First Time Flying EVA Air Business Class (Boeing 787): Great Japanese Meal & 5 Star Experience

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Planning a trip to Osaka, I decided to redeem miles for my very first EVA Air business class experience—and it didn’t disappoint!

From the peaceful overnight wait at Taoyuan Airport’s Terminal 2 to a delightful Japanese kaiseki meal in the sky, here’s everything about my TPE to KIX flight aboard EVA’s Royal Laurel Class.

(This blog contains affiliate links)

(This blog contains affiliate links)

Overnight at Taoyuan Airport Terminal 2: Free Rest Zones

Since my EVA Air BR178 flight to Osaka departed early morning, I took the last intercity bus to the airport the night before. As a solo female traveler, I preferred this option over arranging late-night transport—sleeping at the airport felt safer because yes Taiwan is super safe.

At 12:10 AM, Terminal 2 was nearly deserted. I first arrived at a rest zone, though it wasn’t the one I remembered (the one with a 7-Eleven and observation deck). Turns out, the area with soft lounge chairs is tucked in this quieter zone, and space is limited—so I recommend heading straight here if you want to lie down.

Taoyuan International Airport(TPE) 5F Rest Area

Later, I explored more and found a FamilyMart in a different part of the terminal. While there were some seats nearby, the convenience store’s background music played nonstop—not ideal for resting.

Nearby was Morisaka Coffee, offering locally roasted Taiwanese beans.

There’s even a stylish capsule hotel called CHO Stay Capsule Hotel-Taoyuan Airport nearby, typically priced around NT$1,600–1,800 per night. But it’s more like a bunk bed than a capsule.
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The entire area is beautifully designed. There’s even a Dadaocheng-themed mural near the elevator.

Honestly I just finished my last working day at Dadaocheng before I made the trip in April. So I felt nostalgic instantly.

Why You’ll Love Dadaocheng: Taipei’s Hidden Gem for Culture, History & Street Food

I found a clean desk and napped with my head down. The surrounding area was quiet, and everything—from the desk to the floors—was spotlessly clean. Even the toilets were pristine, and there are free showers available from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Eventually, I moved back to the lounge area near I-Mei Foods. Surprisingly, the seats there are long enough to stretch out on. It felt like a kindergarten nap time—cool AC, dim lighting, and a peaceful atmosphere. Everyone around me was asleep, their luggage simply placed nearby. Only in Taiwan can you fall asleep in public like this without worrying about your bags.

Not sure where to stay in Taipei? Explore this Hotel Map in XinYi District to find the best hotels just steps from Taipei 101

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By around 4 AM, people began arriving in waves—especially tour groups. When I checked the counter displays, I noticed BR178 was at counter 23, but it wasn’t immediately obvious where the business class counter was (it’s located in the central section).

There were separate lines for Gold Card, Business Class, and Diamond Card holders. I happened to be first in line. Though check-in was scheduled for 4:15 AM, it opened early at 4:10 AM.

Want to know more about the EVA Lounges?
👉 Read: EVA Air The Star & Infinity Lounge Breakfast Review

EVA Air Boeing 787 Business Class Overview

• Flight Date: April 2025
• Route: TPE (Taipei) → KIX (Osaka)
• Flight Time: 2 hours 31 minutes
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-10
• Cabin: Royal Laurel Class (Business)

I booked this ticket in late March through Avianca LifeMiles during a 160% bonus promotion. I snagged a one-way business class seat for just 22,500 miles (about 300 USD). However, I realized only after booking that there was an additional $25 USD booking fee.

Buy Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket

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Royal Laurel Business Class Seat Review

Each seat features an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen, though I didn’t end up watching anything since the flight was short and I barely slept the night before.

Soon after boarding, a flight attendant introduced herself and provided the drink and meal menus.

The seat is fully lie-flat, though I didn’t recline all the way. The cabin was quite empty, so the overall vibe was relaxed and quiet.

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Japanese Kaiseki Meal: A Delicious Surprise

One thing that stood out was the drink menu’s FormoCHA—a tea I had never heard of. Turns out, it’s an award-winning Taiwanese brand, and the honey-scented black tea was excellent, served hot and taste good even after cooling.

The printed menu card was made with elegant paper—simple yet classy.

I had pre-ordered the Kyo Kaiseki meal. This is a long term collaboration with Michelin Kyoto restaurant “Nakamura”. The presentation was lovely and thoughtfully plated. The fish (sea bass) was a small portion but very tender and flavorful.

The chopsticks had a non-slip grip, making them easy to use. My drink was a non-alcoholic lemon mocktail—very refreshing.

Dessert was a simple sweet red bean paste, not particularly memorable but fine for ending the meal.

At one point, the friendly flight attendant asked if I wanted anything else. I suddenly remembered I saw on threads that someone recommended hot chocoloate.

But turbulence hit right as it was served, so I had to gulp it down quickly before it spilled!

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EVA Air Boeing 787 Business Class Lavatory

The business class lavatory on this flight was spacious—much wider than most airplane restrooms I’ve seen, and I’ve taken more than 10+ of business class (mostly One World). Very clean and comfortable to use.

Before landing, the crew came by with a basket of candies—menthol mints and herbal lozenges.

Final Thoughts

My first EVA Air Business Class experience was smooth and satisfying. The hardware was excellent, and the attention to detail in both lounge design and in-flight meals made the journey memorable. It’s honestly impressive and worthy of all the awards it has been given including The World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew (No. 5 in 2025) from SKYTRAX.

I’m looking forward to flying with EVA Air again—hopefully for a longer flight next time, so I can fully enjoy the lie-flat seat and try more amenities!

Also read:

Complete Guide to EVA Air Lounges at TPE: The Star vs The Infinity (2025)

Starlux Lounge Experience at TPE Terminal 2: Luxury, Beautiful Design

Cathay Pacific Lounge Review(Taipei): Spacious & Best Beef Noodle

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