As far as I can tell from my Analytics dashboard, many of you who now read this blog regularly arrived after having come across my EVA Air review in a Google search. This means a lot to me, among other reasons because I actually took the flight I cover in that review before I even spun this site off from my original travel blog.
At the same time, it is a bit…shall we say, old? EVA has introduced an entirely new business class since then, albeit one found only on its 787 fleet.
The good news? I’ve now experienced that product a few times, and have even written a dedicated review about it. The better (and, frankly, surprising news? My conclusion upon comparing EVA Air 787 vs 777 is likely not the one you’d expect me to reach.
Where EVA Air Flies its 787s
The first question you need to ask, before you even dig into the details of this post, is whether you will fly on EVA Air 787 or 777? As of 2026, the 777 remains the backbone of EVA’s long haul fleet, and serves the majority of its overseas destinations in North America and Europe. Exceptions to this rule include Seattle (served by the 787-9 and -10) and Dallas (served by the 787-9), as well as Brisbane and Vienna.
EVA’s Dreamliner is more common on (and, for reasons I’ll explain shortly, more fitting for) regional routes, with the most common ones being the links between Taipei’s and Tokyo’s two airports. The plane also cycles between rotations on other flights within Asia, although the allocation seems to be somewhat random in recent months (again, it’s 2026 as I’m writing this) that I’ve been monitoring it.
Ways to Compare EVA Air’s 787 Business Class with the 777s
Configuration
The good news? Unlike one some EVA aircraft, all of the carrier’s 787 and 777 planes are in a 1-2-1 configuration—every seat has direct aisle access. However, while the 777 seats are reverse-herringbone (in other words, every seat is exactly the same, though some are mirror images of one another), the 787’s staggered configuration sees some seats offer from the aisle or window.
Seat
Digging more deeply into the seats on the EVA Air 787 and 777, there are other important differences. The 777’s seat is frankly larger and, while it’s more “open,” it’s important to note that the 787’s staggered suites aren’t especially private—they don’t have doors. They are a bit claustrophobic, however, which was particularly noticeable on the epic 16-hour flight from Dallas to Taipei.
Ambiance
I can’t lie: The 787 cabin is beautiful, with dark and metallic finishes that create a moody atmosphere, which manages to suit both the lack of light on long haul, nighttime flights to North America, and the bright sunshine that permeates services within Asia, and many of the ones to Europe. By contrast, the 777 cabin feels dated and even retro, with a mix of beige, gray and green you might even describe as gaudy.
Sleep quality
If you’re of relatively normal height and have a more or less strong bladder, you might not notice a difference between sleep quality on the EVA Air 777 vs 787. Crew can put a mattress pad on the beds of both planes, and although the 777 seat might be a bit less comfortable, that’s offset due to higher cabin humidity, which makes sleeping easier. On the other hand, if you need up at all in the nighttime, the cramped 787 seats make this more disruptive on the 777, particular on ones closer to the window.
Entertainment
EVA’s 787s are, on average, a decade newer than the 777-300ER aircraft. As a result, it isn’t surprising that screens on the former are both larger and more high-res than on the former. The selection of entertainment is the same (and, frankly, mediocre) on both, but if this is something you value, the 787 clearly wins. This is likewise the case for Wi-Fi, which is much faster and more reliable on the Dreamliner than it is on the 77W.
Will EVA Introduce A New Business Class With Its A350s?
EVA Air will take delivery of its first A350-1000 aircraft in early 2027, which is only about a year off from when I’m writing this post. Eventually, this aircraft will become its flagship, and take over most it not all routes currently served by the 777-300ER. Logic would tell us that EVA Air will introduce a new business class with this plane, although that is far from guaranteed. As far as I’m concerned, there are two likely outcomes.
The first is that the airline merely “updated” the finished on the existing product on the EVA Air 777 or 787, meaning the standard issue reverse-herringbone, or the staggered seat on the Dreamliner, potentially adding a door to whichever one it chooses. The second is that it introduces an off-the-rack product, perhaps the Adient Ascent seat that’s currently being rolled out as part of the fleet refresh strategies of American, United and Alaska.
Other FAQ About EVA Air 777 and 787
Is EVA Air Boeing 777 or 787 better?
Although EVA Air’s Dreamliners are newer and feature a more modern, aesthetically pleasing interior, I actually vastly prefer the 777-300ER for seat size and comfort. This distinction is less important on short flights within Asia, but on long haul flights moving forward, I will always choose the 777W when I can, at least until the A350-1000 debuts in 2027.
Which EVA Air plane has the best business class?
EVA’s 787 Dreamliner business class is visually sleek, and features a “staggered” product that it more private than the older reverse-herringbone seats on its 777-300ER aircraft. However, the seats on the latter planes are more spacious and comfortable, which makes them better for me on long flights, in spite of a more dated cabin and very old IFE system.
Which EVA Air plane is best?
On the whole, EVA’s newer 787 Dreamliners are probably a “better” plane than its 777-300ER workhorses, with more modern and aesthetically pleasing cabins, better inflight entertainment and higher cabin humidity leading to less jet lag. With this being said, I prefer the 777-300ER when flying in business class, on account of larger and more comfortable seats.
The Bottom Line
So, how does the EVA Air 787 vs 777 shake out? Well, I can’t talk much smack about EVA’s 787 business class product, which is solid (especially on shorter, regional routes) and certainly beautiful to look at. With this being said, I’ve concluded that I find the “old” 777 product to be much more comfortable on longer routes—it’s much more spacious, without being significantly less private—in spite of the cabin itself looking far more outdated, and the IFE interface being much less modern. I’m excited to see how EVA will continue to innovate with the introduction of its A350s later this decade. Need help planning your Taiwan trip? Consider commissioning a custom Taiwan itinerary!
