Surrounded by the sea, Taiwan is a maritime country and shipping has always played an important role in its economic development. Evergreen Group Founder and Chairman Dr. Y.F. Chang was determined to extend the enterprise’s international transportation services from the oceans to the skies. He founded EVA Air in March 1989. Immediately, the fledgling airline was committed to upgrading Taiwan’s civil aviation industry, embracing its mother company’s focus on quality and safety. 

From the day it was established, EVA has invested heavily in human resources, training its professional staff to the highest international standards, including pilots, maintenance engineers, cabin crews and ground staff. EVA encourages every member of its team to adopt Dr. Chang’s motto, “Whatever you do, give your best efforts to get the best results.” In October 1989, the airline ordered 26 new aircraft from Boeing and McDonnel-Douglas. Following the Evergreen Marine’s practice of sending shipbuilding superintendents to shipyards where its vessels were built, EVA sent technicians to aircraft manufacturers’ factories to supervise the assembly of its airplanes and ensure quality.  

EVA Air signed contracts with Boeing and McDonnell Douglas to order 26 new aircrafts in October, 1989.

Air traffic rights are airlines’ lifeblood for growth and development. But Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only a few countries, making it difficult to secure air traffic rights. EVA overcame this challenge by building on Evergreen Marine’s established bases around the world to develop its route network. EVA took its maiden flight in July 1991 and in November of the same year, launched its Taipei-Vienna route, the first nonstop flight from Taiwan to Europe. From the start, EVA set new milestones for civil aviation in Taiwan. Today, EVA’s international route network covers more than 60 destinations in Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. 

EVA Air, Taiwan's first privately owned international airline, made its maiden flight in 1991.

As a subsidiary of the Evergreen Group which embraced a challenge-focused, innovation and teamwork-oriented corporate culture, EVA prides itself on its service innovation. In 1992, it launched the world’s first premium economy class on international flights with wider seats and ample leg room. For a price slightly higher than for economy class, travelers enjoy comfort and services closer to a business class experience. Many international airlines have followed EVA’s lead and introduced premium economy class.

EVA Air led the airline industry and debuted the world’s first 'Premium Economy Class' in 1992, offering a good service option between business class and economy class.

EVA is not resting on its laurels and continues to provide service that surpasses passengers’ expectations through creativity and collaboration with luxury brands. The airline is acclaimed for its onboard catering and award-winning wines. Popular inflight meals include traditional Taiwanese breakfast rice porridge, Din Tai Fung steamed dumplings and haute cuisine meals created in cooperation with Kyoto-based Nakamura, a three-star Michelin restaurant. Its inflight amenity kits from Rimowa, Georg Jensen and Salvatore Ferragamo are collectors’ items. Business class pajamas by Taiwanese-Canadian fashion designer Jason Wu enhance inflight comfort and luxury. In every cabin class, passengers can experience EVA’s focus on service excellence and its goal to make every flight special for every passenger.  

EVA Air worked with Michelin 3-star chef Motokazu Nakamura from Nakamura Kyoto Cuisine,
to create a savory Kyoto-Kaiseki Ryori dining experience for passengers.

As EVA marks its 30^th anniversary this year, the airline remains committed to its founding mission to become the best airline in the world for flight safety and service quality. EVA’s focus is recognized and has earned a top reputation in the travel industry. Earlier this year, the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor, rated EVA third in its Best Airlines in the World 2019 – Travelers’ Choice Awards. AirlineRatings.com ranked it among the World’s Top 20 Safest Airlines for 2019. SKYTRAX certified EVA Air as a 5-Star Airline for the fourth year in row and ranked it sixth among the World’s Top 10 Airlines. Safe, comfortable flights bring EVA international prestige that has become a source of pride for people in Taiwan.

EVA Air pays attention to every service detail to ensure that passengers worldwide can enjoy comfortable flying experiences.

Content sponsored by EVA Air