EVA Air plans new business suites, eyes Boeing 777 cabin refresh — and 3 new US cities
Taiwan-based airline EVA Air is planning to bring suite-style, business-class seats to dozens of its wide-body jets. At the same time, the carrier is also eyeing an expansion to three new U.S. cities.
EVA, headquartered in Taipei, is working with its suppliers on designing the all-new concept for its Royal Laurel class, executives told TPG last week — just before the airline debuted its latest Hello Kitty-themed aircraft at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The new Royal Laurel suites — the future flagship product on an airline long known for its premium service — will be a centerpiece on its new Airbus A350-1000 jets. The carrier ordered 18 of those jets (with options for six more) earlier this year.
EVA also plans to install the suites on more than a dozen of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft as part of a total cabin retrofit for a subset of its wide-body jet fleet. (The airline operates a total of 33 of the aircraft but will only retrofit a portion of its 777s)
While the suite is still in development, passengers can expect to see another change on some EVA jets even sooner: Premium economy will begin to debut on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner by the end of this year.
EVA Air Royal Laurel suites planned
It’s too early for exact details on what EVA’s new Royal Laurel suites might ultimately look like; the product is currently in the development stages, EVA executive vice president and head of its North American operations Andrew Su told TPG during a recent interview in Chicago.
A vision is taking shape, though, and it's starting with enhanced privacy and improved technology.
“Maybe we will, for the inflight entertainment, turn to 4K with the Bluetooth, and also the wireless charging,” Su said, noting the aircraft will surely offer the latest-generation Wi-Fi service, too.
Passengers can also expect increased comfort and more personal space, along with adjustable privacy panels and “generous” built-in storage cabinets, the company told TPG.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
However the final product ends up looking, the upgrade to true suites is likely to help EVA keep pace with its global competitors at a time when private, walled-off suites in business-class cabins are becoming increasingly popular among airlines. It's a trend that’s unlikely to abate anytime soon, based on the sheer number of swanky designs I saw at an industry event this spring in Germany.
777 cabin refreshes planned
EVA’s plans for a stepped-up cabin experience go well beyond its new A350-1000 jets, which the carrier is set to receive between 2026 and 2030.
EVA is also planning a complete interior overhaul for 14 of its Boeing 777 aircraft. Specifically, the airline is targeting its younger 777s that are less than 10 years old, which it expects will be part of its fleet for years to come.
“All the seats will be changed,” EVA president Clay Sun told TPG. “We are going to change the whole cabin, including business class, premium economy and economy."
Executives said that includes the new future business suite concept and a focus on offering passengers a cabin experience consistent with that of its future A350s.
"We’re going to make [sure] our customer, for their journey, has a very comfortable and consistent service ... no matter if it’s on board the 777, or on board the A350 in the future," Su said.
Timeline unclear
How soon might passengers see these retrofits?
Executives said it's too early to share a timeline, citing supply chain disruptions affecting the entire aerospace industry.
“We are pushing the seat manufacturers very, very, aggressively, saying, ‘Ok, you have to deliver,’” Sun said. “I think every airline right now has the same problem.”
Map watching: The award for 'sexiest new route' of the year goes to ...
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to get premium economy
Amid rethinking its cabins, EVA is also planning to switch up the configuration of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet.
Considering that EVA claims to have been the first airline to debut a premium economy cabin in 1992 — well before the midtier cabin made its way into the fleets of most major global airlines — it's surprising that the carrier’s 787-9s have, until this point, lacked its “Premium Laurel” offering.
But that’s about to change.
Each of EVA's nine future 787-9 Dreamliners slated for delivery in the coming years will boast a three-cabin layout, including premium economy, Su said. That includes two 787-9s scheduled for delivery by the end of this year.
EVA also hopes to eventually refit its four existing 787-9s with a premium economy cabin, Su added.
Read more: Is EVA Air business class worth it on the Boeing 787-10?
EVA eyes 3 new US gateways
As EVA expands and retrofits its fleet, the airline is eyeing new potential U.S. gateways for nonstop Taipei service.
Executives confirmed that EVA is considering three additional U.S. airports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Adding those three cities would give the carrier a total of nine U.S. routes. Currently, EVA serves Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles on the West Coast, plus Houston, Chicago and New York City.
It’s also likely at least some of EVA's existing or future U.S. routes could be among the markets to land service with its new A350-1000. The jet’s range, which tops 8,000 nautical miles, makes it a prime candidate for routes to the U.S. East Coast, Su said.
Related: Qantas bets on A350-1000 for 'Project Sunrise' service
Tougher competition
EVA's changes come at a time when the carrier faces increased competition from Starlux Airlines — another Taipei-based carrier that’s proclaimed itself to be Taiwan’s premium airline.
Yet, EVA executives see the 35-year-old airline’s legacy, network and participation in the Star Alliance as key advantages to stave off upstart competitors.
“Competition is always coming," Sun said. “However, you just [have to] make sure you are strong enough, and you don’t need to be afraid of any competition.”
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.