Category: United States of America

Flight Report: EVA AIR BR 5 – Los Angeles to Taipei – Excellent 14-Hour Transpacific Journey Back to Taiwan [April 2025]

Last April, my friends and I flew to Los Angeles, California, for a week-long trip to the United States. My friend’s family showed us around and brought us to the city’s well-known spots and attractions. We had planned this trip since August 2024, right after securing our plane tickets through a random credit card promotion.

We flew with EVA Air both ways. In my previous flight reports, I shared how our Manila to Taipei and Taipei to Los Angeles flights went. Today, I will talk about our BR 5 flight from Los Angeles to Taipei. Spoiler alert, it was an excellent journey. Let me share the specific highlights that made this flight stand out.

EVA Air

EVA Air is a privately owned international airline based at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. It was founded in March 1989 by Chang Yung-fa, the Chairman of the Evergreen Group, and began commercial operations in July 1991, initially serving selected destinations in Southeast Asia and South Korea. Fast forward to 2025, the airline now flies to nearly 60 destinations across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America, operating a fleet of more than 80 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with around 50 additional aircraft on order.

Over the years, EVA Air has expanded beyond its core passenger airline business. It launched its dedicated cargo division, EVA Air Cargo, and has since ventured into airline catering, ground handling, and aviation engineering services. The airline also owns UNI Air, a Kaohsiung-based subsidiary that operates domestic flights within Taiwan and regional routes to destinations like Macau and China.

EVA Air is a world-renowned five-star full-service airline. It offers complimentary checked baggage allowance, meals and snacks, inflight entertainment systems, and premium onboard amenities. As a proud member of the Star Alliance network, EVA partners with leading global carriers such as Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, and many more. It also operates a frequent flyer program called Infinity MileageLands.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

My friends and I secured our plane tickets as early as August 2024. We took advantage of the promotion offered by EVA Air and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) at the time and purchased our tickets for only USD 709.76 each. We were charged ₱42,276.32 per person, which already included the foreign transaction fee.

This USD 710 roundtrip fare covered all four flight sectors: Manila to Taipei, Taipei to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Taipei (this flight), and Taipei to Manila. The fare included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 2 pieces of checked baggage at 23 kilograms each, inflight meals on every sector, personal entertainment screens on all aircraft, and the 5-star service that EVA Air cabin crew is known for.

The return ticket we secured was an absolute steal considering everything that was included and the overall experience across all flights. It was worth every peso spent with EVA Air.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Regular Philippine passport holders can enter Taiwan without a visa for up to 14 days, provided they can show proof of accommodation and sufficient travel funds. As of July 2025, this visa free entry policy has been extended until July 31, 2026.

In my case, since my onward destination was Manila, I needed to comply with the Philippines entry requirements. Philippine passport holders only need to present a valid passport and their eTravel QR code when entering the country. Non-Philippine passport holders may be asked to provide additional documents, such as a valid visa or proof of onward travel.

Entry requirements differ depending on nationality, so it is always best to check with the appropriate authorities for the latest guidelines before your trip.

I shared my do-it-yourself U.S. visa application journey in a previous Tuesday Tips post, which you can check out here.

Before The Flight

A few days before the flight, EVA Air sent an email offering an upgrade to premium economy through its EVABidDeals program. This feature allowed me to place a bid for a premium economy seat, starting at a preset minimum amount.

48 hours before departure, EVA Air sent a reminder that online check in was already open. The message included important details such as the flight schedule, cabin and seat assignment, baggage allowance, and aircraft type. I filled out the required information, chose my seat, and checked in for our flight to Taipei right away.

Seat selection for our onward Taipei to Manila flight was not yet available during this check in process. We could only change our assigned seats exactly 48 hours before that flight.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Our Los Angeles to Taipei flight with EVA Air was operated by an 8.9-year-old Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the time of travel. Delivered to the airline in June 2016, the aircraft is registered as B-16727. It is configured with 39 lie flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 56 recliner style premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 238 standard economy class seats arranged in a 3-3-3 layout.

Flight BR 5 departed from Los Angeles International Airport at 11:50 a.m., cruised at an altitude of 34,000 feet, and landed at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport the following day at 5:10 p.m. local time. There is a 15-hour time difference between Los Angeles and Taipei. The total flight time was 14 hours and 20 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

EVA Air operates its flights out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

EVA Air’s check in counters opened at 8:15 a.m., exactly 3.5 hours before the flight. The counters were divided into several groups: regular check in with two counters, bag drop with three counters, business class and priority check in with two counters, and a dedicated counter for Diamond members.

My friends and I arrived at the airport just in time for check in. We lined up at the bag drop area and completed the entire process in about 25 minutes. Ironically, the regular check in line moved faster than the bag drop queue.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After dropping off our bags, my friends and I cleared immigration and the final security check. We also stopped by the airport food court to grab some snacks before heading to our boarding gate. After finishing our meal, we walked to our assigned gate, Gate 157, to wait for boarding.

BOARDING

At 10:25 a.m., the ground staff began checking passengers’ passports and boarding passes. Priority boarding was announced 20 minutes later, at 10:45 a.m. EVA Air boards passengers according to zones, and zone boarding began at 10:55 a.m. Economy class passengers seated at the rear of the aircraft boarded first.

Our group, Group 5, was among the last to board. The aircraft doors were closed at 11:20 a.m., completing the boarding process in 35 minutes. The plane pushed back at 11:33 a.m. and began taxiing to the runway for its 11:50 a.m. take-off.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Los Angeles to Taipei flight was operated by an 8.9-year-old Boeing 777-300ER. The aircraft featured 39 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 56 recliner-style premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 238 standard economy seats arranged in a 3-3-3 setup.

According to SeatGuru, each lie-flat business class (Royal Laurel Class) seat offers a seat pitch of 81 inches and a seat width of 26 inches. All seats come equipped with a 15.4-inch touchscreen display with remote control, multiple storage compartments, a footrest, a universal power outlet, USB-A ports, a side console, noise-cancelling headphones, an individual reading light, and, most importantly, aisle access.

Each premium economy seat provides a seat pitch of 38 inches, a seat width of 19.3 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. Amenities include an 11-inch touchscreen system with remote control, an adjustable headrest, thick seatback padding, a bi-fold tray table, a universal power outlet, an individual USB-A port, an individual reading light, earphones, and inflight literature.

Economy class seats offer a seat pitch of 31 to 32 inches, a seat width of 17 inches, and a recline of 3 inches. Each seat features a 10-inch touchscreen system, a bi-fold tray table, an adjustable headrest, a leg rest, an individual USB-A port, shared universal power outlets, an individual reading light, earphones, and inflight safety cards and magazines. Amenities such as dental kits and slippers were available upon request. Notably, this aircraft does not have individual air vents.

For this 14.5-hour transpacific flight, I chose middle aisle seat 48D in the forward economy cabin. The seat was thin but comfortable enough for such a long journey. It came with a small pillow, a blanket, and headphones, and offered decent legroom and recline. I managed to sleep for a few hours, even though the passenger behind me occasionally his my knees. The only feature I wished it had was an individual air nozzle, although the cabin remained cool throughout the flight.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

EVA Air serves complimentary meals on all its flights. On this long transpacific journey back to Taipei, the airline provided two main meals and unlimited snacks in between.

Lunch service began as soon as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude. The crew first distributed mixed nuts, rice crackers, and a drink of choice as refreshments. Once the initial service was complete, they returned with the main lunch trays.

For the main course, passengers could choose between BBQ Pork Shoulder with Mac and Cheese or Stir Fried Chicken Noodles. Each tray also included Smoked Turkey and Mixed Beans Salad as an appetizer, seasonal fruits, a slice of Carrot Cake for dessert, a bread roll with butter, and a drink of choice. Meals were served on trays with metal cutlery, a napkin, and a sanitizing wipe. During the service, the crew also offered coffee or tea, followed by bottled water for each passenger.

About 6.5 hours into the flight, the cabin crew offered ham and cheese sandwiches as snacks. They also passed through the cabin several times offering mixed nuts, rice crackers, fruits, and drinks to passengers who were awake. Additional snacks and drinks were available in the galley throughout the journey.

Two hours before landing, the crew served the second main meal. The options were Prawns with Creamy Spinach Orzo or Fried Rice with Beef and Kimchi. Each meal came with a ham and cheese salad, seasonal fruits, a bread roll with butter, and a drink of choice. As with lunch, the meal was served with metal cutlery, a napkin, and a wipe. A second round of coffee and tea was also offered.

I chose the BBQ Pork Shoulder with Mac and Cheese for lunch and the Fried Rice with Beef and Kimchi for the second meal, pairing both with apple juice. Both meals were filling, though I preferred the lunch option over the second one. I also noticed that the airline had enough cabin crew onboard, which made the meal service fast and efficient.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

All seats on this Boeing 777-300ER were equipped with touchscreen personal entertainment screens featuring EVA Air’s Starhill Gallery. The system offered hundreds of movies, TV shows, music albums, games, and other content to keep passengers entertained throughout the flight. It also included an interactive inflight map showing the aircraft’s current location and detailed flight information.

While the entertainment selection was sufficient for this long flight, it is not comparable to the premium systems offered by airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. Additionally, the screens did not display onward flight or gate information for passengers with connecting EVA Air flights.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

This aircraft was equipped with inflight wireless internet. At the time of the flight, EVA Air offered all passengers 30 minutes of complimentary access. After the free period, paid internet plans were available, ranging from US$4.95 to US$39.95, depending on the package.

I used the complimentary access midway through the flight. The connection speed was decent and sufficient for exchanging messages with my family in the Philippines. I chose not to purchase a plan, as I did not find it necessary for the remainder of the flight.

LAVATORY

I used the forward economy class lavatories several times during the flight and consistently found them clean and pleasantly scented. Despite the frequent use, the cabin crew ensured the facilities were well-maintained throughout the journey.

Beyond the standard amenities, EVA Air also offered Teaology-branded handwash, hand sanitizer, facial mist, and moisturizer for passenger use. Dental kits were available upon request from the crew.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew on this Los Angeles–Taipei flight were quick, efficient, and attentive. They greeted passengers warmly during boarding and managed the main meal services smoothly. They also maintained clean and fresh lavatories throughout the flight. In addition, the lead crew made clear announcements in both English and Chinese, keeping passengers well-informed at every stage of the journey.

Disembarkation & Transit

Flight BR 5 landed at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport at 5:10 p.m. local time, arriving 15 minutes behind schedule. Passengers disembarked by section, with business class passengers exiting first, followed by those in the front economy section, and finally, passengers seated in the rear economy cabin.

My friends and I did not clear Taiwan immigration. Instead, we proceeded to the transit area and made our way to the departures hall for my connecting flight to Manila.

Flight Experience

It was an excellent 14.5-hour flight with EVA Air from Los Angeles, California, back to Taipei, Taiwan. My friends and I did not feel the journey was long, and we all had an enjoyable transpacific experience. Here is a breakdown of the aspects I liked and the minor discomforts I experienced.

Starting with the positives, my friends and I managed to secure an excellent fare. We paid just ₱42,276.32 each for a four-sector itinerary with layovers in Taipei in both directions. Considering that the flights were during Holy Week, one of the busiest travel seasons in the Philippines, this price was an exceptional bargain.

The airline provided two main filling meals and unlimited snacks throughout the flight, with additional snacks available at the galley at any time. EVA Air also offered all passengers 30 minutes of complimentary internet access, a thoughtful touch for a long-haul journey. The economy class lavatories were consistently clean and pleasantly scented, and the cabin crew were exceptional, efficiently completing meal services while remaining attentive and professional.

As for minor discomforts, the bag drop process, while only about 25 minutes long, moved slower than the regular economy line, which felt counterintuitive for a service designed to save time. The seats, although modern, had relatively thin padding, which sometimes became uncomfortable, especially when the knees of the passenger behind me pressed through the seatback. Another minor issue was the inflight entertainment system’s omission of onward connection details for passengers transferring to other EVA Air flights, a feature that can be helpful for connecting journeys.

Despite these small inconveniences, they did not diminish the overall experience. EVA Air provided an excellent, enjoyable, and seamless transpacific journey, and I would consider flying with them again on my next long-haul trip.

Here is a summary of this EVA Air BR 5 flight from Los Angeles to Taipei.

Airline: EVA Air
Flight Date: 19 April 2025
Flight Number: BR 5
Route: Los Angeles, California, USA (LAX) to Taipei, Taiwan (TPE)
Duration: 14 hours and 20 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 48D (Aisle)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-36N(ER)
Aircraft Registration: B-16727
Engines: 2 x General Electric GE90-115B Engines
Age: 8.9-years-old
Delivered: June 2016

All in all, this BR 5 flight with EVA Air from Los Angeles to Taipei was a highly enjoyable transpacific journey. From attentive cabin crew to comfortable seating, delicious meals, and thoughtful amenities, the experience made the long flight feel smooth and excellent.

Have you flown with EVA Air on a long-haul flight? I would love to hear about your experiences! Feel free to share your stories and thoughts in the comments below, or send them directly via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Cathay Pacific. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: EVA AIR BR 6 – Taipei to Los Angeles – My First Transpacific Long-Haul Flight to LAX [April 2025]

A few months ago, my friends and I flew to Los Angeles, California for a quick Holy Week trip to the United States. We had been planning this getaway since mid-2024 and secured our tickets early. We flew with EVA Air, one of Taiwan’s leading airlines, from Manila to Los Angeles via Taipei and back.

In my previous flight report, I shared our experience on the EVA Air BR 262 Manila–Taipei leg, where we were lucky to score complimentary premium economy seats on the short hop to Taiwan’s capital. You can check out that report here. Back in 2019, I also started the flight report section on this blog with a review of EVA Air’s Taipei–Manila BR 277 service, which you can find here.

This time, let me share how our onward connection from Taipei to Los Angeles went. I will walk you through our Taipei Airport transit experience and our first transpacific long-haul flight on EVA Air’s BR 6 service.

EVA Air

EVA Air is a privately owned international airline based at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. It was founded in March 1989 by Chang Yung-fa, the Chairman of the Evergreen Group, and began commercial operations in July 1991, initially serving selected destinations in Southeast Asia and South Korea. Fast forward to 2025, the airline now flies to nearly 60 destinations across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America, operating a fleet of more than 80 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with around 50 additional aircraft on order.

Over the years, EVA Air has expanded beyond its core passenger airline business. It launched its dedicated cargo division, EVA Air Cargo, and has since ventured into airline catering, ground handling, and aviation engineering services. The airline also owns UNI Air, a Kaohsiung-based subsidiary that operates domestic flights within Taiwan and regional routes to destinations like Macau and China.

EVA Air is a world-renowned five-star full-service airline. It offers complimentary checked baggage allowance, meals and snacks, inflight entertainment systems, and premium onboard amenities. As a proud member of the Star Alliance network, EVA partners with leading global carriers such as Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, and many more. It also operates a frequent flyer program called Infinity MileageLands.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

EVA Air, in partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), launched a special promotion for its credit cardholders, offering discounted fares across the airline’s network. My friends and I took advantage of this offer and booked our flights to the United States. We paid USD 709.76 each, which RCBC charged at ₱42,276.32 per person, inclusive of the foreign transaction fee.

The fare covered all four legs of our trip: Manila to Taipei, Taipei to Los Angeles (this trip), Los Angeles to Taipei, and Taipei to Manila. It also included generous benefits such as two checked bags of 23 kilograms each (46 kilograms total), 7 kilograms of carry-on luggage, inflight meals on all sectors, personal inflight entertainment on every aircraft, and the consistently excellent service of EVA Air’s cabin crew.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Filipino passport holders are required to secure a visa to enter the United States for tourism or leisure purposes. I obtained my B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa in December 2023. This visa allows travel to the United States and its territories for both business and tourism.

Additionally, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to complete an online departure form and obtain a departure QR code from the eTravel website.

I shared my do-it-yourself U.S. visa application journey in a previous Tuesday Tips post, which you can check out here.

Before The Flight

As I mentioned in my BR 262 flight report, about a week before the flight EVA Air offered a premium economy upgrade through its EVABidDeal program. This system lets passengers bid for an upgrade starting from a set minimum amount. A similar offer was sent again by email four days before departure.

Forty-eight hours before the flight, EVA Air also sent a reminder that online check-in was open. The message included key details such as the flight schedule, seat and cabin assignment, baggage allowance, and aircraft type. I filled out the required information, selected my seat, and checked in for both the Taipei and Los Angeles flights. Complimentary seat selection for the Taipei–Los Angeles sector only became available exactly 48 hours before departure.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Our Taipei to Los Angeles flight with EVA Air was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER that was 8.7 years old at the time of the flight. Delivered to the airline in July 2016, the aircraft is registered as B-16728. Its cabin layout includes 39 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 56 recliner-style premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 238 standard economy seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement.

Flight BR 6 departed Taipei Taoyuan International Airport at 11:28 a.m. local time, cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet, and arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at 8:09 a.m. local time. With Taipei 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles, this long-haul transpacific flight lasted 11 hours and 41 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

EVA Air operates flights out of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.

TAIPEI AIRPORT TRANSIT EXPERIENCE

Our EVA Air flight BR 262 was assigned a bus gate upon arrival in Taipei. We were transferred by bus from the aircraft to the international terminal. Once inside, we followed the signs to the transit area, cleared security, and proceeded to our assigned departure gate for Los Angeles, Gate C7.

The entire transit process took less than ten minutes from the time we entered the terminal. Quick and easy.

PRE-DEPARTURE

My friends and I took a short walk around the spacious pre-departure area of Taipei Taoyuan International Airport before settling near our assigned boarding gate.

A few minutes before the scheduled boarding time, the ground staff announced a slight delay, moving boarding to 10:00 a.m. We waited at the Gate C7 pre-departure area until boarding began.

BOARDING

EVA Air boards passengers by zones. At exactly 10:00 a.m., the ground crew began priority boarding with business class passengers and elite status holders. They were followed by those in premium economy and then economy passengers seated toward the rear of the cabin.

Our group, Group 5, was among the last to board. During the process, the staff did not check passports; they only scanned boarding passes. The aircraft doors were closed at 10:19 a.m., completing boarding in just 19 minutes.

Departure was delayed as the control tower assigned us a later takeoff slot. While waiting, the cabin crew went around offering water to passengers. The aircraft finally pushed back at 11:12 a.m., nearly an hour after the doors had closed, and began taxiing to the runway.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Taipei to Los Angeles flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER that was 8.7 years old at the time of the flight. The aircraft had 39 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 56 recliner-style premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 238 standard economy seats arranged in a 3-3-3 setup.

According to our friends at SeatGuru, each lie-flat business class (Royal Laurel Class) seat offers a seat pitch of 81 inches and a seat width of 26 inches. All seats come equipped with a 15.4-inch touchscreen display with remote control, multiple storage compartments, a footrest, a universal power outlet, USB-A ports, a side console, noise-cancelling headphones, an individual reading light, and, most importantly, aisle access.

Each premium economy class seat provides a seat pitch of 38 inches, a seat width of 19.3 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. Amenities include an 11-inch touchscreen system with remote control, an adjustable headrest, thick seatback padding, a bi-fold tray table, a universal power outlet, an individual USB-A port, an individual reading light, earphones, and inflight literature.

Economy class seats offer a seat pitch of 31 to 32 inches, a seat width of 17 inches, and a recline of 3 inches. Each seat features a 10-inch touchscreen system, a bi-fold tray table, an adjustable headrest, a leg rest, an individual USB-A port, shared universal power outlets, an individual reading light, earphones, and inflight safety cards and magazines. Notably, this aircraft does not have individual air vents.

For this flight, I chose middle aisle seat 46G in the forward economy cabin. The seat was comfortable enough for the nearly 12-hour transpacific journey. It came with a small pillow, a blanket, and headphones, and offered decent legroom and recline. I managed to sleep for about four hours. The only feature I wished it had was an individual air nozzle, although the cabin remained cool throughout the flight.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

EVA Air serves complimentary meals on all its flights. For this long-haul sector to Los Angeles, two main meals were provided: lunch and breakfast, with unlimited snacks in between.

Lunch service began shortly after we reached cruising altitude. The crew first distributed mixed nuts, rice crackers, and a drink of choice as starters. Once the initial service was complete, they returned with the main meal trays.

For the main course, passengers could choose between Creamy Mushroom Seafood Spaghetti or Kanpai BBQ Karubi with Steamed Rice. Each tray also included Black Pepper Duck with Ricotta Cheese as an appetizer, seasonal fruits, Pistachio Panna Cotta for dessert, a bread roll with butter, and a drink of choice. Meals were served on trays with metal cutlery, a napkin, and a sanitizing wipe. During the meal service, the crew came around offering coffee or tea, followed by bottled water for each passenger.

About two hours before landing, breakfast was served. The options were Savory Porridge with Minced Chicken, Wolfberry, and Barley or Omelette with Chive Cream Sauce and Pork Sausage. Breakfast came with yogurt, seasonal fruits, fish floss with jam, a bread roll, and a drink of choice. Like the earlier meal, it was served with metal cutlery, a napkin, and a wipe. A second round of coffee and tea was also offered.

Between meals, the crew frequently went around the cabin with snacks such as mixed nuts, chips, and crackers, along with water and juice. Midway through the flight, they also served a hot Fried Pork Chop and Cheese Sandwich with drinks to passengers who were awake. Additional snacks and drinks were available in the galley throughout the journey.

I chose the BBQ with rice for lunch and the omelette with sausage for breakfast, pairing both with apple juice. Each meal was filling, and I never felt hungry at any point during the almost 12-hour flight. I also noticed that EVA Air had ample cabin crew onboard, which made the service smooth and efficient. The team went around several times with drinks and snacks, keeping passengers well taken care of for the entire flight.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

All seats on this Boeing 777-300ER were equipped with touchscreen personal entertainment screens featuring EVA Air’s Starhill Gallery. The system offers hundreds of movies, TV shows, music albums, games, and other content to keep passengers entertained throughout the flight. It also includes an inflight map with the aircraft’s current location and detailed flight information. On this particular aircraft, the map was available but not interactive.

During the flight to Los Angeles, I finished the Thai movie How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, which I had started on the Manila to Taipei leg. I also watched Wicked, although I spent most of the time simply following the progress of our journey on the inflight map.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

This aircraft was equipped with inflight wireless internet. At the time of the flight, EVA Air provided all passengers with 30 minutes of complimentary access at the time of the flight. After the free period, paid internet plans were available, ranging from US$4.95 to US$39.95 depending on the package.

I used the complimentary access midway through the flight. The connection speed was decent and good enough to exchange messages with family and friends in both the Philippines and Los Angeles. I chose not to purchase a plan since I did not find it necessary for the rest of the flight.

LAVATORY

I used the forward economy class lavatories several times during the flight and noticed that the cabin crew always kept them clean and fragrant. Despite frequent use, the facilities were well-maintained throughout the journey.

In addition to the basic amenities, EVA Air provided Teaology-branded handwash, hand sanitizer, facial mist, and moisturizer for passengers to use. Toothbrushes were also available upon request from the crew.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew on this Taipei to Los Angeles flight were quick, efficient, and attentive. They greeted passengers warmly during boarding, served water while we waited for pushback, and managed the lunch and breakfast services with ease. They also ensured the lavatories remained clean and fresh throughout the flight. In addition, the lead crew kept everyone updated with clear announcements, making sure passengers were informed at every stage of the journey.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

Flight BR 6 landed at Los Angeles International Airport at 8:09 a.m. local time, arriving 1 hour and 19 minutes behind schedule. We taxied to the Tom Bradley International Terminal for disembarkation.

Passengers deplaned by section, starting with business class, followed by the forward economy cabin, and finally those seated in the rear. Immigration, baggage claim, and customs clearance took less than an hour. Our luggage was already on the carousel by the time we reached the arrival hall, making the process quick and seamless.

Flight Experience

It was a memorable first-ever transpacific flight with EVA Air from Taipei, Taiwan to Los Angeles, California, USA. I thoroughly enjoyed this long-haul flight even if I only had a few hours of sleep. Allow me to share what I liked and disliked on this flight.

Let us start with the positives. First, my friends and I got a good deal for the ticket price. We paid only ₱42,276.32 each for a four-sector journey with layovers in Taipei both ways. The flights took place during one of the busiest travel periods in the Philippines, the Holy Week, so the fare was definitely a steal.

Second, I had my fastest transit experience at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, which took less than ten minutes from the time we stepped into the terminal building. Third, the ground crew managed to board all 300 passengers in just 19 minutes. Talk about efficiency!

Fourth, EVA Air kept the aircraft modern and well-maintained despite it being almost nine years old. Fifth, the airline served two hearty and tasty meals during the flight, while also keeping passengers full and hydrated with snacks and drinks offered periodically.

Sixth, EVA Air provided 30 minutes of complimentary internet access to all passengers, a nice gesture on a long-haul journey. Seventh, the economy class lavatories were kept clean and fragrant throughout the flight. Lastly, the cabin crew were outstanding. I was impressed at how quickly they completed the meal services while still being attentive and professional. Bravo!

This flight was not all wins, though. It had its fair share of areas for improvement. First, the flight was delayed by a little over an hour due to runway congestion in Taipei, which led to both a late departure from Taiwan and a delayed arrival in Los Angeles.

Second, while the inflight entertainment system had decent options for a long-haul flight, it was not at par with competitors such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific. Lastly, the inflight map was not interactive, so I could only glance at it during the flight.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall experience was excellent. EVA Air delivered a comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable transpacific journey, and I would not hesitate to fly with them again.

Allow me to provide a summary of this EVA Air BR 6 flight from Taipei to Los Angeles:

Airline: EVA Air
Flight Date: 12 April 2025
Flight Number: BR 6
Route: Taipei, Taiwan (TPE) to Los Angeles, California, USA (LAX)
Duration: 11 hours and 41 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 46G (Aisle)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-36N(ER)
Aircraft Registration: B-16728
Engines: 2 x General Electric GE90-115B Engines
Age: 8.7-years-old
Delivered: July 2016

All in all, this flight with EVA Air was a great start to my transpacific travel experience. From efficient service to thoughtful touches in comfort and hospitality, it truly set the bar high for future long-haul flights.

Have you flown with EVA Air before? I would love to hear about your experiences! Feel free to share your stories and thoughts in the comments. You can also send your stories via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Cathay Pacific. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: EVA AIR BR 262 – Manila to Taipei – Enjoying a Complimentary Premium Economy Seat En Route to the United States [April 2025]

In April 2025, my friends and I flew to Los Angeles, California for a quick Holy Week trip to the United States. We had been planning this getaway since mid-2024, and we were thrilled that it finally came to life. For this journey, we chose to fly with one of the world’s best airlines – EVA Air.

A few years ago, I launched the flight reports section of this website with a review of EVA Air flight BR 277 from Taipei to Manila. Six years later, I found myself flying with EVA again, this time, all the way to the United States.

Join me as I take you through the first leg of our trip onboard flight BR 262 from Manila to Taipei. Keep reading to find out how my friends and I scored complimentary premium economy class seats on this short-haul hop to Taiwan.

EVA Air

EVA Air is a privately owned international airline based at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. It was founded in March 1989 by Chang Yung-fa, the Chairman of the Evergreen Group, and began commercial operations in July 1991, initially serving selected destinations in Southeast Asia and South Korea. Fast forward to 2025, the airline now flies to nearly 60 destinations across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America, operating a fleet of more than 80 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with around 50 additional aircraft on order.

Over the years, EVA Air has expanded beyond its core passenger airline business. It launched its dedicated cargo division, EVA Air Cargo, and has since ventured into airline catering, ground handling, and aviation engineering services. The airline also owns UNI Air, a Kaohsiung-based subsidiary that operates domestic flights within Taiwan and regional routes to destinations like Macau and China.

EVA Air is a world-renowned five-star full-service airline. It offers complimentary checked baggage allowance, meals and snacks, inflight entertainment systems, and premium onboard amenities. As a proud member of the Star Alliance network, EVA partners with leading global carriers such as Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, and many more. It also operates a frequent flyer program called Infinity MileageLands.

Airfare & Inclusions

In August 2024, EVA Air launched a promotional fare across most of its routes, offering discounted tickets for customers who used a local bank’s credit card (RCBC) as their mode of payment. My friends and I took advantage of this deal and booked our tickets exactly nine months ahead of our intended departure. We paid just $709.76 for a round-trip ticket, which was charged by RCBC at ₱42,276.32, including foreign transaction service fees.

This fare covered all four legs of our journey: Manila to Taipei (this flight), Taipei to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Taipei, and finally, Taipei to Manila. The ticket also included a generous baggage allowance of two 23-kilogram checked bags per passenger (46 kilograms total), 7 kilograms of carry-on luggage, inflight meals on all sectors, a personal inflight entertainment system on every aircraft, and the consistently world-class service delivered by EVA Air’s cabin crew.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Regular Philippine passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 14 days, provided they have proof of accommodation and sufficient travel funds. As of July 2025, this visa-free entry policy has been extended until July 31, 2026.

In my case, since my onward destination was Los Angeles, California, I also needed to comply with the United States entry requirements. Philippine passport holders are required to secure a B1/B2 or B2 visitor visa to enter the United States for tourism or leisure purposes. I obtained my B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa in December 2023 and shared my do-it-yourself application experience in one of my Tuesday Tips blog posts. You can check it out here.

Additionally, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to complete an online departure form and obtain a departure QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

A week before our flight, EVA Air sent an email offering an upgrade to premium economy class through its EVABidDeal program. This feature allowed me to place a bid for a premium economy seat starting at a set minimum amount. Four days before departure, the airline followed up with another bidding invitation.

Then, 48 hours before the flight, EVA Air sent a reminder that online check-in was open. The message included key details such as flight schedule, cabin and seat assignment, baggage allowance, and aircraft type. I filled out the required information, selected my seat, and checked in for our flight to Taipei right away.

While checking in online, I noticed that EVA Air had opened their premium economy class seats free of charge. I quickly selected seat 20K—a premium economy bulkhead window seat—and immediately informed my friends. They were able to secure seats 20A and 20C, also in the premium economy cabin. Thank you, EVA Air, for making this section available during online check-in at no extra cost.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Our Manila to Taipei flight with EVA Air was operated by a 10.9-year-old Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (at the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in May 2014, the aircraft is registered as B-16719. It features 39 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 56 recliner-style premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 238 standard economy class seats arranged in a 3-3-3 setup.

Flight BR 262 departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:19 a.m., cruised at an altitude of 39,000 feet, and landed at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport at 8:00 a.m. local time. There is no time difference between Manila and Taipei. The total flight time was 1 hour and 41 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

At the time of our flight, EVA Air operated three daily flights between Manila and Taipei, all departing from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

I arrived at the airport shortly after 2:00 a.m. and went straight to pay the mandatory travel tax. I met up with my friends, and we joined the online check-in queue at 2:15 a.m. EVA Air operates three separate check-in lines: one dedicated to business class passengers and status holders, with two counters open; a second line for bag drop, essentially for passengers who have already checked in online, with three counters open; and finally, the regular economy class line with two counters open.

Interestingly, the regular economy check-in line moved faster than the bag drop queue, which took a frustratingly long time. We were only able to drop our bags an hour later at 3:18 a.m. and completed the entire process by 3:27 a.m. The ground staff took extra time to check in my friend, who holds dual citizenship and traveled with a US passport.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After completing check-in, we quickly cleared immigration and security and headed straight to the lounge. The PAGGS Terminal 1 Lounge was full, so we opted for the Marhaba Lounge instead. We enjoyed breakfast there while waiting for our boarding time.

I accessed the lounge using my Security Bank Platinum credit card. However, effective May 26, 2026, Security Bank removed this perk for this card type. Now, only World and Corporate credit card holders have complimentary access to these lounges. The Platinum card still includes two annual lounge credits through Mastercard Travel Pass, which can also be used to access these NAIA lounges.

BOARDING

At 5:00 a.m., my friends and I left the Marhaba Lounge and headed straight to Gate 5. Shortly after, at 5:07 a.m., the ground staff announced priority boarding. Passengers traveling in business class and status holders boarded first, followed by those with infants, small children, and senior citizens. The remaining passengers were then called to board according to their assigned zones.

The cabin crew closed the aircraft doors at 5:49 a.m., completing the entire boarding process in 42 minutes. Although the plane’s pushback was delayed by a few minutes, the crew promptly communicated the delay in both English and Chinese. The aircraft finally pushed back at 6:00 a.m. and began taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Taipei EVA Air flight was operated by a 10.9-year-old Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. It features 39 lie-flat business class seats arranged in a reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 configuration, 56 recliner premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout, and 238 regular economy seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement.

According to our friends at SeatGuru, each lie-flat business class (Royal Laurel Class) seat offers a seat pitch of 81 inches and a seat width of 26 inches. All seats come equipped with a 15.4-inch touchscreen display with remote control, multiple storage compartments, a footrest, a universal power outlet, USB-A ports, a side console, noise-cancelling headphones, an individual reading light, and, most importantly, aisle access.

Each premium economy class seat provides a seat pitch of 38 inches, a seat width of 19.3 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. Amenities include an 11-inch touchscreen system with remote control, an adjustable headrest, thick seatback padding, a bi-fold tray table, a universal power outlet, an individual USB-A port, an individual reading light, earphones, and inflight literature.

Economy class seats offer a seat pitch of 31 to 32 inches, a seat width of 17 inches, and a recline of 3 inches. Each seat features a 10-inch touchscreen system, a bi-fold tray table, an adjustable headrest, a leg rest, an individual USB-A port, shared universal power outlets, an individual reading light, earphones, and inflight safety cards and magazines. Notably, this aircraft does not have individual air vents.

For my flight, I chose window seat 20K in the premium economy cabin and was fortunate to have both seats 20H and 20K to myself. The premium economy seat is spacious and very comfortable. The thick seatback padding and leg rest, combined with generous recline, made it incredibly easy to relax and even sleep. I was lucky to experience this comfort free of charge—thank you, EVA Air!

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

EVA Air serves inflight meals on all their flights. On our flight to Taipei, passengers had one breakfast option: Cream Dory with Adobo Butter Egg Fried Rice. The main course was accompanied by Cajun Chicken with Waldorf Salad, a fruit bowl, a cup for the second drink service, and a bottle of water. Additional beverages such as juice, soda, and alcoholic drinks were available upon request. Meals were served on trays and included metal cutlery, a napkin, and wipes. During the meal service, the cabin crew made rounds offering coffee or tea to those who wanted.

The meal portions were decent. While the cream dory was slightly dry, the salad was flavorful and enjoyable. I especially appreciated that EVA Air served everything on trays and provided metal cutlery for a more premium dining experience. I want to commend EVA Air for offering a full meal service even on this short hop to Taipei.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Every seat on this aircraft is equipped with a personal entertainment screen featuring EVA Air’s Star Gallery. The airline’s inflight entertainment system offers hundreds of movies, TV shows, albums, games, and other content for passengers to enjoy throughout the flight. It also includes an interactive inflight map that displays the current flight location and detailed flight information.

During the journey to Taipei, I watched part of the Thai movie How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. Although I could not finish it due to the short flight time, I was able to continue watching it on the onward flight to Los Angeles.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The aircraft used for this Manila to Taipei flight was equipped with inflight wireless internet. All passengers were granted 30 minutes of complimentary internet access. Beyond the free period, passengers could purchase internet plans ranging from US$4.95 to US$39.95.

I took advantage of the free 30-minute access and found the internet speed to be acceptable. Given the short duration of the flight, I did not see the need to purchase any additional internet plans.

LAVATORY

I visited the middle section lavatory and found it to be spotlessly clean. In addition to the usual amenities, EVA Air provided Teaology-branded handwash, hand sanitizer, facial mist, and moisturizer for all passengers to use during the flight.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew service on this flight was excellent, warm, friendly, and attentive. They served with genuine smiles and positive energy throughout the journey. One thing I particularly noticed was their attention to detail. They announced every delay, whether it was five minutes or twenty, over the public address system in both English and Chinese. The crew made sure all passengers were fully informed of any delays experienced during the flight.

Disembarkation & TRANSIT

Flight BR 252 touched down at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport five minutes ahead of schedule. However, the landing was initially delayed by around 20 minutes due to runway congestion. After landing, we taxied to our assigned bus gate.

Passengers disembarked by section, with business class passengers exiting first, followed by those in the front economy section, and finally, passengers seated in the rear economy class. All passengers were then transported by bus to the airport terminal for immigration or transfer.

My friends and I did not clear Taiwan immigration. Instead, we proceeded to the transit area, cleared security, and made our way to the departures hall for my connecting flight to Los Angeles.

Flight Experience

It was an incredible flight experience on EVA Air in their premium economy seat on this flight from Manila to Taipei.

The journey stood out in many ways. First, the ticket cost was quite affordable, especially considering it coincided with one of the busiest travel periods in the Philippines during Holy Week. My friends and I paid only ₱42,276.32 each for a four-sector journey with layovers in Taipei, Taiwan both ways.

Second, EVA Air offered complimentary upgrades to premium economy seats during online check-in. My friends and I quickly grabbed the opportunity and enjoyed the generous space and legroom on this flight. Third, while the aircraft was a little over a decade old, the cabins remained modern, clean, and well maintained.

Fourth, the cabin crew were friendly, attentive, and approachable. They made sure passengers were kept informed, even about a slight five-minute delay. Fifth, a full meal was served complete with appetizer and dessert despite the flight being under two hours. The chicken and apple salad was phenomenal, and the use of metal cutlery was a nice touch.

Sixth, EVA Air offered complimentary 30-minute onboard internet access to all passengers. It is rare to see this level of service provided to everyone regardless of class or frequent flyer status. Lastly, the aircraft lavatories were impressively stocked with amenities such as hand wash, hand sanitizer, facial mist, and moisturizer which was quite impressive for a flight of this duration. No wonder EVA Air consistently earns its five-star rating.

Of course, no flight is without room for improvement. First, the bag drop process at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 was frustratingly slow. Despite having only two counters open, the regular economy check-in line moved faster than the bag drop queue. We waited over an hour just to check our bags.

Second, the fish in the main dish was slightly dry, though the overall meal was still enjoyable.

Despite these minor setbacks, this was an exceptional flight experience with EVA Air. I look forward to flying with EVA again in the future.

Allow me to provide a summary of this EVA Air BR 262 flight from Manila to Taipei.

Airline: EVA Air
Flight Date: 12 April 2025
Flight Number: BR 262
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Taipei, Taiwan (TPE)
Duration: 1 hour and 41 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 20K (Window)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-36N(ER)
Aircraft Registration: B-16719
Engines: 2 x General Electric GE90-115B Engines
Age: 10.9-years-old
Delivered: May 2014

Overall, this flight with EVA Air was a smooth and enjoyable start to our trip. From the comfortable seats to the attentive crew and thoughtful amenities, it truly set the tone for a great journey ahead.

Have you flown with EVA Air before? I would love to hear about your experiences! Feel free to share your stories and thoughts in the comments. You can also send your stories via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Cathay Pacific. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Tuesday Tips for Filipinos / Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself US B1/B2 NON-IMMIGRANT VISITOR VISA Application

Getting a do-it-yourself tourist visa is one of the most tedious things to do when planning a trip. I have been through several do-it-yourself visa applications, and I have spent tons of hours preparing all the needed requirements and supporting documents. All these arduous efforts are paid off every time a tourist visa is approved.

Recently, I applied for a US B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa, and I was granted one with a 10-year validity. Getting a US tourist visa is one of the most difficult visas to get here in the Philippines. I did everything by myself (without an agency’s help), so I am very lucky to have been granted this visa on my first application.

Today, I will share with you the steps I took in getting this US B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa. I will also share with you the list of questions the consul asked me and some tips on how to prepare for your visa interview.

In case you missed it, I have previously shared my do-it-yourself visa applications to Japan, Australia, Netherlands, and Italy. I have applied for all tourist visas by myself, and I got approved for all of them.

Disclaimer: Everything that will be discussed below is only applicable to a US B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa application as of December 2023. Other visa types may require additional documents or processes. Please check the US Consular Affairs website to learn more about the other requirements.

October 2024 Update – The US Embassy in the Philippines has introduced an additional step for biometrics and photo collection. More details below.

B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa

Philippine passport holders need to obtain a visa to enter the United States of America or any other US territory. One of the most common visa types Filipinos can apply for is the B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa.

This B1/B2 Visitor Visa allows the visa holder to enter the United States of America both for business (B1) and tourism (B2). This visa type does not allow the visa holder to study in the country, seek employment, or have permanent residence in the United States.

How To Apply for a B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa

Step 1 – Preparation

The first step of the application is to create an account on the US Travel Docs Portal website. The following details are required: country of application, email, first name, last name, and nominated password. After creating an account, try to log in and check the earliest available interview schedule.

Next, go to the nearest photo studio and have your photo taken. The DS-160 form requires applicants to submit a digital copy of the applicant’s photo. The photo requirements, dimensions, and specifics are found here. Please note that you may skip this part and submit your photo on the day of the interview.

Step 2 – Pay the Visa Application Fee

The second step of the application process is the settlement of the visa application fee. The current visa application fee for B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visas is $185. The Embassy of the United States of America in the Philippines specifies an exchange rate for the said visa. You can check the updated exchange rate here. At the time of my application, the exchange rate was 58.00 PHP = 1 USD. I paid 10,730 PHP for my visa application fee.

Applicants can pay the visa application fee in two ways. The first option is through in-person payment at RCBC (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation) branches nationwide. Visa applicants need to choose B1/B2 under Fee Payment Options, open and print the USA Visa Fee Deposit Slip, and pay the visa fee at any RCBC branch. Please take note of the receipt number because you will need it when setting your interview schedule.

The second payment option is through PesoNet. Applicants need to follow the steps indicated on this page. Like the receipt number above, please take note of the unique reference number because you will need it when scheduling your visa interview.

Please give RCBC and PesoNet enough time to process and transmit the visa application payment to the US Embassy. The usual processing timelines can be found here. Please also take note that all visa application fees are non-refundable.

Step 3 – Fill Out Your DS-160 Application Form

While waiting for the visa application fee to be processed and posted, you can now start filling out your DS-160 application form. Head over to this page and start your DS-160 application.

This form asks for the following details: applicant details, address, travel document information, list of social media accounts, purpose of US trip (including intended date of arrival and place of stay), US visa application history, family information, current and previous employment details, educational attainment, international travel history in the last 5 years, security, and background information.

You can upload your application photo towards the last part of the DS-160 application form. After submitting the application form, you will get a confirmation page or email with your photo, passport details, and confirmation number. Please print this confirmation page only. You do not need to print the whole DS-160 form.

Curious about the specific questions in the DS-160 application form? Here is an example provided by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Step 4 – Schedule Your Interview

After paying for the visa application fee and submitting your DS-160 application, it is now time to schedule your interview. Head over to the US Travel Docs Portal website, log in using your details, and click ‘New Application / Schedule Appointment.’ Choose ‘Non-immigrant visa’ and follow the next steps. You will provide your DS-160 confirmation number and payment reference number, and then you will choose your desired interview date and time.

You also need to choose the method of passport collection, whether by pick-up or premium delivery. You need to nominate a delivery address if you choose the delivery option. You will receive the interview appointment confirmation via email after completing the appointment process.

Please print the appointment confirmation page and bring it on the day of your interview.

IMPORTANT: October 2024 Update – The US Embassy in the Philippines added an additional step to the application process. From 28 September 2024, all applicants need to schedule a separate appointment for biometrics and photo capture. Appointments can be made via the ustraveldocs.com/ph website.

The Visa Application Center (VAC) is located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City. It will offer biometrics and photo appointment slots from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

Please note that this additional step is only applicable to those who have scheduled their visa interviews from 28 September 2024. Anyone who has scheduled theirs prior the said date can proceed to the US Embassy for their respective appointments.

Step 5 – Prepare Documents for the Interview

The US Embassy in the Philippines does not have an official list of additional documents that applicants need to bring during the interview. The emails only require the applicant’s valid passport, application photo, DS-160 confirmation, and interview confirmation pages on the day of the interview.

Any other document will solely depend on what the applicant wants to bring for his or her interview. Naturally, you will bring the documents that will show your strong ties here in the Philippines and that will show your capacity to go to the US for leisure. These documents can include the following: previous passport stamps and visas, certificate of employment, income tax documents, business registration (for business owners), bank certificates and statements, invitation letters (if for business, conferences, or events), property titles, and asset documents.

The consul may or may not ask for these documents, depending on how the interview goes. It is always best to have them ready in the event the consul asks for them.

Step 6 – Go To Your Scheduled Interview

Arrive at the US Embassy grounds at least 30 minutes before your scheduled interview. The guards will check your interview schedule and ask you to go inside during your turn. The embassy staff outside will check your passport and interview schedule and put a sticker with a barcode, your passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, and a QR code on the back of your passport. You will then go through two security checkpoints before starting with the interview process.

The interview process starts with pre-screening. The embassy staff will check your details and ask for your full name, birthday, and purpose for your trip. After that, the staff will guide you to the biometrics section, where the embassy staff will get your fingerprints.

After biometrics, you will now fall in line for the consul interview. You will be assigned to a random interview window and consul. The consul will ask for your passport at the start of the interview and ask you questions that are relevant to your trip and profile.

Step 7 – Interview Result

Towards the end of your interview, the consul will advise you if your application is approved or denied. If denied, he or she will give you a blue slip containing the reason for the denial. If approved, he or she will advise you that your application is approved and that you need to wait for 10 working days for your passport delivery or collection. All applicants, regardless of the result, need to vacate the embassy grounds after their interview with the consul.

Visa Interview Experience

Allow me to share with you my visa interview details last December 13, 2023.

I arrived at the US Embassy grounds a few minutes before 8:00 a.m., ahead of my 8:30 a.m. interview schedule. I noticed that those scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. were already asked to go inside, so I went to the guards, had my passport and appointment papers checked, and was asked to go inside.

Before the entry door, the embassy staff checked my passport and appointment letter. She also placed a sticker with my name, passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, a bar code, and a QR code at the back of my passport. I went through two security checks, then proceeded to the first step.

I underwent pre-screening at Window 9 and had my biometrics collected at Window 14. I was entertained by the nice and accommodating staff on both windows. After that, I fell in line for the interview. While seated, I can hear the consuls asking the other applicants questions about their trips, profiles, and even ask for documents. I can also hear the approvals and denials given by the consuls.

I got randomly assigned to Window 28 for my interview. The Asian-American consul with glasses greeted me and started the interview. Non-verbatim

Me (M): Good morning! How are you? (I handed my passport to him.)
Consul (C): Good morning! I am good. Thank you. How are you?
M: I am good; thank you.

C: What is the purpose of your trip?
M: Purely tourism, sir.

C: Where are you going and for how long?
M: I am going to Los Angeles and San Francisco for 2 weeks.

C: Who are you going with?
M: Alone, sir. Always by myself. (he laughed)

C: Where do you work, and what do you do?
M: I work for (stated company) as a (stated position), and I have been working with them for (stated tenure).

C: Okay. Have you traveled outside the country?
M: Yes, sir. I have been to Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, France, Italy, Spain… (he stopped me)

C: Oh, so basically, you have been everywhere?
M: Not yet, sir, but that is the goal.

C: Alright, visa approved. Congratulations! Your passport and visa will be delivered to you within 10 days.

I followed the exit signs and went back to the hotel. I finished the whole process in about 1.5 hours. I got my passport with the 10-year visa after 3 days.

Visa Application Tips

I want to share some helpful tips for those who want to apply or increase their chances of getting approved. These include:

Do not falsify anything in your DS-160 application form or in the interview. State the purpose for which you are applying for a visa. Consuls are trained to assess whether an applicant is telling the truth or not.

Stick to what you indicated in your DS-160 application.

Do not memorize everything you indicated in your DS-160 application. Familiarizing oneself with these details will help.

It is best to prepare all supporting documents and bring them during your interview. The consul did not ask for any additional documents during my interview, but the others asked for some documents or proof of ties here in the Philippines.

Build a solid international travel record or history for at least a few years before applying for a US visa. It is best to have a good mix of visa-free and visa-required countries. These records help a lot in showing that you go back to the Philippines after every trip.

Arrive at the US Embassy at least 30 minutes before your interview schedule.

The US Embassy does not have a specific interview dress code. However, it is best to dress appropriately for your interview. If you can, go for smart casual or business casual attire.

Do not bring your mobile phones during your interview. Electronic devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches are not allowed inside the embassy.

Stay in a nearby hotel if you are coming from a faraway place. I stayed at Red Planet Manila Bay (the lucky hotel, they say) the night before my interview, and I just walked to the embassy on the day of the interview.

🙂

Be confident and keep calm during the interview. The consul officers can be intimidating, but they are just doing their job. You will be fine if you come prepared and have nothing to hide.

For any other questions and clarifications, you may reach out to the US Embassy Information and Appointment Service Center at (+63) 2 8548-8223 or (+63) 2 7792-8988.

This was how I got my B1/B2 visa last month, in December 2023. Please note that interview experiences may vary from one applicant to the other. It will all depend on the profile you submit and on the consul interviewing you. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for reading this post about getting a B1/B2 US visa! I wish you all the best in your upcoming application and interview. I hope you can also check out the other Tuesday Tip posts I have on this website. Also, before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!