EVA Air has looked to impress with its latest Premium Economy seat design. Introduced in February 2025, the fourth-generation design notably offers premium-paying passengers ample space to kick back, but without the risk of hampering the person behind.

While a product of heated competition between airlines to constantly better what they can offer, EVA Air has also evolved from a long line of such offerings from the airline. EVA Air itself was the first airline to introduce premium economy back in the early nineties in an attempt to bridge the gap between coach and business. Cut to today, and the disparity between the two is ever-growing. So what can passengers expect of EVA Air’s new premium economy seat, where might it be found, and what is the verdict so far?

EVA Air’s New Seat Itself

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EVA Air flaunted the new seat design at Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation’s Taoyuan City facility in Taiwan in mid-February last year. This was seen as taking the class from simply an “upgraded economy” to a “business-class-like” experience, the airline noted at the time.

A key highlight of the new seats was EVA Air’s “industry-leading” seat pitch of 42 inches (106.7 cm). This pitch, being the distance between the same points on two seats in a row, outdid the likes of the 40 inches (101.6 cm) of Emirates’ premium economy, as well as Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas’ offerings of 38 inches (96.5 cm). Equally important, though, was the seats’ ability to recline without eating up the space directly behind, as is often the cause of some awkwardness in-flight. As EVA Air explained: “The cradle motion recline mechanism allows the seat cushion to slide forward and upward simultaneously, creating a comfortable recline equivalent to 8 inches (20.3 cm) while preserving space for the passenger behind.”

Such seats were also fitted with side panels attached to their headrests to offer extra privacy, alongside armrests and footrests, all upholstered in leather. Storage space was also added within the armrests and the seats in front. These also boasted 15.6-inch (39.6-cm) high-resolution widescreen monitors and personal device holders on tray tables, complemented by power outlets for each passenger. Coupled with the self-contained reclining mechanism, passengers could rest assured that their own legroom and screen viewing angle would not be compromised by those in the row in front leaning back.

Where Are The New Seats Available?

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Being a relatively recent introduction, EVA Air’s fourth-generation premium economy seats are thus far only available on a few routes and select aircraft. EVA Air debuted the new layout on its route between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Jakarta (CGK) in Indonesia. This was aboard a newly delivered Boeing 787-9, with all future deliveries of the aircraft set to incorporate the fresh offering as part of a three-class configuration, alongside its standard economy and Royal Laurel seats.

So far, plans are for the new premium economy seats to feature solely on EVA Air’s incoming 787-9s. Having bolstered its order book at the back end of last year, EVA Air is currently on course to introduce a further eight of these by 2029. These are set to arrive as part of a wider fleet renewal program, through which four Boeing 787-10s, 24 Airbus A350-1000s, and 18 Airbus A321neos are currently on EVA Air’s books for delivery over the coming years.

Following the introduction of the Taiwan to Jakarta link, EVA Air said the new premium economy-equipped 787-9s would eventually feature on routes from its base to Munich, Milan, Vienna, and on day flights to San Francisco. Time will tell when this schedule is fulfilled, with the airline’s president, Clay Sun, simply pointing to “the future” rather than offering a timeline or destinations such as Washington, DC, which are slated to be added to the new aircraft’s itineraries.

EVA Air’s 787-9s

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EVA Air only offers premium economy aboard its Boeing 777-300ERs, alongside certain aircraft within its 787-9 fleet. Given the new offering is only featured on its latest 787-9s to be delivered, bagging such a seat might be far easier said than done as it stands.

For those lucky enough to travel aboard a freshly updated EVA Air 787-9, they will find a three-class layout with 278 seats. Of these, just 28 are the fresh premium economy design, laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration between business class at the front and standard economy towards the rear of the aircraft.

EVA Air fleet as of April 2026, from the airline’s own figures:

Given fewer premium economy seats and a less cramped configuration, such passengers can expect a spacious cabin as standard when stepping on one of the new EVA Air jets. Indeed, reviews of the offering so far have been resoundingly positive, albeit few and far between.

Reminiscent Of Older Business Classes

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As Ben Schlappig of review site One Mile At A Time put it: “Seeing premium economy with 42 inches of pitch almost makes it reminiscent of business class back in the day.” The reason, he explained, is largely due to three global airlines operating in close proximity on the relatively small island of Taiwan. “You’ve [got to] love how competitive aviation in Taiwan is,” he added, “airlines really have to fight hard to win business”.

Per Backroad Planet’s Elias Siegelman, the seating plan alone in EVA Air’s premium economy cabins makes the experience of moving up and down aisles “calmer”. “The 2-3-2 layout avoids the tight feel of nine-abreast economy cabins,” Siegelman wrote. Feet support and “broad” armrests then make sleeping easier, while plenty of storage prevents repeated trips to overhead bins.

Additional storage within the latest seats appears to be a major upgrade from EVA Air’s existing premium economy offering. In a review of the older seats aboard one of its 777-300ERs, Rhys Jones of Head For Points flagged that storage space was “noticeably lacking”. Legroom and recline were already rated as strong, so the upgrade to the new seats looks to have added to what had already been dubbed a solid product from EVA Air in that regard.

Prices Closer to Business Than Economy

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Price is arguably the make-or-break factor for most when opting for who to fly with and on what fare class. Naturally, EVA Air’s premium economy tickets come at a cost and so, for some, forking out for a trip in one of the airline’s newest seats may be out of the question.

According to the airline’s website, ticket prices for flights along the new 787-9s’ maiden route between Taiwan Taoyuan and Jakarta vary massively depending on class. For a return journey in mid-July this year, economy class tickets were listed at NT$7,597 ($240.80) as of late April. Premium economy tickets for the same return journey then appeared as low as NT$13,369 ($423.75). So, for additional comfort, passengers would pay over 75% more than the most basic fare. For reference, business class tickets for the same flights start at NT$17,491 ($554.40), so on price alone, the cost of premium economy here is far closer to business seats than the economy seats.

For this, premium economy passengers receive additional perks beyond the extra room. These include amenity kits for those aboard flights to the United States, Canada, and Europe. Pillows and blankets are also standard, along with headphones, while toiletries and snacks previously reserved for business class passengers are now offered to those in premium economy.

New A350-1000 Premium Economy?

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Though EVA Air’s latest and best premium economy offering so far is some way off becoming a frequent feature, the airline’s fleet modernization might pose the perfect opportunity for a wider rollout in the years ahead. As touched on above, the airline is awaiting a total of 54 deliveries, including A350s and A321neos, which will debut in its fleet for the first time. Having firmed up the orders from Airbus in April 2025, EVA Air president Clay Sun commented that the additions reaffirmed the airline’s “commitment to sustainable aviation” but also “delivering an exceptional travel experience” for passengers.

The fourth-generation premium economy seat is, in fact, slated to appear aboard the carrier’s incoming A350-1000s. Though unconfirmed, this could see the product brought to more and more passengers as deliveries of the 24 A350s on EVA Air’s books get underway from next year. A new take on EVA Air’s Royal Laurel business class is anticipated to come at the same time, with plans for retrofits to a range of the airline’s 777-300ERs also expected ahead.