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.

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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."

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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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