Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - any idea what routes EVA Air's new 777-200LR is intended for? (9000-mile+ range)

any idea what routes EVA Air's new 777-200LR is intended for? (9000-mile+ range, which is equal or better than Singapoer Air's A340-500 Leadership, used for NYC-SIN & LAX-SIN nonstops)

Perhaps it's to replace their current fleet of 747-400s from North America(NYC/SEA/SFO/LAX) to Taiwan?

:)

EVA intends to replace its B747-400 passenger fleet with the B777-200LR/-300ER.

Many say the -200LR will fly TPE-EWR non-stop. Some rumored the return of a flight to PTY, but I personally doubt that.

Any idea or announcement on the configuration for the 777? I hope they'd be interested in keeping Evergreen Deluxe or an economy plus section. I'm not that interested in F class - never have been - but a decently priced C-class would be nice! :)

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My guess is also that the 772L will be for TPE-EWR. I think they only bought 3 - so I would think 2 would be deployed on that route for daily service and probably one on a route with less frequency (YYZ mabye finally?)

I doubt PTY will be back. That was a political route which never made money - can't fill the seat via LAX, certainly can't do it non-stop from TPE.

I am a little concerned with the seat allocation on the 777s though. I would have expected more ED seats - I wonder if they intend to make it more exclusive and charge more for it.

Steven

I am a little concerned with the seat allocation on the 777s though. I would have expected more ED seats - I wonder if they intend to make it more exclusive and charge more for it.

I am just as concerned with the 773ER seat allocation. Premium Laurel and Evergreen Deluxe only have around 20 seats difference. I'm concerned that Business Class won't be as exclusive like it is now with around 16~32 seats. Also, on long-haul flights, we're losing about 40~80 Evergreen Deluxe seats. That means less seats for us passengers to buy or upgrade. :confused:

I am not that worried about the increased seats in J/C class. I think Premium Laurel is a very good product (if they make the seats a little wider) and it will command the exclusivity and pricing. My guess is that this will allow BR to sell more codeshare C class seats, have more C fare paying business travellers and allocate more award upgrades.

When ED first came out in 1992, it was over-allocated on the 744 and they quiuckly shrank it. It seems ED now sells out faster than "small Y". It really does not make sense for them to reduce the size of the cabin unless they want to increase the differentiation and price. I think they will fail as many would gladly move back to Y if the price differential is too high.

What I am wondering is the long term strategy. Their news release says that the 777 will be the main aircraft for long haul flights. I wonder how the 777s will serve heavy routes like LAX-TPE and impact their combi cargo strategy.

Steven