9V-SVC From Singapore, joined Oct 2001, 1780 posts, RR: 11 Posted (1 year 6 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 8195 times:
Flight details:
Carrier: EVA Air
Flight number: 855
Date: 21st Nov 2011
Routing: TPE-HKG
Seat number: 21A
Aircraft type: Boeing 747-4E5M
My 1st ride on this aircraft type and 1st airline to be flying the 747-400Combi
1st time on B-16409
Engines: General Electric CF6-80C2B1F
Line number: 1077
Registration: B-16409
Flight duration: 1 hr 21 mins
Schedule departure time: 1410
Actual departure time: 1430
Schedule arrival time: 1540
Actual arrival time: 1535
FL:350 Speed: 820km/h
Load factor for Y class: 90%
Departure gate: C5 (Terminal 2)
Arrival gate: 36 (Terminal 1)
Departure runway: 05R
Arrival runway: 07R
Photos are from my Iphone.
Photos of the beauty!
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How did this trip happen?
Initially it was only supposed to be just Taipei. I browsed through the website of EVA Air and came across an offer of S$370 plus the chance to fly the 747-400 Combi, I didn't think twice about it and decided to book it. I booked it in August and got the best seats for both of my flights, the 744M and the 332, I could or should have done both ways 744M, but still it was a good deal i feel. In addition, I really missed Hong Kong. The last time I came here, I didn't do much as I liked, so now this time being alone, I wanted to do some plane spotting and bus rides as well, trying out the latest models.
Photos of my trip to Taipei Taoyuan airport
Initially, I wanted to take the bus, but because I missed the bus, I decided to take the train instead and it was worth it.
I went around to do some plane spotting. I found a perfect spot to photograph but the traffic of landing and taking off wasn't there. Still manage to catch some nice planes ! I will upload those photos later. Did some exploring afterwards, before making my way to the gate C5 where I spend the rest of the time photographing the landings and taking off and that included my plane, B-16409. I was so glad that there was no last minute equipment swop. Checking the previous flights on this, it was only operated by 74M, so that's great.
On board
Once the announcements were made, we got out quickly and made a dash to the queue and it took a good 20 minutes for everyone to be settled, at least for evergreen class, it was full. If you are V class (Economy class), you can fly on the Evergreen deluxe, provided there are seats. At the point of time when I booked, the entire lower deck was available to me for selection. I looked through seatguru.com and decided on 21A, the 2nd row from the very front.
Service on board this flight was once again disappointed with a couple of disillusioned crews. They maybe wearing the uniform, but looked out of place as their faces showed that they wished they were somewhere else. One of them who was serving coffee actually skipped my row (2nd row), (how can you miss it?) and went on to the 3rd row after giving both my seating partner and myself a quick glance. As this was a full flight and a short one too, it was perhaps a challenge for them and as a result, service went downhill ever since the doors were closed. Comparing with my last flight, it was slightly better but by a small margin. Even so, I was still disappointed and was expecting much better service than this. When the flight ended, only one of them bothered to greet the passengers goodbye, while the other was probably hiding in the crew's area. Service: 5/10
Meal
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There was no choice, but this hong kong style noodles. It was dry, but wasn't too bad. At least there was taste to it. The chicken salad tasted quite ok, I guess at that point of time I was hungry. Food: 7/10
Seat comfort
Despite the old Evergreen deluxe seats, its was comfortable and I managed to stretched my legs without any obstructions at the legroom compartment. If I were to fly long haul with these seats, I think I would managed fine. Seats: 8/10
PTV
My PTV set was not working, it doesn't matter anyway. For such a short flight, I won't need to use it. It's an old PTV without AVOD (Audio Video on demand), reminds me of flights 10 years ago, the strangest thing is I couldn't find the remote control on the sides, strange! No ratings
More photos
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Conclusion
Well, the only thing that was worth mention about to be honest was to fly on the 747-400M (Combi) and also to sit at the very front of the aircraft, near the nose. I paid only economy price for the Evergreen deluxe. Depending on which class you get, my class was V which is eligible for either Evergreen deluxe or Elite class. The service was once again mediocre, even though the previous flight was worse. If EVA Air wants to be a force in the market, they have to do something about it, they have the product in their 332 and 77W, but the service is not there. The another positive thing about EVA is that their maintenance is reliable. I hope when they join the star alliance in 2013, they will get their act together and pull the airline into the right direction by being more ambitious in the market. If you ask me, will I fly with them again? Even though I still have 2 more flights with them left, I would say no unless I have no other better options.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (1 year 6 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 7537 times:
Nice report, thanks
Quoting 9V-SVC (Thread starter):
Carrier: EVA Air
Flight number: 855
Date: 21st Nov 2011
Routing: TPE-HKG
Seat number: 21A
I did the same flight, on the same aircraft, but in the seat in front of your2 and a half years ago. I had quite a good flight, even got a second beer after the meal.
Ps76 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (1 year 6 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 7053 times:
Hi!
Many thanks for the report. Lots of photos which I like. That food looked good too. Sorry the service wasn't that great though, I think it's very hard to find many airlines with consistently excellent service these days.
TreeHillRavens From Malaysia, joined Jun 2007, 339 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (1 year 6 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 6403 times:
Quoting 9V-SVC (Thread starter): Initially it was only supposed to be just Taipei. I browsed through the website of EVA Air and came across an offer of S$370 plus the chance to fly the 747-400 Combi, I didn't think twice about it and decided to book it.
I bought mine a month ago via Zuji Hong Kong and the air fare is HK$1,588 (my credit card issuer billed me RM655.85). Flying to TPE next week on the 74M and back to HKG 5 days later on the 332. This would be my third time flying on the 74M. My first and second time flying the 74M was on KLM.
Quoting 9V-SVC (Thread starter): There was no choice, but this hong kong style noodles. It was dry, but wasn't too bad. At least there was taste to it.
I do not like Hong Kong Wanton noodels at all. It's like they just mixed it with oyster sauce and that's it. Our (M'sia & SG) Kon Lou Mee tastes so much better
Man... this is definitely a cause for concern. I guess this airline is not Taiwanese at all huh ? Because Taiwanese in general are very hospitable, friendly and polite just like the Japanese and Korean in some ways but not really there yet.
christao17 From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 890 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (1 year 6 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 5657 times:
Nice report. I've flown the combi several times on EVA and despite the premium economy seats being ancient, they're actually very comfotable and I love the large cabin that is open by doors 1L and 1R. Very spacious.
9V-SVC From Singapore, joined Oct 2001, 1780 posts, RR: 11 Reply 7, posted (1 year 6 months 23 hours ago) and read 5066 times:
Quoting Ps76 (Reply 2): Sorry the service wasn't that great though, I think it's very hard to find many airlines with consistently excellent service these days.
Its not about having consistence service, that I can understand, but its more of having some standard in the service at least. If the crews are not bothered at all, they should simply look for another job.
Thanks for your kind words! Yeah, flying the 747-400M is special.
Quoting ycp81 (Reply 5): At least the food served by BR seemed better than CX on the same sector. CX only serves a warm sandwich in economy on the secotr.
How's the economy class seats, heard lots of bad reviews on it.
Quoting christao17 (Reply 6):
Nice report. I've flown the combi several times on EVA and despite the premium economy seats being ancient, they're actually very comfotable and I love the large cabin that is open by doors 1L and 1R. Very spacious.
i agree, I could fly long haul in the Evergreen deluxe section, quite comfortable. I dont think BR is flying them long haul these days right ?
Thanks for your guys' input !
Next trip report: HKG-TPE on board A330-200. Stay tuned !
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