EVA Air’s enterprise class on the Boeing 787-ten Dreamliner has a sleek cabin paired with top rated-notch buyer service, enjoyable meals and comfy bedding, but lacks a couple of essential elements that would make it a actually luxurious practical experience.

Pros:

• Comfy seats with a wise design and style and plush bedding.
• Exceptional buyer service and scrumptious meals.
• Higher-finish amenities like designer pajamas and Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits.

Cons:

• Disappointing lounges, with crowded spaces and restricted meals choice.
• Subpar inflight entertainment alternatives.
• Costly and slow Wi-Fi.

How significantly does it price to book enterprise class on EVA Air?

I redeemed 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for a one particular-way redemption from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Right here is a snapshot of what paid fares on this identical route are like more than the subsequent year as nicely as some award redemption alternatives applying points and miles from two of EVA’s Star Alliance partners’ frequent-flyer applications, Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus.

ClassEconomyPremium economyOrganizationAirfare$900-1,800.$1,900-two,500.$five,400-7,000.Aeroplan points50,000 points + $82 taxes.Not offered at time of publication.75,000 points + $82 taxes.United MileagePlus miles38,500 miles + $39 taxes.Not offered at time of publication.88,000 miles + $39 taxes.

The most up-to-date EVA Air enterprise class (or “Royal Laurel Class,” as the airline calls it) seats are discovered on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 and 787-ten aircraft. At the time of writing, Seattle is the only North American location exactly where these planes operate. You can also come across these jets on flights to Brisbane, Australia (BNE), and on choose European and Asian routes.

Organization class on EVA Air. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

EVA serves other U.S. cities, which includes Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with the airline’s older enterprise-class seats aboard (pictured beneath). These nevertheless present direct-aisle access in a 1-two-1 setup but have reverse herringbone seats that have certainly been in service for longer.

Older enterprise-class seats on EVA Air. ETHAN STEINBERG/THE POINTS GUY

Flying out of Seattle, you will get a contemporary onboard item but, however, a lackluster lounge. Flying out of the other cities (except New York-JFK) will get you an older seat but also access to United Airlines’ exceptional Polaris lounges.

A Polaris lounge. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY.

EVA Air is aspect of Star Alliance, which means you can use points and miles with companion airlines to book an award redemption. 1 of the ideal redemptions is applying 95,000 ANA Mileage Club miles for a round-trip enterprise-class flight amongst North America and Taipei. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to ANA, but note a 48-hour transfer time.

You can also use 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles for a one particular-way redemption, which is what I did. You can transfer points to Aeroplan from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital 1 Miles. Add a stopover in Taipei just before a connecting flight elsewhere for only five,000 added points.

Avianca LifeMiles charges 83,000 miles and United MileagePlus demands 88,000 miles for one particular-way redemptions amongst the U.S. and Taiwan.

Along with your seat, here’s what other amenities and solutions an EVA Air enterprise-class ticket contains.

Organization classSeat choice/priceCabin baggage allowance/priceChecked baggage allowance/priceMoney fares$.two pieces (15 lbs/7 kg every single) + one particular individual item.two pieces (70 lbs/32 kg every single.)Redemptions$.two pieces (15 lbs/7 kg every single) + one particular individual item.two pieces. (70 lbs/32 kg every single.)

Checking into and boarding enterprise class on EVA Air

EVA Air’s ground practical experience can differ based on your departure point, but enterprise-class passengers can count on the following solutions.

Priority boarding.Yes.Boarding group.Quantity 1.Lounge offered.Yes (The Infinity and The Star.)Does the airline participate in TSA PreCheck?Yes.

I began my journey in Da Nang, Vietnam, flying on China Airlines to Taipei, exactly where I had a 3-hour layover just before my onward flight to Seattle on EVA. It was an straightforward 12-minute transfer by foot from Terminal 1 to Terminal two, which includes passing by means of safety.

I was in a position to verify into my EVA flight on-line 24 hours just before the flight, and the China Airlines verify-in agent in Da Nang interlined my checked bag onto my EVA flight without the need of my needing to choose it up in Taipei.

A terminal in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

Normally, a 3-hour layover is not some thing to appear forward to, but I had higher hopes for EVA’s enterprise-class lounge, provided that Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is its key hub. Sadly, I was pretty disappointed (and upon investigation into on-line evaluations, I am not the only one particular).

There are 4 EVA-branded lounges at TPE. The most premium one particular is known as The Garden and is only accessible by top rated-tier EVA Infinity MileageLands Diamond elites.

Signage for EVA-branded lounges at TPE. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

Subsequent is The Infinity, which Star Alliance initial- and enterprise-class passengers can access along with Infinity MileageLands Gold and Star Alliance Gold elites. I have to say that this is one particular of the most disappointing Star Alliance enterprise-class lounges that I’ve come across in a hub.

The late evening is one particular of the busiest banks of departures for EVA, with 4 flights to the West Coast of North America (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver) all departing inside half an hour of every single other. This indicates that through my pay a visit to at ten p.m., the lounge was crowded, with just one particular substantial sitting space and a wait for showers. The meals choice was pretty restricted, apart from the self-service ice cream station by Movenpick.

So what are the options? Initially, you could cross the hallway into The Star. The lounge is accessible to Star Alliance Gold elites, even if they are not flying in a premium class of service. Although technically, it really is an inferior lounge, it is significantly less crowded and provides equivalent meals alternatives to The Infinity. There is also The Club, an EVA lounge for its MileageLands Silver elites, even though I did not pay a visit to it on my layover.

A different answer — if you have a card that grants you access, like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Capital 1 Venture X Rewards Credit Card— is to stroll two minutes to the Plaza Premium Lounge. You will come across a far more tranquil space with a superior meals choice, which includes a created-to-order noodle bar. If you are seeking to freshen up, there are private nap rooms and hot showers, and there was no wait to use them. Retain in thoughts that this lounge closes at 11 p.m.

I discovered most passengers currently at the gate one particular hour just before departure due to the added measures passengers need to pass by means of there. There is an person passport verify at every single gate. Gate regions are crowded and bathed with vibrant fluorescent lighting (not best for late-evening departures), with only restricted seating and energy outlets, so charge your devices beforehand. There are separate lines for enterprise- and economy-class passengers.

How comfy was enterprise class on EVA Air?

Quantity of seats.34.Cabin layout.1-two-1.Seat pitch76 inches.Seat recline/Totally flatFully flat.Seat width.23 inches.Screen size.18 inches.

Upon boarding, I discovered a sleek, appealing enterprise-class cabin with design and style components that created me really feel like I was in a luxury auto … that would fly by means of the atmosphere. The cabin felt fresh and nicely-maintained, displaying minimal indicators of put on and tear. The seat numbers displayed in a space-themed font added a touch of charm.

Organization class on this plane is in a single cabin and options seats from BMW Designworks. They are staggered in a 1-two-1 configuration, with direct aisle access for all passengers. The seats really feel equivalent to the Vantage XL seats you will come across in Qantas enterprise class and SAS enterprise class.

Thanks to muted colour scheme with accents of green, the seats really feel sophisticated and have comfy padding, but the headrests can’t be adjusted. I discovered it straightforward to get in and out of my seat to use the restroom thanks to direct aisle access, and I particularly enjoyed the massage function. The little privacy screen that slides out amongst center seats need to be stowed for takeoff and landing but I’d propose applying it to produce that “cocoon” feeling when you are in the air.

Very best seats for solo travelers.A and K seats in Rows two, five, 7 and 9.Very best seats for couples.Any pair of D and G seats in Rows three-9.Seats to keep away from.Rows 1-two and ten.

The ideal seats for solo travelers are these with wider armrests along the aisle and the seat closer to the wall of the cabin.

1 of the ideal seats for solo travelers, subsequent to the wall. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

If you are traveling accompanied, your ideal alternatives are center seats. A retractable privacy divider can be deployed if you require a small alone time. Like the seats along the sides of the aircraft, some are closer to the aisle than other individuals, thanks to one particular armrest getting wider than the other.

Center seats with privacy screen. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

The initial and final rows must be avoided due to the light and noise coming from the galleys. I would particularly keep away from the bulkhead seats in Row two as a vibrant EVA Air motif is not turned off when passengers are sleeping.

When it really is time for bed, the cabin crew will offer turndown service, and this is a wonderful time to go to the lavatory to modify into your pajamas. You will return to a completely-created bed, which includes a pillow, duvet and mattress pad, while the latter is disappointingly thin and fails to offer adequate cushioning. The duvet is one particular of the plushest I have come across in the sky, having said that, generating it really feel like a cloud is floating on top rated of you. You can ask the cabin crew for a second pillow for added head help.

Although legroom was not an concern for a individual of five feet, 11 inches, the top rated half of my physique felt slightly cramped in the narrow bed setup. Also, it would have been handy to have the alternative to tilt the screen downwards for less complicated viewing when falling asleep.

When it really is time for sleep, you can appreciate glowing stars on the ceiling. But as you can see from the light emanating from the front galley, it really is ideal to opt for a seat in the center or back of the cabin.

The inflight entertainment touchscreen is substantial, crisp, and close adequate to handle from your seat, even though there is also a remote. Sadly, the Western film and tv series choice is restricted. Nevertheless, I did like the novel prompt of deciding on what to watch according to my mood (in my case, “fantastic” + a small tipsy = rom-com).

Searching about the seat, you will come across just one particular universal energy outlet and one particular USB port on the edge of your side table. The seat controls are straightforward to use and pretty responsive, with preset positions for takeoff and landing, a lounging recline and lie-flat mode as nicely as a do-not-disturb button.

The handheld remote for the entertainment program has a crispy show, but you most likely will not require to use it unless you are in lie-flat mode and watching some thing on the screen. The little compartment at the back of the bigger armrest is sizable adequate for a couple of little water bottles, an amenity kit, or a tablet device, but laptops are ideal stowed in your carry-on baggage in the overhead bins, offered each above the aisle and the center of the cabin. There are no person air nozzles, but I discovered the cabin temperature cooler and comfy.

The tray table pulls out from the substantial armrest is strong and steady. I particularly appreciate how far forward and back it could be moved, providing you flexibility if you want to consume in an upright or reclined position.

Tray table. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

There are 3 bathrooms in the enterprise-class cabin (one particular at the front and two in the rear) for the 34 passengers. The rear bathrooms had been exclusively for these in the enterprise-class cabin I saw no premium economy passengers walking up to these.

There was seldom a line for the lavatories, and they had been generally spotless. Flight attendants place out points like added toothbrushes and mouthwash to supplement your individual amenity kit soon after takeoff, and you will come across handwash and lotion from Belgian brand 4711. It warmed my heart to see the cabin crew patiently assisting a substantial quantity of elderly passengers with help moving to and from the bathroom.

Amenities in EVA Air enterprise class

The really hard-shell Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit EVA Air enterprise-class passengers obtain is one particular of the nicest I’ve come across and has an particularly comfy eye mask and nifty comb with a constructed-in mirror. The style house’s Bianco di Carrara lip balm, physique lotion and face mist had been excellent, also.

The noise-canceling headphones enterprise-class passengers obtain for use through the flight are pretty comfy. Nevertheless, I would have liked them to go louder and to be in a position to modify the volume with one particular touch.

EVA is one particular of only a handful of airlines nevertheless providing out pajamas to their enterprise-class passengers. The Jason Wu-branded pajama set I received was the most appealing I’ve observed from an airline, thanks to the contrasting pop of colour in the pant pockets and the exceptional hoodie function on the top rated. You will also get some comfy slippers to put on.

Sadly, onboard Wi-Fi is costly and slow on EVA. An limitless information strategy for the whole flight (known as the “Ultimate Strategy”) charges $39.95, with 30-300MB plans costing $four.95-$29.95. I topped out at two.three/.four Mbps download/upload speeds, which is woeful. You will want to produce an account (not verify out as a guest) when generating your obtain so that you can switch amongst devices applying the identical strategy.

How was the meals in EVA Air enterprise class?

1 would believe that a extremely-rated airline would serve their enterprise-class passengers sparkling wine that charges far more than $12 a bottle, but that seemed to be the default on my flight with Perelada Brut Reserva Cava.

Nevertheless, you can also opt for one particular of the fancier beverages on the wine list that you can access by means of the touchscreen. On my flight, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Champagne, which retails for more than $200 a bottle, was also offered.

Involving 30 days and 72 hours just before departure, passengers can preorder meals from an expansive menu, which includes dishes that are not usually loaded for the flight, such as poached lobster and butternut squash with pumpkin ravioli. I booked my ticket by means of an alliance companion and did not spend adequate interest to this alternative when managing my booking on the EVA Air site, so I had to make do with day-of alternatives.

Nevertheless, the cabin crew was delighted to give me a printed menu, and my initial alternatives for each dinner and breakfast had been offered.

For dinner, passengers could appreciate:

• Hors d’oeuvre: Goose liver mousse, smoked salmon and Champagne jelly.
• Appetizer: Shrimp and crab meat in an egg crepe parcel and goat cheese in a mini tartlet.
• Major course: Broiled pork spare ribs with green peppercorn sauce and vegetables stir-fried shrimp with vegetables, rice and quinoa or home-steamed chicken noodle soup.
• Dessert: Toffee cake with sesame crisp, fruit, or a Suzhou-style mooncake with sesame paste filling.

For the pre-landing meal, the alternatives had been:

• Chinese meal: Congee with braised tofu and shiitake mushroom, scrambled egg with shrimp and asparagus, and conventional side dishes.
• Western meal: Iberian pork and smoked chicken with vegetables, mussels and squid with a kalamata olive and tomato concasse and rosemary potatoes.
• “Royal Laurel Unique:” Noodle soup with pork spare ribs, lotus seed and wolfberry.

My dinner, which includes the stir-fried shrimp, burst with flavor in just about every course, with the highlights getting a shrimp and crab crepe parcel and a chamomile-infused praline toffee cake. I woke up to braised tofu and mushrooms with congee and a sweet, creamy matcha green tea for breakfast. The meals had been fairly filling and scrumptious.

Dinner did not begin till an hour soon after takeoff (due to turbulence) and completed an hour soon after that. Dinner courses had been delivered on person plates with breakfast on a single tray to maximize sleep time, and the cabin crew seemed to retain fantastic tabs on exactly where passengers had been at with their meals, proactively providing drink and bread refills as nicely as moving by means of courses in an effective but unrushed manner. There had been also different snacks place out amongst meal solutions for passengers to nibble on through the lengthy middle portion of the flight.

I only wished the flight attendants had been far more proactive about clearing empty glasses and, if I am nitpicking, pouring beer at an angle so as to lower the head.

Would you propose EVA Air enterprise class?

I would unquestionably propose flying EVA Air enterprise class amongst the U.S. and Asia. You will get exceptional buyer service, scrumptious meals and comfy bedding and pajamas. Nevertheless, go in with low expectations of the airline’s lounges in Taipei and attempt to pay a visit to the Plaza Premium Lounge if you have access.

EVA Air logo and light. MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUY

It would be ideal to aim to fly the airline’s Boeing 787-9 or 787-ten aircraft as these jets function significantly far more updated seats than the ones discovered on most North American routes flown by the Boeing 777-300ER.

All in all, having said that, I am excited to fly EVA once again on future trips to Asia. I would appear forward to the scrumptious Taiwanese dining alternatives and top rated-notch service. I spent a month traveling by means of Taiwan a couple of years ago and believe flying EVA there is a wonderful way to get into the neighborhood practical experience — even just before you step off the plane.