Review: EVA Air Boeing 787-10 business class
Sit back and relax in 'Royal Laurel Class', offering a modern business class seat with all the features travellers expect.
By Chris C., November 13 2019
Aircraft Type
Boeing 787-10
Airline
EVA Air
Cabin Class
Business
Introduction
EVA Air’s Boeing 787-10s take the airline’s ‘Royal Laurel Class’ business class service to the next level, with an all-new seat crafted by BMW Designworks offering plenty of room to stretch out and relax, or space to work and remain productive, depending on each passenger’s journey.
Now appearing on selected flights across Asia including Taipei-Hong Kong, as well as between Taipei and Brisbane – and from 2020, to Vancouver, Vienna and more – here’s what travellers can expect aboard EVA Air’s latest Dreamliner jets.
EVA Air Boeing 787-10 business class: the basics
Adopting a staggered 1-2-1 layout, Royal Laurel Class aboard EVA Air’s Boeing 787-10s alternates the seats between being closer to the aisle, and being further away:
That’s true in the centre as well, so there are no ‘honeymoon’ seats here – being two seats close together – with the amount of space between passengers being the same from one row to the next. The only thing that changes is the position of the seat:
Overhead lockers run atop each row. The centre seats have a slightly greater feeling of space as the lockers are higher above the seat, but be aware that there’s no storage above the first two rows in the centre, owing to the crew rest area in the ceiling above:
EVA Air Boeing 787-10 business class: privacy
As above, passengers seated in the centre are never directly next to their seatmate – the shell of the seat wraps across in between.
For even more privacy, a divider can be pulled out after take-off:
By the windows, you’ll want to aim for the odd-numbered seats if aiming to sleep. Firstly, these pods are located away from the aisle, acting as a natural barrier to keep you from being disturbed.
That’s aided further by a separate privacy shield, which can again be drawn closed after take-off:
But even in the other rows without these shields, the seat’s shape still offers a good degree of privacy:
EVA Air Boeing 787-10 business class: storage
Small and thin items such as laptops and tablets can be housed in this literature pocket, although to do so, you’ll need to remove all the pre-loaded magazines – except the safety card, of course.
Larger items can be stored in a cupboard next to the seat, which can conveniently be closed for take-off and landing:
Pressing to open finds your headphones, a mirror, and storage space:
Although not formally a storage zone, the seat’s tray able is also sturdy and suitably caters for laptops and the like when getting work done:
EVA Air Boeing 787-10 business class: sleep time
Next to your seat sits expected features such as AC and USB power outlets, headphone adaptors and the inflight entertainment remote.
It’s also where you’ll find the seat controls, with pre-sets for the most commonly used positions, adjustment keys, a switch for the seat’s ambient lighting, a ‘do not disturb’ option, and a built-in massager:
Some of these keys are replicated in a separate control panel, which is easier to reach if you’re standing up or have already reclined the seat:
When it’s time to doze, transform the seat into a fully-flat bed at the press of a button, with a blanket (not pictured) and pillow provided.
Stretching to a length of 76 inches (193cm), there’s ample room for most, including those with large feet. These size 11s were accommodated with ease:
For added comfort and space for arms, elbow and shoulders, the side armrest can also be lowered by twisting it and pushing it downwards:
Pyjamas are provided on long overnight flights – such as between Brisbane and Taipei – although aren’t offered on short flights like Taipei-Hong Kong, given passengers barely have time to put the seat into bed mode before it’s time to prepare for landing.
EVA Air Boeing 787-10 business class: entertainment
Each seat offers an 18-inch entertainment screen, which responds to touch as well as actions made using the remote control, which is more comfortable when the seat has been reclined and when lying flat.
As with other Dreamliners, EVA Air’s Boeing 787-10s also feature large windows for taking in the view – however, the design of the seat does in some cases block that view, without obstructing it entirely:
All things considered, Royal Laurel Class aboard EVA Air’s Boeing 787-10s is now the airline’s flagship business class service.
It’s a more modern upgrade to the already-solid Boeing 777 business class experience as seen on longer flights like Taipei-London, and a significant level above the Airbus A330 business class offering, which primarily features angled-flat beds without universal direct aisle access: two amenities standard on the Boeing 787-10.
Also read: EVA Air Boeing 777 business class review, London-Taipei
Chris Chamberlin travelled as a guest of EVA Air.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
Pity they didn't show some example food dishes for you as well.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
This is a review of the seat only, following a recent flight. We can consider a full 'flight review' (with lounges, meals, entertainment, service and all the rest) at a later stage.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Feb 2014
Total posts 143
EVA is a phenomenal airline
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 319
Great onboard product... pity their lounge offering isn't quite up to par...
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Jul 2018
Total posts 15
Your advice about the odd-numbered window seats being the 'true' window seats (as opposed to the ones closer to the aisle) is not entirely true. I know this because I followed your advice and booked 3A on the 781 TPE-HKG, and to my surprise discovered that I was in an 'aisle window' seat. However, rows 5, 7 etc are indeed the true window seats.
After consulting the seat maps online I've finally spotted the reason: there is no row 4 on EVA's aircraft. So if you want to be closer to the front than row 5 and still want a 'true' window seat, then row 2 is for you. Rows 1, 3, 6 and all following even numbered rows are the 'aisle' window seats.
It's a very nice cabin, though - and service levels are exceptionally high too. Come on EVA, please launch flights to Sydney!
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