EVA Air: The Expanding Boeing 787 Fleet and Why Its Business Class Is Among the World's Most Awarded

History and positioning

Joining Star Alliance in 2013 significantly expanded the connection options for EVA Air passengers, integrating the airline into a global codeshare network that goes well beyond the direct network from Taipei. The Hello Kitty livery, which began as a commercial collaboration with Sanrio, has become over the years a distinctive element capable of generating media visibility far greater than that of an ordinary advertising campaign.

The fleet

The long-haul fleet is rapidly shifting toward the Boeing 787, with 12 787-10s and 5 787-9s already in service and another five and eight, respectively, still to be delivered. Alongside the 787, EVA Air operates Boeing 777-300ERs and has a renewal plan under way that includes further Airbus A350s and A321neos, confirmed by an additional order announced in March 2025.

Routes and network

The three-class Boeing 787-9, with Business, Premium Economy and Economy, was introduced from March 2025 on routes such as Taipei-Jakarta, while from October 2025 all ten weekly flights between Taipei and Seattle were consolidated onto the larger 787-10. In Europe, the airline links Taipei to Vienna and Munich with the three-class 787-9, while from January 2026 it offers a daily Taipei-Milan Malpensa service with the same aircraft.

On board and service

The "Royal Laurel" Business Class has historically been among the most appreciated in independent rankings of business class in Asia, with seats that convert into fully flat beds on long haul and carefully designed catering. According to Skytrax ratings, EVA Air is among the airlines rated five stars, a recognition shared by only a small number of carriers worldwide.

What passengers say

Independent reviews largely confirm this reputation, with particularly high ratings for Business Class comfort and the quality of cabin service, while the more critical remarks mainly concern the high price of tickets in the premium classes during peak periods.

• Most cited strengths: comfort of the Royal Laurel Business Class, quality of onboard catering, punctuality on transpacific routes.
• Most cited weaknesses: high fares in Business and Premium Economy in high season, limited availability of premium seats on the most in-demand routes to North America.

Anyone traveling in Business Class on long haul will find EVA Air offers competitive value for money compared with other five-star airlines; in Economy the product remains solid but less of a differentiator against regional low-cost competition. Anyone booking an intercontinental flight should check whether the route has already moved to the Boeing 787, since the fleet renewal is still under way and some connections continue to be operated with the older Boeing 777-300ER.