Review: EVA Air 777-300 Business Class LAX-TPE

To say I’ve been looking forward to this flight would be a huge understatement. I have wanted to visit Taipei for years now and we’re starting the trip off in style on EVA’s 777 in Business Class. EVA has several flights per day between LAX and TPE, ours is the first one of the day, departing around noon. We also got really lucky and are flying on EVA’s Star Alliance livery 777.

Bottom Line: I loved EVA business class on the 777, the service is fantastic, the seats are comfortable, and the amenities are fantastic. I liked the food, but it wasn’t amazing, nor was the entertainment. Of course, I’d ride with EVA again, they’re great.

LAX Airport

We arrived at LAX about 2 hours before our departure. EVA uses the Tom Bradley terminal here at LAX. This is easily the nicest terminal here.

We already had our boarding passes so we didn’t stop at the check in counter. We headed upstairs to the security checkpoint and quickly cleared security with TSA pre-check.

EVA 777 Business Class Boarding

We spent about an hour in the excellent Star Alliance Lounge(Review Coming Soon) at LAX before heading to the gate.

Our EVA 777 waiting at the gate to take us to Taipei. I should have known from this angle this is a special livery plane, it’s missing the green belly. I didn’t realize it until I saw our reflection after push back.

Boarding started right on time. LAX uses euro style boarding gates with facial recognition, no need for your boarding pass or passport. Just look at the camera and the gates open. The process was fast and easy.

They used 2 jet bridges here at LAX for the 777. Being in the forward business class cabin, we used the forward jet bridge to board.

EVA 777 Business Class Cabin

The EVA 777 business class cabin has 39 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. We’re in the forward cabin that has 7 rows. There’s also a second cabin behind the exit that has another 4 rows.

We found our seats on the left hand side of the EVA 777. This side of the plane does have one less seat than the other. I usually prefer sitting in the forward cabin if I have a choice. I find there’s less foot traffic.

The seats are a standard reverse hearing bone configuration. Onboard I was greeted by the flight attendant who directed me to my seat.

First impressions of the seat and cabin are very good the plane is spotlessly clean. The seats are in very good condition and while being a slightly older style, are in very good condition.

EVA 777 Business Class Seat Review

In each seat there was a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit.

The seat was a nice large area, not super private though. At least the reverse herring bone seats face the windows. You can also see the IFE screen that swings out from the seat in-front.

Sitting in the EVA Business Class seat, over my left shoulder is a remote for the IFE. There’s also a reading light, power port, and storage area.

On the same side, just below the side table are the seat controls. Pretty standard for a lie flat seat.

One thing I don’t like is the lack of an air vent. EVA did keep the cabin a little warm so I would have liked to have control of a little ventilation.

Leg room is obviously very good here in Business class. I stowed my pillow and bedding and relaxed as the boarding process continued behind me. Another reason I like the forward cabin.

EVA Business Class Pre-Departure

The flight attendant came around and asked if we’d like something to drink, I went with the sparkling wine.

Next another flight attendant offered a set of pajamas. I really appreciate that as I’m wearing jeans and want to get some sleep on the plane.

EVA 777 Business Class Menu

The flight attendant is amazing, so friendly and welcoming. She confirmed that I ordered my meal online, but also distributed menus for lunch and drinks.

EVA Business Class Menu

EVA Business Class menu

EVA Business Class Menu

EVA Business Class Menu

The pilot made his welcome announcement and said it would be 13 hours and 30 minutes to Taipei today. The front boarding door was closed and the jet bridge retracted, but not the rear just yet. Still people boarding. I settled into my seat and enjoyed my drink.

EVA 777 Business Class Departure

The door was closed and we pushed back from the gate.

As we pushed back, I noticed in the reflection on the terminal windows that we’re on the star alliance liverly plane. Very cool, I hope I can get a picture once we land in Taipei.

We taxied to the runway as the safety video played.

Once completed, the flight attendants came around and closed the video screens.

EVA 777 Business Class Takeoff

As we headed for the runway I did a little plane spotting. LAX is good for this, there’s a lot of different airlines here that I don’t get to see very frequently at the airports I’m usually in and out of.

It’s funny, right over the airport and inland the weather is perfectly clear and sunny.

But as soon as we took off towards the west and over the ocean, but we didn’t get a view of it. Just a few hills poking out of the clouds below.

Nice smooth climb today. The 777 is usually a treat to ride on, no exemption this afternoon. After we were over the clouds is was nice and clear.

Sitting back and enjoying the view on EVAs 777.

EVA 777 Business Class In Seat Entertainment

The weakest part of EVA’s business class is the in seat entertainment. The screen itself was just fine, it’s just the selection was a bit lacking. There were about 20 movies to watch, most of which I wasn’t super interested in.

EVA 777 Business Class Lunch Service

I put on a movie and settled into the flight. The flight attendants gave their welcome and explained the meal services that would be offered in today’s flight to Taipei. I had already made my meal selection so the flight attendant put my table cloth out. The tray table is huge on the Business Class seats on the EVA 777.

I liked that the arm rest on the seat is lower-able. Then you can get in and out of the seat even when the tray table is extended.

First my tray table was set and drinks were offered. I went with a Taiwan Beer. A beverage I would get well acquainted with over the next few days in Taipei.

The first dish was a shrimp tart and a little duck medallion. Both were excellent.

Next was a seafood appetizer with barley and radish. This was only ok, just not my favorite thing.

I did enjoy the EVA logo on the silverware.

Next was soup. This was a squash soup that I did enjoy.

There was a selection of bread and I went with a garlic bread and a small baguette.

I really liked these salt and pepper shakers, I didn’t add them to my collection though…

Next was a salad of endive and greens. I like endive and enjoyed most of the salad.

For my entree I had selected the lobster in seafood sauce. I enjoyed this dish, especially the fried rice.

After finishing my meal I had another glass of champagne and a water.

For desert I had a small piece of cake. Overall I thought the meal was just Ok. I’ve certainly had better meals on planes but the service from the EVA flight attendants was fantastic. Nothing was bad, just not really to my tastes.

After lunch I had a glass of whiskey and the flight attendants cleared away my tablecloth.

Water bottles were distributed at the end of the meal as the lights were starting to dim.

EVA 777 Business Class Lavatory

The lavatory that separated the two business class cabins on the EVA 777 is huge. That was a good thing for me because I needed to change into the provided EVA pajamas.

Lots of nice amenity items and the bathroom was kept very clean for the whole flight. Always welcome during a 14 hour flight.

EVA 777 Business Class Amenity Kit

The amenity kit provided by EVA for Business Class was a pretty standard affair. For me, the most important thing is the eye mask. Some unique things were the key chain and the coin purse.

EVA 777 Business Class In Flight

I sat back and relaxed in my seat. The flight attendants came around and asked that we close the window shades.

The lights were dimmed in the business class cabin. I like that most airlines are doing colored lights these days instead of just lowered.

As I was getting ready to change into the pajamas, the flight attendant noticed and asked if I would like a seat cover. She said I should go get dressed and she’d take care of it for me. When I got back my bed was made up with the seat cover. The service is just impeccable.

I liked the pajamas that were provided. They’re very good quality and really comfortable. The only issue is the cabin is pretty warm and the top was long sleeved so I chose to sleep in my t-shirt.

My movie finished so I decided to get a little sleep. The blanked was very nice as was the pillow.

The ceiling in the Business Class cabin was decorated with stars. Unfortunately it’s only about 3pm so I’m not really tired but wanted to rest a little and try to get adjusted to the new timezone.

EVA 777 Business Class Midnight Snack

The flight attendant noticed I was awake and offered another drink and snack. I’m a sucker for that shit on a plane so had another beer.

About a half hour later she noticed again and asked if I wanted a hot chocolate and cookies. Of course I was full, of course I went for it. The hot chocolate was super rich, my brother Andy would love it. He’s a sucker for that kinda thing.

In the rear of the cabin there was a selection snacks and drinks. I mostly just went for water. I was so full and really needed to hydrate.

EVA 777 Business Class Sleeping

To keep myself from getting distracted, I put on the moving in flight map and got some sleep.

With about 8 hours left in the flight I made a solid effort to get some sleep. IFE off, headphones on, eye mask on I was able to get about 4 hours. Not bad for a flight that departs at noon.

EVA 777 Business Class Pre-Arrival Meal

With about 2 hours left in the flight the flight attendants came around and asked if we’d like a second meal. I decided I was awake enough so said yes to the pasta with chicken and pesto. The first dish was a tuna appetizer that might be my favorite thing I ate on the flight.

A fun little Easter Egg is the Hello Kitty place mat. I’m not sure if this was a mistake or was intentional. EVA runs special Hello Kitty flights in their specially configured plane on some routes, this isn’t that route so I’m not sure if I got lucky or what happened.

Next was the main course of pasta with chicken and pesto. I didn’t much care for this dish. It was somewhat bland and not really great. I probably should have chosen one of the Asian options.

EVA 777 Business Class Arrival

The lights were slowly brought up as we had about 60 minutes left in flight.

Outside it looks like nice weather down below as we passed over the South China Sea. I will say, this EVA Business Class flight has really gone by quickly.

I put my street clothes back on and then stowed by bedding at my feet. I might have stolen the pajamas…

Outside we are descending into Taipei. The pilots made their welcome to TPE announcements and told us we’d be landing right on time.

Small parting candies were give out by the flight attendants.

We poked through the clouds and I got my first glimpse of Taiwan. I’m super excited to check for this vacation.

A few minutes we touched down in TPE. I’m glad to be on our vacation, but I’m also a little sad our flight has ended.

Into the terminal and one last look at the EVA 777 in the Star Alliance special livery.

EVA 777 Business Class Final Thoughts

EVA is a fantastic airline. The service is top of the game, the business class seat on the 777 was comfortable and clean. The bedding and amenities provided are also top of the line. I however didn’t much care for the main meal and the in seat entertainment selection wasn’t great. With all of that said, I would gladly ride with EVA on their 777 again. I mostly care about comfort when choosing business class, and EVA has that in spades.

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