EVA Air's all-new premium economy cabin to make US debut in Dallas this fall
Taiwan-based airline EVA Air is set to bring its brand-new premium economy cabin to the U.S. for the first time.
The revamped cabin with premium recliners and new expansive seatback touchscreens will make its U.S. debut when EVA launches its inaugural Taipei service from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) this fall.
Back in February, TPG was the first to report EVA's plans to roll out an all-new premium economy product on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. It's a milestone for the airline, which claims to be the first in the world to have pioneered a premium economy cabin back in the early 1990s.
The more you know: The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
EVA's new premium economy cabin
Arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, EVA's new premium economy product features 28 seats with leather finishes, a cradle recline and 42 inches of pitch, which means ample legroom (many coach cabin seat pitches hover around 30 to 32 inches).
The carrier introduced the new premium, mid-cabin product on routes between its Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) home base and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, Indonesia, but now plans to deploy the 787-9 with the new premium offering on its brand-new DFW flights beginning Oct. 3.
"This product evolution reflects our commitment to providing passengers with greater comfort and convenience, while addressing growing demand for a more spacious and refined long-haul travel experience," Andrew Su, EVA's executive vice president for North America, said in a statement announcing the news.
EVA's newly configured 787-9s will sport a three-cabin configuration — a first on the airline's fleet of Dreamliners, including its lie-flat Royal Laurel business class, premium economy and main cabin.
Along with the more expansive seats in premium economy when compared to coach, EVA's premium economy product will come with larger, adjustable tray tables designed for personal devices like phones and tablets, privacy panels and over-the-ear headphones for seatback viewing.
The carrier will also offer higher-end meals served on tableware from Italian brand Guzzini.
When does EVA start flying to Dallas?
EVA's DFW route launches Oct. 3, with three weekly round trips. The carrier will expand its flight offerings to North Texas between October and the end of the year, with five weekly flights starting Nov. 18 and daily service beginning Dec. 15.
DFW will become EVA's seventh U.S. city and its second in Texas; the carrier already flies nonstop between TPE and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Last year, airline executives told TPG that the airline also had its eyes on Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C.
Read more: 'Power of the DFW hub': Why your next trip across the Pacific might be via Texas
How to book EVA with points and miles
Travelers hoping to book EVA's premium economy cabin (or its new DFW route) with points and miles have a few options:
- You can transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to EVA Infinity MileageLands at a 1:1 ratio.
- Capital One miles also transfer directly to EVA but at a reduced 4:3 ratio, so 1,000 miles would become 750 EVA miles.
- You can also search for award space through one of EVA's partners in the Star Alliance, like United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines or Japan's All Nippon Airways, among others.
Read more: The best credit card welcome bonuses currently available
Bottom line
EVA's move to up its premium game on U.S. routes comes at a time of stiffer competition on flights between the U.S. and Taiwan, particularly as Starlux Airlines ups its presence in North America.
Also worth noting: Southwest Airlines recently announced it would partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines.
Meanwhile, EVA has told TPG it's plotting a revamp for its highest-end cabin on some planes, too, with talks of suites with sliding privacy doors in its Royal Laurel cabin. However, the carrier has not yet formally announced any such plans. Stay tuned.
Related reading:
- Best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees