Ultimate EVA Air Business Class Review: 16 Hour Flight Saga

There’s something almost surreal about committing to a 16-hour flight, even when you’re doing it in style. When I booked my EVA Air Business Class ticket from Chicago to Taipei, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Would the journey feel endless? Would the seat actually be comfortable for that long? This EVA Air Business Class Review aims to answer all those questions and more, documenting every detail of this marathon flight experience.

As someone who’s experienced various premium cabins across different carriers, including my recent JAL Business Class journey from Tokyo to Chicago, I had high expectations for this Chicago to Taipei Business Class adventure. EVA Air has built a solid reputation among frequent flyers, and I was eager to see if their product lived up to the hype on what would be one of my longest flights to date.

Flight Details: EVA Air BR 55

I boarded EVA Air flight BR 55 from Chicago O’Hare to Taipei, a journey projected to take nearly 16 hours. Spoiler alert: we actually arrived about 30 minutes ahead of schedule, which was a pleasant surprise after such a long haul. The aircraft was a Boeing 777-300ER, one of the workhorses of long-haul international aviation, and it would become my home in the sky for the better part of a day.

The anticipation was building as I made my way through the airport. After six weeks of physically demanding work on my investment properties back home, I was ready for this luxury travel experience. This flight represented not just transportation, but a well-deserved break and a chance to experience one of the industry’s respected premium cabins.

Pre-Flight Lounge Access: A Tale of Two Lounges

United Polaris Lounge at O’Hare

Because EVA Air is part of the Star Alliance, my Business Class ticket granted me access to the United Polaris Lounge in Terminal 1 at Chicago O’Hare. I’d done my research beforehand and everything I read suggested this was supposedly the best United lounge in existence. The reality? It was fairly good, but I’ve experienced better.

The Polaris Lounge absolutely nailed the design and quality of service. The space felt modern and premium, with thoughtful touches throughout. However, I felt the food could have been better overall. They offered both a small buffet and a restaurant with a limited menu you could order from, but nothing that truly wowed me. For travelers looking to maximize their lounge access options across different airlines and airports, I highly recommend checking out Priority Pass, which provides flexibility when premium airline lounges fall short of expectations.

LOT Polish Airlines Lounge: An Unexpected Gem

Here’s where things got interesting. The Polaris Lounge closed about an hour before my boarding time, so I went searching for another lounge I’d have access to. I discovered the LOT Polish Airlines lounge in the same international terminal as my departure gate, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised.

The LOT lounge was basically one large room, but it felt super modern and premium. A full bar stretched along one side, and the food selection looked genuinely impressive with clear Polish influence throughout the menu. Unfortunately, I was too full after my Polaris Lounge visit to properly sample their offerings. The seating was mostly upright chairs, though a few lounge chairs were tucked away in a darker, quieter area. I didn’t have a ton of time here, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. If you’re comparing different lounge access programs, my guide on DragonPass vs Priority Pass can help you determine which membership offers the best value for your travel patterns.

The EVA Air Business Class Cabin: Where Comfort Meets Functionality

Stepping onto the Boeing 777-300ER, I was immediately impressed by the cabin’s layout. The seating was configured in a 1-2-1 arrangement, meaning every passenger has direct aisle access. I was seated in the middle section, which meant I had a neighbor but couldn’t easily see them unless we were both moving around. There was no divider in the middle for privacy, which initially concerned me, but it actually didn’t bother me much during the flight.

The Seat: Engineering for 16 Hours of Comfort

This is where EVA really delivered. The seat featured a fairly modern, clean design and was, thankfully, fully functional. It went completely lie-flat, which is absolutely essential for a 16-hour journey. Before takeoff, the air hostesses came around to place additional mattress toppers on each seat for added comfort. A woman sitting nearby who had flown EVA before mentioned this made a significant difference, and she was absolutely right.

In the end, the seat was very comfortable whether I was lying flat or sitting upright. The convenient controls were positioned on my left side and included two USB ports, a universal charger, a reading light mounted behind and above, seat adjustment controls, and a TV remote with its own screen. Everything was intuitive and within easy reach, which matters more than you’d think during a marathon flight like this.

Amenities: The Maison Kitsuné Collaboration

EVA Air’s amenity kit was created in collaboration with Maison Kitsuné, and it was genuinely impressive. The kit included a hairbrush, toothbrush and paste, lip balm, hand lotion, comfortable pajamas (long-sleeve shirt and pants), slippers, and a sleeping mask. The amenity kit itself came in a nice hard case that’s proven useful for other things in my life since the flight.

I have to give special mention to the pajamas. While I didn’t wear them during the flight, I’ve been wearing them almost daily at home since returning. They’re that comfortable. These thoughtful touches separated EVA’s offering from competitors and showed genuine attention to passenger comfort.

Entertainment: Room for Improvement

If there’s one area where this EVA Air Business Class experience fell slightly short, it was the entertainment selection. The system offered a modest selection of TV shows, movies, and music, but it was mostly Chinese language programming with limited quality Western content. I tend to lean on my own downloaded phone content no matter what airline I’m on, but I still managed to find some things I could enjoy, like the show “Duster.”

For a 16-hour flight, I would have appreciated a more robust entertainment library. That said, between my own devices and catching up on sleep, the limited selection didn’t significantly impact my overall experience.

Service: Attentive Without Being Intrusive

The EVA Air cabin crew truly elevated this Business Class experience. At the beginning of the flight, staff members came around to introduce themselves personally and learn passengers’ names. This personal touch immediately set a positive tone for the journey ahead.

Throughout the entire flight, the crew remained fairly attentive. There was one brief moment where I couldn’t immediately get someone’s attention, but the shortcut is always just to press the call button, and someone was right over within moments. The staff maintained a consistently high level of service that made the 16 hours feel genuinely pleasant.

That said, while the EVA crew was very good overall, they weren’t quite as exceptional as my recent experience on JAL Business Class. JAL set an incredibly high bar for cabin service, and while EVA came close, there were subtle differences.

Food and Drink Service: A Culinary Journey to Taiwan

This is where EVA Air Business Class truly distinguished itself. The meal service was nothing short of spectacular, transforming what could have been a tedious journey into a genuine culinary adventure.

The presentation alone was impressive. Staff put on aprons before service, and meals were served on nice white tablecloths with luxurious cutlery and glassware. Both Taiwanese and Western options were available for each meal, giving passengers genuine choice throughout the flight.

The Taiwanese Menu: An Absolute Highlight

For the first several meal services, I committed to trying the Taiwanese options, and I’m so glad I did. The seafood udon was delicious, featuring perfectly cooked noodles in a rich, flavorful broth. The crispy roasted pork belly was an absolute standout, with crackling skin and tender, succulent meat. The Taiwanese braised pork with stir-fried rice noodles showcased complex flavors that could have easily been served in a high-end restaurant.

That very first meal with the seafood udon and crispy roasted pork belly set an incredibly luxurious tone for the entire flight. Starting a 16-hour journey with food this good immediately put me in the right mindset for the experience ahead.

Drinks and Breakfast

The drink selection was equally impressive. EVA offered TWG teas, Twinings, Starbucks coffee, and Japanese teas, along with a large selection of wine and alcohol. I greatly enjoyed my Choya “Extra Years” Ume fruit liqueur, a Japanese plum liqueur that was both refreshing and unique.

For the final breakfast service before landing, I switched things up and ordered the arugula and truffle ricotta open omelette from the Western menu. It was good, but honestly not as impressive as the Asian food I’d been enjoying. The lesson? Stick with the regional cuisine when flying Asian carriers. They know their strengths.

If you’re comparing premium cabin dining experiences, you might want to read my Ethiopian Airlines Business Class review for another perspective on long-haul luxury travel cuisine.

Final Thoughts on This EVA Air Business Class Review

I knew this was going to be a nice experience based on my previous encounters with EVA Air. Whether you’re flying economy or Business Class, EVA consistently delivers quality service. But experiencing their long-haul Business Class product for 16 hours straight gave me a comprehensive understanding of what they offer.

After working incredibly hard physically for six weeks on my investment properties, I was genuinely excited for this flight. I can happily say that this 16-hour EVA Air Business Class journey was an absolute delight, and I would happily do it again without hesitation.

The combination of comfortable lie-flat seating, exceptional Taiwanese cuisine, attentive service, and thoughtful amenities transformed what could have been an endurance test into a genuinely enjoyable experience. Yes, the entertainment could be better, and the Polaris Lounge didn’t quite live up to expectations, but the inflight experience more than compensated for these minor shortcomings.

Don’t hesitate to book a long-haul Business Class flight with EVA Air. Whether you’re redeeming miles or paying cash, the value proposition is excellent. For travelers seeking premium cabin experiences without breaking the bank, programs like Priority Pass can enhance your overall journey with lounge access, while careful award booking can make Business Class surprisingly accessible.

This EVA Air Business Class Review ultimately confirms what many seasoned travelers already know: EVA is a carrier that consistently delivers quality, comfort, and value. The 16 hours flew by faster than I expected, and I arrived in Taipei feeling rested, satisfied, and already looking forward to my next flight with them.

Frequently Asked Questions About EVA Air Business Class