This airline is ranked eighth airline in the world according to SKYTRAX standards, but most Australians haven’t heard of it. After spotting a bargain airfare for $584 to London, I decided to check it out. Here's the verdict. Eva Air is ranked eighth airline in the world according to SKYTRAX standards, but most Australians haven’t heard of it, given it only flies out of Brisbane. After doing my due diligence with Skyscanner, I spotted a bargain basement fare to London for $584 one way, with a return fare of $784 - a total of $1368. So I decided to give it a go ... Check in I arrive at Brisbane International Airport with what I expect to be plenty of time - three hours before departure - but the queue is already 150 people deep. I had not checked in online, so joined what I thought was the shorter check in queue but the bag drop queue moves as slowly as mine. As an economy traveller, I had put in a low level bid to upgrade to premium economy a few days before, but wasn’t successful. Checking in feels a little chaotic and takes 45 minutes which tests my patience knowing I have 28 hours of travel ahead of me. Boarding Passengers board according to zone number, but at the boarding gate, it feels disorderly and hectic and I wait another 30 minutes before boarding. The cabin I’m greeted by smiling staff as I enter and arrive at my seat quickly, towards the front of the economy section. Premium economy seats takeup a decent portion of the aircraft. Even though I’ve flown regularly, my slight fear of flying can on occasion overwhelm me, so I’m reassured that the plane looks and feels very new. The seats The seat configuration on this B777-300 is 3-4-3 and I’m in row 30 in a middle seat as I kindly let my husband take the aisle seat. Given the first leg is a night flight, I’m very happy to see the seats have the bendable head rests which I find way better than any kind of travel pillow. Amenities and extras The essential plane blanket is provided on each seat, along with headphones and an eye mask. I decline the offer of a pair of slippers, as I’m firmly a keep-my-shoes-on kind of flier. EntertainmentRecent release movie choices include The Fall Guy, Mad Max and The Idea of You; and there’s a ton of TV shows to choose from as well, so if sleep wasn’t a priority, there’s enough viewing to keep me occupied for the entire duration. Dining experience The first meal arrives two hours into the flight. It’s a choice of chicken curry or seafood pasta but as it’s midnight Brisbane time, I go for a glass of red with just a bread roll to send me to sleep for the next four hours. The two meals I choose on the second leg are a little too similar for my liking - a chicken and mushroom spaghetti and then a chicken and noodle dish. All the meals were a little heavy on the carbs. What’s hot The price. Given the average economy return airfare to London was around $2800 at the time I booked this one, the fare of $1400 return was amazing. Food choices at the sparkling clean Taipei Airport are plentiful - ramen and baked goods among them. What’s not The extra stop in Bangkok after the three hour flight from the first stop in Taipei. I had to disembark, walk 10 minutes back to the same gate and via security to reboard. The signage at the hot and very tired looking Bangkok Airport was poor and I didn’t know how much time I had to reboard. The verdict: 8/10 Most Australians aren’t familiar with Eva given they only fly out of Brisbane. For economy airfares at this price, it may well be worth flying from Sydney or Melbourne to hop on board! The level of service and modern fleet make Eva an excellent choice for Asia and Europe. (This article was published on escape.com.au on 23 September 2024)
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AuthorJournalist, PR and communications pro, spare time travel writer. Archives
September 2024
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