EVA Air Adds Premium Economy To 787s

Intro

EVA Air's premium economy strategy is certainly up for debate on whether it makes sense or not. EVA Air claims that they were originally the first airline to ever launch a premium economy product, and since then, they only feature premium economy on their 777-300ER fleet at the moment. Well, that is soon about to change, but not completely...

The Details

According to a couple of sources back in 2023, premium economy was the most profitable cabin by square foot at the time. While 2025 stats haven't exactly been published yet, I would have to imagine that premium economy still is the most profitable cabin. People want to be in a more secluded cabin, have a bit more comfort, and a slightly better meal selection without paying an arm and leg for Business.

EVA Air has recognized this and has decided to update their 787-9 fleet with 4 rows of premium economy in a 2-3-2 configuration. The first jet is in the process of reconfiguration and should enter service shortly to Jakarta first. Later on in the year, we should eventually see the European routes feature premium economy.

The new cabin looks absolutely stunning...

EVA Air 787-9 Premium Economy Cabin

The 787-10 Will Not Have Premium Economy

Reading a report online, it stated that only the 787-9s will have premium economy, and the 787-10s will continue to be delivered in a two class layout. At first I was a little bit confused, but then I realized that it makes a lot of sense.

Looking at the EVA Air route map, the only two long-haul flights that see the 787-10 are Brisbane (3x weekly) and Seattle. Every other long-haul flight is either operated by a 777-300ER or a 787-9.

The EVA Air 787-10 Business Class Product isn't bad...

So yeah, the 787-10 works well as a regional aircraft, and I personally don't see the need to add in a premium economy product on a regional aircraft...

Final Thoughts

EVA Air has just announced that they are in the initial stages of adding premium economy to 787-9s moving forward. At the moment, the first plane is in the process of being reconfigured, and it should be flying to Jakarta by March 1st. By the end of the year, expect to see this beautiful cabin being featured fleetwide, and especially on their European routes...