As you’ll know if you read this site with any regularity, I’m a big fan of Japan’s two full-service carriers. While I probably give the slightly advantage to JAL these days, I’ll never say no to ANA either.
On the other hand, Japanese airlines aren’t the only game in town. Nor do you have to suffer onboard United, Delta or American if you don’t choose one of them. You will have to connect in Taipei, however, assuming you don’t plan to start your trip there.
I’m speaking, of course, about flying EVA Air to Japan. This option brings many potential upsides, which I’ll describe in detail over the next few paragraphs.
Why I’ve Flown EVA to Japan So Often
In the not-so-distant past, taking EVA Air from Taiwan to Japan was my go-to option. This is because I lived in Taipei, about 15 minutes by Uber from Songshan Airport. While I wouldn’t always fly from here to Haneda (which amounted to a door-to-door journey time of ~5 hours from my apartment to any hotel in Tokyo), I wasn’t much further from Taoyuan Airport and the dozen Japanese cities served nonstop from there.
Before that, I lived in Bangkok. And while Thailand of course isn’t short on nonstop flight options to Japan, there were advantages to flying EVA Air via Taipei, including the fact that intercontinental business class is available on all the 777-300ER aircraft that fly between Suvarnabhumi and Taoyuan. Flying indirectly via Taiwan was also cheaper, whether I was paying cash or miles.
5 Advantages of Choosing EVA Air
A wonderful way to Asia
If you’re flying EVA Air from North America or Europe to Taiwan, you’re in for a treat, particularly in Royal Laurel Business Class. I tend to prefer the European routes, if only because they’re mostly day flights, which means a six-course menu instead of three (at least in business), and much more service. While not as over-the-top as Emirates or Qatar, the experience is more luxurious than on JAL or ANA.
Easy transit via Taipei-Taoyuan
If you’re flying between most Western countries (i.e. anywhere EVA serves in Europe or North America) and Japan, you won’t need to re-clear security at Taoyuan Airport, unless of course you plan to do a stopover in Taiwan. Taoyuan isn’t my favorite hub in Asia (at least not now—that may change in 2027 when Terminal 3 opens), but transferring there is seamless and stress-free.
(Or direct flights from Taipei-Songshan)
Taipei’s more central Songshan Airport isn’t ever going to be as useful as Haneda Airport has become; it will likely close entirely within the next decade. For now, however, it offers priceless TSA-HND flights, which allow you to get from the center of Taipei to the center of Tokyo in around five hours door to door (I know this because I’ve done it). Note that as of 2025, EVA does not serve Haneda from Taoyuan.
More than a dozen direct destinations in Japan
It does, however, serve Narita, and several other Japanese cities big and small. These include major global hubs like Nagoya-Centrair (NGO) and Osaka-Kansai (KIX), mid-sized airports like Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) and Sendai (SDJ), and truly secondary and tertiary airport like Okinawa Naha (OKA) and Komatsu (KMQ), which is ideal for accessing the Hokuriku region.
Another mileage redemption option
While EVA has in recent years offered much less award availability to Star Alliance partners (the most useful being United MileagePlus and Air Canada Aeroplan), the carrier’s own Infinity MileageLands program offers pretty good award availability. At a minimum, it’s easy enough to book intra-Asia segments on EVA using most Star currencies, adding another option to your travel hacking toolbox.
Should You Fly China Airlines or Starlux to Japan?
It should come as no surprise, but both of Taiwan’s other carriers—i.e. Starlux and China Airlines—have relatively robust Japan networks, buttressed by the same factors (first among them that Taiwanese are ardent Japanophiles) as EVA Air’s. However, there are some important distinctions between the three carriers to keep in mind; they aren’t interchangeable.
For example, while China Airlines also serves many secondary Japanese cities from Taoyuan, it has more limited networks and fewer frequencies to Europe and North America, limiting feed. Starlux is even more constrained, with fewer cities and fewer departures to them. It also serves many fewer airports in Japan, and notably lacks access both to Taipei-Songshan and to Tokyo-Haneda.
Other FAQ About EVA Air to Japan
Does EVA Air fly to Japan from the USA?
EVA Air doesn’t fly directly to Japan from the USA, though it’s easy to connect via Taipei. On the plus side, you won’t need to re-clear security in Taiwan. On the minus side, you can’t travel via Taoyuan (TPE) to Haneda (HND), but only to Narita (NRT), assuming you are even bound for the Tokyo area.
How many cities does EVA Air serve in Japan?
As of 2025, EVA Air serves 11 cities in Japan, and 12 airports (it serves both Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports). In the past, EVA has served as many as 15 cities in Japan, and it’s possible that the carrier could one day add additional Japanese cities to its route map.
Does EVA Air serve Narita or Haneda?
EVA Air offers flights to both Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo. However, keep in mind that it only serves Haneda from Songshan Airport (TSA), which does have any intercontinental connections. As a result, if you’re flying EVA Air from North America or Europe and are bound for Tokyo, your only option is to fly via Taoyuan (TPE) to Narita.
The Bottom Line
Flying EVA Air to Japan is a great option, assuming you don’t mind connecting in Taipei, or that you plan to originate there. From North America and Europe, EVA Air offers a wonderful experience, particularly if you fly in its Royal Laurel Business Class. Likewise, EVA’s Taiwan-Japan route network is competitive, with nonstop flights between the close-in airports of Taipei-Songshan and Tokyo-Haneda, and more than 10 cities served directly from Taipei-Taoyuan. Need personalized help figuring out the logistics of your Asian adventure? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
