EVA Air Premium Economy Review (777): Bangkok to London Heathrow

Published: 23rd March 2026.
This is not a sponsored post & I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about boarding a long haul flight knowing you’ve struck that sweet spot between comfort and value. On my recent direct journey from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to London Heathrow with EVA Air in Premium Economy, I was curious to see whether the experience would live up to its strong reputation. In many ways, it did -though not without a few surprises.

In this blog post, I will share my thoughts on how comfortable it really is flying long haul on EVA Air’s Premium Economy cabin and whether it is really worth the price. Would we take this flight again and, should you?

Why did we choose EVA Air and how much did we pay?

Wondering how a Taiwanese airline has a direct flight where the point of origin and destination are outside their country of origin? EVA Air operates the Bangkok – London route using so-called ‘fifth freedom’ rights, a provision under international aviation agreements that allows an airline to carry passengers between two foreign countries as part of a service that begins or ends in its home country (in this case, Taiwan). The flight typically runs Taipei–Bangkok–London, enabling EVA Air to pick up and drop off passengers in Bangkok.

OK, now for the juicy stuff. You might be wondering how much we paid. I travelled with my husband, in January 2026 (high season), and we paid 715 GBP (approx. $ 960) per person, for one-way tickets from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to London Heathrow direct, in Premium Economy. We booked through the EVA Air website about 2 months before departure and paid fully in cash (no rewards points or anything like that).

At the time of booking, Eva Air Premium Economy was considerably more affordable than flying British Airways Premium Economy direct. Flying with Emirates in Premium Economy was also considerably more expensive, and, of course, slower. And, in case you are wondering, Thai Airways currently operates only business and economy cabins on this route.

Our impressions of EVA Air Long Haul Premium Economy

A Cabin That Gets It Right

The Premium Economy cabin immediately gave us a great first impression. It’s beautifully designed, with a cosy atmosphere and a subtle, well-balanced colour palette that, dare I say, feels more refined than the airline’s own business class. The seats were relatively new and in excellent condition, which set the tone for a comfortable long-haul journey.

EVA Air’s Premium Economy cabin on this route is arranged in a 2–4–2 configuration. That means that each row has:

2 seats by the window on each side, and
4 seats in the middle section.

It’s a well-balanced layout for long-haul comfort. Couples tend to prefer the window pairs for privacy, which is what my husband and I opted for, while middle seats are perfect for families. Compared to standard economy (3–4–3 on this aircraft), it felt noticeably more spacious and less crowded.

Another particularly welcome feature is, of course, the two lavatories dedicated specifically to the premium economy cabin. Throughout the flight, there was never a queue, and they were consistently clean and well-stocked with extra amenities, a small but meaningful luxury on a 13h flight.

You can check out the exact aircraft seating plan on Aerolopa.

The Seat: Comfort Where It Counts

EVA Air delivers on the fundamentals of Premium Economy seating:

Legroom was excellent, paired with a supportive footrest that genuinely enhances comfort on a long flight.
The side-mounted tray table and well-designed armrests added to the sense of space, though the table itself was a little wobbly.
A folding headrest made it easier to settle in for a nap.
The screen was large and high-quality, ideal for long viewing sessions.
International plugs and USB ports were readily available at each seat.
The amenity kit provided dental care, basic mini cosmetics, eye mask. Slippers were also provided.

It’s worth mentioning that this was a day flight, which makes a huge difference as to whether Premium Economy is worth it, no matter the airline. And yes, for a day flight, this seat was absolutely fantastic, especially if you are travelling with a plus one on the window side.

For me, an additional standout feature was the bedding. The duvet, with its soft, almost teddy bear-like texture, was excellent, paired with a medium-sized pillow. That said, I couldn’t help but question the logic of packaging the duvet in plastic (to show that it’s clean and unused) while leaving the pillow unwrapped -the very item that comes in contact with your face.

Entertainment & Connectivity: Mostly There

The in-flight entertainment system was solid:

A mix of recent films, classics, and international options.
Limited TV selection.
A fantastic moving map, along with music and games.

The supplied earphones offered decent noise cancellation. They are not quite on par with dedicated headphones, but perfectly adequate.

One notable frustration was the menu feature on the screen which wasn’t working. More on that, later.

WiFi was a nice inclusion. Messaging, emails, and general browsing was free. A paid upgrade was required for streaming.

Food & Drink: Good, Not Memorable

The catering was a bit of a mixed bag:

A welcome start with nuts and a small bottle of water.
Lunch looked great but was fairly average in taste, with a slightly underwhelming portion size.
A mid-flight snack (tiny pizza, banana, or nuts), with a nice nod to healthier options.
A second meal (dinner) later in the flight. This was kind of odd since it was breakfast-themed (with scrambled eggs etc) though at the time it was served it was later in the day both in Thailand and the UK. Taste-wise, it was again, ok.

Overall, the food was perfectly acceptable but not a highlight.

Service: Style Over Substance

This is where the experience became more nuanced.

Visually, the cabin crew were impeccable. Truly some of the most polished and well-presented flight attendants I’ve seen. Their uniforms were pristine, their grooming flawless, and their overall appearance undeniably elegant.

However, the service itself didn’t quite match the aesthetic.

While efficient and technically competent, the crew in Premium Economy seemed noticeably disengaged. Interactions felt rushed and, at times, oddly curt. Being addressed with a blunt ‘How about you guys? Chicken or beef?’, delivered without so much as a hint of a smile, felt out of step with the warm, attentive service we all associate with Asian carriers.

While it’s understandable that the crew might simply be having a bad day, it did take away from the overall experience.

Another point of friction was the lack of a proper menu. Instead, one was briefly flashed during service, leaving little time to make a considered choice. A menu, even a simple one, printed in recyclable paper, would have made a big difference. Alternatively, a functioning digital menu on the screen would have solved the issue entirely.

Conclusion: Should you fly long haul with Eva Air in Premium Economy?

EVA Air’s Premium Economy product gets a lot right. The cabin is stylish and comfortable, the seat is genuinely well-designed for long-haul travel and the rest of the amenities on offer are truly world class. This is not surprising since EVA Air is generally considered as one of the better airlines worldwide. However, while the hard product impressed us, the soft product, particularly service, didn’t quite live up to our expectations on this occasion.

Nevertheless, what most premium economy passengers care about is legroom, comfort and price. The London to Bangkok route is very popular and prices are almost always high, whether direct or with a stopover. In that regard, the overall offering provides excellent value for money.

Would I fly it again? Absolutely. Sure, I’d hope for a crew experience that matches the elegance of the cabin itself. But, on a daytime flight, if EVA Air’s Premium Economy option exists, I would easily skip business class and save my hard earned money for my next trip.

This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.