 inches.Seat recline/Totally flatFully flat.Seat width.23 inches.Screen size.18 inches.

Upon boarding, I discovered a sleek, eye-catching business enterprise-class cabin with style components that created me really feel like I was in a luxury vehicle … that would fly via the atmosphere. The cabin felt fresh and properly-maintained, displaying minimal indicators of put on and tear. The seat numbers displayed in a space-themed font added a touch of charm.

Company class on this plane is in a single cabin and characteristics seats from BMW Designworks. They are staggered in a 1-two-1 configuration, with direct aisle access for all passengers. The seats really feel equivalent to the Vantage XL seats you are going to come across in Qantas business enterprise class and SAS business enterprise class.

Thanks to muted colour scheme with accents of green, the seats really feel sophisticated and have comfy padding, but the headrests can not be adjusted. I discovered it straightforward to get in and out of my seat to use the restroom thanks to direct aisle access, and I in particular enjoyed the massage function. The smaller privacy screen that slides out in between center seats will have to be stowed for takeoff and landing but I’d propose making use of it to produce that “cocoon” feeling when you happen to be in the air.

Very best seats for solo travelers.A and K seats in Rows two, five, 7 and 9.Very best seats for couples.Any pair of D and G seats in Rows three-9.Seats to steer clear of.Rows 1-two and ten.

The very best seats for solo travelers are these with wider armrests along the aisle and the seat closer to the wall of the cabin.

One particular of the very best seats for solo travelers, subsequent to the wall. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

If you happen to be traveling accompanied, your very best options are center seats. A retractable privacy divider can be deployed if you need to have a small alone time. Like the seats along the sides of the aircraft, some are closer to the aisle than other folks, thanks to a single armrest becoming wider than the other.

Center seats with privacy screen. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

The very first and final rows really should be avoided due to the light and noise coming from the galleys. I would in particular steer clear of the bulkhead seats in Row two as a vibrant EVA Air motif is not turned off when passengers are sleeping.

When it really is time for bed, the cabin crew will give turndown service, and this is a wonderful time to go to the lavatory to transform into your pajamas. You are going to return to a completely-created bed, like a pillow, duvet and mattress pad, despite the fact that the latter is disappointingly thin and fails to give enough cushioning. The duvet is a single of the plushest I have come across in the sky, nonetheless, creating it really feel like a cloud is floating on best of you. You can ask the cabin crew for a second pillow for added head assistance.

Whilst legroom was not an concern for a individual of five feet, 11 inches, the best half of my physique felt slightly cramped in the narrow bed setup. Furthermore, it would have been easy to have the choice to tilt the screen downwards for less complicated viewing although falling asleep.

When it really is time for sleep, you can appreciate glowing stars on the ceiling. But as you can see from the light emanating from the front galley, it really is very best to select a seat in the center or back of the cabin.

The inflight entertainment touchscreen is substantial, crisp, and close adequate to manage from your seat, even though there is also a remote. Regrettably, the Western film and tv series choice is restricted. Nevertheless, I did like the novel prompt of picking what to watch according to my mood (in my case, “excellent” + a small tipsy = rom-com).

Seeking about the seat, you are going to come across just a single universal energy outlet and a single USB port on the edge of your side table. The seat controls are straightforward to use and extremely responsive, with preset positions for takeoff and landing, a lounging recline and lie-flat mode as properly as a do-not-disturb button.

The handheld remote for the entertainment technique has a crispy show, but you in all probability will not need to have to use it unless you happen to be in lie-flat mode and watching some thing on the screen. The smaller compartment at the back of the bigger armrest is sizable adequate for a couple of smaller water bottles, an amenity kit, or a tablet device, but laptops are very best stowed in your carry-on baggage in the overhead bins, offered each above the aisle and the center of the cabin. There are no person air nozzles, but I discovered the cabin temperature cooler and comfy.

The tray table pulls out from the substantial armrest is strong and steady. I in particular appreciate how far forward and back it could be moved, providing you flexibility if you want to consume in an upright or reclined position.

Tray table. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

There are 3 bathrooms in the business enterprise-class cabin (a single at the front and two in the rear) for the 34 passengers. The rear bathrooms have been exclusively for these in the business enterprise-class cabin I saw no premium economy passengers walking up to these.

There was hardly ever a line for the lavatories, and they have been generally spotless. Flight attendants place out factors like further toothbrushes and mouthwash to supplement your individual amenity kit following takeoff, and you are going to come across handwash and lotion from Belgian brand 4711. It warmed my heart to see the cabin crew patiently assisting a substantial quantity of elderly passengers with assistance moving to and from the bathroom.

Amenities in EVA Air business enterprise class

The tough-shell Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit EVA Air business enterprise-class passengers obtain is a single of the nicest I’ve come across and has an in particular comfy eye mask and nifty comb with a constructed-in mirror. The style house’s Bianco di Carrara lip balm, physique lotion and face mist have been great, as well.

The noise-canceling headphones business enterprise-class passengers obtain for use through the flight are extremely comfy. Even so, I would have liked them to go louder and to be capable to transform the volume with a single touch.

EVA is a single of only a handful of airlines nonetheless providing out pajamas to their business enterprise-class passengers. The Jason Wu-branded pajama set I received was the most eye-catching I’ve noticed from an airline, thanks to the contrasting pop of colour in the pant pockets and the special hoodie function on the best. You are going to also get some comfy slippers to put on.

Regrettably, onboard Wi-Fi is highly-priced and slow on EVA. An limitless information strategy for the complete flight (named the “Ultimate Strategy”) fees $39.95, with 30-300MB plans costing $four.95-$29.95. I topped out at two.three/.four Mbps download/upload speeds, which is woeful. You are going to want to produce an account (not verify out as a guest) when creating your buy so that you can switch in between devices making use of the very same strategy.

How was the meals in EVA Air business enterprise class?

One particular would consider that a very-rated airline would serve their business enterprise-class passengers sparkling wine that fees a lot more than $12 a bottle, but that seemed to be the default on my flight with Perelada Brut Reserva Cava.

Even so, you can also opt for a single of the fancier beverages on the wine list that you can access via the touchscreen. On my flight, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Champagne, which retails for more than $200 a bottle, was also offered.

Amongst 30 days and 72 hours prior to departure, passengers can preorder meals from an expansive menu, like dishes that are not commonly loaded for the flight, such as poached lobster and butternut squash with pumpkin ravioli. I booked my ticket via an alliance companion and did not spend adequate focus to this choice when managing my booking on the EVA Air internet site, so I had to make do with day-of selections.

Nevertheless, the cabin crew was satisfied to give me a printed menu, and my very first selections for each dinner and breakfast have been offered.

For dinner, passengers could appreciate:

• Hors d’oeuvre: Goose liver mousse, smoked salmon and Champagne jelly.
• Appetizer: Shrimp and crab meat in an egg crepe parcel and goat cheese in a mini tartlet.
• Most important course: Broiled pork spare ribs with green peppercorn sauce and vegetables stir-fried shrimp with vegetables, rice and quinoa or residence-steamed chicken noodle soup.
• Dessert: Toffee cake with sesame crisp, fruit, or a Suzhou-style mooncake with sesame paste filling.

For the pre-landing meal, the selections have been:

• Chinese meal: Congee with braised tofu and shiitake mushroom, scrambled egg with shrimp and asparagus, and regular side dishes.
• Western meal: Iberian pork and smoked chicken with vegetables, mussels and squid with a kalamata olive and tomato concasse and rosemary potatoes.
• “Royal Laurel Unique:” Noodle soup with pork spare ribs, lotus seed and wolfberry.

My dinner, like the stir-fried shrimp, burst with flavor in each course, with the highlights becoming a shrimp and crab crepe parcel and a chamomile-infused praline toffee cake. I woke up to braised tofu and mushrooms with congee and a sweet, creamy matcha green tea for breakfast. The meals have been rather filling and scrumptious.

Dinner did not start off till an hour following takeoff (due to turbulence) and completed an hour following that. Dinner courses have been delivered on person plates with breakfast on a single tray to maximize sleep time, and the cabin crew seemed to preserve excellent tabs on exactly where passengers have been at with their meals, proactively supplying drink and bread refills as properly as moving via courses in an effective but unrushed manner. There have been also many snacks place out in between meal solutions for passengers to nibble on through the lengthy middle portion of the flight.

I only wished the flight attendants have been a lot more proactive about clearing empty glasses and, if I am nitpicking, pouring beer at an angle so as to lower the head.

Would you propose EVA Air business enterprise class?

I would undoubtedly propose flying EVA Air business enterprise class in between the U.S. and Asia. You are going to get great client service, scrumptious meals and comfy bedding and pajamas. Even so, go in with low expectations of the airline’s lounges in Taipei and attempt to go to the Plaza Premium Lounge if you have access.

EVA Air logo and light. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

It would be very best to aim to fly the airline’s Boeing 787-9 or 787-ten aircraft as these jets function substantially a lot more updated seats than the ones discovered on most North American routes flown by the Boeing 777-300ER.

All in all, nonetheless, I am excited to fly EVA once more on future trips to Asia. I would appear forward to the scrumptious Taiwanese dining selections and best-notch service. I spent a month traveling via Taiwan a handful of years ago and consider flying EVA there is a wonderful way to get into the regional expertise — even prior to you step off the plane.