Flight routing
- 1
- 2Vienna to Bangkok
Introduction
Today I continue my journey eastwards with a flight from Vienna to Bangkok with EVA Air. The airline operates a daily flight between Vienna and Taipei with an intermediate stop in Bangkok.
getting to the airport
The flight to Bangkok doesn't leave until the evening, at 17h45. I leave the SO/Vienna Hotel just after 15h00 and take the metro to Landstrasse/Mitte, from where I catch the CAT nonstop train to the airport.
check-in
I've already checked in online, but apparently I'm still going to have to present my passport at a check-in counter. So that's my first stop. EVA Air checks in at Terminal 3, with its Star Alliance partners.
From check-in I head to the old Terminal 1, which is where the D concourse is located from where my flight will be boarding.
Security is very smooth. There is a dedicated queue for premium passengers which is empty when I arrive. I'm through security in no time.
the Vienna lounge
Behind security comes the duty free, of course, and then I'm airside. Access to the Vienna Lounge is just off to the right as you exit the duty free. Note that the lounge is located in the Schengen area - so before immigration! There is an Austrian Airlines lounge after passport control, but that only opens until 16h30, which is rather useless.
The lounge is very nice and spacious.
The views are simply stupendous…
… and there are plenty of food options to choose from at the buffet.
I decide to go with the Marillenknödel (?), which are dumplings made with cream and filled with apricots.
boarding
Boarding for the flight starts at 17h15. I go over to the gate just slightly before that, hoping to get a good shot of my aircraft. Sadly, that turns out to be a mission impossible.
At least I'm one of the first passengers to board, so at least I get a few unobstructed cabin shots.
The cabin looks appealing and modern. I'm seated on 5A, which is a window seat on the left row of single seats.
This seat does not have doors, but there is a small privacy screen that does its job just fine.
Storage space on the seat is quite good.
Amenities
When I arrive, there is a thick pillow and a duvet already placed on my seat.
Earphones, a bottle of Evian and the amenity kit are in the small storage compartment on my right.
The amenity kit contains the usual cosmetics, toothbrush, eye shades, etc.
The cabin crew bring me a size L pajama, which fits okay around the waist, but is a bit short in the leg.
Slippers are also provided.
As a welcome gift there's a small card with a Chinese poem and and a stick of chocolate.
The service & crew
The crew are a mix of Thai and Taiwanese nationals, from what I gather. First, I am brought a hot towel and the flight attendant inquires about my choice of welcome drink.
Eventually, boarding is completed and we're ready to start our journey to Bangkok. We push back and slowly taxi to the active runway.
The meal service - dinner
As soon as the cabin crew are released, preparations start for the meal service. It's time to have a look at the menus.
Every passengers is served individually, directly from the galley. There is no trolley service.
We start with the amuse bouche. To drink I'm just having water.
This is followed by the first course.
The first course is lobster.
Throughout the meal, the crew make several runs with the breadbasket, which features a lot of garlic bread.
Next comes the pea soup.
And then the salad. The meal is very nicely paced. There are no long waits, but it's not rushed either.
For the main course I have the Tafelspitz, which is served with a horseradish sauce and apple compote.
Meanwhile, outside the sun has started to set.
Next comes the cheese course.
And then finally, dessert.
I finish off the meal with a cup of coffee. The coffee is something they do rather well on EVA Air.
And then I go off the sleep.
The second service - breakfast
Two hours out of Bangkok, the cabin crew bring me another hot towel and a coffee with milk.
The breakfast is served on a tray.
There is a good selection from the breadbasket.
In addition, the crew pass through the cabin offering fresh yoghurt or bircher müsli.
For the hot dish, I have an open omelette.
arrival
Very soon after the meal is cleared away, we start our descent into Bangkok. It's very hazy this morning, so there's hardly anything to see outside until we're literally just a few hundred feet above the ground. The airport seems rather quiet. There's only an ANA B 787-10 standing at our pier as we tax in.
In Bangkok all passengers alight, including those continuing on to Taipei. And that brings an end to my first EVA Air experience.
Nice review as always! EVA showing that they are well-deserving of their premium reputation, though they're not as well-known as some larger Asian carriers. The Vantage XL seats are great, especially if you can get a true window seat, like you did, where there's a lot more privacy.
Thanks for sharing!