Is EVA Air Premium Economy Worth It

Flying long-haul can be a marathon, not a sprint. For many travelers, the thought of enduring hours in a standard economy seat is enough to induce pre-flight jitters. But what if there was a middle ground, a sweet spot between budget-friendly economy and luxurious business class? Enter Premium Economy. Specifically, when it comes to a highly-regarded airline like EVA Air, a crucial question arises: Is EVA Air Premium Economy Worth It for your next journey?

This comprehensive guide will dive deep into EVA Air's Premium Economy offering, breaking down its features, comparing it to other cabin classes, and helping you decide if the upgrade is truly worth the investment for your travel style and needs.

Unpacking EVA Air Premium Economy: What's Included?

EVA Air, a Skytrax 5-star airline and a pioneer in introducing Premium Economy in 1992, aims to provide a significantly enhanced experience over standard economy. But what exactly do you get when you choose this cabin?

Enhanced Seating and Space

One of the most compelling reasons to consider Premium Economy is the increased personal space. EVA Air's Premium Economy cabin, typically found on their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, features a comfortable 2-4-2 seat configuration. This means fewer passengers per row compared to economy, offering a more private feel.

You can expect:

• Generous Pitch: A seat pitch of 38 inches, providing ample legroom to stretch out. This is notably more than the 31-33 inches found in standard Economy.
• Wider Seats: Seats are approximately 19.5 inches wide, offering more elbow room than Economy.
• Increased Recline: While not a lie-flat bed, the seats offer a decent recline, allowing for better rest, especially on long flights. Some reviews note that the recline can still feel intrusive if the person in front fully reclines.
• Footrests: Most seats come with a footrest, adding to overall comfort.

Upgraded Amenities and In-Flight Comfort

EVA Air goes beyond just a bigger seat to make your journey more pleasant. Passengers receive a range of amenities designed to enhance the long-haul experience:

• Pillow and Blanket: A plush and soft blanket and a good quality pillow are provided, often noted for their comfort.
• Amenity Kit: Expect a well-stocked amenity kit, often featuring items like moisturizing cream, lip balm, socks, a comb, earplugs, and a sleep mask. This adds a touch of business class luxury.
• Slippers: A thoughtful touch, slippers are provided for added comfort during the flight.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: To complement the in-flight entertainment, noise-canceling headphones are typically offered.
• In-Seat Power: USB ports and 110V AC outlets are available at each seat, ensuring your devices stay charged throughout your journey.

Enhanced Dining Experience

Food and beverage service in EVA Air Premium Economy is a step up from standard economy. You can expect:

• Upgraded Meal Options: Meals are often described as high-quality, fresh, and seasonal, with a mix of Western and Eastern flavors. Some passengers note the food quality as a highlight.
• Premium Beverages: A broader selection of drinks is available, including red and white wines, sparkling wine, famous beers, cocktails (like Mojitos and Screwdrivers), and various non-alcoholic options such as plum liqueur, local Taiwanese beers, Calpis water, and premium green tea. Drinks are often served in real glass tumblers.
• Pre-order Meals: The option to pre-order your meals is often available via the EVA Air app.

Ground Services and Baggage

While the in-flight experience is a clear upgrade, it's important to manage expectations for ground services:

• Baggage Allowance: EVA Air Premium Economy generally includes a generous checked baggage allowance of two pieces, each weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs). This is typically the same as Economy Class, but check your specific fare rules. Carry-on allowance is one piece weighing up to 7kg (15 lbs), similar to Economy.
• No Priority Boarding: Surprisingly, Premium Economy passengers typically board with Group 4, alongside economy travelers, and do not receive priority boarding.
• No Lounge Access: Lounge access is generally not included with an EVA Air Premium Economy ticket. However, if you hold EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Silver Card status or higher, or a credit card with lounge benefits, you may be able to access lounges.

EVA Air Premium Economy vs. Other Classes: A Comparison

Understanding where Premium Economy fits between Economy and Business Class is key to making an informed decision.

Premium Economy vs. Economy Class

This is where the value proposition of EVA Air Premium Economy truly shines, especially for long-haul flights.

• Space & Comfort: Premium Economy offers significantly more space, with a 38-inch seat pitch and wider seats, allowing for greater comfort and the ability to stretch out. Economy seats typically have 31-33 inches of pitch and are narrower. This extra room can make a significant difference in reducing fatigue on long journeys.
• Amenities: Premium Economy provides a more comprehensive amenity kit, better quality blankets and pillows, noise-canceling headphones, and in-seat power outlets, which are often not standard in Economy.
• Dining: While Economy meals are generally considered good on EVA Air, Premium Economy offers an upgraded menu with more premium ingredients and a wider beverage selection, served on better dinnerware.
• Cost: Premium Economy typically costs roughly double the price of Economy, or about $600-$800 more for a long-haul flight.

Premium Economy vs. Business Class

While Premium Economy is a significant upgrade from Economy, it's not Business Class, and the price reflects that.

• Cost: Premium Economy is significantly more affordable than Business Class, often costing about one-third of the Business Class fare.
• Seat Type: Business Class on EVA Air (Royal Laurel Class) offers lie-flat seats, providing a true bed-like experience for sleeping. Premium Economy seats, while more spacious and reclining, do not fully recline to a lie-flat position.
• Privacy & Service: Business Class offers greater privacy and often more personalized service. Business Class passengers also typically receive priority boarding and lounge access, which are generally not included with Premium Economy tickets.
• Meal Service: While Premium Economy meals are excellent, Business Class dining is typically a more elaborate, restaurant-style experience with even more extensive menus and premium offerings.

Factors to Consider When Deciding if EVA Air Premium Economy is Worth It

So, after reviewing the benefits, how do you determine if the extra cost for EVA Air Premium Economy is justified for your trip?

• Flight Duration: For short to medium-haul flights (under 6-8 hours), the benefits of Premium Economy might not outweigh the increased cost. However, for long-haul flights (10+ hours to Asia, for example), the extra space, comfort, and amenities can make a profound difference in your ability to rest and arrive feeling refreshed.
• Budget: This is often the primary deciding factor. If Business Class is out of your budget, Premium Economy offers a comfortable compromise without breaking the bank. Is an extra $600-$1000 worth several more inches of legroom and an enhanced experience? For many, on a long flight, the answer is yes.
• Personal Comfort Preferences: Do you struggle to sleep on planes? Are you tall or do you simply value extra space? If so, the added legroom and wider seats in Premium Economy could be a game-changer.
• Travel Purpose: If you're traveling for leisure and want to start your vacation feeling relaxed, Premium Economy can significantly improve the journey. For business travelers who need to hit the ground running, the ability to get better rest is invaluable.
• Seat Selection: Some reviews highlight that the experience can vary depending on your seat. Opting for the two-seat sections by the window in the 2-4-2 layout is often recommended for maximum space and comfort, making the upgrade even more worthwhile.

Tips for Booking EVA Air Premium Economy

• Book Early: Prices for Premium Economy can fluctuate, and booking in advance often secures better deals.
• Consider Fare Types: Be aware of different fare types (e.g., Basic, Standard, Up) as they may offer varying levels of flexibility, seat selection options, and mileage accrual. For example, with Premium Economy Basic, you might select your seat for free 48 hours before the flight.
• Utilize Loyalty Programs: If you're part of EVA Air's Infinity MileageLands program or a Star Alliance Gold member, you might gain additional benefits, though lounge access is generally not a standard Premium Economy perk.
• Check for Sales/Promotions: Keep an eye out for special offers or sales that might make the upgrade more affordable.

Conclusion: Is EVA Air Premium Economy Worth It?

For many long-haul travelers, the answer to "Is EVA Air Premium Economy Worth It?" is a resounding yes, especially for flights over 8-10 hours. While it doesn't offer the lie-flat luxury of Business Class or priority ground services, it provides a significant and noticeable upgrade in comfort, space, and overall in-flight experience compared to Economy.

The generous seat pitch, wider seats, quality amenities, and improved dining make a genuine difference in reducing travel fatigue and ensuring you arrive at your destination feeling more refreshed. If you're seeking a more comfortable journey without the substantial cost of Business Class, EVA Air's Premium Economy offers an excellent balance of value and enhanced comfort.

Have you flown EVA Air Premium Economy? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the food better in EVA Air Premium Economy than Economy?

Yes, the food in EVA Air Premium Economy is generally considered a step up from Economy. You'll often find upgraded meal options, a wider selection of premium beverages including wines and cocktails, and meals served on better quality dinnerware.

2. What is the baggage allowance for EVA Air Premium Economy?

EVA Air Premium Economy typically includes a checked baggage allowance of two pieces, with each piece weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs). For carry-on baggage, passengers are usually permitted one piece weighing up to 7 kg (15 lbs).

3. Do you get lounge access with EVA Air Premium Economy?

No, lounge access is generally not included with a standard EVA Air Premium Economy ticket. However, if you are an EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Silver Card member or higher, or have a credit card that grants lounge access, you may be able to use the lounges.

4. Is EVA Air Premium Economy available on all routes?

Currently, EVA Air's Premium Economy class is primarily available on their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which are used for many long-haul routes. While EVA Air is introducing new Premium Economy cabins on some Boeing 787-9 aircraft for specific routes, it's best to check the specific aircraft type for your flight when booking to confirm Premium Economy availability.