jimbo99

Pre-amble
A year ago I purchased a Q Elite return SGN-LHR via TPE. Since this open ticket was now expiring, I had to use it. (I've been using other EVA tickets in the meantime.) Also I had a plan to go to HKG. So this report covers LHR-BKK-TPE-HKG-TPE. Booked as:

17DEC BR068 LHR 21:20 TPE 21:45+1 (N PL Class, upgraded from Q Elite) (via BKK)
19DEC BR891 TPE 07:00 HKG 08:45 (B Economy)
19DEC BR858 HKG 21:05 TPE 22:40 (B Economy)
20DEC BR391 TPE 09:10 SGN 11:35 (Q Elite class)

Quite a marathon..

I have an EVA Diamond card, their top tier. I obtained this by being Gold for 8 years - this route is being phased out. The constant fiddling with Evergreen Club benefits, including detrimental changes which are retrospective in effect is a feature familiar to Club members. Potential members should consider this and review relevant threads if considering EVA in the context of Club benefits.

Booking

I called EVA in London and after listening to an annoying message telling me details of their website etc., got through and requested a departure date of 16th. Diamonds are guaranteed availability except for upgrades/free tickets. The operator told me the flight was full but I could be waitlisted. She hadn't noticed my Diamond status and when I pointed it out said I would probably get a call back soon. I also requested to be waited for an upgrade. It was late in the day and I got called back the following morning. I took the chance to get 22H allocated, but was still waitlisted for the upgrade.

Nearer the date, EVA called me and asked if I still intended to take the flight. It was obviously very full. Yes I said, though by the end of the day I had to change the date. I called them and requested Saturday 17th. It was initially full, but cleared whilst I was speaking to them. I requested the upgrade and this cleared the next day.

This is certainly where Diamond scores over Gold. Elite cabins can be very full and the certainty of availability is very reassuring if you are on a flexible ticket. Whilst not guaranteed, unless a flight is really full, you do seem able to secure upgrades/free flights too. This is not the case with Gold (or below) where they are often very happy to keep you waiting until the last minute or when it suits them to run a review. It really is as if they are doing you a favour when you want to use your miles, but as Diamond you do feel a bit more valued.

I later realised I hadn't specified I wanted to use a voucher for the upgrade. I checked my account and saw they had deducted the miles instead. So I had to call back to get this rectified.

BR68 is effectively two flights, LHR-BKK and BKK-TPE. There is a crew change in BKK and most pax departing LHR only go as far as BKK. In BKK the flight picks up a number of north American travellers returning home via TPE. So I've separated out the BR68 report by flight sector.

For the TPE-HKG return I booked this on EVA's website. Plenty of availability. I then called EVA London to request seat bookings, not being able to pick anything up decent on the website. The operator told me she couldn't improve on the situation. I reminded her that I was Diamond and that I expected some seats were blocked for Diamonds. She replied oh yes but we can't unblock them until you get to check-in. (Nonsense - in fact that's when they get unblocked for all comers.) I was getting ready to push the point when my other phone rang so I abandoned the effort. That evening I sent a message to Ms Jimbo who got them allocated in Taipei - exit aisles both ways. No problem, of course.

Sorry to say, I've had this kind of thing from the London Euston office before. A slightly hardened call-centre style with staff who are sometimes too quick to fob you off. Often nothing they can do except send a message to Taiwan "for you" blah blah blah. I prefer to deal with the TPE office or TPE via Chinese speaking Ms Jimbo who can get "real" answers.


17DEC BR068 LHR 21:20 BKK 15:45+1 (Premium Laurel Class)
(B777-300ER 318 config - "77W")

I arrived by bus at LHR and the first escalator I encountered - the one from the bus station to the main concourse was out of action. Makes me pleased to be leaving the UK. On my way to T3, one of the moving walkways was also out of action. I arrived at T3 at 8.05pm for the 9.20pm flight. This is relatively early by my standards. I think the rule is they close check-in an hour before departure, though I'm sure it used to be 45 minutes. The latest I've managed it is 35 minutes - though I think I was very lucky on that occasion.

EVA are in bay D. There are two desks facing the concourse, both labelled "Premium Laurel/Gold/Diamond". Inside the bay they had 2 Elite Class and 3 Economy Class desks open, though I could see only one pax being served. The friendly female AA agent made a comment about my "missing the rush" which I took to be a gentle hint.

On this configuration, PL is split into two cabins, rows 6-9 and 10-11. I prefer row 9. Handy for the loos (never a smell problem) and the galley. I feel it's more private to have people in front of me rather than behind. I also prefer D/G. You get aisle access and so does your neighbour. A downside of the two-sector flight is that one boarding pass carries you through both sectors and I believe this makes seat reservations more complicated.

The London/Taipei offices told me that all the D/G seats were taken but they could give me 6C or H. Row 6 is blocked for Diamonds. So I took 6C and asked for a note on the system that I preferred any D or G if it became available. I asked the agent if a D or G had now become available. She said no, I still had 6C. I asked her if 6A was occupied, and she said it was. The flight was completely full. Though blocked for Diamonds, I don't think there is any particular advantage in row 6, except perhaps peace as fewer people walk by. A downside is if you are in 6D/G there is no locker immediately above you. Also the seats "bend in" ever-so-slightly, ie the aisle is not quite as wide.

Anyway, 6C it was. PL class gets you 30Kg allowance, diamond/gold gets you 20Kg extra. LHR has a per bag limit of 32Kg. You get "priority" tagged for being Diamond or in PL. You get "Evergreen Club" tagged for being Gold. You get "Elite" tagged for being in Elite class (unless you're Gold/Diamond). I've found that proper "priority" tags are the only ones guaranteed to work. The other levels might work, but sometimes the luggage just gets mixed in with non-priority stuff.

The agent printed the BP and gave me two lounge invites - one for the AA lounge in London and the other for EVA's own lounge in Bangkok. C on your BP gets you the so-called Fast Track security at LHR. Unlike many other airlines, EVA do not sticker non-C BPs for their FFs. So officially only C gets you in, though LHR staff seem to get confused by Elite Class BPs and appear to allow them through. Last time an empty water bottle caused a crazy delay of 20 minutes whilst I waited for someone to hand search my bag. Needless to say whilst waiting I had to put up with staff milling around discussing how they had just changed their facebook status, why they didn't like working this shift and how they might go shopping tomorrow. I asked a supervisor if she could speed things up and she said no - the problem was because of people bringing in liquids and I'm waiting because there must have been liquid in my bag. (As if keeping me waiting was a summary punishment.) During the hand search, they were happy with the totally empty bottle but noticed an antique book which appeared to have a metal spine strengthener. This could be a knife! Panic stations. After endless x-raying and re-x-raying they decided it was OK. I hate Heathrow. This time, the bag went through but they were giving everyone a thorough rub down. I was out by 8.20pm, some 15 minutes after arrival at check-in. That time also included picking up some aspirin at Boots, so I was doing pretty well.

As is often the case, the immigration desks were unmanned. No doubt some risk assessment dictated that the staff focus tonight on incomers rather than people attempting to get off the sceptred aisle.

After immigration, you are thrust into the "World of Duty Free". If you are thinking of buying from the duty free, then see my note below about security sealing. By 8.30pm I was out of the retail space and approaching the AA lounge. Some pax get lost - the glass entrance is so opaque that some (including me on my first visit) don't realise that it is the door. They pass to the left and end up in a labyrinth of corridors going nowhere. Two pro-actively jolly reception staff were on, neither of whom I recognised from before. Much more professional than the staff on previous occasions. I like the AA lounge - it has showers if you need them, sensibly placed US/UK dual sockets and reasonable grub including at least one or two hot dishes. And, of course, full sized metal knives. I suppose they are only a security risk if they are much smaller and disguised as cunning antique book spine strengtheners. I just don't understand how lounges can put metal knives out when security on the way in is so strict about your not having such things.

I ignored the hot dishes and restricted myself to some smoked salmon sandwiches, a glass of red wine and an initial espresso.

The lounge has WiFi but it was painfully slow on this visit. It is provided by BT Openzone. I attempted to pre-order some EVA duty free for a later flight but kept getting time-outs. So I switched to using WiFi via my mobile phone and things went faster. Pathetic really. I've never found the WiFi in this lounge much cop - my suggestion is don't rely on it. Pity - as otherwise the lounge is great.

8.45pm a boarding announcement was made and this was reflected on the screens. People quickly disappeared. I know the 'ole LHR trick of telling you flights are boarding long before they are so I allowed myself a second espresso and a loo trip. Staff started to hover and I left the lounge at 8.55pm. They close after this flight.

EVA often get miserable, far-flung gates. Tonight was the familiar gate 31 and as I approached there was the remnants of the traditional queue backing down the corridor. It's all a bit silly - once you're just inside the gate area there is a tape separating out PL travellers. PL travellers will only see this once they have turned the corner and suffered most of the queue already. The desk just inside the gate has two positions, but as there are insufficient PL travellers both desks end up serving all-comers. There is no suggestion that this almost-pointless-perk is available to Golds/Diamonds in lower classes. The guy at the PL desk needs to get up from time-to-time and wander down the queue, inviting PL flyers (and preferably Golds/Diamonds too) to come forward. As a general rule, golds/diamonds with EVA get C class perks on the ground. I suppose with a lengthy Economy queue they'd rather just process people as soon as possible.

Once past the desk you are into the zoo. It really was particularly nasty on this occasion. Of course, boarding hadn't started and it was standing room only. At some other stations, I've seen a separate seating area for PL flyers. Here it was hot with the smell of human sweat. I can see why FT's Dave Z, our resident EVA bod stays away when he can. I should say here that whilst most of the pax facing staff at LHR are AA, EVA's own team at LHR always seem to be head and shoulders above other LHR staff in efficiency, friendliness and a business like approach. (Dave literally head and shoulders above.)

Fortunately boarding started 9:05pm so the annoyance was transient. But I do think those PL flyers do at least deserve a seat to sit on whilst waiting.

Down the tunnel and onboard at the front. I was welcomed aboard and escorted to 6C and offered a towel and juice. I was addressed by my name throughout the flight.

Remember how I requested a D/G seat if it became available? It turned out that the guy in 6D got his seat at check-in. He had been allocated a window seat but asked at check-in if an aisle was available. He had no status with EVA at all. I was somewhat annoyed by this - clearly my request could have been actioned and wasn't.

I was the only Diamond in Premium Laurel. There were 5 Golds and 2 Silvers. The remaining 28 were non-FFs. The purser had pinned her chart up by her seat. Also showing was the PAX nationality. It was roughly 50/50 British/Taiwanese, except for a single American. More Taiwanese than usual. As usual, the British were generally flying to BKK only. The American was in 6A. She was a Taiwanese student studying in London. Ironically unlike most Taiwanese her English didn't sound American at all, despite her passport.

Slippers were on my chair and an amenity kit in the pocket in front of the seat. The amenity kit is pretty basic - a dark grey plastic zip bag with the EVA logo just about visible. Two sections inside: a fold-out comb/brush, toothbrush, colgate tooth paste, 20ml of Biotherm "anti-drying body milk" and 5ml of Biotherm lip balm. If you want ear plugs, eye masks or anything else, you have to ask. Noise cancelling headphones and pillows/blankets are provided with more available on request. Asian travellers seem to feel the cold and instantly wrap themselves up and fall asleep. Others use them to mitigate the discomfort of the PL seating. I do without.

It is customary for Diamonds/Golds to be individually greeted by the purser or the cabin leader. The purser gave me a hurried greeting, thanking me for flying with them again and to let her know if I needed anything. Oh and it is always a "her" on EVA. All FAs are female.

I was offered more juice which I declined. A bottle of water is placed in each seat and I took a swig of that.

After a longer delay than usual, we pushed back at 9:55pm and were airborne at 10:20pm. I don't remember any specific reason being given - LHR departures are often late because of ATC or general attitude (not EVA's). Usually time is made both on the way to BKK and by a shortened stop there.

In PL class, EVA allow you to order your meal in advance and get a greater choice. This is what makes it annoying if you are waitlisted for an upgrade - you lose the chance to select from the extended menu. An FA confirmed my pre-selection and asked me what drink I would like with my breakfast. I always find it odd they do that - to be thinking about meal #2 before you've had meal #1. She also left me with copies of the Wine List and Menu.

Barely had the seatbelt light gone off and table cloths were brought out. The guy next to me had just got his laptop out and was asked to put it away so they could serve the meal. This is very much the style these days - I remember in days of yore they would happily serve your meal later if you preferred. Or at least let you finish off what you are doing. I think the crew : pax ratios just don't allow for this. After the table cloths were laid there seemed to be an inordinate delay before any kind of grub appeared. I mused whether this was a plot to stop people wandering around, getting in the way.

This brings me to the next point - in the past you'd always be asked if you wanted a drink before the meal. I'd typically go for a sherry. Then you'd have your meal. Then you'd have something afterwards - a port perhaps. This has rather gone out of the window. Port and sherry are still on the menu. Just we were straight into the meal service. If you want your apperitif, my suggestion is you ask as they put your table cloth down, saying you want it "now" not with the meal.

The menu (as printed):

Can't say I'm sure what the Asian-centric "Star Special" is all about. Perhaps that was meant to be the third main meal choice. Oh and why can't someone at EVA HQ run the menu past one of their many English speaking offices who could tell them that "allow you to enjoy more good time in the flight" sounds daft.

The extra main meal choices which you could order in advance were:

I chose the Roasted Cod in advance, though had I known that the Hors D'oeuvre was salmon, I might have gone for something else. When selecting in advance you used to get a photo, but not any more. So it is not always to know exactly how your selection would be prepared.

I thought the food was fine. A generous portion of salmon as a starter. When it came to the main course they pushed the trolley down the aisle and offered me a choice of the standard meals. I pointed out that I'd pre-ordered and there was some panicking whilst they retrieved my cod from the galley. This was exactly as per my previous flight: they confirmed my pre-selection once onboard, but then totally forgot about it when it came to service.

After that, different kinds of cheese, can't remember now, served with a couple of sticks of celery and carrot wrapped up in cellophane. They were slow with top ups, which is fine for me as I'm a slow drinker. Mr 6D was less than happy with this though. I finished off with a double espresso which was jolly good. They cleared the table and being relatively sleepy after a busy day and I dozed off quite easily. Most people have difficulty getting comfortable in the angled lie-flat seats. It is a bit like sleeping on the side of a mountain - you tend to slide down. But I was OK.

I woke up at about 5am (UK time, noon BKK time) and on spotting I was awake, an FA offered me a "snack". I went for a panini and remembering my coffee choice from before she volunteered more espresso. After this I did some work and then watched a film on my laptop. EVA has a reasonable IFE system, but I always prefer to pre-load my laptop with something.

The second meal service is described as "Refreshment" on the menu and "Breakfast" online. There are three choices on the menu:


I had opted for the third choice when I pre-selected online but believe all three options were available to everyone. Jolly nice was that the "breads" included Scones and Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream. Top notch stuff! I was feeling pretty full after I had finished.

They did the duty free run after this service. Ms 6A wanted to buy something, but as she was going onto TPE and her purchase included liquids, they suggested she purchased them on the next sector to avoid seizure at BKK. I thought this was jolly decent of the FAs. However I do know they usually carry security sealable bags for this purpose and that BKK accept these.

But here is a warning for those flying BR68 LHR-TPE. If you buy a bottle (or whatever) at LHR, they will look at your BP and assume that TPE is your final destination. You'll take your bottle away and then lose it at BKK when you have to go through security. From my observation of Brits losing their booze, BKK are completely uncompromising on this. One guy "escaped" by walking all the way back to the plane and persuading them to keep it onboard. You must tell LHR to put it in a security bag. They will happily do this though might ask why. They might even tell you that you don't need the security bag because its a direct flight. They don't understand that the flight stops at BKK. If properly bagged, BKK are fine and the usual liquid restrictions don't reply.

Back to the flight. I didn't notice when they started the "refreshment" service, but as usual on finishing it I had about 30 minutes before descent started. We were on stand at E5 at 4.15pm, 30 minutes late.

On arrival there was the standard announcement that there will be a crew change and that all pax must disembark taking luggage with them. TPE pax are then told the gate and the expected re-embarkation time.

I once left a coat onboard and the new crew returned it to me together with a handwritten note from the previous purser which I thought was a nice touch. Whilst they can't really be responsible for stuff, I have noticed on occasion pax ask if they can leave something onboard and FAs have agreed. YMMV. I would only do this if I feared confiscation at security.

The front door was opened swiftly and we were soon off with FAs using my name to say goodbye. Just as you leave the air bridge, ground staff are standing by with long, laminated "transit cards" asking TPE bound pax to take one. I suppose they act as some kind of backup for pax who can't produce their boarding card. On my first trip as a Diamond, a young girl was holding my name on a sign. Surely a sign of trouble I thought. In fact she was offering to escort me to the lounge. I declined, though later realised this probably meant a buggy ride so would have been a good idea. The offer wasn't there this time.

Flights usually come in on E but the EVA lounge is in F. You walk along E to the centre, through security, up the stairs then you can browse the shops or go straight to the lounge. Once finished you walk back along E at the higher level.

Security was efficient and professional. I wish LHR could be more like BKK. The far queue has one of those whole body x-ray scanner things. I didn't notice when I joined the queue, though didn't particularly mind. Indeed I prefer it to the LHR "rub down". I was at the lounge entrance at 4.30pm.

18DEC BR068 BKK 17:20 TPE 21:45 (Premium Laurel Class)
(B777-300ER 318 config - "77W")

Coming in on BR68 from London, the stop at BKK before the continuation to TPE is frustrating. It is scheduled for 95 minutes and involves walking from the gate (usually a distant one in E) to security in the centre, then to the lounge (in F), then only to walk back along E in order to return to the same plane. If the EVA lounge was at the gate and you didn't have to go through security, it would be great. But BKK just isn't designed like that. Since the flight often arrives late, the lounge stop gets squeezed. You can't really relax much - just grab a drink or two or perhaps check email. Only once in recent times have I arrived early at BKK. It was a weird delight getting an unhurried break. I have been doing this for over a decade.

The lounge staff are friendly and one of the ladies always remembers me - right back from the Don Muang days. Although you use the same BP all the way from LHR to TPE the lounge staff are happy to help with seat re-assignment if you wish. However by the time you hit the lounge, there may be little choice left and I usually only bother changing if going the other way. The lounge is available to PL flyers and Silver tier members and above. Golds can bring in a guest, Diamonds two. As usual, London had issued me a lounge pass for BKK, but of course it is sufficient just to show your EVA card or BP if you prefer. They do note down which flight you are on. Diamonds can also use this lounge even if not flying EVA.

The lounge is rectangular with a large window down one side. This makes it very light and airy, but rather warm for my taste. There is no separate area/distinction for different membership tiers/classes of travel.

I arrived at 4.30pm and grabbed some orange juice from the jug, a bottle of water and a few of the Taiwanese prawn dumpling things. They also have nuts, crisps, ice cream, some thai dishes (eg green curry with rice or pad thai), sausage, pizza slices, sandwiches and stuff on cocktail sticks. Also a respectable range of booze - wines, beer, spirits etc. I never have time or the inclination to eat much.

WiFi is reasonably fast - the WPA key is available on tiny slithers of paper at reception. Unusually they had changed it since my last visit. I checked my emails and placed a further duty free order for a later flight. They were doing 18% off for pre-orders.

There is a good choice of reading matter including a number of domestic British newspapers (Daily Mail, London Evening Standard, FT etc.) Thailand is a popular destination for Brits, many of whom have second homes (or second families) there. Many I've met don't even seem to know that EVA is Taiwanese - for them it's just a very convenient LHR-BKK shuttle.

The toilets are generally kept clean and there is a shower if you require it. Today the bin was overflowing with paper towels onto the floor. This was a bit unusual. As I say, the lounge is too warm for my liking, especially near the windows and today was no exception. However you do get a nice view from the windows if you sit near them. Personally I don't need showers (others might disagree), but I'd love a "cold" area in the lounge!

By 5.00pm a few people were leaving and at 5.15pm the announcement was made. I left at 5.25pm and was at the gate at 5.35pm. There is no separate queue for PLs/Golds/Diamonds, but when the queue is long sometimes a staff member walks along the queue scooping up such flyers. This happened to me last time - I was plucked out and ushered to the desk where I was profusely apologised to for being kept waiting. I wasn't too bothered and initially ignored the call to come forward, but the EVA woman was actually looking for me- she knew there was a Diamond somewhere. This time there was no queue at all. I handed over my passport, BP and transit card. When boarding starts there are two separate doors to the airbridge. The one nearest the plane is kept for PLs, Diamonds and Golds and this is properly enforced. It works well - people begin to form a line by the other door. Boarding had just started, so I walked on through and boarded.

Even though the FA would have seen from my BP I knew where to sit, she still saw fit to guide me to my place and make sure I was comfortable. This crew did seem fresher than on the previous sector. I was offered an orange juice and a cold towel which I took.

We pushed back at 6pm, 40 minutes late. Unusually we'd failed to make up any time during our stop in BKK and had actually slipped another 10 minutes.

Whilst taxiing the purser did a rather more sincere "diamond greeting", offering to find some English reading matter or anything else I needed. I asked her for a bottle of water and she gave me a Thai branded one. (I love the way the seat has a hole in the front for a water bottle. When boarding a long haul sector there is usually a bottle of Evergreen branded water wating for you. Short haul, it's less common.)

The flight seemed just as full as on the previous sector. Despite this, the service was a notch above in attentiveness. My pre-selected meal was confirmed and they took the trouble to ask if I wanted a drink before the meal. I asked for a sherry. 6.30pm the table was laid and my sherry delivered. Food followed promptly.

They use the same menus as for the first sector and for BR67 (TPE-BKK-LHR). The meal was given as:


The extra meal choices if you had gone online beforehand were:

I had chosen the Stir Fried Prawn.

I am not a particularly refined individual, and find it difficult to comment sensibly on cuisine. The prawn was served in a doily which you pulled out to mix with the rice. The X.O. sauce was a kinda brown gritty slurry which was not totally unpleasing. Actually the fish from the main menu looked rather good and I regretted not selecting that one.

The fruit slices were better than on the first sector. Also a small detail - when they served the carrot/celery sticks with the cheese, they'd taken the cellophane off. They also made a point of offering a further drink or "more wine". My cue for port.

Tables were swiftly cleared which was just as well as at around 8.30pm we hit some pretty bad turbulence. The FAs did a valiant job scooping up stuff that fallen down or glasses that were still out before heading for the jump seats. A good bit of turbulence IS the IFE as far as I'm concerned. I think we climbed out of it and within 20 minutes all was calm.

With the seatbelt sign still on, the FAs circulated asking for duty free orders, leaving the trolleys stowed. My neighbour, the Taiwanese-American spoke up to place her order. I knew already she didn't have a FF card and I heard them talking about discounts. So I chirped up if it was permitted and it would help, would she like to place her order via my FF card to get 10% off. The conversation switched to English and they decided that she was better off on the special inflight offer which gave her 11% off. There was much tapping on the portable PDQ machine thing and then another FA was called. More discussions. Then a bit more Chinese with the girl. It turned out that one of her items wasn't eligible for the deal, which apparently meant she wasn't buying enough to get a discount off anything. Or something like that, nobody seemed sure. The upshot was they would like to use my card afterall. The FAs kept thanking me which was odd really, cos all I was doing was contracting their employer's profit margin. I suppose they were grateful that having told the girl she would get a discount I was saving them from disappointing her. Anyway my companion was jolly pleased and I was declared to be "so nice" which made me jolly pleased too.

For me it is classic Taiwanese culture - the special promotion. You know the kind of thing - this month is December, so we offer 12% off any spend over NT$888 blah blah blah. But then it goes through the bean counter's department who decide they can't really afford it - so they add so many ifs and buts that nobody can understand it anymore, including their own staff.

A little later, I saw the FAs still messing around with the machine and some notes, trying to work out what the deal was.

The rest of the flight was uneventful. I was left comparing the two sectors, as I often do. ak333 when comparing this sector to the other sectors he flies often says it is the weakest. True the FAs are on the end of a long trip to LHR and back. But this lot were bright and on their toes (or on something else!). They took care of the detail more and I couldn't fault them.

After we landed, the captain announced we would have to wait for a gate. Highly unusual at TPE. After about 10 minutes, he apologised and said we would have to go to terminal 1, but we should use immigration and collect luggage from terminal 2. This was a first. We were on-stand at 10:15pm, 30 minutes late with quite an annoying walk to do. TPE immigration was as usual, pretty efficient and friendly. No delays. The guy even shared a joke with me about my passport being so full. "If I don't leave a space to stamp you out, then we might have to keep you here". I was out of immigration by 10:30 and my two suitcases were third and forth off the carousel which powered up just as I arrived. I was into departures by 10:40pm compared with my more normal 10pm.

For the first time ever I wasn't staying in Taiwan this time. I'd booked the Novotel aiport hotel which I'll report on that separately. Next flight just over 8 hours away - yikes!

19DEC BR891 TPE 07:00 HKG 08:45 (Economy)
(A330-300 309)

I arrived at T2 by taxi at 5.35am. There are a number of entrances each with the names of the relevant airlines above. If your driver knows the airline he will try and drop you off at the correct one, though it doesn't really matter because they all enter the same concourse. EVA dominate T2. Normal economy flyers must find the row of desks handling your particular flight. But nearest the entrance are a row of "VIP" desks - 2 for Diamond, 3 for Business Class, 4 for Gold. There are some Silver desks nearby too. These handle all EVA flights.

At these desks you rarely have to wait more than a couple minutes or so - usually there is a desk free and they quick tend to wave people to another desk if the appropriate ones are busy. Given this, it is rather annoying that they insist on having lanes "taped" up. As you arrive in the VIP area there are three lanes which take you to the approriate set of desks. A woman is usally hovering at the start of lanes to make sure you enter the right one. I have never seen these lanes full of people and it's a bit silly that despite seeing a row of empty desks you must still follow the tapes. TPE went tape crazy a few years back. Immigration, security, customs etc. Everywhere got taped. Makes sense for handling queues, but not very "VIP".

Another daft thing is that they have ushers/porters. A guy will be keen to help you shift your luggage from the front of your lane to the next free desk. A bit silly after you've negotiated the taped chicanes yourself.

These are all minor gripes. The counters are right by the entrance, you never have to wait and check-in is a breeze.

A note about the "EVA Diamond Check-in Lounge". This is currently closed for refurbishment, but as it rarely gets mentioned so I'll say something here based on my usage last time. Rather than checking in at the desks, you can walk past them and visit the lounge which is immediately to the right of the entrance to security/immigration. As I approached, the glass door opened and there was a slight look of panic on the EVA staff inside. One of them was very quick to ask "Sir you diamond passenger?". I said yes and there was considerable fawning. Two of them grabbed my luggage from me whilst a third held a seat for me opposite their desk. They offered me a drink and I asked for an espresso which one of them scurried off to prepare. We then completed the check-in formalities whilst I sat in a rather low chair. They labelled up the luggage and took it back out onto the concourse to be put on the conveyor for the x-ray. The espresso was very nice and served with a saucer of Japanese rice crackers. I was invited to take a more comfortable chair further back. The lounge is square with a low armchairs and a few tables with desks at the back. There is a range of drinks and snacks (pretzels etc), though not the full range you get airside. I was there for about 20 minutes during which time I didn't see a single other passenger. 5 staff were on duty. There seemed to be a through door at the back - I asked if this was fast track security/immigration thinking it might connect with the crew lane or something, but they said it was an emergency exit only and "not allowed". So when I left I just went out the way I'd come in and through security in the normal way. They were all standing, nodding slightly.

The "Diamond Check-In Lounge" is thoroughly pointless in my view. With the normal check-in by the entrance to the concourse, you're much better off checking in there, getting security/immigration done and then relaxing in one of the "proper" lounges. I can't see any advantage in pushing your trolley through the departure lounge to this place just to have a drink whilst they check you in. NOW, one advantage could be if you were being seen off. It could be quite nice to invite a client in for a drink and to say your goodbyes. BUT, they told me it was people flying only. (I doubt they'd be that strict though.)

I'm not sure what the refurbishment is all about - unless they can think of some new angle I think they'd be better off closing it.

Anyway, back to this flight. T2 is only really getting going at this time of the morning. The friendly guy at the Diamond check-in confirmed my seat 20C and gave me a lounge invite. He said that 20A had been blocked. I said that was very kind and he replied we always try to do that "for the CD passenger" (EVA speak for Diamond). He noticed I was coming back to Taiwan same day and offered to print my return BP which I took up. He was typical of my check-in experience at TPE: efficient, smart, very professional albeit a little nervous with his otherwise good English. Straight through security - only 2 out of the usual x-rays were open but there were only a handful of pax so no delay. Ditto immigration. Up the stairs and round the corner to EVA's lounge area. The Diamond "garden" was closed - it opens at 6.30am. So on presentation of my invite, I was invited to the "Diamond" lounge (the better of the two lounges, some would say the best of all three).

I won't write much about the lounge here, except to say despite all the fanfare I think it is overrated and a bit of a let down considering it is EVA's flagship lounge on their home turf. The fact it is open to all business class travellers as well as Diamonds means it isn't really that "premium", I suppose. They still haven't managed to get away from a certain canteen feel. It does tick the boxes though - internet is fine, range of hot and cold food, drinks, seats, reading matter etc.

No views of planes taking off. No really interesting food - all self-service. No interesting architecture or clever interior design. In fact, on this visit they couldn't even provide orange juice. I did ask - sorry we don't have any. In the previous lounge they always had HiC brand bottles of the stuff. Now just little tetrapaks - grape juice (I think), tea etc. But no orange juice! How basic is that?? A girl with a juicer machine would be great - just like you find in any Taiwanese high street. Also - no croissants. (Too early, I was told).

Well, at least I can get a hot dog in the "other lounge" (the one for golds/silvers not in business class). So I de-camped. Yep hot dogs... but no buns! I asked... buns come at 7am. Any7-ELEVEN in Taiwan can give you a bun at 6am. They come in individual plastic sealed bags - it's not as if they are freshly made. Incidentally - for the pre-prepared hot food, most of the stuff in the two lounges was the same. A couple of extras in the Diamond lounge, plus of course Movenpick ice cream, waffles etc. I finished my bunless hotdog and it was 6.25am so decided to leave.

I was thinking if the Garden opens a few minutes early, I could perhaps get an orange juice there. It was closed, but I could see a woman fiddling with the door from the inside and they'd fired up the pianola. I adopted a holding pattern during which time a couple came along and started reading the sign outside. They asked me if this was "the lounge". They had Elite-class BPs for BR67 to BKK. The guy was British. Before I answered, the doors opened and the EVA receptionist asked if she could help. Inevitably they had no access at all and were denied. I ought really to have been making my way towards the gate, but I showed her my Diamond card and asked if I was entitled to bring two friends in. She said I was, so I looked at them and asked if they would like to be friends with me, in a religious cult sort of a way. They saw the light and we were in. (It's nice to bump into a brit and instantly enjoy the same dark humour. If I try the same approach on others I either upset them or they think I have "issues".) Turned out the girl was Canadian (but obviously "trained up") and they were travelling from Toronto. I made for the fridge - yippee a bottle of proper orange juice. I had a quick slurp and was on my way.

I got to gate D7 at 6.40am and boarding was under way. I don't fly enough with EVA to get to know FAs as a matter of routine, but I do often recognise names or faces. I didn't recognise any of the crew for this flight but the purser seemed genuinely to remember me from before and was really warm and friendly, like we were old mates. She showed me to 20C (well it was by the door) and made a point of saying that 20A would be empty so I could switch if I liked. She offered me a drink - "a coffee perhaps?" which I enjoyed prior to doors being closed. She also gave me a wet towel (the small disposable type). I reflected that this was Economy, but I already felt I was getting better service than I did in PL class where it's water or apple juice from a tray on boarding. She also said they had my duty free order ready and suggested it might be easier to process it now rather than during the flight. I thought that odd, but no problem. It was a liquid, but she put it in a sealed bag so I wouldn't have any problem on my return flight (I was hand luggage only.)

Also, bizarrely, she warned me that the food on this flight wasn't very nice and she was sorry for that. So if I wanted something else, just to let her know.

We pushed back at 7.05am. The flight was almost full in Economy and I'd say about 50% full in Business from what I could see. As soon as was safe, my purser friend reappeared and asked me if I'd like the meal service now. Yes I said. She opened my table from the armrest and told me that it was pork and rice. Well, she was right - it wasn't very nice, but it was by no means bad. Previously on TPEHKG I've seen some dire stuff, the worst being "Hamburger". I ate about half of it - I'd simply eaten too much in the lounges. She broke off the trolley run and asked me if I wanted anything else. I don't know what she meant - perhaps it was an offer of something from business class, or just a drink, but I said no. She cleared my tray and returned to continue serving others from the trolley. It seemed a bit odd to me that the purser was serving Economy, but she was buzzing into Business from time to time.

This was a spanking new A330-300. 20A/C is certainly very nice - not only by the door with the jump seat in front so you get decent legroom, but slightly advance of the centre block, ie adjacent to the galley. Business class is in front. This means it is also very quiet as other pax noise is slightly masked. The business class is described on the seat map as 62" super business class, but the seats looked more like the premium laurel kind. Economy was just like Economy on the 777.

And... this was also a Hello Kitty jet! The crew had moggy badges and... well I think you know the rest. It was pork that was served though, not cat meat.

The flight to HKG is timetabled 1hr, 45minutes. We soon started our descent and were on stand at 08:50am, 5 minutes late.

I had no baggage to pick-up, but on arrival at HKG I did notice that EVA luggage from this flight was beginning to appear as I passed by. Immigration was simple except for the struggle to find a space in my passport. They stamp it twice - once with the entry date and once with how long permitted to remain - 180 days in my case. I'd be out within 12 hours.

This was an excellent flight in every way. Comfortable seat, empty seat next to me which was handy and a purser eager to please. She had her eye on my all the time. I'm pretty certain I was the only Diamond, certainly in Economy.

19DEC BR858 HKG 21:05 TPE 22:40 (Economy)
(A330-200 252)

I already had a boarding pass for 40C, which together with 40H was the only exit aisle seat on this configuration. But I did think it might be more convenient to be nearer the front. So I went to the check-in in area E and approached the Diamond check-in. I probably don't look like a typical Diamond passenger and a lady in EVA uniform quickly accosted me to ask if she could help. I replied I need to use the check-in and showed her my Diamond card. She looked rather embarrassed at delaying me and pointed me to the desk I had been approaching anyway.

It was 7.20pm. I had deliberately allowed plenty of time as I don't often go to HKG and fancied a look around. Also I knew that EVA are now back in the Virgin lounge. At the desk the agent suggested 20C and told that 20A would be blocked. Not an exit seat, but with the jump seat opposite, there is plenty of leg room. The agent noted I'd come in on the "Kitty" jet and asked me what it was like. I reassured her that it was indeed "very cute".

As I approached security, I noticed they seemed to be working rather slowly and staff and pax were standing around looking somewhat idle. Then the full horror dawned. The outbound immigration queues had backed up so much, that there wasn't enough space for people to get through security. Immigration had just 3 desks open, though 3 more were opened subsequently. After the x-ray you were given an RFID card which was collected when you got to the front. This was part of a survey into waiting times. It was a bit daft though - as they were handed out after the x-ray, by which time you had already been waiting some time.

So despite checking in at 7.20pm, it was 8.15pm before I escaped immigration. I headed straight for the Virgin Clubhouse which took a while by the time I had negotiated the various escalators and internal shuttle train.

I arrived at the Clubhouse at 8.25pm, just 40minutes before take-off. They have two small desks at the entrance, an EVA one and a Virgin one. The EVA receptionist on seeing me approach said "are you Mr Jimbo?". This was impressive stuff. Perhaps the check-in lady had phoned ahead with my description. Or perhaps I was the only westerner with lounge access. She was keen to show me to a "quiet table". I asked her about the return to the Virgin lounge (EVA was in there a while back but left a few years ago before recently returning). She said something about passengers complaining the other lounge wasn't private. I had though it fine - especially as it's only a short hop to TPE.

She was also very proud to tell me that although EVA passengers have their own menu, that they allow Diamond passengers to order from the better Virgin menu if they prefer. I must say, in the old days EVA pax ordered from this menu anyway. She even managed to slip in that this "cost them more". This is the drill in this place - there are some self-service items, but they do have a proper waiter service and this is your best bet. She asked me if I needed a WiFi password (no, I replied) and left me to it.

She left me with both menus and a waitress quickly approached asking if I wanted a drink. I ordered a juice and a few minutes later a waiter appeared to take my meal order.

Here is the Virgin menu (excluding the drinks):

and the EVA menu:


I ordered the Fish Burger and it was fine. Pity I had to gulp it down. Within a few minutes of its arrival, boarding was called. Quick toilet job, and I was out at 8.45pm. The same lady wished me a nice flight and hoped to see me again soon. Much as I have no complaints about the sincerity of the service at TPE, the more naturally spoken English at HKG does make for a better performance.

Down the escalator and to the nearby gate. As is the EVA style, they had a desk. Pass by one side for Diamond/Gold/Business Class, other for the rest. There was a small snake on the economy side, so I was pleased I could priority board. Except there was a beep when my BP was scanned. Now, at this very last spot last time in HKG, I got an OP-UP. So reckoned my luck was in. Since being Diamond, I've not been OP-UPed. (Flying C class doesn't help), so this must be it!

The operator got the supervisor. There was a discussion. The supervisor asked to see my passport. Then she said she was sorry, but there was an immigration issue and would I mind waiting a few minutes. She disappeared somewhere and just at about the time the Economy queue had cleared, she returned. Very sorry for keeping me waiting, all in order now. Blast! No OP-UP. Had it not been so late, I would have asked what the problem was. But I didn't wish to delay them. I was the last on-board.

One of the FAs showed me to my seat, using my name. She did the "Diamond" greeting (thanked me for flying EVA again, she was in charge of this cabin, if there is anything I need etc) and then returned to her other duties. The flight looked pretty full, so I felt I was lucky to have had the adjacent seat blocked.

We pushed back 9.10pm, only 5 minutes late - I was surprised given the debacle at immigration. Perhaps HKG is often like this these days and everybody knows it except me. I was a tad annoyed - I would like to have had a snoop around and spent longer in the lounge.

9.40pm, the purser came over and offered to give me my meal now. It was chicken noodle - she lifted the foil to show me. I declined, but said that it looked fine. It's just I had just stuffed myself in the lounge. She offered me a coffee which I accepted. The trolleys were brought out and everyone else served. From my observation, nobody else got the treatment I got (in economy), so once again I assume I was the only Diamond. Perhaps no Golds either - because Golds get the greeting too and as Gold I would sporadically get meals served first and other favours.

My coffee cup was leaking. Fortunately I had opened the table on the adjacent seat. It was creating quite a puddle. They quickly replaced it and then dealt with a duty-free order that I had placed online in advance.

The rest of the flight proceeded normally. The FAs didn't return to give me any more attention, though I'm sure if I'd asked for something they would have done it.

10.40pm we landed and were on stand at 10.45pm, 5 minutes late. An FA told me that the front door would open first, and ushered me into C class so I could get off more quickly, a nice gesture and something that happened sometimes as Gold pax too. Immigration at TPE was a breeze and I was waiting for the Novotel shuttle bus at 11pm.

A very successful day trip TPE-HKG. What with the Novotel at the TPE end and the airport express in HKG, you can pack a lot in. Despite my long flight from London the previous day, I was holding up well. EVA made the short economy trip a joy, marred only by the awful immigration queue leaving Hong Kong.

In bed by midnight, next flight 09:10 to SGN!


20DEC BR391 TPE 09:10 SGN 11:35 (Elite class - EVA's premium economy)
(B777-300ER 338)

I had had my second night in the Novotel airport hotel and was not best amused that despite being at reception at 06.50am, a combination of a queue at check-out and the first shuttle bus being full, I could not get to T2 until 50 minutes later. In that time I could have checked out of a central Taipei hotel and taken a taxi (just).

Still, 07.40 for the 09.10 flight, I had plenty of time. TPE seemed busy, but as is often the case there were no PAX at the two Diamond desks. As I approached the short, pointless taped lane (which is little more than a right angle - 3 steps forward, 3 steps right), an EVA woman incepted me like a MiG fighter on a training exercise. Adopting my best localised English I showed my card and said "I the diamond pax" and hostilities were called off.

I had been pre-allocated 22H but the check-in the guy told me that 20H was available and that 20K would be empty. He was gushing politeness. As is usually the case he started to ferret through my passport checking I hadn't been in TPE too long. As I have 48 full pages in my passport, mostly with TPE stamps this is a tiresome exercise. I directed him to the correct place. Until a year ago, TPE used to staple the yellow CC of your landing card onto the page they had stampled in your passport. This made it easier.

BP and lounge invite in hand, I proceeded to security. Busy, but moving, I was out in a few moments. Ditto immigration, just as 24 hours earlier. The female immigration officer was particularly chirpy.

I really must say, in my 15 years experience, exiting TPE has always been a breeze. Spotlessly clean, perhaps a little clinical, always courteous and business-like, I have no complaints. Entering is usually fast too.

To get the lounge complex, you turn left out of immigration. Walk a short distance and then up an escalator. This deposits you on the "wrong side" of the next floor. You must then walk around to reach the EVA lounges. When going to the gate you must retrace your steps. The more I have completed this journey, the more I think it's a bit daft. For travellers with a longer transit time, it's not an issue. But for others, including those starting at TPE it's all a bit of a hassle. A couple of smaller lounges near the gate areas would be perfect - and more useful than the rather silly "Diamond Check In" lounge.

The lounge invites are annotated with your booking class and FF status. As we all know by now, there are two main lounges with shared receptionists. They will examine the lounge invite and guide you appropriately. Or there is the "garden" outside which is signposted clearly for Diamonds.

I started my lounge crawl in the "new" lounge which is for C class flyers and/or Diamonds. I won't write much as I covered this before. Still no orange juice. They had croissants out, but no Camembert today. In fact they seemed to be out of cheese completely. I contented myself with a bizarre but rather delightful "apple salad sandwich" and some seafood noodles. I then headed to the "normal" lounge for a hotdog. And they had buns today. I always tell the reception staff why I'm changing lounges in the hope one day they'll put hotdogs into both lounges. By the way, both lounges were pretty fully. I then de-camped to the "garden" to get the orange juice and have some Camembert/croissant etc.

Well.. guess what. No orange juice in the garden either (unlike yesterday). EVA, on their home turf cannot provide orange juice at breakfast time in any of their VIP lounges. Espresso machine out of order too! They had the Camembert... but no croissants, rolls, or crackers. What a farce. So one lounge has the crackers, another lounge the cheese.

I was the only westerner in the garden. The others were locals, slurping away their beef noodles. I'm sure they were very happy.

So after 45 minutes or so touring the lounges, I left at 08:35. The SGN flight was departing gate C4, next to the LHR flight from C5 and at the same time. It is my destiny to only be at TPE at this time of day.

Down the steps (there is a lift for those who need it) and into the gate area. From the general mele, I could see it was going to be a full flight. I heard the familiar chatter of Vietnamese. A mixture of the peasant classes (!!) - factory workers/maids perhaps, business people, and "viet kieus" with American fashion, jewellery and makeup. Taiwanese probably accounted for 30%. I spied a couple of other westerners. EVA staff were wandering around looking for people that obviously had too much luggage but were not being too strict about it. At check-in, they tend to want to sticker any significant hand luggage you are carrying to indicate their approval. Golds/Diamonds/C class get an orange sticker, everyone else a green one. I suppose this makes it easier for gate staff to see who to target.

I wandered towards the front just as boarding started. They have it well worked out. Priority (business class/golds/diamonds) on the left, Economy/Elite - by seat number on the right and please wait. Disabled/kids/pax needing assistance, also on the right, but board first. Predictably for a SGN, a number of pax just attempted to board anyway, but were politely refused.

So I just walked on through and was wished a pleasant flight by the BP scanning lady. I smiled, hiding disappointment that there was to be no OP-UP. I thought the chances must have been pretty good. So I'm maintaining my duck when it comes to OP-UPs as diamond.

I was welcomed onboard, but not shown to my seat. No problem. I had first dibs on the locker and was soon sitting in 20H.

EVA aficionados will know that originally the 777s were configured with two Premium Laurel cabins, rows 6 to 9 and 10 to 12. This has changed over the last year or so. Some 777s have had row 12 removed and the Elite cabin expanded slightly. This was the configuration on my BR68 flight from London. This flight, however, was the version where the second cabin has been removed entirely and replaced by Elite with a seat pitch is 39" - a tad more than the original 38" standard.

I prefer the H side on this configuration. Elite has two toilets at the rear, but in this configuration the exit area including toilet on the H side is designated as Elite class. On the C side it is given to PL class. So you have an extra toilet option. Well this is according to the published seat map and previous experience.

Just after I took my seat, an FA came up and did the "Diamond greeting". She asked me if I wanted any English newspapers, I said no. She then took out the Elite menu from the seat pocket and asked me what meal I would like. The menu on this 3 hour flight was:


The menu showed the usual choice of booze: 2 wines, 3 spirits, 4 cocktails, 3 beers, 4 juices.

It is great to see the menus back in Elite class. They disappeared a few years back. A nonsense that whilst some airlines were still handing out menus in economy, EVA abandoned them in premium economy. It is a simple affair - a single sheet of thick A4 glossy paper folded vertically and with a picture on the front. It does the job.

I chose the fish and it was very nice. For those unfamiliar with EVA's Elite class, I think the best way to sum up the meal service is by saying it is upmarket Economy food. Most of it is served on chinaware and it is certainly a notch above standard Economy fare. There was a period when they seemed to downgrade it so it was "economy" plus an extra side dish. But this is certainly not the case now, at least in my experience. If you were served any of this stuff in Economy on any airline, you'd be jolly pleased - even if you were flying with the likes of SQ.

The FA told me she'd serve my meal before the other pax.

At 09:10 we were told we'd have to remain the ground for 15 to 20 minutes because of ATC. A bit unusual for TPE. We pushed back at 09:30 and I noticed BR67 to BKK/LHR was still on stand. We were airborne at 09:45.

As we reached cruising altitude, came the first surprise. The curtain was drawn immediately in front of row 20 on both sides. As I said, previously the exit "dwell area" on the RHS had been treated as Elite area, with the curtain drawn on the far side, behind 9HK. So now all of the 103 pax Elite cabin had just the two toilets at the rear of the aisle. (Well, I would say the cabin was about 95% full.)

Also notable was that there was no drink/nut run. On some Elite flights, the FAs pass through the cabin offering a small bag of Japanese rice crackers and a drink (soft drink/beer). On this flight we were straight into the standard meal service at 10:15, as soon as we were cruising.

A flight attendant gave me my meal and I asked for red wine. She then returned and reappeared with the trolley and started to serve the other pax. As with my previous Economy sectors, from my observation nobody else got this treatment. After they'd finished the trolley run, the FA returned to offer me top-ups before disappearing into Economy (I presume). Others had to wait for their top-ups. By 10:45 I had finished my food and was glad of the adjacent seat so I could place the tray there. I used the chance to use the toilet whilst others were still eating - I could see what would happen later.

The FAs returned - I think other pax weren't offered more wine, I'm not sure. This was the coffee/tea run and I went for coffee.

The toilet queue began to build up. As is usually the case on this SGN flight, the front Economy pax soon realise the toilet is just the other side of the curtain. So rather than walk back they use the Elite toilet too. I spotted FAs attempting to turn them back, but the effect was only transient.

This was the most unsatisfactory aspect of this flight. 16 PL seats with 3 toilets. 103 Elite seats plus Economy interlopers with only 2 toilets. Worse, is that with the curtains as they are, there is no circulation in the Elite cabin. So you can only use the toilet at the end of your aisle. With the smaller Elite cabins it is not a big problem. But not on this flight given the large cabin, high loading, and pax behaviour. I regret not asking an FA why they'd drawn the curtain this way - perhaps a PL toilet was no working or something.

3 hours is a strange flying time. I think of it as being short, but the trays are cleared and you realise that most of the flight is still ahead of you. I fell asleep for an hour or so. I have no problems snoozing in an Elite seat and on this occasion didn't even recline it. On these short hops (TPE/BKK is similar) I do get the feeling that the FAs get the meal service done asap so they can then get some peace for the rest of the flight. I don't think I saw another one in Elite until we were ready to descend. I wandered to the back of the plane and Economy was packed. The FAs were at the rear galley, squatting enjoying a meal which as usual seemed to consist of a mix of airline food and stuff they brought with them.

The rest of the flight was uneventful. We landed at SGN at 12:45 and were on stand at 12:50 TPE time, ie 11:50am SGN time, 15 minutes late. The FAs pushed me into C so I could get off more quickly.

I picked up a visa on arrival which took the traditional 30-45 minutes. The effective delay was slightly less as on arrival the immigration queues were significant but they'd vanished by the time I got my visa. Nevertheless, by the time I got to the carousel it had already been turned off. There was a small row of bags including mine parked on the floor with an airport official standing watch. As I approached she asked if I was from the EVA flight. I said I was and I collected my bags. She didn't check the baggage tags, which they sometimes do. Straight through security and into the Saigon heat. I was in a taxi by 12:45pm.

Mixed feelings about this flight, the last of 5 sectors. Not a great morning - sluggish checkout at the hotel (hardly EVA's fault), daft stocking of the lounges, toilet congestion on board (which didn't affect me). Yes, there was the usual "diamond recognition" and blocked adjacent seat, but I felt as is often the case in the Elite cabin, the FAs forget about it once their specific duties have been performed. As a minimum they should walk through from time to time. They ticked the Diamond boxes - blocked adjacent seat, Diamond greeting, meal served first, pushed into C to get off first. But a revisit to my seat after the meal service would have just made a difference.

baggageinhall

Thanks for an interesting report on an airline rarely written about FT

The UK has no embarkation controls. The UK Border Agency can choose to use those desks to check Passports or question people about cash on their person amongst other things.

jimbo99

Yep. I remember in the past they never had desks at all. Then there was some political "thing" and it was said that exit controls would be re-introduced and the desks line appeared. They seem to be operating them 50% of the time when I exit via T3.

baggageinhall

It's not political and embarkation checks haven't been introduced. What the UK Border agency are now vigilant about is the flow of the proceeds of crime out of the country. If they ask to see your Passport, it's just an opening gambit to other enquiries.

The lack of embarkation controls (since the early 80's) means that whilst we know who comes in, we have no idea who leaves. Hence why migration statistics are 'fuzzy' at best.

jimbo99

I remember a specific political promise about re-introducing outbound checks during the "not fit for purpose" kerfuffle, though I believe that then became an IT project around scooping up check-in data. Even so it was part of the restructuring/rebranding effort and putting the officers into uniform. A more visible presence was seen as an important part of a "get tough" approach.

Incidentally, AML/POCA/TF/financial regulation etc, is my day job. I doubt whether the physical desks contribute much to this except as providing a location to stop people they've already identified. Hence my opinion that the desks were introduced for political/PR reasons, but are often unmanned because risk assessment/intelligence dictates they are better off doing other things. I accept they are not "embarkation controls" in the sense of logging people out so as to match with their entry.

I'll leave it there if you don't mind as it wasn't a major part of my EVA experience!

jimbo99

BR68 BKK-TPE added to original post.

ak333

So far so good - I can't wait to hear your report on the short HKG flights. I like the Virgin Clubhouse there that BR uses.

jimbo99

TPE-HKG added!

elitevergreen

Thanks Jimbo, really enjoyed your post..

coolfish1103

Diamond makes all the difference.

Also, Paris going 4 weekly from May 1, 2012.

username

Are you sure?

So, not only it was Kitty jet but also Kitty service (FA's "moggy badges")? I thought everything (boarding pass, food, etc.) would be Kitty?

Thanks for the report. Being stuck on UA to make 1K status every year, this is how I keep up with BR.

Dave Z

I'm only 6'3". It's those chunky boots.

The last couple of months i'm afraid we've been consistently getting stand 327 and 331 on a daily basis. They are certainly 2 of the worst gate rooms for the pax. I'd advise you all to spend as much time in the lounge or shopping area as you can. But not so long that i have to go looking for your bags! Gate 301-307 is the best you're gonna get at T3.

jimbo99

HKG-TPE added, the 4th of my 5 sector voyage.

coolfish1103

Diamond is really the key, but the immigration problem is such a...

Gus

Wow Jimbo, what a fabulous job that you performed there, reading all that must have taken me 30 mins, it must have taken you an eternity to type it.

As much as you like flying BR, you must have been sick of the sight of the interiors and uniforms etc of Eva Airways by the time you reached Saigon.

The shock must have been great going from PL to Economy, stiff upper lip and all that British stuff hey?

I have just booked again yesterday LHR-BKK-LHR in Elite Class, the web site was not showing many seats available so I have telephoned Euston Rd and requested a K row, I think my ticket is R class, but I no longer gather BR FF miles anyway.
As you know, I check in at LHR very early so if any window seats are going I should be in luck.

With the 777 on 067/068 I am amazed at the power of the GE90 engines on take off, it must be near to maximum take off weight yet when the pilot puts the power on you get thrown back into your seat, and that is with only 2 engines.
A couple of years back these engines had a slight software problem and I believe that the flightdeck had to use Max power for take off rather than the 80-85% normally used.
Whether GE have overcome the problem I am not sure.
Happy New Year to you and all the other Flyertalk BR posters.