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.
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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.
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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.
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