Flying Business Class with EVA Air: From Bangkok to Taipei

Flight Overview

My 3.5-hour journey from Bangkok to Taipei aboard an EVA Air 777 in the "Royal Laurel" Business Class was a smooth and relaxing experience, featuring attentive service and a delicious dinner. I booked my trip from Bangkok (BKK) to Taipei (TPE) to Chicago (ORD) using 87,500 Aeroplan miles from Air Canada and paid only 34.40 CAD in taxes, making this high-quality flying experience quite economical.

Before my flight, I took some time to unwind at the Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge, where I enjoyed snacks and beverages in a comfortable setting. Soon, I was off to Taipei on my EVA flight. Although I had hoped for a Boeing 787-10, the available 777-300ER provided a memorable experience nonetheless.

Flight Details

EVA Air Flight 68 from Bangkok (BKK) to Taipei (TPE) departed at 5:15 PM and was scheduled to arrive at 9:50 PM. The total flight time was 3 hours and 35 minutes, covering a distance of 1,049 miles. I was seated in 11K, one of the "Royal Laurel" Business Class seats.

Seating Space

The Business Class cabin of the EVA Air 777 features 39 seats arranged in a reverse herringbone layout, each with direct aisle access and a high level of privacy. These seats are designed by Zodiac Cirrus, a popular choice among various airlines. I selected the last available window seat in the rear row. The Business Class cabin was fully booked, a testament to its appeal.

The seats have a pitch of 43 inches and a width of 20 inches, converting into fully flat beds. While they may not be brand new, they remain among the most comfortable seats available today. Although legroom appeared limited, I found it comfortable enough to relax. EVA also provides large pillows and blankets, which made it easy for me to doze off for an hour after dinner, although the blanket felt a bit small for me.

Cuisine and Beverages

Upon boarding, passengers were offered a welcome drink; I chose bottled water along with a cold towel. Dinner was served shortly after takeoff, featuring a three-course meal. I had pre-ordered the salmon dish, and a menu was placed at each seat, along with a separate wine list.

The meal began with warm bread and a salmon appetizer wrapped in cream cheese and dill. The main course was seabass accompanied by vegetables and lobster sauce, which was delightful. Noticing I was eating quickly, the flight attendant asked if I wanted to try the stuffed roasted chicken, and I gladly accepted. The chicken was even better than the fish! I concluded my meal with fresh fruit and a cup of green tea.

Entertainment and Wi-Fi

EVA Air offers free and unlimited Wi-Fi for all passengers on equipped aircraft. Although the speed wasn't the fastest, I was able to check my emails and messages easily throughout the flight. The in-flight entertainment system (IFE) featured a 15.4-inch HD screen with movies, TV shows, music, games, and flight maps. Noise-canceling headphones were also provided and worked effectively.

Other Amenities

On this short flight, there were no amenity kits, but each seat came with slippers. The Business Class cabin has three restrooms, and the one located at the rear was spacious and accessible for passengers with disabilities. Amenities included beauty products from the Australian company Ideology.

Service Review

The service on this flight was outstanding, with a dedicated and attentive crew. I particularly appreciated how the flight attendants inquired about my meal preferences and made every effort to provide excellent service. This created a positive and memorable impression of their customer care.

Conclusion

We landed on time in Taipei, and I quickly completed my immigration process. While the seat design felt a bit dated, the overall service and experience made EVA Air stand out compared to many other airlines. This experience left me eager for my longer flight to Chicago the following evening on the same aircraft.

Article references and edits from: Live and Let's Fly