Anyone fly Eva regularly?
Last year they were using new 777-300 planes on the London Heathrow - BKK route with upgraded economy class features like individual seat-back tv, video on demand etc.
Now, having been looking at flights for next April and having done some additional research, it seems that from December 2007, the LHR-BKK route is to revert to the old 747-400's with communal TV etc. A drop in service for the same prices. Anyone know why this is happening? Having flown on the new 777's, I'd bin my loyalty card and start flying with another airline rather than go back to the old planes.
Eva Air
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JimboPSM
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As Thai has been getting away with decreasing levels of service while continuing to use ever older aircraft EVA may have decided to compete on a head to head basis.
However, it makes no long-term commercial sense, you can only stretch loyalty so far before it breaks, and once it is lost it takes a big (expensive) effort to regain it.
There are now many competing airlines and routes from the UK to Thailand, many of which use modern aircraft and are at lower prices - airlines should remember that the customer now has a lot of choices.
However, it makes no long-term commercial sense, you can only stretch loyalty so far before it breaks, and once it is lost it takes a big (expensive) effort to regain it.
There are now many competing airlines and routes from the UK to Thailand, many of which use modern aircraft and are at lower prices - airlines should remember that the customer now has a lot of choices.
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migrant
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Can't speak to the UK-Thailand route, but always try to use Eva from the states.
Last few years have found that all legs of the flight are now on newer planes, with the on demand individual TV's wheras the shorter legs did not used to be.
I like Eva for a couple reasons
1) Leg room is a little better on most all their flights compared to what I found with other carriers.
2) I like their approach, get in, stow your luggage, now sit!!! They always seem to be much quicker on the loading, and unloading process than other carriers
Last few years have found that all legs of the flight are now on newer planes, with the on demand individual TV's wheras the shorter legs did not used to be.
I like Eva for a couple reasons
1) Leg room is a little better on most all their flights compared to what I found with other carriers.
2) I like their approach, get in, stow your luggage, now sit!!! They always seem to be much quicker on the loading, and unloading process than other carriers
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JimmyGreaves
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- Location: HuaEireHin
Thanks for your replies guys.
Migrant - I liked Eva for the same reasons as you, and it seemed like they were going to blow away the competition with their progressive approach. However, it looks as though they have now made a conscious decision to dumb down their service (possibly for the reasons stated by Jimbo) and there are plenty of other options from Heathrow. I doubt they would do the same on their US-Asia routes because Americans are less likely to put up with that, whereas for the most part us Brits will grin and bear it. Not me though!
Jimmy - Having flown Eva 747 Evergreen Deluxe (EE) in the past, I don't think it is as good as in the new 777 standard economy class!
Anyway, I have seen comparable flights with both Emirates and Etihad. Although never having flown with them before, Emirates' reputation speaks for itself. Anyone flown Etihad via Abu Dhabi? Any comments?
Migrant - I liked Eva for the same reasons as you, and it seemed like they were going to blow away the competition with their progressive approach. However, it looks as though they have now made a conscious decision to dumb down their service (possibly for the reasons stated by Jimbo) and there are plenty of other options from Heathrow. I doubt they would do the same on their US-Asia routes because Americans are less likely to put up with that, whereas for the most part us Brits will grin and bear it. Not me though!
Jimmy - Having flown Eva 747 Evergreen Deluxe (EE) in the past, I don't think it is as good as in the new 777 standard economy class!
Anyway, I have seen comparable flights with both Emirates and Etihad. Although never having flown with them before, Emirates' reputation speaks for itself. Anyone flown Etihad via Abu Dhabi? Any comments?
Jaime,
I'm flying out with Eva on 28 March next year thinking it was the 777, only to learn its a 747. I've never flown with them and here only good, especially from the missus who has flown only with them!
This was posted on T-UK by a guy I know who is flying out on 26 March (and who I'll hopefully meet up with in Hua Hin at some stage):
"Just spoke to EVA in London and they tell me that on the LHR-BKK-LHR route from Dec they will use the refurbished 747 aircraft, it will have the same appearance/entertainment inside the cabin as the 300 series but will carry more passengers. the eco seating will be 3-4-3".
So it seems it should be okay - or have I got that wrong? I'll call Eva myself in the morning.
Regards,
Caller
I'm flying out with Eva on 28 March next year thinking it was the 777, only to learn its a 747. I've never flown with them and here only good, especially from the missus who has flown only with them!
This was posted on T-UK by a guy I know who is flying out on 26 March (and who I'll hopefully meet up with in Hua Hin at some stage):
"Just spoke to EVA in London and they tell me that on the LHR-BKK-LHR route from Dec they will use the refurbished 747 aircraft, it will have the same appearance/entertainment inside the cabin as the 300 series but will carry more passengers. the eco seating will be 3-4-3".
So it seems it should be okay - or have I got that wrong? I'll call Eva myself in the morning.
Regards,
Caller
Talk is cheap
Nice one caller - let us know what they say because the Eva website does not mention anything about upgraded 747's.
In fact, I have realised that the aircraft are not 747-400's but 200's, which (please someone correct me if I am wrong) are older aircraft than the 400's.
Did the discussion on T-UK say anything about where the 777's have been re-routed?
I'm still erring towards Emirates or Etihad as I know that they will provide what they say they will. What guarantees will Eva give that the same standards will be available on their aircraft?
Also, the promotional Easter fares on the Eva website do not allow the accumulation of frequent flyer miles. I assume that the same flights & fares offered on the other agents' websites will also not allow the accumulation of miles with the Evergreen loyalty card. Maybe this is something you could discuss with Eva if you see this before you call them too Caller. Any feedback would be welcome.
As things stand, no reward for frequent flyers and downgraded/refurbished aircraft does not give me much of an incentive to fly Eva, especially given the quality of the competition at the same price.
In fact, I have realised that the aircraft are not 747-400's but 200's, which (please someone correct me if I am wrong) are older aircraft than the 400's.
Did the discussion on T-UK say anything about where the 777's have been re-routed?
I'm still erring towards Emirates or Etihad as I know that they will provide what they say they will. What guarantees will Eva give that the same standards will be available on their aircraft?
Also, the promotional Easter fares on the Eva website do not allow the accumulation of frequent flyer miles. I assume that the same flights & fares offered on the other agents' websites will also not allow the accumulation of miles with the Evergreen loyalty card. Maybe this is something you could discuss with Eva if you see this before you call them too Caller. Any feedback would be welcome.
As things stand, no reward for frequent flyers and downgraded/refurbished aircraft does not give me much of an incentive to fly Eva, especially given the quality of the competition at the same price.
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redzonerocker
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flights
i prefer the direct flights wherever i travel.
eva was reasonable price wise, the service was efficient & overall good value.
my friend always flys emirates nowadays (he always used to fly klm via amsterdam) & swears by them. good all round.
i suppose an hour stopover wouldn't be so bad but some are 5+ hours.
be interesting to find out a bit of info about etihad & qatar air too, they always come up the cheapest in the searches.
as jimbopsm rightly points out, there is a lot of competition.
eva was reasonable price wise, the service was efficient & overall good value.
my friend always flys emirates nowadays (he always used to fly klm via amsterdam) & swears by them. good all round.
i suppose an hour stopover wouldn't be so bad but some are 5+ hours.
be interesting to find out a bit of info about etihad & qatar air too, they always come up the cheapest in the searches.
as jimbopsm rightly points out, there is a lot of competition.
Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
I have flown with Qatar the last two times I have travelled to Thailand. Once from London and the other from Athens. Both flights were via Doha. The flights were both excellent. Good staff, in seat entertainment and the option to have a beer or two. They were also the cheapest by far. The last time I looked at the cost of flying back to the UK and returning here the price was 27,000 baht. Needless to say I will be using them when I return.
As a bit of an aside, I traveled Eva Air once back home and return. It was quite an interesting experience.
The flight departed BKK at about 1.30pm, so I decided that I've have plenty enough time to get up in the morning and make it to airport. I was out until 3am in HH that morning and woke up at 9am. Rushed down to the travel agents and tried to get another flight. There was one two days later and I wasn't charged for changing things so late - there was no way I was going to make the flight.
So, two days later, I'm safely checked in, on-board and about 30 mins into the flight. There's a very audible bang and a little bit later the captain says that he's discovered "a problem with the fuel". No panic, but in the interests of everyone's safety, he's requested a return to Don Muang asap. We circled for a while, dumping fuel and then landed to a fanfare of fire engines etc etc.
Everyone was put up for the night at The Rembrant Hotel on Sukhumvit and were off the next day on a brand new jumbo that Eva Air had had to send over from Taiwan.
It turned out that one of the engines had failed - that was the "bang". I got back to the UK 3 days late - after my missed flight and the emergency landing - but still in time for Xmas.
Despite the above, I'd still recommend Eva, so it's interesting to hear about the proposed change to planes. My experience was about 7 years ago, so maybe I was on one of the old ones anyway. I really don't know the difference between them.
And now
We went Emirates last year and they were great. A 4/5 hr stop in Dubai on the way over, but only a 1 hour one on the way back. Good price, good service. As a word of warning, the bar/pub at Dubai airport is blooming expensive. I had a couple of pints of Kilkenny on the way over to England, the missus had a couple of soft drinks and I was staggered by the bill. I can't remember exactly, but it was around 17 GBP.
The flight departed BKK at about 1.30pm, so I decided that I've have plenty enough time to get up in the morning and make it to airport. I was out until 3am in HH that morning and woke up at 9am. Rushed down to the travel agents and tried to get another flight. There was one two days later and I wasn't charged for changing things so late - there was no way I was going to make the flight.
So, two days later, I'm safely checked in, on-board and about 30 mins into the flight. There's a very audible bang and a little bit later the captain says that he's discovered "a problem with the fuel". No panic, but in the interests of everyone's safety, he's requested a return to Don Muang asap. We circled for a while, dumping fuel and then landed to a fanfare of fire engines etc etc.
Everyone was put up for the night at The Rembrant Hotel on Sukhumvit and were off the next day on a brand new jumbo that Eva Air had had to send over from Taiwan.
It turned out that one of the engines had failed - that was the "bang". I got back to the UK 3 days late - after my missed flight and the emergency landing - but still in time for Xmas.
Despite the above, I'd still recommend Eva, so it's interesting to hear about the proposed change to planes. My experience was about 7 years ago, so maybe I was on one of the old ones anyway. I really don't know the difference between them.
And now
We went Emirates last year and they were great. A 4/5 hr stop in Dubai on the way over, but only a 1 hour one on the way back. Good price, good service. As a word of warning, the bar/pub at Dubai airport is blooming expensive. I had a couple of pints of Kilkenny on the way over to England, the missus had a couple of soft drinks and I was staggered by the bill. I can't remember exactly, but it was around 17 GBP.
lomuamart was that the Irish Pub on the ground floor. If so I had a simlilar experience.
I went in there and ordered a pint of Stella, I gave them 20 Aussie dollars and then they gave me back a few coins.
After demolishing the welcome pint, I proceded to my departure point, but feeling a bit hungry decided to buy a sandwich from the coffee shop next to my gate.
I chose my sandwich and gave the girl the coins I had left, she look at me and said more money please. As I only had coins, I had to give back the sandwich.
It turns out that my pint of Stella cost me just over $19.00 aussie dollars and I had only just under $1.00 left.
Steered well clear on my return.
I went in there and ordered a pint of Stella, I gave them 20 Aussie dollars and then they gave me back a few coins.
After demolishing the welcome pint, I proceded to my departure point, but feeling a bit hungry decided to buy a sandwich from the coffee shop next to my gate.
I chose my sandwich and gave the girl the coins I had left, she look at me and said more money please. As I only had coins, I had to give back the sandwich.
It turns out that my pint of Stella cost me just over $19.00 aussie dollars and I had only just under $1.00 left.
Steered well clear on my return.
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"
That was the one, chelsea.
They also didn't accept Baht, so the bill was paid on the plastic. On the way back to Thailand, we only had an hour there. Enough time to walk to the transit point, take our shoes and socks off through the security devices and hurry on down to the departure point.
Oh, we managed to have half a cigarette each in the smoking room. (More fool us).
They also didn't accept Baht, so the bill was paid on the plastic. On the way back to Thailand, we only had an hour there. Enough time to walk to the transit point, take our shoes and socks off through the security devices and hurry on down to the departure point.
Oh, we managed to have half a cigarette each in the smoking room. (More fool us).
"take off the shoe" bit I think is fading. I didn't have to do it recently BKK to HK or HK to SFO. I did have to do it though SFO to HK, but again not HK to BKK. Perhaps it is now only from USA Airports, and perhaps UK also? Pete
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