EVA Airways: BR391 TPE-SGN in Business Class
Dec 28, 2009, 9:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
EVA Airways: BR391 TPE-SGN in Business Class
Flight
EVA Airways 27 DEC BR391 B777-300
Dep TPE 09:10 Arr SGN 11:35 (3hrs 25mins)
Business class ("Premium Laurel"), OP-UPed from premium economy class ("Elite")
Intro
EVA is Taiwan's second airline and I'm a Gold member of their FF scheme. Their programme has 4 tiers - Green, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Gold is roughly equivalent to gold with one of the big alliances, though EVA do not belong to an alliance.
I was flying on EVA's 777-300 which is configured with 3 classes, economy (33"), premium economy (38" - called "Elite") and business class (61" - called "Premium Laurel" class).
This was the last sector of a return SGN-LHR via TPE. I can well imagine I'm the only person that ever buys such a ticket, the vast majority of ex-SGN EVA travellers transitting in TPE for north American destinations. I was on an Elite ticket, fare class "L" with TPE stopovers in both directions. I was OP-UPed on the inbound LHR-BKK-TPE sectors a few days ago.
This TPE-SGN flight operates daily - on certain days there is an additional, earlier flight.
Pre-flight
I arrived at TPE terminal 2 at 07:45 when it is usually quite busy. EVA dominate this terminal and non FFs may prefer to check-in online or use the newly installed kiosks. I never do this - there is a separate check-in for C-class flyers and EVA FFs and I like the human touch.
I entered the roped lanes for Gold members and by the time I had got to the front the two people waiting had been allocated desks. A porter grabbed one of my two suitcases and took it 3 or so paces to the desk. A bit of a farce really. TPE has become rope city - roped queues everywhere. It's a pointless irritation at the premium check-in where I've never seen long lines. Besides it just doesn't look "premium".
I had pre-booked 25C in "Elite" - I always go for aisle seats, but the check-in lady said I'd been OP-UPed to Premium Laurel class and assigned me 10C. This was a big surprise - I'd checked online earlier and EVA were still selling seats in all classes. It felt it compensated me for their not having availability the following day which is when I really wanted to fly. The Gold waitlist priority had failed to deliver - as it sometimes does if you don't "push" them. She tagged my bags with proper "Priority" stickers - something they only do if you are Diamond or in PL class, Gold "Elite" class flyers getting mere "Evergreen Club" stickers.
Security/immigration was swift and I arrived at the lounge "complex" at 8am on the dot. EVA has two conventional lounges (the "Business" and the "Diamond") and an "open plan" garden-type lounge. Elite class alone doesn't get you lounge access. In Elite you must be Silver to get access to an EVA lounge, or Gold to get lounge access where EVA don't operate their own. Plenty has been said on the crazy access policy in TPE in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...-insanity.html, but on this occasion I was told that the "Business" was full so I was given the "Diamond". Both the "Diamond" and the garden are reserved for EVA's Diamond members whereas all EVA's silvers, golds and non-Diamond C class flyers go into "the Business". So ad-hoc upgrades are common.
I had some potato-salad sandwiches, some fried potato cakes, bacon, fruit, a croissant with President camembert, a bottle of water, a bottle of orange juice and coffee. It's the usual self-service affair with quality better than the standard lounge but choice and reading matter tilted towards Asian tastes. WiFi internet was fast and without a password.
Boarding was due to start at 08:40 from gate C7 and I left the lounge at 08:30. Down the escalator and a dawdle past some duty free shops - a 7 minute walk I did in 12. There are no additional security checks. A couple of years ago they'd check hand luggage and even re-X-ray items. Perhaps they still do this on US-bound flights. The gate consists of a room and BPs are checked just prior to boarding. There are two exits to the aircraft - they usually keep the one on the left for PL flyers, Golds and Diamonds. This works well as people crowd around the other exit. On this occasion boarding had already started and they were allowing Elite (premium economy, that is) flyers to board through the "priority" gate and there was a line of about 10 pax.
Flight
On arrival at the aircraft door the FA took my BP and escorted me to my seat. This meant walking through the front-PL cabin and encountering a good-natured melee of pax backed up by the second door. The FA politely pushed them aside so that I could get around the corner to 10C. She opened the locker and was ready to help stow my hand luggage. I just had one small bag - but for those who are concerned about such things, EVA generally has a relaxed policy on hand luggage even if you're a non-FF in Economy. I dispatched the FA as I'm happy to organise myself. Row 10 is recommended - PL has two cabins, this is the front row of the rear cabin. If in the window seat you can still get to the aisle without disturbing 10C. This row seems to have a bit more leg room, but this is hardly an issue. I watched the PAX board - almost all Vietnamese and mostly American-Vietnamese presumably returning to Vietnam just after Christmas in the US. After a few minutes the FA returned with a tray offering water, orange juice or apple juice. Many airlines would offer champagne at this point, but I'm content with a soft drink and took an orange juice. Certainly if you ask for something else they'd serve it.
The doors closed and 10A was still unoccupied. I asked a passing FA if I could move - she double checked a list and said no problem. We pushed back at 09:15 and took off from runway 6 but not before the FA returned to collect the glass.
On cruising a routine announcement was made welcoming passengers. Flight time would be 3hrs 7mins and we were expected to arrive 11:25, a little early. An FA returned to do the "gold member" welcome. Though well-meaning I always find this awkward. It is pretty standard for Golds and Diamonds. They introduce themselves by name and stress that if you need anything just ask. Well in business class you don't need to be invited to do that. I suppose if you're in Economy its a nice touch that makes a bigger difference in an otherwise more austere environment.
A snack run was promptly made. Choice of beverage and packet of nuts/rice crackers. I went for an Australian red. Menus were delivered and top ups/extra packets offered. As ever, the menu refers to the flight as being "Taipei - Ho Chi Min". Why can't they get it right? (Should be "Ho Chi Minh" or ideally "Ho Chi Minh City".) The menu was in Chinese and English. The drinks menu was also in Japanese. They do now have a few Vietnamese cabin crew -2 on this flight - though I've never seen them deployed in business class. Whilst the Vietnamese I've seen in business class generally speak English, this isn't always the case. I wonder if they'll ever get to the point of writing the menu on this route in Vietnamese.
Light Meal
Hors D'Oeuvres
Smoked Salmon Rolled with Herb Cheese and Duck Terrine with Pickles
Main Courses
Teriyaki Chicken on Skewer
Seasonal Vegetables
Steamed Rice
or
Pan Fried Beef Fillet Steak Topped with Cajun Butter and Sherry Wine Sauce
Assorted Vegetables
Roasted Red Skin Potato
or
Pan Fried Hallibut with Ling Po Sauce
Mixed Vegetables
Steamed Rice with Gingko
Fresh Fruit Sweet
Freshly Brewed Coffee Selection of Tea
Sometimes after delivering menus FAs return to take your main course order. This time the grub just started to appear. When it came to the main course they rolled out a trolley with the different main courses spread out so you could peer over and make your choice. I went for the hallibut and it was great. The vegetables were carrots and asparagus. The "Sweet" consisted of a row of miniture cakes. I continued with the Australian red (Billi Billi) and top ups were promptly offered. I finished off with an espresso coffee which according to the menu should have been Illy. Though not great, it did the job and rounded off a jolly nice meal.
The tables were cleared and it was still at least an hour before descent was due. I decided to wander around the plane. PL was about 80% full - I was lucky to have an empty seat next to me. Elite was full and Economy was 80% full. Economy was almost entirely Vietnamese, as far as I could tell American Vietnamese. Elite and PL was a mixture of Vietnamese and Taiwanese. There were only about 3 western faces in total.
I returned to my seat and slept for a while. PL seats are the angled-lie flat type and are tough to get comfortable in. Before long an announcement was made and we started out descent during which time another drink/beverage run was made. We landed and following an annoying pause during taxiing, we were at the gate at 11:30. Economy and Elite passengers were held back whilst PL travellers got off.
Arrivals
No queues at immigration, I was in the baggage hall at 11:40. Priority luggage quickly appeared and I was in a taxi by 11:50, 15 minutes after we were due to arrive.
Conclusion
Overall a good performance and if I'd paid the full business class fare I would have been satisfied. There was good attention to detail - always using my name, remembering which wine I was on, showing me to my seat etc., which though should be standard was a little lacking on my recent LHR-BKK PL class flight.
As a FF, I have been OP-UPed to PL class 5 out of the 15 sectors I've flown this year (4 times from Elite, once from Economy). This is probably because I've taken a disproportionate number of full or nearly full flights. OP-UPs happen often enough for it to be a tangible benefit of being an EVA FF but are not so often that they are expected and cause disappointment when they don't happen. I'm a happy customer.
EVA Airways 27 DEC BR391 B777-300
Dep TPE 09:10 Arr SGN 11:35 (3hrs 25mins)
Business class ("Premium Laurel"), OP-UPed from premium economy class ("Elite")
Intro
EVA is Taiwan's second airline and I'm a Gold member of their FF scheme. Their programme has 4 tiers - Green, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Gold is roughly equivalent to gold with one of the big alliances, though EVA do not belong to an alliance.
I was flying on EVA's 777-300 which is configured with 3 classes, economy (33"), premium economy (38" - called "Elite") and business class (61" - called "Premium Laurel" class).
This was the last sector of a return SGN-LHR via TPE. I can well imagine I'm the only person that ever buys such a ticket, the vast majority of ex-SGN EVA travellers transitting in TPE for north American destinations. I was on an Elite ticket, fare class "L" with TPE stopovers in both directions. I was OP-UPed on the inbound LHR-BKK-TPE sectors a few days ago.
This TPE-SGN flight operates daily - on certain days there is an additional, earlier flight.
Pre-flight
I arrived at TPE terminal 2 at 07:45 when it is usually quite busy. EVA dominate this terminal and non FFs may prefer to check-in online or use the newly installed kiosks. I never do this - there is a separate check-in for C-class flyers and EVA FFs and I like the human touch.
I entered the roped lanes for Gold members and by the time I had got to the front the two people waiting had been allocated desks. A porter grabbed one of my two suitcases and took it 3 or so paces to the desk. A bit of a farce really. TPE has become rope city - roped queues everywhere. It's a pointless irritation at the premium check-in where I've never seen long lines. Besides it just doesn't look "premium".
I had pre-booked 25C in "Elite" - I always go for aisle seats, but the check-in lady said I'd been OP-UPed to Premium Laurel class and assigned me 10C. This was a big surprise - I'd checked online earlier and EVA were still selling seats in all classes. It felt it compensated me for their not having availability the following day which is when I really wanted to fly. The Gold waitlist priority had failed to deliver - as it sometimes does if you don't "push" them. She tagged my bags with proper "Priority" stickers - something they only do if you are Diamond or in PL class, Gold "Elite" class flyers getting mere "Evergreen Club" stickers.
Security/immigration was swift and I arrived at the lounge "complex" at 8am on the dot. EVA has two conventional lounges (the "Business" and the "Diamond") and an "open plan" garden-type lounge. Elite class alone doesn't get you lounge access. In Elite you must be Silver to get access to an EVA lounge, or Gold to get lounge access where EVA don't operate their own. Plenty has been said on the crazy access policy in TPE in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...-insanity.html, but on this occasion I was told that the "Business" was full so I was given the "Diamond". Both the "Diamond" and the garden are reserved for EVA's Diamond members whereas all EVA's silvers, golds and non-Diamond C class flyers go into "the Business". So ad-hoc upgrades are common.
I had some potato-salad sandwiches, some fried potato cakes, bacon, fruit, a croissant with President camembert, a bottle of water, a bottle of orange juice and coffee. It's the usual self-service affair with quality better than the standard lounge but choice and reading matter tilted towards Asian tastes. WiFi internet was fast and without a password.
Boarding was due to start at 08:40 from gate C7 and I left the lounge at 08:30. Down the escalator and a dawdle past some duty free shops - a 7 minute walk I did in 12. There are no additional security checks. A couple of years ago they'd check hand luggage and even re-X-ray items. Perhaps they still do this on US-bound flights. The gate consists of a room and BPs are checked just prior to boarding. There are two exits to the aircraft - they usually keep the one on the left for PL flyers, Golds and Diamonds. This works well as people crowd around the other exit. On this occasion boarding had already started and they were allowing Elite (premium economy, that is) flyers to board through the "priority" gate and there was a line of about 10 pax.
Flight
On arrival at the aircraft door the FA took my BP and escorted me to my seat. This meant walking through the front-PL cabin and encountering a good-natured melee of pax backed up by the second door. The FA politely pushed them aside so that I could get around the corner to 10C. She opened the locker and was ready to help stow my hand luggage. I just had one small bag - but for those who are concerned about such things, EVA generally has a relaxed policy on hand luggage even if you're a non-FF in Economy. I dispatched the FA as I'm happy to organise myself. Row 10 is recommended - PL has two cabins, this is the front row of the rear cabin. If in the window seat you can still get to the aisle without disturbing 10C. This row seems to have a bit more leg room, but this is hardly an issue. I watched the PAX board - almost all Vietnamese and mostly American-Vietnamese presumably returning to Vietnam just after Christmas in the US. After a few minutes the FA returned with a tray offering water, orange juice or apple juice. Many airlines would offer champagne at this point, but I'm content with a soft drink and took an orange juice. Certainly if you ask for something else they'd serve it.
The doors closed and 10A was still unoccupied. I asked a passing FA if I could move - she double checked a list and said no problem. We pushed back at 09:15 and took off from runway 6 but not before the FA returned to collect the glass.
On cruising a routine announcement was made welcoming passengers. Flight time would be 3hrs 7mins and we were expected to arrive 11:25, a little early. An FA returned to do the "gold member" welcome. Though well-meaning I always find this awkward. It is pretty standard for Golds and Diamonds. They introduce themselves by name and stress that if you need anything just ask. Well in business class you don't need to be invited to do that. I suppose if you're in Economy its a nice touch that makes a bigger difference in an otherwise more austere environment.
A snack run was promptly made. Choice of beverage and packet of nuts/rice crackers. I went for an Australian red. Menus were delivered and top ups/extra packets offered. As ever, the menu refers to the flight as being "Taipei - Ho Chi Min". Why can't they get it right? (Should be "Ho Chi Minh" or ideally "Ho Chi Minh City".) The menu was in Chinese and English. The drinks menu was also in Japanese. They do now have a few Vietnamese cabin crew -2 on this flight - though I've never seen them deployed in business class. Whilst the Vietnamese I've seen in business class generally speak English, this isn't always the case. I wonder if they'll ever get to the point of writing the menu on this route in Vietnamese.
Light Meal
Hors D'Oeuvres
Smoked Salmon Rolled with Herb Cheese and Duck Terrine with Pickles
Main Courses
Teriyaki Chicken on Skewer
Seasonal Vegetables
Steamed Rice
or
Pan Fried Beef Fillet Steak Topped with Cajun Butter and Sherry Wine Sauce
Assorted Vegetables
Roasted Red Skin Potato
or
Pan Fried Hallibut with Ling Po Sauce
Mixed Vegetables
Steamed Rice with Gingko
Fresh Fruit Sweet
Freshly Brewed Coffee Selection of Tea
Sometimes after delivering menus FAs return to take your main course order. This time the grub just started to appear. When it came to the main course they rolled out a trolley with the different main courses spread out so you could peer over and make your choice. I went for the hallibut and it was great. The vegetables were carrots and asparagus. The "Sweet" consisted of a row of miniture cakes. I continued with the Australian red (Billi Billi) and top ups were promptly offered. I finished off with an espresso coffee which according to the menu should have been Illy. Though not great, it did the job and rounded off a jolly nice meal.
The tables were cleared and it was still at least an hour before descent was due. I decided to wander around the plane. PL was about 80% full - I was lucky to have an empty seat next to me. Elite was full and Economy was 80% full. Economy was almost entirely Vietnamese, as far as I could tell American Vietnamese. Elite and PL was a mixture of Vietnamese and Taiwanese. There were only about 3 western faces in total.
I returned to my seat and slept for a while. PL seats are the angled-lie flat type and are tough to get comfortable in. Before long an announcement was made and we started out descent during which time another drink/beverage run was made. We landed and following an annoying pause during taxiing, we were at the gate at 11:30. Economy and Elite passengers were held back whilst PL travellers got off.
Arrivals
No queues at immigration, I was in the baggage hall at 11:40. Priority luggage quickly appeared and I was in a taxi by 11:50, 15 minutes after we were due to arrive.
Conclusion
Overall a good performance and if I'd paid the full business class fare I would have been satisfied. There was good attention to detail - always using my name, remembering which wine I was on, showing me to my seat etc., which though should be standard was a little lacking on my recent LHR-BKK PL class flight.
As a FF, I have been OP-UPed to PL class 5 out of the 15 sectors I've flown this year (4 times from Elite, once from Economy). This is probably because I've taken a disproportionate number of full or nearly full flights. OP-UPs happen often enough for it to be a tangible benefit of being an EVA FF but are not so often that they are expected and cause disappointment when they don't happen. I'm a happy customer.
Last edited by jimbo99; Dec 29, 2009 at 12:52 am
