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