EVA Air lays claim to being the world’s first airline to introduce premium economy, in 1992. And whilst Virgin Atlantic also reckons it was the first, one thing is certain: premium economy has come a long way, baby, including at Star Alliance member EVA Air.

Whereas the Taipei-based carrier’s pioneering original premium economy product boasted a seat pitch of 38 inches and a small seatback entertainment display, the airline’s latest fourth-generation platform, which debuted on the Boeing 787-9, offers an extremely generous pitch of 42 inches plus a 15.6″ high-definition touchscreen from Panasonic Avionics.

EVA Air bills its new premium economy product as “industry leading.” For context, fellow Taiwanese carrier Starlux offers a 40″ pitch in premium economy with 15.6″ displays on its Airbus A350s.

Seemingly based on Safran’s Z535i platform, EVA Air’s new premium economy product was unveiled earlier this year on a new three-class, 278-seat Boeing 787-9, with 28 seats configured 2-3-2 in premium economy, plus 26 seats up front in Royal Laurel Class, and 224 seats in economy. It was pressed into service on flights to Jakarta and later to key European destinations.

EVA Air currently flies three 787-9s with this new LOPA (layout of passenger accommodations) and six more are slated to be delivered to the carrier.

Now the airline is gearing up to introduce the three-class 787-9 to a new route linking its Taipei base with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The service is slated to launch on 3 October, with five weekly flights offered from 18 November and daily service to begin on 15 December.

“Dallas-Fort Worth is a vibrant hub with strong business and cultural ties to Asia, making it a fitting location to debut this upgraded offering,” EVA Air executive vice president, North America, Andrew Su says in a published statement.

“It’s not just any plane,” EVA Air enthuses on LinkedIn. “Think more space, more comfort, and more reasons to fly.”

In contrast to the four two-class 787-9s in its fleet, EVA Air refers to the three-class twinjet as the 787-9P. It has launched a dedicated web page for the aircraft, as well as a YouTube video that showcases the fourth-generation premium economy seat’s key features, including:

• A cradle motion recline mechanism that sees the seat cushion slide forward and upward simultaneously to create a recline “equivalent to eight inches while preserving space for the passenger behind”
• Headrests with side privacy panels
• Storage spaces in the armrests, under-seat compartments, and dedicated bottle holders
• Dual 110V AC and USB-A power 
• A groove in the tray table to support a personal device
• Note: front-row seats in premium economy include an extended leg rest for added support and an integrated footrest design

In terms of service and soft product, the airline says it has also elevated the premium economy experience with plush pillows, eco-friendly double-sided blankets, “high-quality” headphones, and inflight tableware crafted in partnership with renowned Italian brand Guzzini. Bamboo fiber napkins and other sustainable service items reflect the airline’s environmental commitment, it adds.

And, in another bid to bolster its premium proposition, EVA Air has adopted the free inflight Wi-Fi model for members of its Infinity MileageLands loyalty program flying internationally, in addition to providing the amenity to business class passengers.

Following a special promotion, whereby unlimited web browsing is free to all travel classes until 30 September, premium economy passengers will be able to avail of free unlimited browsing as long as they are members of the loyalty program.

Related Articles:

• EVA Air to offer free inflight Wi-Fi to loyalty members
• EVA Air adopts fuel-saving AeroSHARK film for Boeing 777F fleet
• Excellent seat and IFE make up for subpar catering in EVA Air economy
• STARLUX commits to Viasat with launch of “enhanced IFC”
• Seeking premium economy’s launch airline unearths historical quirks
• How Starlux delivers one of the best premium experiences around

Featured image credited to EVA Air