We flew EVA Air flight BR178 as part of the second leg of our cherry blossom trip to Japan, departing Taipei to Osaka. We booked three award redemption tickets on EVA Air in business class through transferring credit card points over to EVA Air Infinity MileageLand. For peak sakura season, it was a very good use of miles.

Before the flight

We spent some time in EVA Air’s lounge prior to boarding, which helped break up the journey from Singapore. Boarding was organised, with priority given to business class and elite status passengers.

The seats

On this route, EVA Air operates the B787-10 with Thompson VantageXL seats in a staggered business class layout. EVA brands this cabin as Royal Laurel Class, which is its “premium” business class product. It is a clear step up from the older Premium Laurel Class that still appears on some aircraft, even though both are technically business class.

The VantageXL seats feel much more modern than the previous generation we had on the flight the day before. The seat finishes feel more modern, and privacy is better. We were in 7K, 8K and 9K along the right side of the cabin. Since the cabin was quite empty, there was flexibility to move around and pick preferred seats.

Each seat had a good amount of personal space, a decently sized table and practical storage for small items. For a regional hop between Taipei and Osaka, this product is more than comfortable enough and feels closer to a long-haul standard than a typical short-haul business cabin. I would’ve preferred this seat for our previous flight though.

A standout feature of this layout is the excellent privacy it offers. When standing in the aisle or getting up from your seat, you cannot really see other passengers except perhaps the very tips of their heads. This sense of seclusion adds to a more relaxed, personal space in the cabin.

In-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi

The in-flight entertainment screen looked new, and the interface seemed more modern than what EVA Air uses on some of its older aircraft. There was a reasonable selection of content, although on this flight I did not explore it much and spent some time on the Internet instead.

Business class passengers are supposed to receive complimentary Wi Fi, but there is a catch. On this flight, the full free Wi Fi benefit did not apply to our award redemption tickets. It is apparently restricted to certain paid fare classes. We still received 30 minutes of free access, which was enough for messaging and basic browsing, but it is worth noting the limitation if you are redeeming miles.

Food and drinks

The catering on this flight was excellent, particularly the Japanese option that we could pre-book prior to the flight. Before take-off, the friendly air stewardess came over to confirm my pre-booked main course.

EVA Air offers a few different special menus on selected routes, including a Din Tai Fung option, but on this sector the Kyoto-style menu stood out by far. If you see it available, it is worth choosing over the more generic options.

I went with the celebrity chef banquet created by Chef Motokazu Nakamura, in collaboration with EVA Air. The main course was soya and yuzu citrus marinated salmon broiled on a cedar board, served with boiled daikon in miso sauce and steamed rice topped with red shiso flavoured flakes. The dish was thoughtfully presented, with neat plating and a balance of colours that actually looked appetising in cabin lighting.

The flavours were impressive for an in-flight meal. The salmon was tender and well marinated, the yuzu added brightness without being overwhelming, and the daikon and miso brought a bit of warmth and depth. A small card was placed on the tray introducing the chef and the concept of the dish, which added a bit of context to the meal.

The meal service was efficient without feeling rushed. Drinks were offered throughout the flight, and the selection was decent. I chose to try the melon liqueur, though I’m not so much of an alcohol person. For a short-haul regional flight, this level of attention to cuisine sets EVA apart.

Final thoughts

The Royal Laurel Class on the B787-10 is a solid business class product for intra-Asia travel. The newer EVA Air seats feel premium compared to their older generation seats, and the cabin atmosphere on a light load was genuinely pleasant. The Wi-Fi limitation on award tickets is disappointing though.

What really stood out was the food, it was just absolutely amazing, maybe because I’ve a preference for Japanese food. EVA’s partnership with chef Motokazu Nakamura elevates the experience beyond typical regional business class. If you’re chasing awards on this route, the 25,000 miles redemption offers solid value, especially if you can snag it.

Would I book this again? Absolutely. For a quick hop between Singapore and Osaka, it’s efficient, comfortable, and the food makes it memorable.