Review: EVA Air Business Class Airbus A321neo [TPE - SIN]
EVA Air Business class on their A321neo from Teipei to Singapore offers a probably the best regional business class experience on a narrow body aircraft you can get. A comfortable modern seat, exceptional service, and delicious food really put to shame what American carriers offer domestically on their narrow bodies.
Overall Rating:
This flight was the second leg of a Los Angeles to Singapore trip I had booked to get myself to Indonesia for the winter. The Los Angeles to Teipei leg was on their flagship Airbus A350, which was a spectacular experience.
Starlux uniquely offers full lie flats in their narrow body A321neo so I was was excited to see what I had in store
As a new airline it is tough competition with already established premium asian carriers, however Starlux has come to play. Specifically in their narrow body offering, they really put to shame what American based carriers offer domestically on comparable hardware.
In This Post:
How I Booked Starlux Business Class
Starlux A321neo Business Class Pre Flight
-Starlux A321neo Business Class Lounge
-Starlux A321neo Business Class Boarding
Starlux A321neo Business Class In Flight
-Starlux A321neo Business Class Seat
-Starlux A321neo Business Class In Flight Entertainment
-Starlux A321neo Business Class Meals
-Starlux A321neo Business Class In Flight Service
Bottom Line
Photo Gallery
How I Booked Starlux Business Class
This flight was the last leg of a Los Angeles to Singapore ticket I booked through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan using 85,000 Alaska Airlines Miles and 12 dollars. This route I have typically seen for 150-250k on the Alaska Mileage Plan so I was ecstatic when this availability popped into my inbox thanks to seats.aero.
While Alaska Airlines miles are relatively difficult to earn (no transfer partners outside of the Bilt card) I do keep a card open for the Companion Fare and a stock of miles.
I found this particular availability using Seats.aero.
Starlux A321neo Business Class Lounge
My flight in from Los Angeles arrived early in the morning, around 5am. So I had a few hours to kill before my next trip. Starlux operates their own proprietary lounges at TPE, with the larger of the two in terminal two only opened recently. So looking forward of course to checking out a new offering.
In a bit of a daze I attempted to locate the lounge myself. This was a misguided effort of course as the Galactic lounge is not located near the EVA Air or other priority pass lounges, yet near the gates. If I had listened more closely to the helpful check in staff at LAX maybe I would have been better prepared.
With about two hours to kill I figured to just spend them at the Terminal 2 Starlux Flagship Lounge, as I was informed it would have shower suites.
There is also an ‘older’ lounge in terminal 1, but I was informed by the desk staff that it is considerably smaller, and there is a chance it is too full at the time and I wouldn’t be able to get in. So for now I have skipped that one.
Starlux Galactic Lounge | Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
The Starlux Galactic Lounge is located in Terminal 2, near gate D6. It has only been open since early 2024, so was looking forward to seeing what was on offer, considering the great experience in the sky. First impressions certainly match the spaceship vibe of the brand – lounge name aside.
Main lounge area after the entrance. Large luggage lockers to the left, and buffet style food offerings. Certainly has spaceport vibes. Should I expect to run into Jabba the Hutt?
Spacy hallway with downstairs toilets, and the two shower rooms.
To the left and right of the stairs are two separate seating/lounge areas. One with the food and another with a TV with the departure schedule. Good sized seating area with the departure schedule on the TV. Snoopy can be spotted – there seems to be an odd Starlux/Peanuts partnership based on the cutouts on the walls.
Opposite the first lounge area downstairs is another food area with a good selection of drinks, ice cream, espresso and buffet style food.
Not too hungry after my flight so just went with the spring rolls. Which arrived quickly and were quite nice. All in all pleasantly surprised by the food offerings – presented towards the upscale end of things rather than quantity over quality that’s often found at a lounge.
Shower rooms were busy this morning but was able to nab a reservation before my flight. Large, spacious shower room that is well stocked.
Starlux A321neo Business Class Boarding
Boarding began on time at gate D10 .
The first thing that stands out in this cabin is the use of what I would typically consider wide-body business class seats. Only 4 seats in where you’d typically see 8 or, god forbid, 16. Aside from that, it is a very clean and modern looking cabin. I am a big fan of the color palate – the dark gray color with the gold/bronze accents. It still has that new plane smell.
Starlux A321neo Business Class Seat
The seat itself is designed well. Not nearly as nice of course as their A350 I was just on but anything beyond a large recliner on a narrow body, to me, is revolutionary. I believe Singapore airlines does this too but I missed out on that last time I was in the area as the plane was upgraded to a 777 for the route.
I had the window seat this flight. Of course with a 2-2 configuration, if you plan to get up or do not know your seatmate – aisle would be the choice.
Seat comes with the pillow, blanket, slippers, headphones, and menu. With the side divider, there is good privacy in the seat.
Chargers and plugs are placed somewhat awkwardly. Good for the headphones, but a bit of an odd reach for the charging plug.
Full lie flat in a narrow body. You love to see it.
Quirky pre flight safety video
Good privacy when laying back with the center console divider
Pre departure welcome drink and hot towel.
Starlux A321neo Business Class In Flight Entertainment
The entertainment options, as expected, are the same as the A350 I was just on. However these IFE screens lack the bluetooth feature I was just getting used to.
Good selection of western movies and tv shows. Both older and newer.
Free wifi during the flight. However it did not work for me. Likely user error.
Starlux A321neo Business Class Meals
For a shorter narrow body business class flight, I was really impressed by the menu and catering options. Especially the wine list. I was not expecting to see such a selection on this plane.
After taking my seat I was offered a hot towel and a welcome drink of mango-pineapple juice. The FA had to navigate providing service during breaks between boarding passengers.
Boarding music was the same as the lounge. Pleasant, but 4 hours of if is driving me a bit mad.
After everyone has boarded, the FA is around to take orders (or confirm if you have preordered) mains and drinks. Pushback was a little delayed, with a little bit of traffic on the tarmac, actual takeoff was around 930.
Lunch
Lunch service began promptly after cruising altitude was reached.
The soup really nice. Seems to be a Starulux catering strong point. Pickled side dishes also were lovely. The main itself was flavorful but meat a bit dry. Sauce makes up for it though.
Dessert fruit and really nice tiramisu, which I have apparently neglected to take a picture of.
After service an obligatory hot towel was passed out.
Starlux A321neo Business Class In Flight Service
The service on this flight was impeccable. Flight attendants were attentive, polite, and efficient. Meal service was timely, with dishes brought out and cleared in a timely manner, lavatories constantly kept clean, as well as regular non-invasive check ups to ensure passengers have everything they need.
Even among the already high standard of many Asian carriers, I felt this crew stood out as exceptional
Bottom Line
All in all, hard to really ask for a better business class flight on a narrow body. Certainly worth trying to find a wide body seat for this long of a flight, if not simply for the direct aisle access. 4 hours and 40 minutes in a narrow body 2-2 is still a pretty long time. But if this is the option available I wouldn’t hesitate to book this route/plane again.