Last month, Star Alliance carrier EVA Air unveiled its fourth-generation Premium Economy seats on its latest three-class Boeing 787-9 aircraft, boasting an industry-leading 42-inch seat pitch – four inches more than Singapore Airlines – making it arguably the most spacious in the world.

These aircraft also feature EVA Air’s latest ‘Royal Laurel’ Business Class seats, arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 layout.

Customised by BMW Group’s Designworks, this premium cabin was first introduced on the airline’s Boeing 787s in November 2018, and is a step-up from the older seats found on the Boeing 777-300ERs currently deployed by the carrier between Singapore and Taipei.

The schedule

For the summer 2025 schedule, EVA Air continues to operate two daily flights between Singapore and Taipei, as shown below.

Singapore ⇄ Taipei
Summer 2025 Season

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	BR226
SIN 13:10		TPE 17:45
	BR216
SIN 15:10		TPE 19:50
	BR225
TPE 07:40		SIN 12:00
	BR215
TPE 09:25		SIN 13:50

EVA will deploy the new three-class Boeing 787-9s on various dates in April 2025 and May 2025, as outlined below:

• BR226/225 – 3 flights
  7 Apr (one-time)
  20 Apr (one-time)
  25 Apr (one-time)
• BR216/215 – 48 flights
  8 Apr – 19 Apr (12 days)
  21 Apr – 24 Apr (4 days)
  26 Apr – 27 May (32 days)

As you can see it’s mostly the BR216/215 timing that sees the new type used on the route, with 9.25am departure from Taipei and 3.10pm departure from Singapore.

EVA Air currently only has one Boeing 787-9 in this new three-class configuration, so do keep an eye out for equipment swaps, in case it breaks down!

The carrier’s remaining four Boeing 787-9s are in a two-class layout, without a Premium Economy cabin.

Eight further three-class examples of this type are still due for delivery, while the oldest four will be retrofitted into the three-class layout, eventually giving the airline 13 in its fleet.

Once their short-term stint on the Singapore – Taipei route is over, these aircraft will start flying long-haul services between Taipei and both Munich and Milan, from mid- to late May 2025, following the delivery of a second three-class aircraft.

New Premium Economy Class

The big news with these three-class Boeing 787-9s EVA Air is now introducing is the launch of the carrier’s fourth-generation Premium Economy Class seat.

EVA Air was the first airline in the world to introduce Premium Economy Class, launching it way back in 1992 as “Economy Deluxe Class”. It was later renamed “Evergreen Deluxe” and then “Elite Class” before eventually adopting the internationally recognised term “Premium Economy Class” relatively recently, in 2018.

There are 28 of these seats installed in the airline’s new three-class Boeing 787-9 aircraft, across four rows in a 2-3-2 layout.

This product appears to be among the most spacious Premium Economy Class seats available – if not the most spacious in the world – offering a generous 42-inch seat pitch. This provides significantly more room to stretch out compared to airlines like SIA, where Premium Economy seats have a 38-inch pitch.

Key stats for these Recaro R5 cradle seats are as follows:

• Width: 19.5″
• Pitch: 42″
• 15.6″ HD touchscreen IFE display
• Adjustable leg rest
• Universal AC and USB-A power sockets

Seats have new side privacy panels on the headrests, which incorporate built-in reading lights.

A cradle motion recline function lets the seat cushion slide forward and upward at the same time, delivering an eight-inch recline while keeping most of the space intact for the passenger behind, since the seat back itself reclines by only six inches.

Latest Business Class

These EVA Air three-class Boeing 787-9 aircraft also benefit from the airline’s latest Business Class product, launched in 2018 with a staggered 1-2-1 layout comprising 26 flat-bed seats on the 787-9.

This product has earned roundly positive reviews since its launch, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it offered on the Singapore – Taipei route.

While EVA’s Business Class seats on the carrier’s Boeing 777-300ERs currently used on Singapore flights already feature a 1-2-1 all aisle access layout, the new product is a departure from the ‘reverse herringbone’ format with these Thompson Vantage XL seats all configured in line with the aircraft fuselage.

EVA Air worked with BMW Designworks (the same company responsible for SIA’s 2013 F cabin) on the customisation, materials and colour scheme for the new seat.

EVA has included options such as extended consoles with additional storage (between the middle seat pairs and at the aisle-aligned window seats), adjustable privacy panels between the middle seat pairs (and at window seats with the console between the seat and the aisle) and seat number light / do not disturb function.

Each seat is 23 inches wide and converts to a 76 inch long flat-bed, while an 18-inch HD touchscreen display provides personal entertainment.

Economy Class

If you’re interested in the Economy Class cabin on these new aircraft, you’ll find the relatively standard 3-3-3 layout on EVA’s 787s.

The seats themselves are the RECARO CL3710 models, and feature adjustable leather headrests, customised neck support and a 10-inch HD touchscreen IFE system.

Seat width is 17.2 inches, with a pitch of 31 inches.

KrisFlyer redemptions

Since EVA Air is a Star Alliance member, you can redeem KrisFlyer miles for its flights, but be warned – the rate is not very attractive.

In Business Class, for example, you’ll pay 46,000 KrisFlyer miles to redeem from Singapore to Taipei on an EVA Air flight, plus S$85.20 in taxes, which isn’t a great deal compared to redeeming on SIA for 34,000 KrisFlyer miles, plus S$65.20 in taxes, unless you’re really keen to try out the superior EVA Air product.

Sadly you can’t redeem Premium Economy Class awards on EVA Air using KrisFlyer miles, and SIA does not offer this cabin class between Singapore and Taipei on its own flights either.

Exciting times for Singapore travellers next month, with EVA Air’s deployment of its latest three-class Boeing 787-9 to the Singapore – Taipei route, marking a significant upgrade in both Business Class and Premium Economy.

With its spacious 42-inch pitch, the new Premium Economy seat sets a new global industry benchmark in legroom, while the updated ‘Royal Laurel’ Business Class offers a more modern and private experience than you’ll find on the older Boeing 777-300ERs currently plying this route.

Although the aircraft will only operate on selected flights in April and May 2025, before spreading their wings for Europe, this brief stint offers a nice opportunity to experience EVA Air’s latest cabin products before they shift to long-haul routes.

For those flying between Singapore and Taipei during this period, it’s worth keeping an eye out for these upgraded aircraft to enjoy what must be one of the better Premium Economy and Business Class experiences in the region, even on a four-hour flight.

(Cover Photo: EVA Air)