The first time I flew EVA Air—in business class, this is—I wasn’t sure what to think. At the time (December 2019), I’d say the airline was one of the most hyped in the world, certainly among people like me. In other words, 30-something Western expats in Asia.
I no longer live in Asia full-time; I’m not in my 30s anymore. And yet in spite of the fact that EVA Air itself has changed very little since the pre-Covid era, I’ve come to appreciate it more for what it is.
Rather than constituting a review of a single flight, the impressions of EVA Air business class are the result of nearly a decade of experience: Long-haul and short haul; 777 and 787; and in the context of my having flown some of Asia’s (and the world’s) best first and business class products in the interim.
My Many Journeys in EVA Air Business Class
I published my first EVA Air business class review—the original iteration of this post—in the early days on 2020, on the EVA of the coronavirus pandemic. I was lukewarm about the experience I’d just had: I’d flown a late-night departure, so service was abbreviated; I was going “home” (well, in a sense–I was living in Taipei, but flying back to the US) rather than traveling, so I wasn’t that excited. More than anything, the review ended up being irrelevant—Taiwan remained closed for literal years.
Since then, I’ve taken many more journeys in EVA’s business class, from regional 787 segments between Taiwan, Japan and Southeast Asia, to additional long haul flights—from San Francisco and Chicago on the 777; between Taipei and Dallas several times on the 787-9. And while each flight has had its own unique…flavor, the reality is that my overall impression of EVA Air has mostly remained unchanged, even if it’s now much more positive than neutral.
5 Things to Know About EVA Air’s Business Class
The food and drink are fantastic
I literally cannot remember all the amazing food I’ve had onboard EVA Air, from lobster, to rack-of-lamb, to cornbread pancakes, a specialty that seems tailor made for the city I was flying from (Dallas) but yet is something I’d never eaten anywhere else. EVA Air also offers some of the most expensive champagne in any business class, i.e. Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame. Even if you’re an airplane food skeptic, EVA Air’s catering is simply some of the best in the world.
The lounge and in-flight entertainment? Not so much.
The same cannot be said for either EVA’s various airport lounges (although the one at Bangkok, their secondary hub in Asia, is much better than any of the ones in Taipei) or the inflight entertainment, which is anemic in quantity and questionable in quality. Neither of these things comes even closer to the bar set by the rest of EVA business class, although to be fair few East Asian airlines are known for have great entertainment.
Seats vary greatly
The good news? All of EVA Air’s longhaul aircraft (which, as of 2026, consistent entirely of 777-300ER and 787-9/10 aircraft) feature fully-flat beds with direct aisle access. Even better, when the A350-1000 fleet starts coming online in late 2026, they’ll be equipped with doored suites. Anyway, I bring this up because some people take exception with the older reverse-herringbone seats onboard the 77W aircraft, even if I honestly prefer them to the 787’s staggered configuration.
(So, too, can service)
Seats, of course, are very easy to predict, even if you’re unlucky enough to board one of EVA’s remaining regional A330 aircraft that still has angled-flat seats in 2-2-2. I’m speaking, of course, about service. Taiwanese friends have told me for years that cabin crew (not only in EVA Air business, but across the company) can be cold or indifferent, but I mostly didn’t notice this. However, that’s changed a lot post-pandemic. Some are simply shy and don’t speak great English, while one actually accused me of “sexual harassment” for taking a photo that was clearly of a champagne bottle, and not her face. (I’m also clearly a homosexual, though that’s a topic for another post).
It’s the best way from the US to Southeast Asia
As of 2026, if you’re coming from the US, you don’t need to re-clear security in order to transfer in Taipei. You simply walk out into the terminal as if you were connecting domestically in the US. This is a slightly longer process on the way back, though in my experience transit security is both lax and extremely quick. These facts, combined with the fact that a stop in Taiwan minimizes the length of intra-Asia flights, makes Taoyuan Airport the best place to connect between the US and Southeast Asia, by far.
How to Book EVA Air Business Class With Miles
EVA Air is good-to-excellent, but it’s expensive-to-exorbitant if you book if with cash. Here are some of my favorite ways to book EVA business class with miles:
- Depending on the route, you can fly EVA in business from between 30,000-102,500 Air Canada Aeroplan miles one way. Note that this reflects the 2026 devaluation.
- If you have miles with EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (which can be transferred from Citi ThankYou), rates run between 25,000-80,000 one-way, depending on your origin and destination. You can also use miles to upgrade.
- United MileagePlus miles can be cumbersome to accumulate, but if you hold a co-branded credit card, you can pretty reliably score one-way transpacific EVA Air business class for 100,000 miles. Regional flights are poorer value.
Other FAQ About Flying EVA Air Business Class
Is EVA Air business class good?
EVA Air business class is consistent. This is boring to some (such as those who prefer flashier products like Qatar Airways Q-Suite, or the over-the-top service of Emirates) and crucial to others like me, who fly primarily to and from Asia, and want a guaranteed baseline level of excellence.
What is EVA Air business class like?
EVA Air business class features fantastic food and some of the best food in the sky, with service that ranges from detached (but professional) to personable, and seats that are competitive but not cutting edge. Its Taipei hub is perhaps the best place to connect between North America and Southeast Asia, no matter your travel class.
Is EVA Air business class worth it?
EVA Air business class certainly presents an excellent value if you are traveling with miles, or if you can score an exceptional fare paying outright—anything under 3,000 USD round-trip between Asia and the US, or vice-versa. Cash fares are generally very expensive, however, and may only be “worth it” if you are truly a person of means.
The Bottom Line
EVA Air Business Class might not be the best in the world, but it is remarkable consistent—between flights, yes, but also over time. I’ve been flying EVA’s business class for nearly a decade, both on long haul flights from the US to Taiwan, but also within Asia. Whether I’m flying the newer 787 or the older 777, and regardless of whether I originate in San Francisco, Singapore or Sapporo, EVA Air’s offerings are basically the same every time: Excellent food; good (but not always great) service; and a competitive (if not necessarily cutting-edge) cabin. Need personalized help planning out your trip to Taiwan? Consider enlisting my assistance!
