EVA Air Premium Economy — is it worth the upgrade?
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Ever since I’ve flown on China Airlines Premium Economy, I've been curious about how Eva Air's version stacks up.
As a Taiwanese-American, I try to visit my family in Taiwan every year. Back then when I was living in the Bay Area, the flight from San Francisco was already a bit of a marathon (12 hours) but ever since I moved to New York, it's turned into an epic journey (16-18 hours — yikes!).
All my Taiwanese friends swear by EVA Air, praising their service and their amenities. I grew up flying with China Airlines, so I'm just here for an honest and no-judgment comparison. 🧐
Let’s see if EVA Air’s Premium Economy lives up to the hype, shall we?
brief overview
Alright, buckle up because we’re about to dive into the features of EVA Air’s Premium Economy!
SEATS
Plush and spacious, with 38 inches of length and a generous 19.5 inches of width. Yes, you read that right — room to stretch those legs!
ENTERTAINMENT
An 11-inch touchscreen TV with a huge selection of movies, TV shows, and music. And guess what? Noise-canceling headphones.
TOILETRIES
Overnight kits in case you need it — moisturizing cream, lip balm, comfy socks, a comb, earplugs, and a sleep mask.
IN-FLIGHT AMENITIES
A super soft and plush blanket and pillow. USB plugs and 110V AC outlets for your tech? Check!
FOOD
Exclusive meals for you to choose and preorder online, red & white wines, famous beers, and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.
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booking
All about where and how I booked my flight along with the money-saving tips for EVA Air’s Premium Economy tickets.
When the time finally came to book my flight to Taiwan, I went onto Chase Travel in Chase Sapphire and compared Premium Economy prices between EVA Air and China Airlines from NYC to TPE. Surprisingly, EVA’s Premium Economy was cheaper than China’s by $600!
Once I found the best dates to fly to Taiwan, the price for EVA Airway was originally $2179.95, but thankfully I’ve accumulated some points and viola! I saved $617.61 and ended up only having to pay $1562.34 for EVA Airways Premium Economy — round trip. 🎉
One of the best perks booking through Chase? Refundable tickets. Yep, if life decides to randomly throw a curveball, I can get a full refund.
One thing that I noticed that when I booked through Chase is that I had to call to reserve my seat — which I did not have to pay. But, when I was heading back to New York from Taiwan and they allowed me to choose my seats online, I had to pay an additional $60 to choose my seat! (It’s now $65 to choose your seat! Thank you, Ella, for the update on the price!)
While I booked through Chase Travel, if you want to save even more on your flights, I recommend checking out WayAway. This platform offers cashback on flight bookings, helping you stretch your travel budget further. Whether you’re booking EVA Air or another airline, WayAway could be a great option to save on your next flight!
I found the price of Premium Economy to be quite high, and I was disappointed to discover that there was an additional $60 charge to reserve a seat. However, I later learned that with Premium Economy Basic (which was the type of ticket I had), I could select my seats for free 48 hours before the flight, either online or through the EVA Air app.
Since EVA Air's Premium Economy flights tend to fill up quickly, I would suggest paying for your seat if you're flying with someone else. If you're flying alone, I recommend using the 48-hour window to avoid the additional charge.
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download EVA Air's app
Alright, here's a pro tip — download the EVA Air app (Apple / Google Play).
Trust me, it’s super beneficial for you when you’re traveling with EVA.
I won’t dive into all its features, but here are some important features in the app that stood out to me and might benefit you as well:
MY TRIP/CHECK-IN
This is crucial intel for planning when to get to the airport. Now, the online check-in was a bit redundant because, surprise, you still need to check in at the airport especially if you’re flying internationally.
But, picking seats, meals, and browsing the e-menu? That’s where the app shines.
MEALS
Here’s where things get exciting. In the MY TRIP/CHECK-IN zone, after punching in your info, you get a front-row seat to your meals.
Two weeks before liftoff, you can even peek at or change your meal choices.
Gabriel pre-booked the Exclusive Gourmet Meal made by Michelin-star chef Paul Lee’s beef, and according to him, it tasted amazing.
NOTIFICATIONS
What do I love most? The app's notifications before the flight. It's like having a personal assistant — it tells you which terminal to go to, your gate, and the boarding times. Plus, if you're checking your bags in, the app gives you updates on which stage your luggage is at!
THE CONS
Here’s the not-so-fun part. The app can be a bit slow.
You tap into the EVA Air App, and sometimes the app just loads. Normally after a few minutes of loading nonstop, I close the app and re-open it again — which runs the app normally.
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check-in
The check-in process from New York and Taiwan was smooth, fast, and efficient.
If you’re checking in your luggage(s), the EVA staff will ask you to wait at the side and watch the TV screen to make sure your luggage goes in before entering TSA.
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lounge access?
Unfortunately, if you’re not a frequent flyer with EVA, like myself, you don’t have access to the EVA lounge. Yeah, a bit of a bummer, right?
In New York, my waiting game was right at the assigned gate. No lounge, just me and my anticipation of flying to Taiwan.
In Taiwan, it was a different story. The gate didn’t open until later, so I sat at the Taoyuan airport food court and did some work until boarding time was nearing. Then, I headed over to the gate.
But now that I have my Priority Pass, I have access to exclusive lounges at airports around the world! This means I no longer have to settle for sitting at the food court or the gate. With Priority Pass, I can relax in a comfortable lounge before my flight, with access to food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and more. Plus, I can easily find participating lounges through the app.
👉🏼 Get your Priority Pass today and skip the crowded gates for a more comfortable pre-flight experience!
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boarding
So, here's the deal with boarding EVA Air’s Premium Economy — there’s nothing special about it. There is no priority boarding for EVA Air’s Premium Economy. Even with the “fancy” name, the boarding process was still basic and I found myself boarding in Zone 4.
The zones range from 1 to 5. Zone 1 is the first to board, and then, there's me in Zone 4. Economy was in Zone 5.
I was just confused as to why EVA Air Premium Economy didn’t have priority boarding like China Airlines.
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in-flight experience
Seats
The Premium Economy cabin features a 2-4-2 row configuration, with cushioned, soft, and spacious seats that are generally comfortable. Each seat also has an adjustable headrest for added comfort.
However, one downside is the lack of fixed-seat reclining. When the person in front of you fully reclines, it can feel intrusive and encroach on your personal space.
Although the seats are spacious, I did find it difficult to sleep. The footrest, while helpful when sitting, can make your legs feel numb when trying to sleep, which isn’t ideal. Fortunately, when sitting upright and using the footrest, it’s not as uncomfortable.
Toiletries
This product is both cute and practical! It’s small, slim, and completely reusable.
Inside, you'll find all the essentials for refreshing yourself mid-flight: an eye mask, earplugs, body cream, chapstick, a comb, socks, and a toothbrush with toothpaste.
If you don't need your toiletry bag and want more space in your seat, feel free to return it to the flight attendant!
Entertainment
Movies, music, TV shows — there are endless options to keep you entertained.
I must admit they have a ton of great movies to watch.
And, if you’re you’re having a hard time falling asleep you can listen to some nice tunes they have available. My favorite was the sleep meditation to help me fall asleep. 😴
Meals
Two weeks before your flight, you can peek at the meal options and make your choices online.
If you have dietary restrictions, you can customize your meal under the Special Meals section.
For an upgraded dining experience, EVA Air offers Exclusive Gourmet Meals curated by celebrity chefs — just be prepared to pay a little extra.
Pre-ordering your meals online comes with a perk: you get served first!
During the meal service, flight attendants offer an extra round of bread and take drink orders. On my flight back to New York, drinks were served in a glass (fancy apple juice for me! 🍏), but on the flight to Taiwan, it was just a regular plastic cup.
And yes, dessert is included! They handed out Häagen-Dazs caramel biscuits & cream—my first time trying it, and wow, it did not disappoint! 🍨
Other standout amenities
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final thoughts
Overall, my flight on EVA Air was pretty good.
Here are three important factors that stood out to me:
No Priority Boarding
For a premium experience, I expected priority boarding—but nope. Boarding with the main crowd felt like a missed perk.
No Fixed-Recline Seating
My personal space was at the mercy of the person in front of me. Without fixed-recline seating, it was a gamble on how much room I’d actually have.
Amazing Service & Amenities
EVA Air truly shines when it comes to service. The crew was professional, kind, and always attentive. Plus, the high-quality amenities made the flight feel more premium.
Would I fly EVA Air Premium Economy again?
It’s a tough call. The lack of priority boarding and fixed-recline seating were definite downsides, making the experience feel less “premium” at times.
However, EVA Air’s impeccable service and premium amenities made up for it. Plus, they’ve now introduced 4th-generation Premium Economy seats, which has me intrigued!!
Overall, I’d consider flying with them again for sure!
💡 PRO TIP
Looking to get even more value out of your Premium Economy booking? WayAway offers cashback on your flight purchases, helping you save even more on your next trip.
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what's your experience
Enough about me and my experience!
Have you flown EVA Air’s Premium Economy before? What was your experience like?
Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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FAQ
Q: Do you still have to wear face masks when riding on EVA Air?
A: No, it’s completely optional.
Q: What is the difference between EVA Air Premium Economy Up vs Standard?
A: Both Standard and Up fares in EVA Air's Premium Economy offer a comfortable travel experience. However, the Up fare provides more flexibility in choosing your seat in advance, potentially allows you to earn more frequent flyer miles, and may give you a better chance of securing a seat with extra legroom (depending on availability).
Q: What's the baggage allowance for EVA Air Premium Economy?
A: When flying in Premium Economy with EVA Air, you get a generous baggage allowance. Here's the breakdown:
CARRY-ON
One piece weighing up to 15 pounds (7 kg). Make sure it fits in the overhead bins (23 x 36 x 56 cm). There are testing units at the airport for a quick check. Plus, you can bring a personal item like a small backpack or purse measuring no larger than 40 x 30 x 10 cm.CHECKED BAGGAGE
If you're flying between Asia and the United States, you can check two bags, each weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg). This applies to both directions. If you're flying within Asia, the same two-bag rule applies with the same weight limit.
Q: China Airlines Premium Economy vs EVA Air Premium Economy — which do you recommend?
A: Both China Airlines and EVA Air offer a comfortable premium economy experience that can elevate your travel journey. I particularly appreciate EVA Air PE's quality of food, flight experience, amazing service, and comfort. However, I personally favor China Airlines PE for its priority boarding, fixed-recline seating, and clean and spacious bathroom. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities.
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watch my EVA Air Premium Economy overview!
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EVA Air: Baggage Information
EVA Air: Premium Economy Class
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Last Updated: 02.20.2025
Considering EVA Air's Premium Economy? Let's explore the seat comfort, service, and benefits to see if it’s worth the extra cost!