EVA Air Doubles Down on Airbus – More A350s, More A321neos, and a $3.1B Price Tag

Taiwan’s EVA Air isn’t playing around when it comes to fleet expansion. They’ve gone on a bit of a jet shopping spree, and by that, we mean billions of dollars worth of shiny new planes.

The Basics: Who is EVA Air?

• Full Name: EVA Airways Corporation (長榮航空)
• IATA Code: BR
• Founded: 1989
• Headquarters: Taoyuan City, Taiwan
• Main Hub: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
• Alliance: Star Alliance (since 2013)
• Frequent Flyer Program: Infinity MileageLands (yes, that’s actually what it’s called)

The Fleet: What EVA Air is Flying Now

EVA’s lineup is a mix of Boeing and Airbus, covering everything from regional hops to ultra-long-haul hauls.

Current Fleet

Boeing:

• 33 Boeing 777-300ERs – The backbone of EVA’s long-haul network, featuring top-tier business class with lie-flat beds and Dom Pérignon champagne.
• 9 Boeing 777-L
• 5 Boeing 787-9s – Sleek and modern, used for mid-to-long-haul routes.
• 12 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners – Slightly bigger than the -9s, emphasising fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

Airbus:

• 9 Airbus A330-300s – Mostly used for regional and some medium-haul routes.
• 3 Airbus A330-200s – The smaller sibling of the -300, but still a solid performer.
• 17 Airbus A321-200s – EVA’s workhorse for regional flights across Asia.

New Orders: EVA Goes Big on Airbus (Again)

EVA Air already made waves in November 2023 when they ordered 18 A350-1000s and 15 A321neos from Airbus. But now? They’ve upped the ante.

What’s Changed?

• EVA converted six optional A350-1000s into firm orders, bringing them to 24 A350-1000s.
• They’ve added three more A321neos, bumping that order up to 18 aircraft.

Total Airbus Orders (As of Now)

• 18 Airbus A321neos
• 24 Airbus A350-1000s
• Deliveries start in 2027, but some will arrive as late as 2031; you can read more here.

How Much Is This Costing?

Get ready for some eye-watering price tags:

• $436 million per A350-1000 (ouch).
• $150 million per A321neo (relatively cheap, but still…).
• Total estimated spend: A whopping $3.1 billion.

And Boeing? EVA Hasn’t Forgotten About the Americans

Airbus isn’t the only one making bank from EVA. The airline still has open orders with Boeing, including:

• 8 Boeing 787-9s
• 5 Boeing 787-10s

What’s the Plan?

EVA Air’s strategy seems pretty straightforward:

1. A321neos → Replace the ageing A321 fleet and keep regional operations fresh.
2. A350-1000s → Phase out older aircraft while expanding long-haul capacity.
3. 787s → Keep the fleet diverse and flexible.

Final Thoughts: EVA Air Means Business

EVA Air isn’t just refreshing its fleet; it’s positioning itself as a serious global player. With A350-1000s for premium long-haul, A321neos for short-haul domination, and 787s to bridge the gap, they’re future-proofing in style.

If only they’d paint some of these A350s in Hello Kitty liveries, we’d really be talking.