Hello from somewhere over the Pacific! I’m writing this post live from my EVA Air flight, enroute from Los Angeles to Taipei. I flew EVA Air a few years back when they first joined the Star Alliance (including on one of their Hello Kitty flights), though this is my first flight on them since then. They’ve improved significantly over the past few years, and this is easily one of the top five business class products I’ve ever flown.
While I’ll have another post sharing my initial thoughts on the overall experience, in this post I wanted to focus specifically on EVA Air’s business class drink selection. More specifically, I want to focus primarily on their non-alcoholic drink selection.
First I should mention their champagne selection. EVA Air is known for serving the best champagne in business class of any airline. In the past they served Dom Perignon, Krug, and recently they even served Krug Rose, which retails for almost $300 per bottle.
On my flight they served Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2006, which is phenomenal. I think I might even like it more than Krug. So while it’s not the Krug Rose I was hoping for (which I’ve never tried before), I was very impressed.
But the real reason for this post is because of how impressed I am by EVA’s non-alcoholic drink selection. I’ve been flying a lot of dry airlines lately, which has made me realize just how little effort many airlines put into their non-alcoholic drink selection. I respect certain airlines’ decisions to be dry, but it comes across as cost cutting when they also put zero effort into their non-alcoholic drink selection.
Well, EVA Air business class features my favorite non-alcoholic drink selection of any airline in any cabin. Why?
They have legitimate iced coffee, which I’ve only otherwise ever seen on Royal Brunei.
They also have fantastic cappuccinos.
They have the choice of Fiji and Evian still water. While some airlines will load only one bottle of water per person, EVA had seemingly endless personal bottles of Fiji water. In the first half of the flight alone I had five of them.
They also have San Pellegrino sparkling water, which I strongly prefer to Perrier (the sparkling water of choice in international first class on most airlines).
I’m making an effort to make smarter choices on planes, and it’s more fun to avoid alcohol and soda when they serve your favorite still and sparkling water, as well as fantastic iced coffee and cappuccinos.
Well done, EVA Air!
I used to travel through EVA airlines some years ago and I loved EVA tea selection served from Taipei to LA. I wonder if you could kindly let us know what the name of that tea selection is served on the EVA airlines. I have already recommended a lot of my friends to try EVA airlines in order to experience the tea served.
Lucky I'm so sorry you have to deal with all these hater comments, must be exhausting. People, if youre concerned on "oh thats too many bottles protect the environment" or "not serving alcohol means theyre pushing their religious agenda on me" than I'm sorry but yall need a reality check that the world doesnt revolve around you. Dont like what you read about EVA? Dont fly EVA. Simple. Comments/diff opinions are welcome but attacking Lucky...
Lucky I'm so sorry you have to deal with all these hater comments, must be exhausting. People, if youre concerned on "oh thats too many bottles protect the environment" or "not serving alcohol means theyre pushing their religious agenda on me" than I'm sorry but yall need a reality check that the world doesnt revolve around you. Dont like what you read about EVA? Dont fly EVA. Simple. Comments/diff opinions are welcome but attacking Lucky because he drank too much water or praised the different non alcoholic options is absurd. Go wash some dishes, people. Geez.
@Schar -- I haven't made any hater comments. I applaud his keeping hydrated. But that doesn't stop me from *wishing* for less waste in the world. Fiji water is particularly bothersome due the anti-environmental actions the brand's owner in California, where I live.
Few people I know see alcohol service in the air as a problem, and invariably the case is over-consumption prior to take-off, or -- in rare instances -- someone who tries...
@Schar -- I haven't made any hater comments. I applaud his keeping hydrated. But that doesn't stop me from *wishing* for less waste in the world. Fiji water is particularly bothersome due the anti-environmental actions the brand's owner in California, where I live.
Few people I know see alcohol service in the air as a problem, and invariably the case is over-consumption prior to take-off, or -- in rare instances -- someone who tries to BYOB with their purchase from Duty Free.
But all that aside, I agree with your basic sentiment -- no reason to jump down Lucky's throat; but on the other hand, one must be able to accept criticism when one is a public figure and/or posts in an open forum (even one which is hosted privately). I would hope that the tenor of the comments would be constructive, but it is (unfortunately) human nature that a certain percentage will not.
C'est la vie. That's why everyone needs a thick duck skin . . . so the nonsense can roll right off your back.
I'll save comments on the hard-product (e.g. Seat) for your trip report...but as fas an non-alcholic beverages are concerned, I can recalll the extensive menu of (mixed fruit/punch) drinks on offer from Singapore which I tried to get through on a flight with them. Seemed the most extensive in the air.
@Lucky -- No one seems to "crusade" more re: the "perils of alcohol" than Gary Left. That said, it is unlawful (at least insofar as US flag carriers are concerned; I cannot speak for non-U.S. airlines) to serve someone who is already inebriated -- be it in the air or on the ground (that is, in restaurants, bars, etc.). As @Donna said above, "Most of the drunks I’ve encountered on flights got tanked up before...
@Lucky -- No one seems to "crusade" more re: the "perils of alcohol" than Gary Left. That said, it is unlawful (at least insofar as US flag carriers are concerned; I cannot speak for non-U.S. airlines) to serve someone who is already inebriated -- be it in the air or on the ground (that is, in restaurants, bars, etc.). As @Donna said above, "Most of the drunks I’ve encountered on flights got tanked up before boarding."
Further, I am not sure how relevant your statement is, that "[you] respect certain airlines’ decisions to be dry, but it comes across as cost cutting when they also put zero effort into their non-alcoholic drink selection." In point of fact, since EVA *does* serve alcohol on their flights, it's completely besides the point ***in the context of this blog post*** and far better suited to, for example, a review of Saudia than EVA. Lucky, you would have avoided a lot of flak to this post had you simply employed a better editor.
That said, I agree with @gadfly -- five more plastic bottles of water in landfills?!?!? I'd much rather bring a refillable water bottle on board, and/or have the cabin crew serve me water out of 1.0L bottles.
Hi Lucky!
I think Qatar wins. They serve at the moment Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2006 (arguably better than Krug, and kills DP any day of the week) on some of their long haul flights, and grand cru classe Bordeaux. They also have a really nice vintage port.
I enjoyed the same EVA flight, early December. Service was perfect.
Only issue was the hot/cold air circulation. Same situation on the
the same aircraft (777er) flown by Turkish Air, IST/SFO. Hot/cold/hot/cold.
Lucky, what gives? Do you know anyone at Boeing?
@Ohdozipitdear and then we have the A.A. guy...always feeling the need to tell everyone that they are sober and for how long. You have heard A.A. is it's own religion right?
@lucky from this page https://onemileatatime.com/eva-air-champagne/ you said :
"... and I didn’t think the Krug Rose was that spectacular when I tried it."
on the post above you said :
"So while it’s not the Krug Rose I was hoping for (which I’ve never tried before) ..."
I don't know which one is correct but one thing for sure Krug Rose is a lot better than Dom Perignon or even vintage Krug. Krug Rose has...
@lucky from this page https://onemileatatime.com/eva-air-champagne/ you said :
"... and I didn’t think the Krug Rose was that spectacular when I tried it."
on the post above you said :
"So while it’s not the Krug Rose I was hoping for (which I’ve never tried before) ..."
I don't know which one is correct but one thing for sure Krug Rose is a lot better than Dom Perignon or even vintage Krug. Krug Rose has been on my bucket list for quite some time and I finally popped one last year, worth every penny ...
Wow, tough crowd today!
I recently took EVA airline business as well and they have certainly improved quite a bit compare to couple years past. They don't offer first class on any of their routes but for long haul from US to Taiwan, they offer pj, turn down service with seat padding, and of course rimowa washbag! I took United Global First from Japan back to US and I can tell you service level...
Wow, tough crowd today!
I recently took EVA airline business as well and they have certainly improved quite a bit compare to couple years past. They don't offer first class on any of their routes but for long haul from US to Taiwan, they offer pj, turn down service with seat padding, and of course rimowa washbag! I took United Global First from Japan back to US and I can tell you service level on EVA outshine UA anyday (although I can see FA on United is trying... they just need more training) not to mention better pj (or lack of on Global First) and washbag.
@Linus, @Steven, I'm with you. EVA "gets" tea. Talk about shoving religion down people's throats! Nothing worse than trying to get properly steeped tea on an airline based in USA. It's a rite of citizenship in USA to do tea badly, and it seems to be an affront to all American patriots to serve a refined, delicate beverage without alcohol. Or, at least, it seems that way to me. Americans, who are capable of anything...
@Linus, @Steven, I'm with you. EVA "gets" tea. Talk about shoving religion down people's throats! Nothing worse than trying to get properly steeped tea on an airline based in USA. It's a rite of citizenship in USA to do tea badly, and it seems to be an affront to all American patriots to serve a refined, delicate beverage without alcohol. Or, at least, it seems that way to me. Americans, who are capable of anything (!), offer no drinkable tea on airplanes. Among civilized refined people the world over, it defies comprehension. Hint to Americans: if you personally unwrap something, you've been served bad tea.
EVA won my heart with nice tea choices, although for true drinking pleasure, give me a Canadian or Japanese airline, which comes down the aisle with a pot of steeped tea, not hygeine-obsessed, individually wrapped, undrinkable nonsense.
Not that I feel strongly about it, or anything.
Holy crap!
*5* little PLASTIC bottles of water "so far" on a single flight?!!
I'm not a hardcore climate change person, and I don't go off all deep end on carbon flying footprints of the credit card pimps, but cmon Lucky when are you gonna try growing up and being an adult instead of drinking 'juice boxes' all day and not giving a crap about *our* planet?
Educate yourself. Please.
@Lucky. Most of the drunks I've encountered on flights got tanked up before boarding. But I take your point - I'm sure these dry airlines don't have big problems with disruptive passengers.
Agree about good water and coffee selections on all flights, not just the dry ones.
@Tom +1
It's always strange to see an airline push the boat out with exotic wines and food, only to see them serving Beefeater or Gordon's gin.
Personally I much prefer Perrier to S.Pellegrino. I don't want my water tasting of iron or salt (so no Badoit either, thanks). And the fizzier fizz in Perrier is much more refreshing.
Though having written that, I'd still rather be sipping Veuve.
They serve champagne. Champagne has alcohol. Why is everyone getting all offended? If you can't do a flight without booze you better check yourself as you probably have a problem since some are displaying air rage while they're right here on the ground. I appreciate a review for a change on the non-booze options since I haven't had a drink for 43 years next month. Chill out,people. The pickings are pretty boring for folks like...
They serve champagne. Champagne has alcohol. Why is everyone getting all offended? If you can't do a flight without booze you better check yourself as you probably have a problem since some are displaying air rage while they're right here on the ground. I appreciate a review for a change on the non-booze options since I haven't had a drink for 43 years next month. Chill out,people. The pickings are pretty boring for folks like us on long haul flights. It nice to see some new additions. Thanks for the review.
I would want to see fresh juices and mock-tails to have a truly good program. You can make the same argument about the beer program on many airlines. They might have a $200 bottle of champage, but they only serve Heineken for beer. That is quite disappointing.
Thanks for the post. As a non-alcoholic this is good to know.
@Lucky--I agree with you on the side benefits of not having alcohol on an aircraft. What I am concerned about is the trend of our major religions (Islam & Christianity) of enshrining their individual beliefs into public venues..like, I dunno transportation.
This false "freedom of religion" idea that the GOP is trying to push is all about limiting the freedom of people like you and I from our "God" given right to marry etc. An...
@Lucky--I agree with you on the side benefits of not having alcohol on an aircraft. What I am concerned about is the trend of our major religions (Islam & Christianity) of enshrining their individual beliefs into public venues..like, I dunno transportation.
This false "freedom of religion" idea that the GOP is trying to push is all about limiting the freedom of people like you and I from our "God" given right to marry etc. An airline banning alcohol is just the tip of the spear.
@Credit..Thank you!
I am not an Atheist Zealot (oxymoron intended) and have not had strong opinions on religion in the past, but this recent push to enshrine Christianity into the rule of law has me a bit riled up.
Religion is like sex..keep it in your home where it belongs!
@Adam nobody is forcing you to read the bible, like the Christian right is forcing people to follow their views on abortion, and gay marriage ....... wait I need to think this through.
Be right back after consultations with Jesus. He trims the hedges in my garden. Get it?
@Adam, nobody is forcing you to fly a dry-airline or read the Bible. If you are so opposed with these ideas, just avoid them. Don't have a choice? Start your own airline company.
anita, how is it not pushing a religious agenda on me? Just like placing a Bible on the seat would be also.
If you want to believe in an imaginary friend in the sky, it should not affect my ability to have a BEVERAGE and I should not have to see the hate speech (Bible) when I travel somewhere.
wow, Lucky you have a lot of haters who drink haterade. ok you didn't like the article. Don't comment then.
jeeeez people. I don't drink alcohol and it's not for religious reasons so I appreciate a nice sparkling water and non alcoholic beverage. Why is it a big deal not to serve alcohol on a flight? Will you die without your beer or vodka? Jeezus. It's not pushing an religious agenda on you, they're...
wow, Lucky you have a lot of haters who drink haterade. ok you didn't like the article. Don't comment then.
jeeeez people. I don't drink alcohol and it's not for religious reasons so I appreciate a nice sparkling water and non alcoholic beverage. Why is it a big deal not to serve alcohol on a flight? Will you die without your beer or vodka? Jeezus. It's not pushing an religious agenda on you, they're not chanting or going over verses.
Plus this ain't american flight, you don't have your bill of rights . You don't get to push your american agenda and rights on a NON american company. dingus
I also know BR have many tea selections. Have you try them yet??
@Adam well, it's up to you if you fly those airlines.
If a bible was placed in each seat, it's also up to you if you read it.
I like EVA's tea selection, although most people here don't seem to care about that. It's usually difficult to find acceptable green tea on American/European carriers.
@Lucky would love the Laos and Cambodia trip report
Hsw25, yes that does matter to Lucky, or I. and we want it known that is part of the criteria.
Tough crowd today.
So... offering multiple types of insanely overpriced water makes a beverage selection great? I agree with you on the coffee on the menu, and I'm going have disagree on the water. For non-alcoholic beverages, I would personally like to see a much wider variety of juices and teas.
So this is the "pre review" before the initials thoughts, before the review? I just want a Laos/Cambodia trip report
I agree with Adam.
I also agree with melissa, trump is an orange alien.
Thank you for removing that "Bottom Line" section of your article. It's good enough without that, please do that for all of them.
@Ben He probably wrote the post live but didn't publish it until now.
Your statement "I respect certain airlines decision to be dry," makes me question the asinine state of political correctness in your blog. You should not "respect" their decision to be dry..this is there way of pushing their religion on passengers! Would you be okay with a Bible being being placed on every seat?
@ Adam -- Religion aside, I actually see merit to not serving alcohol on flights. Look at how many diversions, inflight disruptions, etc., are caused by passengers not being drunk. So while the motivation might be religious, there's some merit to it beyond that.
You uploaded a picture on instagram of your seat 20 hours ago.
How is this live???
@ Ben -- It was written live, though I schedule my posts. It posted a few hours after I landed.
So, EVA or Qatar?
@ Alvin -- That's a toughie. I'll have to try Qatar on a true longhaul and do a side by side comparison.