When it comes to premium economy class, EVA Air has some authority, having been the first airline to introduce a premium economy class, when it launched Evergreen Deluxe Class in 1992, with a 38in pitch.
The Taiwan-based airline has now unveiled its fourth-generation premium-economy seat, installed in its newly delivered Boeing 787-9 aircraft – the first of nine due to join the fleet. The airline says the seat takes the premium economy experience from an “upgraded economy” standard to a “business-class-like” experience.
There are 28 of the seats in the B787-9 arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. EVA Air is billing the 42in seat pitch as being “industry-leading” – a slightly strong claim, but it is certainly among the biggest pitches on the market.
Comfort features include a cradle motion recline mechanism with a seat cushion that slides forwards and upwards simultaneously to create a recline equivalent to 8in. The design also has side privacy panels on the headrests, built-in reading lights, footrests, multiple storage spaces, and wheelchair-accessible armrests on the aisle seats.
The seats are also fitted with 15.6in high-resolution widescreen IFE monitors (Panasonic Avionics’ NEXT and eX3), paired with a multi-function entertainment system controller. The tray table includes a holder for personal devices, and the seats are fitted with 110V AC and USB power outlets.
EVA Air’s premium-economy customers on long-haul routes to the USA, Canada, and Europe departing from Taipei will receive an amenity kit created in a new collaboration with Hunter, the Scottish outdoor wear brand best known for its wellington boots. Passengers will receive an olive-green kit on outbound flights, and an oatmeal brown version on return flights. The outdoorsy design includes a detachable strap for wear after the flight, and contains Hunter brand lotion and lip balm.
Service items will include pillows and double-sided blankets, bamboo fibre napkins, high-quality headphones, and customised tableware created in collaboration with Italian brand, Guzzini.
“As the world’s first airline to launch Premium Economy Class, EVA Air has consistently focused on innovation driven by passenger needs and setting industry trends. The fourth-generation seats retain the core philosophy of previous generations while enhancing comfort, fashion, and functionality, showcasing our commitment to service innovation and attention to detail” said EVA Air president, Clay Sun.
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring the new Premium Economy Class will initially serve the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)-Jakarta (CGK) route, with future deployment on flights from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Munich (MUC), Milan (MXP), direct flights to Vienna (VIE), and on the day flight to San Francisco (SFO) in the future.
