EVA Air Business Class Review

Airline	Plane Type	Class of Service	Route	Rating
EVA Air (BR)	Boeing 777/787	Business	HKG-TPE-SEA	9/10

Booking 

For my flight back home to Seattle from Hong Kong, I booked Eva Air Royal Laurel Business class connecting via Taipei. Eva Air charges 75K miles for the segment with their own mileage program. Generally, there program isn’t as good as other Star Alliance members but they do make seats available for their own program more readily available. I transferred Citi TYP over to EVA to book the seat. 

Ground Experience

In Hong Kong, I was able to check through my bags all the way to Seattle. Immigration was fast as Hong Kong has also implemented electronic passport control for exiting the country. Eva Air contracts with the Plaza Premium lounge for its premium customers. The lounge can also be accessed via credit card such as the Capital One VentureX. Prior to boarding, I split my time between the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Amex Centurion lounge. I much preferred the Amex Centurion lounge as it was much quieter. Both had similar food options.

In Taipei, premium customers have access to a variety of lounges. The Garden is the most premium available only to BR Infinity MileageLands Diamond members. For those traveling on BR business class, one can access either the BR Infinity lounge or the Star lounge. I spent my time in the Infinity lounge during my layover. The concept of the lounge is futuristic with twinkling ceiling lights and curved walls. There was a variety of Chinese and Western cuisine available.

Cabin & Seat

For the short hop from Hong Kong to Taipei, there was an equipment change from 787-9 to 777-300 which served as an opportunity for both business class seat configurations Eva Air uses. On the 777, Eva Air uses standard reverse herringbone layout. On the 787’s, Eva Air uses staggered business class seats (window seats alternate closer to window and aisle) and middle seats are staggered the same distance from each other every other row (so no honeymoon seats you’ll find in other staggered configurations). I selected window seats for both flights.

Getting a reverse herringbone lie-flat seat for a 1.5 hour flight is a nice treat.

There are ample controls off to the side

On the 787, I selected the most private seat closest to the window. I consider this to be the best seat overall as one can easily look out the window, and there is some distance from the aisle for extra privacy. Otherwise, I find the other seats on 777 and 787 to be equally comparable. 

A large 18 inch entertainment screen dominates your field of vision directly in front of you.

On the console next to the seats were the seat controls, headphone jacks, and 110v and USB outlets.

Behind the seat and to the right was an enclosed storage compartment along with a mirror.

I was happy with the size of the footwell, which didn’t feel very restrictive thanks to the boxy, straight-edged shape of the seats with very little curvature on them. The space underneath the footwell was made into a sloped surface to rest your feet instead of an ottoman for storage.

On long-haul flights, Eva Air provides ample bedding. With a late departure from Taipei (near midnight local time), I was able to sleep quite comfortably for close to eight hours after the dinner service.

In-Flight Dining

For the short haul flight from Hong Kong to Taipei, there was an “express†meal service with everything served on a single tray. Despite the short flight, it was an ample meal and quick and efficient given the 1.5 hour total flight time.

On the flight from Taipei to Seattle, we were shown a printed menu to select the main course.

On long-haul routes, Eva Air is now serving Duval-Leroy Clos des Bouveries 2006 champagne which is very good for business class, but I have fond memories of the 2008 Veueve Clicquot La Grande Dame they used to serve.

About 30 minutes after take-off dinner service started and tablecloths distributed. I noted that the tablecloths were rather generic compared to the embroidered ones they used to have. 

For the canape to start with, there was a delicious egg crepe with shrimp and crab meat and smoked salmon on top of a zucchini slice, both bite size. I was then presented with a bread basket to choose bread along with the hors d’oeuvre’s of marinated prawn, cajun spiced scallop and duck terrine. Next came the main course which I selected the braised pork spare ribs. Finally for dessert I had assorted fruit and matcha/yoghurt mouse cake. Meal service was relatively efficient concluding about 1 hour and 30 minutes after take-off.

The second meal service started about 1 hour, 45 minutes prior to landing. There were a couple options, but since I was seated at the back of the cabin apparently the Chinese option was out (I believe it was some type of porridge). The Western option was some type of pocket pastry filled with something savory. I don’t recall exactly what it was, but it was relatively tasty.  

Amenities & Service

On long-haul flights, the amenities provided by Eva Air really shine. To start with, Eva Air provides a hard shell amenity kit by Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Next, high quality PJ’s and slippers are provided by Jason Wu. I still like to lounge in the PJ’s for daily wear at home.

Eva Air also provides wi-fi on flights but plans are quite expensive. I didn’t opt into any of the plans during the flight.

The crew on both flights were lovely and consistently attentive despite full cabins on both flights.

Overall Impression

Eva Air business class is spectacular overall, especially when it comes to the soft product and is probably under-rated amongst its peers. Eva Air has excellent service, top notch amenities, very good food and drinks and more. Factoring everything together, I definitely consider it one of my top five business products out there. Eva Air has now become one of my preferred flights to/from Hong Kong. A great thing is that they often release good availability for award seats in advance and close-in as well.