Review: 16 hours on EVA Air Business Class from Chicago to Taipei

EVA Air Business Class ORD – TPE: Booking

When I flew to Hong Kong to celebrate Chinese New Year with family and friends, my outbound flight on the Taiwanese carrier EVA Air was booked through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. My primary sources of Aeroplan points are the Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card and Aeroplan’s growing network of retail partnerships.

My routing to HK was via Chicago (ORD) and Taipei (TPE), as finding a YYZ-to-TPE flight in Business on Aeroplan is challenging. Normally, a flight from YYZ to ORD to TPE to HKG would only be 107.5K Points one way in business. However, I chose a business flexible ticket that cost 140.4K Aeroplan points and paid $201 CAD in taxes and fees, which would allow me to make free changes if a better routing became available later.

Aeroplan Awards – Travel Zones

Of note, I did have to call in for the booking as I did have issues booking online. The issue I was having was that AC did not automatically offer the routing when entering YYZ and HKG as my destinations. Therefore, I had to “build” the route via the Multi City option, which required an agent to complete it so it would all be on the same itinerary. So for this, the $30 booking fee was not waived either.

Positioning Flight: YYZ to ORD

I lucked out and flew out of gate F at YYZ, only a 2-minute walk from the Maple Leaf Lounge (MLL), compared to the D gates, where many flights to the USA depart, which are a 15-minute walk from the MLL.

AC Business Class – YYZ to ORD

Boarding was smooth and easy. For the 2-hour flight, I flew on an Airbus A220 with a very spacious, comfortable seat. A light but delicious chicken salad was served on the short flight. One disappointment… and this is not a 1st on AC for me… the USB charger at my business-class seat (2A) did not work.

AC Business Class Meal – YYZ to ORD

AC flies into Terminal 2 at ORD, and EVA flies from Terminal 5, ORD’s International Terminal, so give yourself ample time to change terminals. My luggage was checked all the way through, which was convenient.

EVA Air Business Class Chicago to Taipei

After landing at O’Hare Airport, I walked over to Gate G17, about a 5-minute walk from where Air Canada lands, and showed both my passport and boarding pass. A shuttle bus to the international terminal departs every 20 minutes for a 5-minute ride from G17 to Terminal 5. I was told there is an internal train that goes there; however, I would need to clear security again, whereas the shuttle bus did not require it.

Transfer Gates at ORD

At the EVA desk before the gate opens, all passports and carry-on are re-checked, weighed, and tagged. Make sure to do so before lining up. If your luggage isn’t tagged, you will be asked to leave the line and get it tagged. Zone 1 boarding is verified while in the preboarding lineup. The couple behind me were in Zone 2, told they were in the wrong lineup, and asked to move. Wish more airlines did this spot check at boarding by removing passengers who don’t belong in the Zone 1 line!!

EVA Air Zone 1 Boarding lineup

Flight boards 40 minutes prior to departure, but I suggest arriving an hour early to get verified and tagged. While there is a rigid process to board, it was efficient and went smoothly.

EVA Business Class Seat

I booked myself a throne seat on this Boeing 777-300ER, with a 1-2-1 configuration. As I arrived at my seat, there was a blanket, a pillow, noise-cancelling headphones, a pair of Hello Kitty slippers and an amenity kit. Overall, the seat and surroundings were very clean, and I didn’t observe any issues around my seat.

EVA Air Business Class Cabin

EVA Air Business Class Seat – ORD to TPE

To my left, above my shoulder, were the entertainment system controls. To the left of that were a universal plug and USB plugs for charging various devices. Above that was the tri-plug for the headphones, and above that was the reading light. Below the entertainment console were the seat controls.

Seat Storage and Additional space

To the right of the entertainment control was storage space to store the headphone case. To the right of that, and underneath the window, was additional countertop space for drinks and food. Beneath that was the fold-out tray compartment. In front of that, at my feet, was more storage space. In front of me was the TV monitor that would be folded back when sleeping. Lastly, to the right of the TV monitor was a small clothing hook to hang your jacket. Above my seat were more-than-adequate storage bins for both my carry-on and personal item.

In-seat connectivity, and storage

EVA Air Business Class – IFE

In flat mode, the bed is very comfortable and spacious enough to roll around on. One minor observation was that the bed controls were inconveniently located while sleeping, requiring a button press to return the bed to a seated position. Other than that, the layout of my throne seat was very comfortable for this 16+ hour flight.

EVA Business Class – Amenity Kit and PJ’s

The Amenity kit is by Maison Kitsune Paris and comes in a hard-case zipper. It consisted of an eye mask, body mist, hand cream, lip balm, a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, a hairbrush, a reusable grocery bag, and a strap to carry the hard case that contains the contents. Very stylish. One of the better amenity kits I have received on a flight. Prior to take-off, I was also offered a pair of stylish black PJs also designed by Maison Kitsune Paris. Another keeper!!

EVA Air Business Class – Amenity Kit

EVA Air Business Class – slippers

EVA Air Business Class – Meal Service 

Prior to takeoff, I was offered either still or sparkling water, as well as a moist towelette.  EVA’s Royal Laurel service allows passengers to pre-book meals. Their business-class dining menu is one of the best in the sky, in my opinion, comparable to those of Qatar and Singapore Airlines. You won’t leave hungry after this flight.

EVA Air Business Class Cocktail

With my meals, I worked my way through EVA’S onboard cocktail menu, starting with their Evergreen Special (Melon liqueur, Vodka, Sprite or Soda Water), which was served with a bowl of warm nuts. Then the hors d’oeuvre of Thai Style Grilled Shrimp Mango Carpaccio. 5 jumbo shrimp laid on top of a thin slice of mango, a perfectly blended tasty combination

Appetizer – Thai style grilled shrimp mango carpaccio

I pre-ordered the Grilled Lamb Rack with Barolo Jus and Creamy Polenta, accompanied by a selection of fresh breads.  Two tender pieces of lamb paired with plenty of polenta and Brussels sprouts on the side. I found the lamb a little difficult to cut with the cutlery provided; a steak knife would have been ideal, but the lamb was cooked to medium-well and soaked up the polenta.

Mains – Grilled Lamb Rack

I paired that with their Passion Island cocktail (Rum, Cointreau, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice)…2 for 2 on the cocktail list so far 👍🏾. This was followed by a selection of fresh fruit, and Dessert was a Passionfruit Vanilla Panna Cotta. Instead of coffee or tea, I ended the meal with Johnny’s Walker Blue Label, which put me in the right state of mind to grab a few zzz’s on this 16-hour flight while gazing at “the stars,” which were on the ceiling of the business class cabin (a nice touch).

Mid-flight light snacks were offered on demand. I went with the Taiwanese Pork Belly Bun Shrimp Dumplings and paired that with another specialty cocktail, the Pink Sakura Drift (Brandy, Cointreau, Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice). The Pork Belly was both crisp on the outside and fatty on the inside and delicious.

Mid-journey snack meal – Pork Belly Bun

Also had the Brioche Lobster Roll Coleslaw Salad paired with one of their 2 mocktails on the menu, the Amber Dream (Apple Juice, Ginger Ale, Cranberry Juice).

Lastly, 2 hours before landing, breakfast was served. There were both Chinese and Western options. The Western-style menu included a starter of Yogurt and muesli, and the main course was either Croissant Bread Pudding, Raspberry and Peach Compote, or Guacamole Toast with Poached Eggs & Grilled Bacon, which I went with. The toast was a little harder than I expected, and it was quite difficult to cut. Though given the amount of Guacamole and poached egg on top of it, you need a thick piece of bread to hold everything in place.

Pre-landing breakfast meal

An assortment of Croissants, muffins, and Breads were also served with breakfast. Paired this last meal with their last mocktail, Sonata in the Air (Pineapple Juice, Sprite, Cranberry Juice).  Having tried all their signature cocktails and mocktails on board, I’d recommend them all!! Breakfast was finished off with a cup of black tea and their 100% mixed carrot and fruit juice, a thick, refreshing, sweet smoothie.

Smoothie and Coffee

One of the best business-class products in the sky, and an impressive dining menu, too! If you’ve never been in a food coma after a business-class flight, you will be after this one.

EVA Business Class: TPE – HKG 

If you plan to visit Taiwan, you will need to complete a Taiwanese Arrival Card (TWAC). Though not needed if in transit. The final leg of my trip was TPE-HKG. Dozed off at the Eva lounge after my earlier flight ( a 16-hour flight will do that to you ) so made a run for the gate. A lengthy line to board economy, though I walked straight through with no one in the business-class line, and in the blink of an eye I was at my seat.

On this Airbus A321 with a 2-2 seat configuration, I chose the 1H bulkhead seat. The menus and the noise cancellation headphones were at my seat when I arrived. A spacious seat with seat controls ( 2 buttons – one for a pop-out footrest and the other to lean back ) and a headphone jack to my left and the entertainment console to my right. The charging station was to the right of my knees.

I lucked out, and the window seat next to me was empty too, so I got great views of Taipei during take-off and similar views of HK during landing 👀

I was offered a bottle of Evian spring water on boarding, and after takeoff, meal service began on this short 2-hour flight. Though the flight did start off on a poor vibe with being stuck on the runway waiting for takeoff clearance for nearly an hour. Can’t really blame EVA, since this was more of a flight-control issue. Meal service, drink service, and even the onboard entertainment system could not begin until after takeoff, which was disappointing.

A few minutes after take-off, the meal service finally began. Hors d’oeuvres were a Wine-Flavoured Chicken Roll and a Mixed Mushrooms Salad. For my main course, I went with the Braised Enoki Mushroom Pork Rolls, Savoury Rice with Chopped Bok Choy, served with fresh bread. Paired it with their ” Red Eye ” cocktail ( Beer and Tomato Juice ) … my least favourite drink on this journey. Beer and Tomato Juice are simply not a combination. Dessert was a Selection of Fresh Fruit. As Chinese New Year was approaching, the service ended with a red envelope containing a chocolate coin.

EVA Air Business Class Meal – Taipei to Hong Kong

EVA Business Class – Takeaway

Chinese New Year in HK is a special time filled with fireworks and celebrations throughout the country. From YYZ, there are multiple ways to get there, including a direct flight with Cathay Pacific. Given the ease of earning AP points in Canada, I opted to use AP points rather than my One World points for this journey.

While two layovers are not my ideal way to travel, considering I could have flown Direct on Cathay Pacific, EVA Air is definitely one of the best Asian airlines I’ve flown in business class. The trip was smooth, and even the terminal change at ORD was a breeze, with no need to recheck my luggage.

Overall, I’d give the trip a 9/10 and would fly this route with AC & EVA again!!

祝你有個愉快嘅旅行 ✈️

(BON VOYAGE )