EVA Air: Design overload lands at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

EVA Air, Taiwan’s flag carrier and a member of Star Alliance, has become a master at delivering the ultimate but unlikely combination of quirky but high end service.

The airline’s premium intercontinental business class service, dubbed Royal Laurel Class, features flat bed seats in a private reverse herringbone layout, coveted RIMOWA amenity kits, pajamas, FIJI water, plus, of course, access to the vast network of Star Alliance lounges. At Taipei Taoyuan airport, EVA’s Infinity MileageLands Diamond members benefit from access to The Garden, an exclusive lounge where they enjoy a soothing environment and a generous buffet.

And then, there’s EVA’s Hello Kitty service, featuring A330-300 aircraft that have been outfitted with an overload of Hello Kitty branded items. The attention to detail is spectacular — suffice to say that even the toilet paper has been customized for the shiny star service.

Oh, and the lounges. With four lounges at Taipei Taoyuan airport, EVA and Star Alliance customers benefit from a variety of spaces and amenities, but the airline’s flagship lounge, The Infinity, steals the show. If you’re a Star Alliance Gold member, it’s worth a visit just for the experience. Think 80’s disco, changing colors, mirrors and shower suites with names such as “Fantasy flow” and you’ll get an idea, though a visit is worth a thousands words.

EVA Air The Infinity Lounge – Taipei, Taiwan (TPE)

The design has fans and detractors, but it’s certainly unique, innovative, and a departure from the all too common cookie-cutter lounges.

EVA Air The Infinity Lounge – Taipei, Taiwan (TPE)

Earlier this year, EVA Air completely refurbished their rather traditional and old fashioned lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Exit the rows of grey seats and the traditional buffet; enter designer furniture, mirrors, and strips of colorful light. It’s not quite The Infinity, but certainly a close approximation that’s not for the faint of heart. If design overload isn’t your thing, though, don’t worry – EVA has incorporated a more traditional area with less decorative features.

Shower suite at the EVA Air Lounge, Bangkok (BKK) – © Copyright The Filipino Traveler, www.thefilipinotraveler.com

The lounge delivers on the amenities front, too, with a business center equipped with self-service PCs, individual relaxation rooms with massage chairs, and elegant and spacious shower suites with Evergreen bath amenities and rain showers.

The food and beverage offering is strong, with a broad Chinese and Thai selection, plus a wealth of western options. Highlights include Thai spicy shrimp soup, dim sum, fresh coconut and ice cream. The self-serve bar features a selection of wines and alcoholic beverages.

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and if you are are in a disco mood (or are not opposed to cheesy design) then the updated EVA Air Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport offers an excellent alternative to the THAI Airways lounges which are busy and can be a bit uneven – unless you’re flying First Class, of course, in which case the Thai Royal First lounge and spa remains a favorite of ours.

Here are a few pictures courtesy of EVA Air and our partner The Filipino Traveler: