EVA Air Premium Laurel Trip Report

[echster 1]

This is part 2 of a recently completed trip. Part 1 can be found here:

 

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17695

 

17 August 2005

Taipei International (TPE) – Bangkok International (BKK)

EVA Air Flight 211 (BR 211)

Boeing 773ER

B-16701

Scheduled Departure – 0830, Actual – 0837, Airborne – 0850

Scheduled Arrival – 1105, Actual – 1101, Gate – 1113

Premium Laurel, Seat 7A (Window)

TPE – Gate C8, BKK – Gate 55

 

I notice a few fellow passengers from the LAX flight are onboard. Lets hope our luggage makes it, as well.

 

This was my first trip on EVA’s new B773ER. I was so looking forward to it. With that said, I wasn’t disappointed. The aircraft still had the new plane smell. Boeing techs were on onboard to help assist the crew with any problems.

 

 

 

Boarding began on time. Premium Laurel entry was through Door 1L, Elite Class and Economy entry was through Door 2L. Numerous newspapers were offered at the door. I reached my seat after grabbing a USA Today and was soon offered a pre-departure drink of OJ or water and a cool towel. Menus were at the seat, so I went through it just to have something else to read, and also perused the AVOD guide.

 

 

We departed the gate a few minutes late, not too bad considering the lateness of our arrival from LAX. We taxied out for a Runway 24 departure and were in line behind an EVA B744, an EVA MD-90, and a TG B777 (HS-TJC). The TG B777 started its takeoff roll and we were then in position and hold. With the wake turbulence separation met, the pilots spooled up the twin engines and we were soon rolling. The flight was only about 20% full in Premium Laurel and Elite Class and was easily airborne in 6000 feet.

 

Soon after reaching cruising altitude, breakfast service began. On the menu were the first two choices. The last seven could be booked only through the EVA Air website. If you don’t order through the website, you won’t be able to get one of those choices. I didn’t want to eat two egg meals in the span of a couple hours, so I selected the pecan-encrusted codfish. It was so awesome!!!

 

Breakfast

 

Chinese Style

 

Selection of Tea

 

Fresh Fruit

 

Taiwanese Congee served with Traditional Delicatessens

 

Cold Delicatessens

- Dried Pork Julienne

- Pickled Cucumber

- Preserved Beancurd

 

Hot Delicatessens

- Braised Tofu with Mushroom

- Scrambled Egg with Bait Fish

 

 

Western Style

 

Coffee, Tea

 

 

Fresh Fruit

 

Choice of Bread served with Butter and Jam

 

Cereal and Yogurt

- Corn Flakes or Muesli Cereal

- Natural or Strawberry Yogurt

 

Cheese Omelette

- Asparagus

- Roasted Bacon

- Roasted Tomato with Herb

- Potato Rosti Terrine

 

Internet Only Orders

 

Braised Pig Trotter in Asian Herbal Sauce served with Logtivity Fine Noodles

- Pak Choy

 

 

Pan Seared Parmesan and Grain Mustard Coated Lamb Chops in Herb Sauce

- Sautéed Fresh Green Beans with pine Nuts

- Sautéed Potatoes with Onion Confit

 

 

Braised Sea Cucumber in Superior Sauce with Shrimp Roe

- Sautéed Asparagus

- Stir Fried Noodle with Seafood

 

 

Korean Style Cold Noodle with Crab Claw and Korean Kimchi

 

 

Formosa Cold Noodle with Chicken Julienne in Sesame Dressing

- Stewed Beef Tendon

 

 

Thai Style Seafood Noodle

 

 

 

 

Pecan Encrusted Cod Fish with Citrus Coriander Dressing

- Carrot

- Zucchini

- Pumpkin

- Capellini with Olive Oil and Vegetable Julienne

 

 

With breakfast out of the way, I had an opportunity to wander the Premium Laurel and Elite Classes. As previously stated, they were fairly empty so there was plenty of pic taking. Here are just a few:

 

 

Premium Laurel Seat

 

 

Premium Laurel Side View

 

 

Premium Laurel Legroom

 

 

Elite Class Seat

 

 

Elite Class Side View

 

 

Elite Class Center View

 

 

Elite Class AVOD

 

After wandering around with no place to go, I finally took time to test the new AVOD. It appeared to me to be the same system EVA employs on its A332s. It is easy to use and has more choices than one could possibly need on a 3-hour flight.

 

 

Premium Laurel AVOD with Coat Hook

 

 

B773ER Engine Inflight

 

 

B773ER Engine and Wingtip

 

We were soon beginning our descent into BKK. I wish I had taken the chance to photograph some of the towering cumulus (TCU) during our descent, but I had put my camera away. We landed a few minutes early on Runway 21L and rolled out to the end. Taking the right hand turn on Taxiway S, we held short of Runway 21R for several departures. We were pulling into Gate 55 twelve minutes after arriving. Weather in BKK was 89F and overcast skies. Seemed fairly typical of rainy season conditions.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Echster,

 

Thanks for that ..... as always, it's much appreciated.

 

UK gets the 777ER from this coming Thu so it's nice to see that both laurel and elite are huge improvements on their predecesors. Both EVA and Boeing have done well for us.

 

Tom

Edited September 12, 2005 by CheshireTom

[BigKev 0]

Thank you for taking the time to do this report. As a fellow EVA flyer from the States, although EWR, I appreciate the information.

 

 

Cheers ,

 

 

BigKev

[Gus 97]

well done again ech, I was hoping you may have taken some piccies of the bar :

beer

The Elite actually looks pretty good, not so sure about the Premium Laurel, I get to check it out Nov 10th

[Hub 203]

Thanks for the interesting report Echster.

 

Hub

[echster 1]

Thank you for taking the time to do this report. As a fellow EVA flyer from the States, although EWR, I appreciate the information.

 

 

Cheers ,

 

 

BigKev

I've seen EVA's timetable for B773ER delivery and where they plan to deploy them, but I don't have it handy right now. If I recall correctly, Europe gets the first 2 delivered this year. Following that, Vancouver gets the next aircraft in early 2007. We in the States should see regular B773ER service from EVA beginning in 2008, starting with EWR and SEA, and completed with LAX and SFO in 2009. The B744s will be retired.

[echster 1]

well done again ech, I was hoping you may have taken some piccies of the bar :

beer

The Elite actually looks pretty good, not so sure about the Premium Laurel, I get to check it out Nov 10th

The Premium Laurel was nice! I did manage pics of the bar, but that is for the next leg of my trip. At first I didn't understand the bar concept, but figured it out. If you didn't know about it, you may forget it. I'll explain in the next trip report.

[irishman 0]

I took the 777ER back form BKK to Taipei on Sept. 5th and when we arrived, I was surprised to see that a second 777ER had arrived just ahead of us and we followed it to the terminal. I think that EVA presently only has 2 in their stable but they are indeed, nice planes.

 

Cheers

[marleyboy 140]

thanks for the report and pics, i go on in october from heathrow in elite class only 5 weeks now!

[monkeyman 1,604]

At first I didn't understand the bar concept, but figured it out. If you didn't know about it, you may forget it. I'll explain in the next trip report.

Any chance of a preview? I'm using it myself on Thursday.

[echster 1]

Any chance of a preview? I'm using it myself on Thursday.

It's only for Premium Laurel customers. I wouldn't exactly call it a bar. First off, understand Premium Laurel is broken into 2 sections. At the fron of the plane is the first few rows, then you have the bathrooms and galley, followed by another 3-4 rows of Premium Laurel. Separating the sections is a curtain.

 

So anyways, on the left side of the aircraft (as it flies), just past the bathroom, is a large "box" that looks outta place. In it are drinks and snacks. Nothing was laid out on it so if you didn't know it was there, you probably wouldn't give it another thought unless you saw folks congregatign there.

 

I have pics but I haven't downloaded them because my account is almost over the limit. I will do another trip report soon, though.

[Hub 203]

It sounds like the "bar" on the new Cathay Pacific business class They show a hot girl hanging out with a martini on their website:

 

http://www.cathay-usa.com/duringflight/newbusinessclass.asp

 

but it's really a small little thing in a traffic area near the galley where no one would hangout.

 

Hub

[monkeyman 1,604]

It's only for Premium Laurel customers. I wouldn't exactly call it a bar. First off, understand Premium Laurel is broken into 2 sections. At the fron of the plane is the first few rows, then you have the bathrooms and galley, followed by another 3-4 rows of Premium Laurel. Separating the sections is a curtain.

 

So anyways, on the left side of the aircraft (as it flies), just past the bathroom, is a large "box" that looks outta place. In it are drinks and snacks. Nothing was laid out on it so if you didn't know it was there, you probably wouldn't give it another thought unless you saw folks congregatign there.

 

I have pics but I haven't downloaded them because my account is almost over the limit. I will do another trip report soon, though.

Thanks. I'm in Premium Laurel on the new 777. I'll give it a look.

[djinn 0]

I was a fan of the "Evergreen de Luxe " class.

I came back to Europ end of august on a 747. (BKK-Amsterdam)

I was upgraded to business class (overbooking)

Not a lot of difference with Evergreen.

I came back on sept 17th (London-BKK) on their new 777.3rd day of service of this plane.I was very disapointed by the Elite Class (I paid for Evergreen which does not exist anymore).Seat less roomy,no more sleeping masks.Average food (as usual wjth Eva).

It will be my last flight wjth them exept if they have a competitive offer on premium.

[w3bmast3r 0]

Cheers for the report and pics - very usefull

 

The first 2 - was your camera suffering from the side effects of vitamin V

[cbrib 354]

Have to give it to Echester on this one. Took Eva business from Bkk-LA round trip. On the Taipei Bkk leg i was on Premium Laurel class and it was beyond anything i have been on. I was upgraded to 1st class LA to Taipei and was not impressed but having been on many legs of Eva business i would say it is the best deal going. When you go Eva business and already have a gold card you are invited into Eva's 1st class lounge which is impecible!!! Still the best deal from the states to Asia IMHO. Cheers, B-Man!

[echster 1]

Cheers for the report and pics - very usefull

 

The first 2 - was your camera suffering from the side effects of vitamin V

Some people here are just plain idiots! You're seeing the reflection from inside the terminal as I'm shooting through the thick glass.