To kick off my long journey to Abu Dhabi, I flew EVA Air’s Boeing 777-300ER business class (referred to as Royal Laurel Class) from Houston to Taipei. At nearly 16.5 hours, this was the longest flight I’ve taken in years, and goodness, it felt like an eternity.
Continue reading: Review: EVA Air Business Class Boeing 777 (IAH-TPE)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
EVA and Starlux are as far removed from Mainland Chinese carriers as possible in terms of the stellar service they provide. I’m more than thrilled that Taiwan has proved to be such an outstanding country for aviation hospitality, like CX used to have. I’d love it if you could please mention the names of the crew on this lovely airline, like you did for SQ and Starlux.
It’s telling that the airline that used to pride itself for having the world’s best cabin crew, Garuda Indonesia, let you down big-time on this trip. Unlike BR, which remains every bit as spectacular as it was prepandemic, GA has totally lost its shine. That’s sad, but Indonesia’s loss is Taiwan’s gain.
@ KK13 -- That's a toughie, and I think that gets at the inherent variability that exists with each flight. Starlux's hard product is significantly better, and the airline offers free Wi-Fi.
That being said, on my transpacific Starlux flight, the service wasn't as good as it could have been (and wasn't as good as it was on my connecting flight, or on my previous Starlux flight). Meanwhile my EVA Air crew was stellar.
So if I were to compare the two experiences head-to-head, I think EVA Air has the edge. That being said, if I had a Starlux crew that were as good as this one, it would be a different story.
Also, I love the way you now include the seatmap in the header section — but I wish you’d do it from aeroLOPA, since you have yourself written about it, and it helps travellers to see exactly what they’re going to get. Regardless, an innovation that keeps OMAAT head and shoulders above all other travel blogs out there — like EVA’s business class itself. 😉
Could you not have walked a short distance to the Polaris lounge? It closes at 9pm but certainly is much better experience.
Why didn't you go to the United Polaris lounge? As you are in Business class on a Star Alliance Carrier departing IAH you are allowed entry
@ Brad B -- I would have loved to spend my layover there, but it closes at 9PM, which was only shortly after I arrived in Houston (my flight arrived from Miami at 8:21PM).
@ Pete -- It would have been by far the best option, but the hours were the reason I didn't go there. I only arrived at Houston Airport shortly before it closed.
@ VT-CIE -- Indeed, the EVA Air vs. Garuda Indonesia experience was eye-opening, and I'm happy to see that EVA Air has maintained its quality post-pandemic. 🙂
Your comment about pork reminds me of my comment in Singapore. I'm allergic to shellfish and it's honestly hard to eat anything in Singapore!
Wifi is free for Royal Laurel passengers (except those one awards and those who did not register just before the flight either online or asking the EVA lounge to help you)
Looks like a great option for TPAC, especially if going to Southeast Asia. How would you compare EVA Air vs *A partner ANA in J?
D gates at IAH are looking better, the last time I was there a few months ago it was a construction zone
I took this same flight in 2018. It is very long, but J class was an experience in itself. That is why I now have such a love for congee. Since then, I have flown BR in Y for work connecting from SIN and to SEA. While the Y product is competitive, the J service is top notch.
Why not swing by Polaris at the E gates? I think D and E are connected post security.
Absolutely love EVA. I flew YYZ-TPE-HKT and return PNH-TPE-YYZ. Everything was outstanding bit the crew and service is what really stands out. The PJ are fantastic and I wear my 2 pairs nightly. I’ll be flying them again soon. Certainly one of the most underrated airlines in Asia and top 10 in the world.
I would say Starlux needs time to fully mature as an airline. They've functionally been around for a year or two only with the pandemic really cutting into their launch. Their hard product is the best of the 3 carriers at the moment, however, with the refreshed fleets from CI and BR that advantage will not last.
It's a cultural thing, Taiwan is per capita a top 5 consumer of pork, I think it's natural that a Taiwanese airline would serve primarily pork. It's not like there weren't options or solutions, as he was able to get the pork removed.
Pork is one of the staples of all Chinese cuisines. You are ignorant of their cuisine. Perhaps you should have ordered kosher meals instead of complaining of pork. In the early 1980's when China opened up I went to a presentation. The first question asked was about the availability of kosher cuisine. He answered no. In a few years he thought it might be possible.
I know some cannot eat bacon.... but ..... for those who can ....
Take a frying, about 12" wide, so the bacon can lay flat, and fill it with just over an inch of water. Set the burner between medium and low. When the water is hot, pour in just over a 1/2 cup of Maple Syrup [the real stuff, not pancake syrup 🙂 ]. Stir in the maple syrup until it is totally dissolved. Then gentle lay the bacon in the maple syrup solution and let it cook in a slow simmer. In about 30 minutes or so, the water will evaporate to a point where there is only a small amount of water left, just barely enough, allowing the maple syrup to coat the the bacon, but before it starts to caramelize. Then remove the bacon and serve with your breakfast.
The bacon is always soft and full of maple flavor.
In hindsight, you could've also accessed/reviewed the Polaris Lounge at IAH. Star Alliance J tickets do get you into Polaris, I think.
It's nice to see they have returned to hot towels. I took this same flight last September and they handed out individually (plastic?) wrapped room temperature wet towels. (They were thick cotton towels, just not warmed and needed to be unwrapped.)
It’s a great Airlines with excellent service . Thanks for sharing with us. I wish I can take my family to Vietnam from Seattle on EVA Airways in business class . I am sure that it’s very expensive for me, my wife, and our three children .
lucky, you can get complimentary 100mb? iirc if you fly in business class. you claim a voucher/code for the flight that you can redeem. similar website area where you could pre book your inflight special meals
Great review- I love EVA - I can’t recall ever having had a bad flight - the food,wine and crew have always been top notch
Good news ahead: Eva Air just announced an upgrade of their 777s. I'd expect them to get the same product like the 787 or at least something very similar.
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202312200011
Most likely a weather deviation or reroute by Japan. Or Switching airways for traffic congestion.
Could not agree more. Have done 2 RT from BKK-LHR this year and all I can say is WOW! Consistently amazing. From vintage champagne to amazing staff and extras like PJ’s and bedding all equal delight!
@Ben I love that you admit that you're FINALLY learning not to drink coffee before trying to sleep! 😉
EVA’s crews are fine, but it bothers me that they are all still wearing masks. On my recent flight from the US to TPE, all but one or two were muzzled the entire flight. This was never, ever the case pre-covid, so please don’t try the lie that “all Asians have always worn masks.” It’s not true.