Today I continue my journey east. I’m taking the EVA Air service from Vienna to Bangkok, which then continues on to Taipei. The flight departs from Vienna at 17h45, which gives me a good amount of time to get some work done before heading to the airport. Luckily, the SO/ Vienna generously granted me a late check-out until 15h.

Getting to the Airport

There is a bus that runs from Schwedenstrasse to Vienna airport. However, I will be taking the metro and the train, mainly because they’re less susceptible to getting stuck in traffic.

The metro station at Schwedenstrasse is just across the bridge from the SO/ Vienna.

The U4 line runs nonstop to Landstrasse/Wien Mitte, from where I catch the CAT airport train. It’s one stop to Landstrasse and trains run every few minutes.

I think you just have to be Austrian to get why Landstrasser Hauptstrasse makes sense…

At Wien Mitte I take the escalator up to street level. Then I make a left turn into the mall and walk all the way to the back to the entrance for the CAT train.

There are two trains an hour to the airport. In between there are the suburban trains that also run to the airport. They’re a lot cheaper, but they also take a lot longer.

Check-in

EVA Air checks in at Terminal 3.

There are two counters for Economy Class passengers, two for baggage drop-off, four for Business Class passengers, and one for Diamond members.

Boarding for the flight is from the D concourse in Terminal 1, which is the building that looks like an oversized Prussien biscuit.

There is a dedicated Fast Track for security. There’s nobody else there but me, and the process is totally hassle free.

Security ejects me into the duty free shop, which is currently under construction.

The Vienna Lounge

The Vienna Lounge is on your right just as you exit the duty free. It’s easy to miss because it’s slightly behind you as you exit. There is an Austrian Airlines lounge in the non-Schengen area behind immigration, but that already closes at 16h30, which is rather useless.

The lounge is rather nice. It’s big and spacious.

The views are not too shabby either.

There are also plenty of food options at the buffet, which has a good selection of hot and cold dishes.

I try two of these. I think they’re called Marillenknödel. They’re basically dumplings made with cream and filled with apricots. Highly recommended…

Boarding

Sadly, it’s impossible to get a clear view for a decent shot of my plane from anywhere in the terminal building. Boarding for the flight starts at 17h15 sharp, as indicated on my boarding pass.

I’m the first to pass through the gate behind passengers with reduced mobility, which gives me a good opportunity to take some photos of the cabin before it fills up.

The Cabin & Seat

The cabin is configured in a 1+2+1 layout. On the single rows of seats, there is an A/K window seat alternating with a C/H aisle seat. The window seats offer a bit more privacy and storage space, because they are further removed from the aisle.

Rows 1 and 3 have aisle seats, with the window seat on row 2. However, from row 5 upwards the window seats are on the uneven numbered seat rows, simply because there is no row 4.

A pillow, blanket and slippers are already at my seat when I arrive.

There’s a compartment to store smaller items in the seat, which where the earphones and a bottle of Evian have been placed.

The seats don’t have doors, however there is a small privacy screen that serves its purpose well enough.

Amenities

The amenity kit is also stored in the small compartment with the earphones.

Just before we push back, one of the flight attendants brings me an L size pair of pajamas. The L size is very generously cut around the waist, but not so much in terms of length. I go to the bathroom to change and walk out again looking like I’m wearing Capris.

The slippers are by the same brand as the pjs.

Sitting on top of the food and wine menus, there’s a small card with a Chinese poem and a small piece of chocolate as a welcome gift.

The Service & Crew

While we’re still on the ground, the crew pass through the cabin taking orders for welcome drinks. I ask for an orange juice, which is served with a warm towel.

The towels are not scented. In fact, they have a slighly unpleasant, chemical smell.

At 17h50 the doors close and we push back from our parking stand.

We’re airborne at 18h04. The flight time to Bangkok is nine hours and fifty minutes.

The Meal – Dinner

About twenty minutes into the flight, the cabin crew are released and get busy preparing the meal service. You can pre-order meals on the EVA Air app. If you’re vegetarian, I would strongly recommend you do so, because there are no vegetarian options on the standard menu ex Vienna.

We start with an amuse bouche of roast beef in a wrap and white beetroot with goat cheese.

To drink I just stick with sparkling water.

Next, the table is set for the meal. It’s a nice set up. Nothing is served from a trolley during the main service, and all dishes are brought out on a tray and served individually.

There’s a wide selection of breads to choose from. As usual, I kind of go overboard with the garlic bread. How can something so simple be so, so good?

The starter is lobster with caviar in a cocktail sauce. This is a nice, refreshing dish.

The lobster is followed by the rich and creamy pea soup, which is just lovely.

Then there is the salad, which I have with Italian dressing.

And then comes the main course – the Tafelspitz or boiled beef. I figure this is the one with the least meaty texture. And it is good.

It is served with a small ramekin of horseradish sauce and another with apple compote.

The food just won’t stop coming. The main is removed and I am brought a plate of cheese with crackers and vegetable sticks. It doesn’t say what cheese it is.

And then to conclude the meal, I have a plate of fruit and an excellent Illy espresso.

Noddy Land

Once the meal is done, the crew quickly clear everything away. I’m quite impressed that they manage to do the full service in just under two hours from take-off! One of the cabin crew brings me a thin cover for the seat, and then wishes me good night. The pillow is nice and soft, and the cover is more like a duvet than just a blanket.

The Second Service – Breakfast

Two hours out of Bangkok, the second service begins. I quickly change back into my clothes and then return to my seat. The second service starts with another strange smelling hot towel.

And then I am brought a coffee with milk and an orange juice.

The breakfast is served on a tray. Each tray is brought out of the galley individually.

The crew pass through the cabin offering small bowls of plain yogurt or Bircher Müsli.

And for the main, I have the open omelette.

Arrival in Bangkok

Around thirty minutes out of Bangkok, we begin a shallow descent. It’s very hazy outside and the captain reports that there are rain showers and thunderstorms expected for the afternoon.

One of the cabin crew tells me that here in Bangkok all passengers must alight. Those going on to Taipei will have to go through transit security before they are allowed aboard again. I disembark and make my way to passport control. And just like that, I’m back in Thailand. It’s been a while.

Immigration is painless. Outside on the ramp I can’t see the usual lineup of European carriers, which accounts for the absence of passengers and the non-existent queue at passport control.

Conclusion

So, EVA Air. I’ve long wanted to give them a try, so I’m glad I finally got that off my bucket list. In general, I think I prefer them to China Airlines. The crew were more personable and the food service was nothing short of impressive for a Business Class product. Of course it also helped that the aircraft seemed rather new.