Originally intended as an all 747 trip on EVA Air and United back to the US, best laid plans should be broken at times. Morning weather in Taipei was gloomy and windy (which cleared by the time I made the flight change), so I decided to try for Shanghai early. A quick check on ExpertFlyer showed plenty of business class seats on a 1PM departure that featured EVA's 777 with Cirrus business class seats, opposed to the old Premium Laurel business class in the 747.
My first attempt at the change didn't pan out. The agent said because United issued my ticket I needed to contact United for a flight change. Knowing that flying standby on day of departure is typically allowed, I approached another agent. Within two minutes my boarding pass was in hand for seat 1A on the 1PM departure.
Caution to TPE travelers. Give yourself time to pass security and immigration. Lines can be long and in this case canceled my visit to the Royal Laurel VIP Lounge in Terminal 2. I arrived at the gate a few minutes before boarding.
Boarding commenced on time for this flight of 419 miles, which is barely enough time to take your shoes off. Fortunately a "detour" was made giving a few more minutes to enjoy the premium services EVA Air has to offer.
Royal Laurel Class on the 777 aircraft occupies two cabins. In front of door two is the main cabin of 6 window seat rows and 7 center seat rows. (One version of the 777 has a window seat in row 7 on the right side.) The mini-cabin is 4 rows behind door two. I prefer the front cabin as it's much quieter. Total J seats are either 38 or 39. This triple seven was a 39 seat version.
You can see the row 7 window seat behind the FA in this photo.
Center seats offer good privacy.
A view from 1A.
Behind seat 6A is a large lavatory best described as handicap accessible.
Seat 1A was waiting for me with a large pillow and blanket.
The Cirrus business class seat is an outstanding seat, second only to B/E's Super Diamond in my opinion.
Storage for your shoes, or other items can be found below the side table under the monitor.
The footwell offers a reasonable amount of space but does narrow at the end. There is a lower rest for those that want an angle position.
If there is a knock to the EVA design it would be the monitor. At 15.4 inches it seemed small, but isn't. I guess I'm scarred for life after JAL's 22 inch behemoth. It's touch screen and HD. The knock is it must be stowed on take-off and landing. The new versions apparently do not, as on Cathay's A350 flight they were allowed extended. Anyway, minor detail.
Monitor clarity is good for the window being open. Just enjoy the ride.
I guess it makes sense.
A clean design where everything is right next to you. No searching.
Clean design coat hook.
The armrest when raised which doesn't offer storage inside as does the B/E Super Diamond armrest. However now I'm wondering what the latch is for, I guess I need a longer flight to figure that out!
Expansive meal tray that easily slides out from underneath the side table.
Now it's time for some EVA Airways premium service.
Immediately on boarding the first of many oshibori was offered.
Slippers were handed out. Again, average flight time 83 minutes.
For a power nap.
Thunder and noise canceling seem to contradict each other, don't you think?
An extensive Wine and Beverage menu was distributed. Champagne de Castelnau was featured. I held fast to my usual.
An impressive selection of three lunch entrees were offered.
The menu was also "on-line".
I selected the "Green & Safe" chicken leg. I was hoping for the later, not the former.
Without delay a lovely young flight attendant appeared and pronounced "Your free range chicken lunch entree, please enjoy".
Except it looks like pork does it not? But the skin looks like chicken?? Nonetheless it had a mild flavor closer to chicken so…. Pretty good too, not gourmet but for an airline lunch, anytime.
It was accompanied by a small appetizer that did indeed have a pork along with Mozzarella cheese. Quite good.
And the obligatory dish of fruit as dessert along with a black coffee.
Upon completion oshibori #2 was placed on the table.
I mentioned a detour to enjoy the service.
Wi-Fi is available on EVA Air 777 aircraft for these prices. I did not test the connection, given the fact that it's not available over China and much of the flight path was over China.
83 minutes flies by when you have 3 oshibori to deal with as well as a full course lunch, and take your shoes off.
As with my prior EVA Air long haul flight, the flight attendants on this short flight in business class were attentive, polite and willing to converse with you. The cabin had about 15 passengers and there were 5 attendants up front.
Flight path
Plane spotting on arrival.
KLM 787 (It has been reported KLM will start flying this guy out of my home airport next year. Yay!)
Etihad A330
And the one that is calling my name.
See more
Verdict
EVA Air
7.4/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi7.0
Meal/catering7.0
Taipei - TPE
7.0/10
Efficiency5.0
Access7.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0
Shanghai - PVG
4.3/10
Efficiency4.0
Access4.0
Services4.0
Cleanliness5.0
Conclusion
A final comment is a note to myself. Next time you book a flight on EVA Air, make it longer than 83 minutes.
4 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
What an impressive service for a one hour short hop!
"Give yourself time to pass security and immigration. Lines can be long..." -Approximately how long did it take for you to pass through?
By the way, Green & Safe is a specialty grocer. So if anything it stands for quality assurance more so than colour and.. well, food safety?
"Except it looks like pork does it not? But the skin looks like chicken??" -It looks more like ducks to me. Consistency of the meat was good though, right? Sure looks good, though!
3 oshibori in a one hour short hop. If only European airlines would be so generous :P
"And the one that is calling my name." -My last flight experience with them left a bad taste in my mouth (literally) when it was overcooked foods galore. But maybe the food quality in F/R is better than J. Maybe if I start collecting Star Alliance miles..
No bonuses from Shanghai? Or were you only there for a layover before United on the same day?
-Approximately how long did it take for you to pass through? My experiences at TPE 30min-60min with 7AM the worst time.
Green & Safe, assumed it meant something other than my snarkyness :) Maybe it was duck, but isn't duck leaner? Regardless it was good.
EVA can be hit or miss with the catering, but to date they still have the best breakfast in the sky.
No bonuses from Shanghai? Or were you only there for a layover before United on the same day? I did an overnight in Shanghai. Went into town the next day. I don't think I have many pics. Glass and steel city, flat land not much to see other than a billion apartment buildings. Wasn't impressed with Shanghai at all, except for the prices. Got tired of getting asked in the airport if I needed a ride. However did find a helpful person who got me transportation albeit expensive. My main goal was to get back to make my flight. So unimpressed with Shanghai I cancelled a planned trip this summer and changed to Tokyo. Better food :) Easier to communicate.
"EVA can be hit or miss with the catering, but to date they still have the best breakfast in the sky." -I've done some LHR-BKK return sectors with them in the past, and their catering was always a hit. The overcooked foods galore I stated was about Singapore Airlines across 4 sectors doing LHR-SYD and AKL-LHR. So I'm not in a hurry to get back on any of their flights in the immediate future.
"However did find a helpful person who got me transportation albeit expensive." -How expensive in total? More expensive than taking the maglev?
"So unimpressed with Shanghai I cancelled a planned trip this summer and changed to Tokyo." -Will you spill the deets about your summer itinerary on your next FR? :)
Whoosh, over my head on "calling my name" as in SQ. Agreed on the flights in business I had to Australia. Some of the worst catering. I'm taking SQ first class A380 from JFK to SIN next summer, hope that is better. SQ for sure is falling behind, as is CX. Asian competition ramping up.
Shanghai transportation was about $115 for a 4 or 5 hour private car if I remember correctly. I wanted to go into town to cash in my PYE cert from CX first class and needed to get back to make the UA flight, so didn't want to take any chances getting back. Plus is was cold and I didn't have a super warm coat. Expensive yes, but not so much if I had missed my flight back.
Well UA is next of course. Then a break. First flight for 2017 is BA A380/B787 in first to SFO-DEL. See you this weekend!
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5 Comments
What an impressive service for a one hour short hop!
"Give yourself time to pass security and immigration. Lines can be long..."
-Approximately how long did it take for you to pass through?
By the way, Green & Safe is a specialty grocer. So if anything it stands for quality assurance more so than colour and.. well, food safety?
"Except it looks like pork does it not? But the skin looks like chicken??"
-It looks more like ducks to me. Consistency of the meat was good though, right? Sure looks good, though!
3 oshibori in a one hour short hop. If only European airlines would be so generous :P
"And the one that is calling my name."
-My last flight experience with them left a bad taste in my mouth (literally) when it was overcooked foods galore. But maybe the food quality in F/R is better than J. Maybe if I start collecting Star Alliance miles..
No bonuses from Shanghai? Or were you only there for a layover before United on the same day?
Thanks again. Cheers!
-Approximately how long did it take for you to pass through?
My experiences at TPE 30min-60min with 7AM the worst time.
Green & Safe, assumed it meant something other than my snarkyness :)
Maybe it was duck, but isn't duck leaner? Regardless it was good.
EVA can be hit or miss with the catering, but to date they still have the best breakfast in the sky.
No bonuses from Shanghai? Or were you only there for a layover before United on the same day?
I did an overnight in Shanghai. Went into town the next day. I don't think I have many pics. Glass and steel city, flat land not much to see other than a billion apartment buildings. Wasn't impressed with Shanghai at all, except for the prices. Got tired of getting asked in the airport if I needed a ride. However did find a helpful person who got me transportation albeit expensive. My main goal was to get back to make my flight. So unimpressed with Shanghai I cancelled a planned trip this summer and changed to Tokyo. Better food :) Easier to communicate.
Thanks for your comments and reading as always.
"EVA can be hit or miss with the catering, but to date they still have the best breakfast in the sky."
-I've done some LHR-BKK return sectors with them in the past, and their catering was always a hit. The overcooked foods galore I stated was about Singapore Airlines across 4 sectors doing LHR-SYD and AKL-LHR. So I'm not in a hurry to get back on any of their flights in the immediate future.
"However did find a helpful person who got me transportation albeit expensive."
-How expensive in total? More expensive than taking the maglev?
"So unimpressed with Shanghai I cancelled a planned trip this summer and changed to Tokyo."
-Will you spill the deets about your summer itinerary on your next FR? :)
Cheers, and take care
Shanghai transportation was about $115 for a 4 or 5 hour private car if I remember correctly. I wanted to go into town to cash in my PYE cert from CX first class and needed to get back to make the UA flight, so didn't want to take any chances getting back. Plus is was cold and I didn't have a super warm coat. Expensive yes, but not so much if I had missed my flight back.
Well UA is next of course. Then a break. First flight for 2017 is BA A380/B787 in first to SFO-DEL. See you this weekend!
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