In November 2023, EVA Air revealed its intentions to order two kinds of new jets from Airbus, which is pretty exciting. There’s now an update, as this order has been finalized.
In this post:
EVA Air orders 33 Airbus jets for fleet renewal
Taiwanese Star Alliance carrier EVA Air has placed an order for 33 Airbus jets, including 18 A350-1000s and 15 A321neos. This deal is worth $10.1 billion at list prices, though airlines never pay anywhere close to list prices.
In terms of the basics of these aircraft and the delivery timeline:
- EVA Air will start taking delivery of Airbus A350-1000s as of the middle of 2026; this is the largest variant of the A350, and there’s not another certified wide body aircraft that offers this level of range, passenger capacity, and economics
- EVA Air hasn’t confirmed when it will start taking delivery of Airbus A321neos; this is one of the most fuel efficient narrow body aircraft out there, combining great range and economics, as it’s an update to the previous generation version of this aircraft, the A321ceo
Here’s how EVA Air President Clay Sun describes the order:
“We have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment. In both size categories we have selected the most modern and fuel efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort. The aircraft also bring significant reductions in carbon emissions, which is in line with our company’s sustainability goals. For long-range operations the A350-1000 sets new standards in its class and will allow us to offer our passengers the best possible in-flight experience.”
How these planes fit into EVA Air’s fleet
EVA Air currently has the following fleet, consisting of 77 jets, with an additional 12 on order (prior to this latest order):
- EVA Air has 18 Airbus A321s, which are an average of nine years old
- EVA Air has 12 Airbus A330s (-200s and -300s), which are an average of 11 years old
- EVA Air has 13 Boeing 787s (-9s and -10s), which are an average of three years old, with a further 12 of these jets on order
- EVA Air has 34 Boeing 777-300ERs, which are an average of nine years old
How do these new aircraft fit into EVA Air’s fleet?
- EVA Air intends to use the A321neos primarily to replace existing A321s, though those planes are still quite modern, at an average of just under a decade old; then again, the delivery timeline on those planes remains to be seen
- The A350-1000s will become EVA Air’s new flagship aircraft, and will be used for service to key destinations, like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and more
- The A350-1000s will be used to replace 777s that were delivered prior to 2016; the 777s delivered in 2016 and beyond are getting brand new cabins as of 2026, and I imagine these will match the new A350 interiors
- This is a big win for Airbus, given that EVA Air has historically used Boeing aircraft for all of its long haul flights; maybe the 777X would’ve had a chance if it weren’t delayed by years, but really, the Airbus A350-1000 was the logical option, given the range EVA Air needs (which the 787-10 doesn’t offer)
- While EVA Air has a very modern fleet, it seems like what’s most in need of replacing are the A330s, which are used for high demand regional routes; an A330-900neo order seems to make the most sense there, or perhaps EVA Air will just boost its Boeing 787 order eventually (China Airlines is replacing its regional A330s with 787s)
- EVA Air offers one of the world’s best business class experiences, and I can’t wait for the airline to take that to the next level with the A350, as I’m sure the airline will introduce a spectacular new cabin product
Bottom line
EVA Air has placed an order for 33 Airbus jets, including 18 A350-1000s and 15 A321neos. The airline will use the A350-1000s as its new flagship aircraft, to replace older Boeing 777-300ERs, with the first delivery planned for 2026. Meanwhile EVA Air will use A321neos to replace older A321s.
EVA Air is already a spectacular carrier, and I can’t wait for the airline to take this to the next level with the A350-1000!
What do you make of EVA Air’s Airbus order?
Interesting about the comments about Hello Kitty. Actually, if it was just the plane that was painted as Hello Kitty then this would be one thing but everything inside is Hello Kitty and it is a bit much.
So then don't ride it. Problem solved.
Quite frankly, it's a great idea on their behalf, as it generates significant publicity
I don't think it is "exciting" - these jets will not feature some new or amazing configuration or products.
Wow. I didn’t expect EVA to get A350s. I would’ve thought they’d get the 777X given that they seem to be heading towards Boeing for their long haul fleet. I guess the A35K really is going to be the transpacific plane of the future. It seems like the big 3 Taiwanese airlines are in the process of collecting each other’s planes with CI getting 789s and A321neos and BR getting A35Ks and A321neos to replicate Starlux.
Boeing loosing with the overdelayed 777X
an A330-900neo order seems to make the most sense there, or perhaps EVA Air will just boost its Boeing 787 order eventually (China Airlines is replacing its regional A330s with 787s)
There's a reason for that:
The 787 fits within Taipei-Songshan's 60m wingspan limitation, and thus gives China Airlines the ability to operate regional widebodies from there as well, whereas the A330N does not.
For that reason, I'm betting EVA chooses (more) 787s as well.
The 787, particularly the -10, makes a perfect A330 replacement.
Hope it will not be decked out with Hello Kitty.
Even if they do (which they probably will), it'll only be on a few aircraft, hardly the whole fleet.
I hope it will. Airlines should do special things like that more often. Especially when you consider that the experience of air travel tends to have more negative connotations overall among the general public. Things like this would make flying feel more warm and friendly and less like “Blah Airlines”.
I just flew to Taiwan and Thailand on BR B777's. They are worn out and beat up. They need to be upgraded one way or the other. The choice A-350 is interesting in that it does appear they are trying to keep up with Starlux, who's operating brand new A-350's.
Of all the reasons that could've led them to choose the A350, that's probably the least likely.
Kind of ironic. CEO ousts son from his airline due to a family feud, his son proceeds to start a competing airline, then gets the newest generation aircraft for said competing airline, then this provokes the father, realizing his airline’s fleet isn’t as modern, to try to compete with his son’s airline by ordering the same exact aircraft a couple years later.
Strategic buy in the literal sense of the word. Thats all this was. Making massive business deals with Europe gives Europe a reason to take a greater interest in Taiwan's defense. Its creating economic allies. The more vested Europe becomes in Taiwan's economy the stronger Taiwan becomes. Only a buffoon would look at this from an airline hard product/soft product standpoint.
It doesn't matter really....
The same thing could be said if BR procured planes from Boeing.... "Taiwan needs to order American planes because of national strategic interests..."
Why is it that any time there's an 'X Airline chooses Airbus over Boeing', there'll always be someone like this who will find some ludicrous reason to somehow link it to geopolitical factors when there's absolutely nothing to prove that.
First with the Air France-KLM order, then with the JAL order. Now this one. Maybe its as simple as the fact that the A35K just suited their needs more over anything Boeing offered.
Well CI ordered 787s just a few months ago and people were commenting about how it was partly motivated by the need to strengthen the US’s alliance with Taiwan so this viewpoint about Europe and Taiwan doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
But the real question is, will they have Hello Kitty A350s?
I sure hope so. I love the concept of the Hello Kitty partnership. It’s a great way to market the airline. At this point it’s kind of like what the Singapore Girls are to Singapore Airlines and Mickey Mouse is to Disney. Livening up the perception is especially critical for service based industries like air travel where companies tend to make “most hated” lists.
“ I can’t wait to see what kind of a product EVA Air introduces on its A350s; the airline already has one of the world’s best business class products, and I imagine the new product will mark a significant improvement”
It will come with a (symbolic) door ;)
And with a name of “xxx suite”
"Infinity ComfortLands Suite"
The A350-1000 is becoming THE large widebody twin aircraft of the market.
I was waiting for your comment anxiously. But i expected a detailed one. You are right though. The Airbus A350-1000 is a very nice aircraft and it is getting orders. We should expect more orders at the Dubai Air Show next week.
It’s very quickly gaining ground. Honestly I expected the 777X to be the dominant high capacity long haul plane for the next generation but that hasn’t really been the case. You look at all the 77Es still flying and you’d think there’s a good market for the 777-8 but it seems like airlines are content replacing them with 787s or A350s instead.
Why would you expect a rehash of extant model to dominate a clean-sheet design though?
The A321ceos in EVA fleet are actually all leased - so EVA indeed do need to replace them in some way even though they're still relatively young. (They are intended as a short term fix to replace the MD90s introduced in mid-90s - A320neos and B737Max are on the horizon at that time.)
The fact that EVA has show no intention on continuing the lease of those A321s and returned a few to lessors...
The A321ceos in EVA fleet are actually all leased - so EVA indeed do need to replace them in some way even though they're still relatively young. (They are intended as a short term fix to replace the MD90s introduced in mid-90s - A320neos and B737Max are on the horizon at that time.)
The fact that EVA has show no intention on continuing the lease of those A321s and returned a few to lessors tells that extending lease is not the preferred option. Enthusiasits in Taiwan has also been speculating who would succeed those narrowbodies in EVA fleet - though A321neos has always gained the upper hand. The delivery schedule of 2029-2032 do show how well A321neo is selling and it is rumoured that lease for 12 A321ceos will have to be extended to cover the time.
The A350s, slated to deliver between 2026 and 2030, are a bit suprising, but not so much since EVA early 77W indeed are reaching it's time and A350-1000 are the most logical option in the market at the moment - 777X are not showing signs of entry into service and 787-10 did not have the range.
It's essentially beyond debate at this point that the A350 has the potential for a more comfortable cabin as compared to the 787.
What does this mean?
If you look at Carriers like AF or BA that use both aircraft, the seat widths are identical on both planes (AF is 17.3 a350 vs 17.2” on the 789; BA is identical)
You can find users of either plane that cram seats in like French Bee with the a350 or Jetstar with the 787 but in terms of “potential”, the a350 seems to be the plane with the...
What does this mean?
If you look at Carriers like AF or BA that use both aircraft, the seat widths are identical on both planes (AF is 17.3 a350 vs 17.2” on the 789; BA is identical)
You can find users of either plane that cram seats in like French Bee with the a350 or Jetstar with the 787 but in terms of “potential”, the a350 seems to be the plane with the potential to be less comfortable since I can’t find a ULCC 787 that has a 3-4-3 layout in economy but the a350 does allow it: French bee:
There may be a 787 operator that does that but I’m not sure who it is. Norse, JQ, and Scoot don’t on their 787s.
Obviously, network Carriers utilizing the a350 aren’t doing that but their seat widths are the same on carriers with both aircraft and the potential of a 3-4-3 layout seems to be exclusive to the a350
Both great planes though. Loved my FJ trip on the a350
You're only thinking Economy though. In the classes that the airlines (through their actions) actually care about, First and Business, the A350 can indeed offer a (literally) wider breadth of options. We see this with the likes of Qatar, and even Lufthansa.
The A350 was a surprise because of the engine choice. I thought they had some sort of agreement or exclusivity rights with GE, no? First ever aircraft for them with Rolls? The neos weren't really surprising as the 321s are getting up in age.
I don’t know about EVA Air but I know Korean Air doesn’t operate any aircraft with RR engines because they don’t have in-house maintenance facilities that work with it. This is why they don’t operate the A350. I wonder if it’s a similar situation with EVA Air. Their A321s have CFM engines (which GE has a stake in) and I expect their neos to have LEAP 1As to maintain commonality.
This inhouse maintenance issue obviously does matter if the merger with Asiana goes through?