About this flight
This time, I took EVA Air’s Business Class from Taipei (Taiwan) to Paris.
At Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, I was surprised to see a Hello Kitty check-in counter.
In the Business Class lounge at Taoyuan Airport, I enjoyed Taiwanese specialties such as dim sum and a wide variety of fresh fruits.
Onboard, I was served one of the world’s finest champagnes, often called the “King of Champagne.”
It is rarely offered even in First Class on other airlines, yet EVA Air serves it in Business Class on its Paris route.
- 【About EVA Air】
- ・ One of the group companies of Evergreen Marine, Taiwan’s major container shipping firm.
- ・ Began operations in July 1991
- ・ Member of Star Alliance
- ・ Formed a partnership with Sanrio in Japan in 2005
- ＊ Aircraft with Hello Kitty liveries and Hello Kitty amenities
- ＊ A Hello Kitty-themed check-in counter is also installed at Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei)
Table of Contents
Taoyuan Airport
Top
Hello Kitty Check-in Counter (1)
This is the Hello Kitty self check-in counter located in the departure area of Taoyuan International Airport.
They really go all-in on the Hello Kitty theme!
Hello Kitty Check-in Counter (2)
Another Hello Kitty self check-in counter.
As a Japanese character, it’s wonderful to see it featured so prominently.
On the left panel, there is a large illustration of Hello Kitty riding on an EVA Air aircraft.
Business Class Check-in Counter
This is the Business Class check-in counter.
Lounge Dining
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Entrance
This is the entrance to the lounge.
Dishes I Enjoyed (1)
A selection of dishes I enjoyed after entering the lounge.
- • Steamed vegetables
- • Ribeye steak
- • Chicken soup
- • Simmered vegetables
- • Salad and more
Dishes I Enjoyed (2)
More dishes I enjoyed.
- • Garlic bread and cookies
- • Hazelnut ice cream and fruit
Sparkling Wine
A glass of sparkling wine enjoyed in the lounge.
Buffet Refrigerator
This self-serve refrigerator corner offers a variety of snacks, fruits, and drinks.
- • Sandwiches, vegetable sticks, cheese, dressings, yogurt
- • Fruits (banana, apple, jujube, watermelon, pineapple)
- • Packaged drinks (juice, tea, soy milk), mineral water
- • Sprouts, Fanta, Schweppes (soda water, ginger ale), cola, beer
Food Counter
The food counter includes coconut tarts in the front, and various Taiwanese sweets, soup containers, and more in the back.
Red Wine
Two types of red wine I enjoyed in the lounge.
Waiting for Shower
I enjoyed steamed buns, simmered dishes, and red wine while waiting for my turn to use the shower.
The call pager can be seen at the back left of the table.
Drinks & Lounge Interior
Drinks on the table and a view of the lounge interior.
Salad Corner
The salad bar inside the lounge.
It offers familiar vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
Next to the mixed salad appears to be Taiwanese jujube.
Dim Sum
The dim sum corner in the lounge, with delicious-looking items served in steamers.
- • (Steamers) Pork buns, custard buns, sweet potato–filled buns, etc.
- • Center: Braised pork (mantou buns in the back container to make pork buns)
- • Steamed potatoes and pumpkin
Boarding
Top
Shop
A shop we passed on the way to the boarding gate.
They sell light snacks such as sandwiches and drinks like juice.
Boarding Gate
We arrived at the boarding gate.
In Front of the Boarding Gate
In front of the boarding gate.
In-Flight Seat
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Seat and Overnight Kit
This is the Business Class seat. Inside the red bag is the overnight kit (made by Ferragamo), which includes facial cleanser, moisturizer, and other amenities.
In the past, this overnight kit came in a case made by RIMOWA, the German suitcase manufacturer. However, after RIMOWA was acquired by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) in 2017, they discontinued providing amenity cases for airlines, so EVA Air now uses Ferragamo cases.
Welcome Drink
The welcome drink.
Flights to London make a stop in Bangkok, but the Taipei–Paris route flies directly across Russian airspace.
Pajamas
These are the onboard pajamas provided to Business Class passengers.
Stars on the Ceiling
When the cabin lights dim, “stars” appear on the ceiling.
A beautiful touch—falling asleep under a starry sky.
In-Flight Meals
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Wine List
This is the wine list. It includes French red and white wines, German red wine, and Spanish red wine. Most impressively, the champagne served is KRUG—known as the “King of Champagne.”
KRUG is usually offered only in First Class on other airlines, but EVA Air serves it in Business Class on the Paris route. Truly exceptional.
Dinner – Amuse-Bouche
The amuse-bouche served shortly after takeoff.
Dinner – Table Setup
The table was set with a cloth.
While most airlines use plain white linens, EVA Air uses tablecloths and plates decorated with floral patterns.
Bread, butter, and olive oil were also served.
Dinner – Appetizer
The appetizer: a terrine of salmon and foie gras.
Dinner – Main Course
The main dish was a meat entrée, served with roasted garlic.
The sides included asparagus, potatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
Dessert and Fruit
Dessert and fresh fruit after the meal. It’s charming to see the apple cut into a rabbit shape—apparently they do this in Taiwan as well. The blue-green fruit on the right appears to be Taiwanese jujube.
I enjoyed tea along with KRUG champagne.
Cocoa and Cookies
Cocoa and Walkers shortbread cookies, served shortly after waking from a nap.
Hamburger (1)
A hamburger served as a mid-flight snack, along with Coca-Cola Zero and sparkling water.
Hamburger (2)
The inside of the hamburger, photographed after lifting the bun.
Breakfast
Breakfast served before landing.
- • Stir-fried egg and shrimp
- • Mushrooms and tofu in a savory sauce
- • Congee with condiments
- • The square item in the center is fermented tofu (“doufu ru”). It is mixed into congee—salty, spicy, and almost cheese-like.
Breakfast – Fruit
Fresh fruit served after breakfast.
Arrival in Paris
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Seat Before Landing
Just before landing.
Cabin Before Landing
The cabin shortly before landing in Paris.
Foggy Charles de Gaulle Airport
We arrived in Paris.
Departing Taiwan around midnight, we reached Paris at dawn—around 4 or 5 a.m.—and the airport was covered in thick fog.
Fast-Track Immigration Pass
The fast-track immigration pass given to Business Class passengers.
Moving Escalator
The moving escalator that leads toward the main terminal at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Escalator to the Arrival Exit
This escalator leads to the arrivals exit.
At CDG Terminal 1, the arrival exit is located on the top floor, so you actually ride upward to reach it.
Arrival Lobby
We arrived at the upper-level arrival lobby.
Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 1
This is Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The escalators intertwine in a very unique layout.
Terminal 1 was built in the 1970s and designed under postmodernist principles, which challenged the rationalist architecture of the time—resulting in its iconic and unconventional appearance.
Welcome Flower
Staff members were handing out flowers at the exit—likely as a “Welcome to France” gesture. I received a flower free of charge.
Terminal 1 Elevator
The Terminal 1 elevator.
The 3rd floor is the departure lobby, and the 5th floor is the arrival lobby—quite unusual, as airports typically place arrivals below departures.
Transfer Counter
The transfer check-in counters.
Since I would continue my journey beyond Paris, I proceeded to check in again for my connecting flight.
