Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Eva sfo-tpe-bkk

Hi! I'm new to the forum, but I've been reading a lot about what you've all had to say! Thanks for all the great info! I'm flying out to BKK via TPE from SFO early Friday morning.

A few questions... (Apologies if they've already been answered somewhere else...)

- Does EVA have a place where they list the movie selections for their flights?
- Do they really serve dinner 2 hrs after take off...which would be 3:30am for us? That seems silly.
- Any way to tell how full the flight is? My bf is very tall so I'd like to request either an entire row of 3 for us or those seats with only 2 in the back of the 777. What's the best way to do this?
- Anyone flown on the 747 combi out of SFO lately? I saw on kayak.com earlier this week that there were some flights listed with the combi as their equipment.
- We've got a U fare so we're thinking upgrading is impossible...but is it worth a try at the gate...especially if the flight is really empty? (We are first time fliers with EVA so no status.)
- On the return we've got an 8 hr layover in TPE. I'm a foodie so I'm interested in any great restaurants we could check out for lunch in TPE....

Many thanks to all your help!

Lauren

Hi Lauren. Welcome to FlyerTalk! I can answer a couple of your questions. From SFO, the meal is served about 40 minutes after takeoff. Sometimes it's quicker, but if there is turbulence in the area, the Captain may keep the F/As in their seats a while longer.

If you have access to Expert Flyer, you can see EVA seat maps. However, keep in mind that many seats on EVA are blocked, and show as assigned. This includes those last couple rows on the 77W that are blocked for airport use and Elites.

I would say your chances of a free upgrade with no status are close to zero. You can check at SFO and see if they are selling any day of departure upgrades. Sometimes they are a deal, but most times they aren't.

Finally, yes you can see some of the current month's movie offerings on EVA's web site: http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/tips/Cabin_comfort/In-flight_Entertainment/Sky_cinema/

There is an Airport bus that takes you downtown for around $4 each way if I remember correctly. As for great restaurants - I have always enjoyed the food courts in TPE - great food for cheap.

I want to say the food is very limited in TPE airport. If I have 8 hours to burn, i would pass through immigration and take a tour of downtown Taipei.


Also, the 747 Combi has older interior. It makes more a difference if you are flying Premium Laurel or Elite class when you compare 747 Combi VS 777 at least in my opinion.

EVA's 747-400 Combis don't have Audio/Video-on-Demand (AVOD). Also, Economy Class seats are not equipped with individual entertainment systems.

The 777-300ERs have AVOD systems in every seat.

- Do they really serve dinner 2 hrs after take off...which would be 3:30am for us? That seems silly.
- On the return we've got an 8 hr layover in TPE. I'm a foodie so I'm interested in any great restaurants we could check out for lunch in TPE....
Lauren

Yes, they feed you to confuse your internal clock and get ready for time change. My experience is eat when they feed you (and more) as you will get hungry half way into the flight if you don't eat.

I am guessing on the return you get to TPE early afternoon and out late evening? Consider the traffic and budget at least 1.5 hour each way to be safe. To try the food courts, I would take the Hyatt Line (East Taipei) bus and get off at the ZhongXiao Fuxing MRT Station stop. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THEY PICK UP on the return to the airport! I am not sure.

In the basement of the Sogo by the bus stop, there are a lot of restaurants, including: http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/area_a_detail.asp?AreaNO=80&AreaCountryNO=1

http://www.taoyuanairport.gov.tw/english/transportation/taipei_e.jsp under "Toward You Air Bus"

Din Tai Fung also has a store in LA in Arcadia (the one in YYZ is owned by someone else but just as good). In Arcadia, the steamers are metal (health department rules) but they are bamboo in TPE. So, being a foodie, you should see if you can tell the difference.

If you take that bus to the last stop, you will be at the Hyatt which is next to the Taipei 101. There is a nice food court under Taipei 101 but also in the department stores near by. Jason's in the basement of the 101 is interesting - a high end world supermarket.

I would also try the bakeries that are usually in the department store basements. In the Bay Area, most of the bakeries are more HK style than Taiwanese style. Check out the Taiwanese bakeries...they are great.