About this flight
This time, I flew from Taipei (Taiwan) to London in EVA Air’s business class. However, due to Taiwan’s political circumstances, flights are not allowed to pass through Chinese airspace. As a result, the itinerary required a stop in Bangkok (Thailand), where I transferred to another aircraft to continue on to London.
EVA Air has a partnership with Sanrio, so Hello Kitty elements can be found throughout the flight experience.
I was also able to enjoy uniquely Taiwanese meals on board.
- 【About EVA Air】
- ・ A subsidiary of Evergreen Marine, a major Taiwanese container shipping company
- ・ Began operations in July 1991
- ・ Member of Star Alliance
- ・ Partnered with Sanrio in Japan in 2005
- ＊ Aircraft feature Hello Kitty livery and amenities
- ＊ A dedicated Hello Kitty check-in counter is available at Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei)
Taoyuan Airport
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Check-in Counter
This is the Business Class check-in counter at Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei).
Departure Lobby
A view of the departure lobby at Taoyuan International Airport.
Ticket
This is my ticket.
The flight departs from Taipei at 8:30 in the morning, bound for London Heathrow.
Lounge Guide
This lounge guide is located just past immigration. EVA Air has four types of lounges at Taoyuan International Airport. The “Infinity” lounge is designated for Business Class passengers.
The access criteria for the other three lounges are as follows:
- “Star”: For Star Alliance Gold members
- “Garden”: For EVA Air Diamond members
- “Club”: For EVA Air Silver members and above
Lounge
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EVA Air Lounge Entrance
This is the sign above the entrance to the EVA Air lounge.
Meal Enjoyed Inside
This is the meal I had inside the lounge.
- • Cheese and butter
- • Scrambled eggs and bacon
- • The white bun is Chinese steamed bread
- • Dumplings
- • Sweet egg bread
Shower Room Wait Pager
When I went to use the shower, all rooms were occupied, so I was handed this pager.
It vibrates and lights up red when your turn comes.
Inside the Shower Room
Inside the shower room:
- ＊ Toiletries such as toothbrush, razor, and comb are provided.
- ＊ The shower booth is stocked with L'Occitane shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Post-Shower Snack
After returning from the shower, I had another small meal.
- • Minced pork — most likely the pork used in Lu Rou Fan, a famous Taiwanese street food.
- • Boiled dumplings
Boarding
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Aircraft
This is the aircraft for today’s flight — the Boeing 777-300ER.
This flight took place in 2017, and while I don’t recall the exact fleet composition at the time, EVA Air now owns a good number of large, long-haul aircraft with over 300 seats. As a subsidiary of a global container shipping company, they likely have strong financial backing.
- Boeing 777-300ER
- Boeing 787-10
- Airbus A330-300
Departure Gate
This is the departure gate for the flight to Bangkok.
Boarding Bridge
This sign directing passengers to the business class seats was located just before entering the boarding bridge from the departure gate.
In-Flight Seat to Bangkok
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Business Class Seat to Bangkok
This is the business class seat. It’s designed like a private suite.
Screen
This is the screen at the seat.
Welcome Drink
A glass of welcome champagne and a hand towel. The headphones are placed in the back left.
Stretching Your Legs
You can fully stretch your legs.
There’s plenty of room and the layout is spacious.
Business Class Cabin
A view of the business class cabin.
There’s a floral painting displayed in the center.
View from the Window
The view of Taiwan just after takeoff.
Ceiling
A look at the ceiling while lying down with the seat fully flat.
Dimmed Cabin
The cabin with the lights dimmed.
In-Flight Meal to Bangkok
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Meal Menu
This is the cover of the business class meal menu.
The design is very detailed and thoughtful.
Drink Menu
This is the drink menu. The cover design is also quite refined.
Aperitif
I enjoyed a glass of champagne and a rice cracker snack as an aperitif.
Tablecloth
The table was set with a cloth.
While most airlines use plain white linens, EVA Air uses a cloth with a decorative design.
Appetizer
This was the appetizer served on the flight to Bangkok.
Main Course
This is the main course.
- • The meat served over rice was stir-fried with Chinese-style seasoning.
- It was accompanied by baby corn and carrots.
- • Garlic bread – generously topped with garlic.
Dessert
This is the dessert.
I had cake, fruit, and coffee. The fruit included apple and kiwi, and the blue-green skinned one is likely a Taiwanese jujube.
After-Meal Champagne (1)
I had another glass of champagne and some water after the meal.
After-Meal Champagne (2)
Champagne and water, with the in-seat screen in the background.
Bangkok Airport
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Transit (1)
After about four hours of flying, we arrived at our transit point in Bangkok. Due to Taiwan's political situation preventing flights over Chinese airspace, we had to transit in Bangkok and continue the journey over India and the Middle East to reach London.
Transit (2)
Now boarding the EVA Air flight bound for London.
Onboard to London
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Seated in My Seat
I've boarded the flight to London.
View from the Window (1)
This is the tarmac at Bangkok Airport.
View from the Window (2)
We’re taxiing to the runway now.
Amenity Kit
This is the amenity kit, which includes a toothbrush set, eye mask, face wash, and moisturizing cream.
Interestingly, the bag itself is from RIMOWA (Germany), a very popular luggage brand. Typically, airlines such as Lufthansa and Thai Airways offer RIMOWA amenity kits only in first class. While EVA Air doesn’t have a first-class cabin, they generously offer RIMOWA kits in business class—at least they did in August 2017.
In-Flight Meals to London
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Welcome Drink
I was served a glass of champagne, a refreshing towel, and a piece of Godiva chocolate as a welcome. As EVA Air partners with Sanrio, the napkins featured Hello Kitty designs, and even the cabin attendants wore Hello Kitty-themed aprons.
Dinner – Aperitif and Amuse-Bouche
This was the aperitif and amuse-bouche served after departure from Bangkok.
Amuse-Bouche
A close-up of the amuse-bouche. It appears to be a slice of focaccia topped with smoked chicken and prosciutto.
Dinner – Appetizer
Following the amuse-bouche and the setting of the tablecloth, the appetizer was served.
- • Possibly boiled crab with arugula
- • Hard roll
- Served with butter, bottled olive oil, salt, and pepper
Dinner – Soup
Next came the soup. It might have been pumpkin soup.
Dinner – Salad
Then the salad was served. Since this is a long-haul flight, the meal is presented in multiple courses for a more leisurely dining experience.
Dinner – Main Course
The main dish was a beef entrée with a Chinese-style seasoning. Sides included glazed carrots and bok choy.
Dinner – Dessert
Dessert time. I had everything—and another glass of champagne.
- • Cheese plate
- • Chocolate ice cream (Mövenpick by Nestlé, Switzerland)
- • Traditional Thai sweets
- • Fruits: grapes, pineapple, Taiwanese jujube, mango, watermelon
Dinner – Tea After the Meal
Finished off the meal with a cup of Chinese tea.
Starry Sky on the Ceiling
When the cabin lights dim, small stars appear on the ceiling. Emirates Airlines also does something similar—it's a lovely way to drift off to sleep beneath a starry sky.
Midnight Snack
After a nap, I was gently asked if I'd like something light to eat. I was served a Thai-style chicken dish wrapped in a banana or similar leaf, paired with a sweet and spicy chili sauce.
Breakfast – Vegetable Juice
A refreshing vegetable juice to start the morning.
Breakfast
A Taiwanese-style breakfast served before arrival.
- • Rice porridge with condiments
- • Stir-fried green beans
- • Tamagoyaki (Japanese-style omelet)
- • Fermented tofu
- The red item in the center. It’s very salty and spicy if eaten alone, but it’s meant to be mixed into the porridge—a typical Taiwanese way to enjoy it.
Breakfast – Fruits
Fresh fruit and tea served after breakfast.
Over London
And just like that, we were approaching London.
Arrival in London
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Just Before Landing
This is the outskirts of London just before landing.
Heathrow Airport
We've arrived at Heathrow Airport.
Arrival Gate
After passing through immigration, I came out into the arrival gate.
Underground Station
This is the underground station that connects the arrival lobby to central London.
