Taiwan’s EVA Air To Up Frequency Of Direct United States Flights

Taiwanese carrier and Star Alliance member airline EVA Air is increasing its weekly flights to the United States and Canada. The carrier has seen a rise in bookings in recent weeks, reporting high load factors for its business and premium economy classes. With this positive news, more frequencies have been added for a variety of North American cities.

EVA Air is one of two major legacy carriers in Taiwan, the other being China Airlines. Photo: EVA Air

What cities will see more EVA Air service?

According to the Taipei Times, EVA Air will be increasing its North American flight frequencies next month after seeing demand rise in recent weeks. Most impressive is the carrier’s nearly 100% load factor in its premium classes- an extremely important factor for any airline’s profitability.

“So far, the number of reservations for round-trip flights between Taiwan and North America has grown 27 percent from June, and the passenger load factor is nearly 100 percent for both the business class and the premium economy class,” -Steve Lin, Chairman, EVA Air via Taipei Times

Seeing this positive trend, the carrier will be boosting frequencies in August. Here is the plan thus far:

• Seattle: Five weekly flights
• New York JFK: Four weekly flights
• Chicago O’Hare: Twice weekly
• Vancouver: Twice weekly
• Toronto: Once weekly
• Houston: Once weekly
• Los Angeles: Seven weekly flights (daily) as already established

It appears that most cities will be served by the airline’s Boeing 777-300s. However, flying between Taipei and Seattle, or Taipei and Vancouver, the airline will be using a Boeing 787-9.

Cities where EVA Air is boosting its frequencies. Photo: GCMap.com

While not specifically mentioned by sources, it appears that the airline also serves San Francisco. The airline’s website shows an increase in flight frequencies to the Californian city beginning in August, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.

Overcoming a more severe 2nd wave

This boost in traffic is likely the result of Taiwan seemingly overcoming a second wave of coronavirus cases. While its first ‘wave’ in March 2020 only saw a peak of around 26 cases in a single day, the country saw a rise to nearly 550 cases in one day in late May 2021.

Since that peak nearly two months ago, Taiwan has managed to get its cases under control, with a constant decline in new daily cases. The country is now seeing between 20 and 30 new cases per day.

The airline will use a Boeing 787-9 for its services to Seattle and Vancouver. Photo: EVA Air

On July 1st, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that it would be tightening its health monitoring measures for people entering the country. For arrivals who have visited key high-risk countries in the past 14 days, there is a requirement to quarantine in group quarantine facilities for 14 days.

Arriving travelers who have not visited key high-risk countries in the past 14 days are required to take a deep-throat saliva test and a PCR test upon arrival. They must also take a special vehicle to a quarantine hotel or a group quarantine facility where they plan to complete quarantine at their own expense.

At this time, there is a temporary ban on foreign nationals entering, or transiting Taiwan, except for residents, with no set date for when these border measures will be lifted. As for the United States, there does not appear to be any COVID-19-specific restrictions for travelers from Taiwan.

Will you be traveling between Taiwan and the United States in the coming months? Let us know by leaving a comment.

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