Flight Review: EVA Air from LAX to Manila via Taipei

PHOTO: Taiwanese carrier EVA Air has a well-deserved reputation for great customer service. (photo by Michelle Rae Uy)

Flying is not my favorite mode of travel.

It’s not so much the act of flying itself that I have an issue with, but the planes themselves and those uncomfortably tiny spaces in which airlines like to stuff travelers. That being said, I’m not hard to please either. I can appreciate a good airline when I see one.

Take EVA Air, for example. The Taiwanese international airline, based out of Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport, has continually impressed me with their complimentary amenities, excellent service, just a little bit of extra space and most importantly, affordability.

Flying to Manila, Philippines, earlier this month, I opted to fly with EVA once again. I’m happy to report that the airline lived up to their reputation.

Check In/Security (9/10)

EVA’s check-in process at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal was seamless and pain-free. There were around four self-service check-in kiosks that passengers could easily use, as well as a couple of EVA ground attendants who were quite friendly and happily offered assistance without being asked.

After check-in, passengers were asked to stand in line to determine if their luggage met the carry-on weight limit, but I was assured by one of the attendants that the line was quick, which it was. So while I would have preferred to go straight to security after checking in, I really didn’t mind the small delay.

I was a little surprised to find out that 7 kilograms is the airline’s maximum weight for carry-ons, which is considerably lower than standard. On the upside, checked luggage is complimentary with EVA Air—two pieces per passenger—so it wasn’t that big a deal, either.

After the ground staff verified my documents and assisted me with my checked luggage, it was smooth sailing.

As far as going through security, my flight was at midnight, so there weren’t a lot of people there and the TSA personnel were in a good mood and chatty. Any other time, however, there would have been a longer wait.

Terminals (8/10)

While LAX might not be the most aesthetically pleasing airport in the country, I do like the dimmed atmosphere at the Tom Bradley gates at night. It’s helpful when you want to curl up and take a quick nap while waiting for boarding.

The terminal is also well-ventilated and comfortably air-conditioned—not too cold or too hot. And, as with most airport terminals, it has an ample amount of cafes, restaurants, gift shops, bookstores and convenience stores.

What I loved most, however, were the charging ports. Unlike with most airport terminals where charging stations are separated from the seats, the charging ports here are tucked underneath many of the seats for maximum convenience.

Seats/Space (7/10)

The extra seat space in economy class wasn’t considerable. However, every little centimeter counts, especially when you’re on a 14-hour flight. I was glad for the added legroom and the slightly wider, more comfortable seat. There was even enough space to enjoy my meals as well as use my 15-inch MacBook Pro despite the reclined seat in front of me.

Amenities (9/10)

It’s EVA Air’s complimentary extras that make it one of the most beloved Asian airlines right now. Even their two-hour flights offer full meals, free movies and lovely restroom amenities.

On the first leg of the flight (LA to Taipei), the attendants handed out drinks—choice of water, apple juice or orange juice—before the first meal. The main course options for the first meal were Beef Sukiyaki with Steamed Rice or Braised Chicken with Sundried Tomato Sauce and Mashed Potatoes. Beverages for this meal included red wine, white wine, whiskey, vodka, gin, beer, sodas and juices, as well as tea and coffee.

I opted for a glass of white wine and the beef, which they served with bread and butter, a Salmon and Quinoa Salad, fruit and Strawberry Cheesecake in adorable recyclable containers and silverware.

It was—like most EVA flight meals—delicious and filling.

There were also two options for the refresher meal, served about two hours before arrival: the Chinese-style Sautéed Oyster Mushrooms, fish floss, Pork Congee, and fruit or the Western-style yogurt, scrambled eggs with sausage, potatoes and fruit.

I opted for the Chinese-style meal, which warmed my stomach and made me feel a whole lot better after all those tedious hours of sitting and taking upright naps.

Other amenitiesworth mentioning were the thick blankets, headphones, individual touchscreen TVs, free Hollywood and foreign movies, as well as TV shows and free games.

The real treats were complimentary dental kits, eye masks, earplugs, face mist, hand lotion and aroma mist that were all available in the restrooms. It was lovely to freshen up after a few hours being stuck in a space that seemed to suck all the moisture out of me.

READ MORE: Get Ready for LAWA-Geddon at LAX

Service (9/10)

It’s easy to get amazing service when you’re sitting in business or first class, but the true test of onboard service is flying economy.

EVA flight crews unfailingly excel in service, even to those sitting in coach.

The crew’s excellent service started before boarding. Ground crew members pre-verified passengers’ passports with our boarding passes, which helped expedite the boarding process.

Onboard, a couple of smiling flight attendants checked all passengers’ boarding passes to point them to the right aisles. And a few more were on standby along the aisles to help a few to their right seats, making sure people were not holding up those behind them.

Most importantly, during the flight, the crew was very responsive and took care of requests in a timely manner.

Overall (42/50)

Every experience I’ve had with EVA Air, including this flight from Los Angeles to Manila, has been tremendously positive from takeoff to touchdown. Their warm, outstanding service, coupled with thoughtful amenities and good food, make them one of the best affordable airlines in the market and certainly a personal favorite.

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