EVA Air
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
EVA Air 長榮航空 |
||
---|---|---|
IATA BR |
ICAO EVA |
Callsign EVA |
Founded | 1989 | |
Hubs | Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport | |
Focus cities | Suvarnabhumi Airport Kaohsiung International Airport |
|
Frequent flyer program | Evergreen Club | |
Member lounge | Evergreen Lounge | |
Fleet size | 50+ | |
Destinations | 45 | |
Parent company | EVA Airways Corporation | |
Company slogan | Just relax, your home in the air | |
Headquarters | Taoyuan, Taiwan | |
Key people | Dr. Chang Yung-Fa (Chairman) | |
Website: http://www.evaair.com |
EVA Air (Chinese:長榮航空 Chángróng Hángkōng) is a Taiwanese airline based at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, Taiwan, operating passenger and dedicated cargo services to international destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and North America. An affiliate of shipping conglomerate Evergreen Group,[1] EVA Air is the largest privately owned Taiwanese airline.[2] Its headquarters are located in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Since its founding in 1989, EVA Air has expanded to include air cargo, airline catering, ground handling, aviation engineering, and tour package services. Its cargo arm, EVA Air Cargo, links with the Evergreen worldwide shipping network on sea and land. Its domestic and regional subsidiary, UNI Airways, operates an extensive intra-Taiwanese shorthaul network. Its main international rival is China Airlines.
EVA Air is recognized as a pioneer of the premium economy class, which it debuted in 1991.[2] EVA was also the first Taiwanese airline to be accredited by the IATA with the IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit) for its safety practices.[3] The official pronunciation of the airline's name is E-V-A Air(ways). The airline's slogan is "Just relax, your home in the air."
Contents |
[edit] History
In September 1988, during the 20th anniversary celebration of Evergreen Marine Corporation’s founding, company chairman Chang Yung-fa announced his company’s intentions to establish Taiwan’s first private international airline. At the time, the opportunity to create a major Taiwanese airline had just arisen following a decision by the Taiwanese government to liberalize the country’s air transportation system.[2] However, the Taiwanese government mandated strict requirements for international experience and substantial financial backing for any company seeking permission for international airline service from Taiwan.[4] With the Evergreen Airlines designation already taken, EVA Airways Corporation was formally established in March 1989. The new airline placed a US$3.6 billion order for 26 aircraft from Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, including Boeing 747-400 and MD-11 airliners.[5]
Operations began on 1 July 1991 with a small fleet of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring business and economy class seating. Initial destinations from Taipei were Bangkok, Seoul, Jakarta, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. First year revenues reached $40 million.[6]
In 1992, EVA Air launched the first premium economy class on transpacific routes, "Economy Deluxe Class" (known today as Elite Class), on its Boeing 747-400 flights from Taipei to Los Angeles. Flights to Seattle, Newark, Bangkok, and Vienna with the B747-400 followed. Featuring a 2-4-2 abreast configuration, wider seats with extendable legrests, more legroom, individual seatback video monitors, and enhanced meal services, EVA’s premium economy services proved popular with the traveling public.[2] At the time, EVA charged an average price premium[2] of just $200 over economy class, thousands less than competing business class products.
Established as the airline for Taiwanese people, EVA Air differentiated its onboard service by using the order of "Taiwanese (Min Nan)–Mandarin–Hakka–English/foreign languages" for its cabin announcements on every flight. This was aimed to attract elderly Taiwanese passengers who had difficulty in speaking Mandarin. (More recently, Min Nan and Mandarin have switched order in the announcements, but both still remain). EVA Air also used Taiwanese folk songs in its boarding music, most notably an orchestral form of "Longing for Spring Wind," adding a sentimental touch to passengers' journeys. This practice continues today as part of a wider repertoire of songs performed by the Evergreen Symphonic Orchestra during boarding and disembarkation.
In the mid-90s, EVA Air expanded into the domestic Taiwan market by acquiring shares in Makung International Airlines, followed by Great China Airlines and Taiwan Airways. On 1 July 1998, all three carriers, as well as EVA's existing domestic operations, merged under the UNI Airways title. By 1994, EVA was providing regular service to 22 destinations worldwide, and carrying over 3 million passengers annually.[6] In 1995, EVA posted its first profit on revenues of $1.05 billion.[6]
Internationally, the airline’s rapid expansion and success was boosted by its strong safety record, in contrast to its primary competitor, China Airlines.[2] In addition to being the first Taiwanese airline to receive IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit) certification, EVA Air in 1997 became the only Taiwanese airline to achieve simultaneous official ISO 9002 certification in the areas of Passenger, Cargo, and Maintenance Services.[3]
In June 2000, EVA Air became the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR, the longest range airliner in the world. At the same time, the airline ordered four Boeing 777-300ERs. In January 2001, EVA Air ordered its first Airbus aircraft, the A330. In the summer of 2004, EVA Air converted its remaining 8 options for Boeing 777-300ERs into firm orders. The first Boeing 777-300ER entered service as EVA Air's new flagship aircraft in July 2005.
With the debuts of its A330 and B777 aircraft in the early 21st century, EVA Air launched a comprehensive revamp of its cabins, introducing lie-flat beds in its new Premium Laurel Class business cabin, and upgrading its premium economy product to the new Elite Class cabin. EVA also introduced a second slogan, "Sharing the World, Flying Together," with the debut of its B777s.
In recent years, EVA adopted a new livery featuring (true to its Evergreen name) extensive use of green covering the aircraft below the window line. Over the years, the airline has grown to encompass extensive pilot and cabin attendant training facilities, along with its dedicated Evergreen Sky Catering and Evergreen Airline Services ground support divisions. EVA Air offers travel packages through EVA Air travel services, UNI Holidays, and Evergreen's Evasión travel service, often via Evergreen Laurel Hotels. In 1998, EVA Air partnered with General Electric to form the Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT), a heavy maintenance and aircraft overhaul service. EGAT provides safety, repair, and refit services for EVA Air and other airlines' aircraft. As of December 2005, EVA Air and its associated divisions have 5,089 employees.
EVA Air Cargo has since grown to include specialized facilities in Europe, Asia, and North America, and dedicated freighter routes around the world. Its cargo operations have diversified to include transportation of high-tech equipment and special care items such as museum artwork and live zoological specimens. EVA Air has stated its goal of achieving a 50/50 split in revenues between its passenger and cargo operations.[2] Today, EVA serves over 40 destinations worldwide.
[edit] Destinations
- Further information: EVA Air destinations
Most EVA Air flights originate out of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, its main hub near Taipei, Taiwan. Additionally, EVA Air and its domestic subsidiary UNI Air operate numerous flights out of Kaohsiung International Airport. A focus city for EVA Air outside Taiwan is Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, with westerly connections to several European cities.
[edit] Fleet
[edit] Current fleet
The EVA Air fleet includes the following aircraft (as of March 2007):[7]
Aircraft Type | Number of Aircraft | Number of Seats | Super First | Business/Premium Laurel | Evergreen Deluxe/Elite | Economy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A330-200 | 11 | 252 | 24 | 228 | ||
Boeing 747-400¹ | 6 | A:368 B:380 C:372¹ |
A:12 B:8 |
A:32 B:16 C:36¹ |
A:104 B:142 C:56¹ |
A:220 B:214 C:280¹ |
Boeing 747-400 Combi² | 9 | 272 | 8 | 16 | 86 | 162 |
Boeing 747-400F | 3 | |||||
Boeing 777-300ER | 5 (8 Orders) |
316 | 42 | 63 | 211 | |
Boeing 777-200LR | (2 Orders) | |||||
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F³ | 12 | |||||
McDonnell Douglas MD-90 | 4 |
¹Boeing 747-400 refit configuration, 2007-. Six remaining B747 aircraft are scheduled for refitting with Premium Laurel and Elite cabins, with Super First and Super Business classes discontinued.[8]
²The Boeing 747-400 Combi in EVA's fleet carries four cargo pellets in the rear section of the aircraft. The passenger cabin and cargo area are partitioned with a solid wall.
³All McDonnell Douglas MD-11 passenger aircraft were retired or converted to freighter duty during the late 90's.
[edit] Special liveries
In October 2005, EVA Air launched a campaign with Japanese company Sanrio to create the world's first Hello Kitty Jet, featuring the popular Japanese character. Using the airline's A330-200, the exterior adopted a livery of Hello Kitty characters. A year later, the airline launched a second Hello Kitty Jet. This time the characters are portrayed as EVA Air pilots, cabin crew and ground crew. The interiors of the planes also adopted the Hello Kitty theme, on inflight products such as meals, boarding cards, onboard amenities and inflight sales. Both planes were used to serve Japanese destinations.
EVA Air's third new Boeing 777-300ER was Boeing's center stage at the 2006 Farnborough Airshow in a static display. The aircraft, with its special 777-300ER "Rainbow" livery, was leased by Boeing for a week to be presented at the show.
[edit] Future fleet
EVA Air has ordered 13 Boeing 777-300ER, with 5 already delivered. The airline is reconsidering its Boeing 777-200LR orders, with media reports stating that the 777-200LR orders may be converted to the 777-300ER or replaced with the B777 Freighter. According to a February issue of Airliner World, EVA Air decided to delay any orders for the Boeing 777 Freighter because of lowered market growth due to increased fuel costs. Instead of incurring the expense associated with ordering new aircraft, EVA will instead convert six of its B747-400 Combis and two standard B747-400s into full freighters. The airline still expects delivery of 8 B777-300ERs. At present, it is uncertain whether EVA will still follow through on its outstanding order for two B777-200LRs.
[edit] Cabin
EVA Air is transitioning to three standard classes of service: Premium Laurel Class (Business), Elite Class (Premium Economy), and Economy Class. Elite Class is also known by its previous name, Evergreen Deluxe, on older aircraft. Pre-refit Boeing 747-400 aircraft separately feature Super First and Super Business classes, which will be discontinued by 2008. Domestic and short-haul international services flown by EVA Air and Uni Air MD-90 aircraft also feature a short-haul business class.
[edit] Premium Laurel Class
EVA's new business class cabin, Premium Laurel Class, was introduced in 2003 with the A330-200, and expanded to more destinations with the debut of the flagship B777-300ER in 2005. Seats are pitched at 61" in Premium Laurel and are fully reclinable, converting to an angled lie-flat bed. Premium Laurel features a 2-2-2 abreast arrangement on all available aircraft (as opposed to the typical 2-3-2 arrangement in business class on other airlines' 777s and 747s). All seats are equipped with 10.4" LCD screens featuring Star Gallery, EVA Air's AVOD (audio video on demand) entertainment system, and Premium Laurel passengers are offered noise cancelling headphones. On longhaul 777 flights, a separate bar area features a salad buffet and snacks. On select flights, the option of a special meal prepared by dumpling house Din Tai Fung is available. [1] In the summer of 2007, EVA Air will also introduce the new Premium Laurel cabin to its B747-400 aircraft.
[edit] Elite Class / Evergreen Deluxe Class
Available on the B777-300ER and B747-400, Elite Class (777) / Evergreen Deluxe Class (747) is EVA Air's premium economy product. These seats are in a dedicated cabin, with wider seating and legroom, and a seat similar to short haul business class with an extendable legrest. Seats are in a 2-4-2 arrangement on both the 777 and 747. On EVA's B777-300ER, Elite Class seats also feature an adjustable winged headrest, power outlets for laptops, 8.4" LCD screens with Star Gallery, EVA's AVOD (audio video on demand) entertainment system, and noise cancelling headphones. On the 747, the older Evergreen Deluxe seat features increased legroom and an adjustable legrest like the Elite Class seat, and includes a rotating six channel entertainment video selection without laptop power. Service levels in EVA's premium economy cabins are similar to Economy, but food and amenities are improved, along with the seating. In the summer of 2007, EVA Air will introduce the new Elite cabin to its B747-400 aircraft.
[edit] Economy Class
Economy Class is available on all EVA aircraft. On the A330-200 and B777-300ER, Economy Class features a new seat design which provides more space. When the seats recline, the bottom cushion moves forward to provide the person in the seat behind more legroom. The new seat design also features adjustable winged headrests. Each seat in EVA's new Economy Class is equipped with Star Gallery, EVA's AVOD (audio video on demand) entertainment system. The pre-refit B747-400 aircraft feature an older style seat and central cabin movie screen.
[edit] In-flight entertainment
Star Gallery is EVA Air's new entertainment system available in all classes of service on the A330-200 and B777-300ER. This system features three languages - Chinese, English and Japanese. Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) is available in all classes, with around 40 movies and short features, interactive games, as well as more than 100 music albums. Programs are mainly in Mandarin and English, with additional selections in Japanese, German and French. The system used is the Panasonic Avionics 3000i inflight entertainment system. Additionally, all seats on A330-200 and B777-300ER aircraft feature with satellite phones. Since 2005, customers can send SMS text messages and emails to the ground using their personal handsets and seatback screens.
On pre-refit B747-400s, personal entertainment is available in Evergreen Deluxe, Super Business Class and Super First Class via an individual video screen with six channels. An individual satellite telephone system is available on request. Seatback video is not available on the MD-90s and in Economy Class on pre-refit B747-400s.
VERVE, EVA's inflight magazine, features articles in English, Chinese and Japanese.
[edit] Evergreen Club
EVA Air's frequent flyer program, Evergreen Club, awards members points based on miles traveled and class of service. Membership into the program is free and one can apply online or by mail. The program is divided into four tiers, in starting order: Green, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Points are reedemable for upgrades and free tickets. Points can also be accumulated through credit card use, rental car agencies, Evergreen Laurel Hotels, and other participating services. Membership benefits include a dedicated reservation line, Evergreen Lounge access, additional baggage allowance with priority handling, and discounts on car rentals and hotels. Evergreen Club also accepts miles flown on American Airlines and Continental Airlines, provided that the flights are booked and logged according to EVA Air frequent flier rules. EVA Air - Evergreen Club
[edit] Codeshare agreements
EVA is not part of an airline alliance, and has broad cooperative service arrangements with the following carriers:
- Air Canada
- Air New Zealand
- Air Nippon, Subsidiary of All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Qantas
- US Airways*
*Codeshare began with America West Airlines.
EVA also has cargo agreements with British Airways and Lufthansa.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Eva Air - uncontained success for Taiwan's shipping-owned airline
- ^ a b c d e f g Thomas, Geoffrey. EVA Air Profile: The Stealth Airline. Air Transport World, June 2003
- ^ a b Aero International” Ranks EVA Among “Best of Best” for Safety
- ^ ‘’Lloyd’s List,” Evergreen: Evergreen Ambitions Reach for the Skies, August 1994
- ^ EVA Air corporate mission
- ^ a b c EVA Airways Corporation -- Company History
- ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
- ^ EVA Air 747-400 new configuration
EVA Air · Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation · Evergreen Air Services Corporation · Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation · Evergreen Int'l. Storage and Transport · Evergreen International Hotels · Evergreen Marine Corporation · Hatsu Marine Ltd. · Italia Marittima S.p.A. · Uni Air · Uniglory Marine Corporation
China Airlines · Daily Air · EVA Air · Far Eastern Air Transport · Mandarin Airlines · TransAsia Airways · Uni Air
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft