Cathay Pacific and EVA Air are the full-service carriers of Hong Kong and Taiwan, flying from hubs at Hong Kong International and Taipei Taoyuan. Travellers compare them for trips between East Asia, North America and Europe, and for journeys via Hong Kong or Taipei. They belong to rival alliances: Cathay to oneworld, EVA to Star Alliance.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service airlines with business, premium economy and economy cabins, so the choice often comes down to alliance, hub and the specific aircraft on your flight. EVA Air suits travellers who want a newer premium economy seat, Star Alliance connections or a Taipei routing. Cathay Pacific suits those who want Hong Kong as a hub, a First class option on some aircraft, or oneworld benefits.
Choose Cathay Pacific if…
- You are flying via Hong Kong or want its wider network of more than 190 destinations, including codeshares and joint ventures.
- You want a First class option, available on some Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, or you collect oneworld status through Marco Polo Club.
- You value Hong Kong lounge choice: The Wing, The Pier and The Deck, with a redesigned The Wing announced in April 2026.
Choose EVA Air if…
- You want a newer Premium Economy seat: the fourth-generation seat on the 787-9 has 42 in of pitch.
- You are flying via Taipei, Bangkok or Kaohsiung, or collect Star Alliance miles through Infinity MileageLands.
- You want seatback audio and video on demand in every long-haul cabin.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Cathay Pacific operates from a single hub, Hong Kong International Airport, and with its subsidiaries serves more than 190 destinations in over 60 countries, counting codeshares and joint ventures. EVA Air is centred on Taipei Taoyuan, with focus cities at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Kaohsiung and Taipei Songshan, and serves roughly 61 destinations across Asia, North America and Europe. Cathay's reach is larger on paper; EVA's is narrower but includes Bangkok as a second base.
Fleet and cabins
Cathay has 159 passenger aircraft (December 2025), including A330s, A350s and 777-300s. First class appears only on some 777-300ERs, and refurbished ones have Aria Suites and new Premium Economy. A330s are due to be refitted. EVA has 89 aircraft in service as of 1 September 2026, with 32 777-300ERs and 787-9 and 787-10 jets. Both airlines vary by aircraft, so check the seat map before booking.
Premium economy and legroom
EVA is widely credited with creating premium economy. Its new 787-9 seat has 42 in of pitch, against 38 in on older 777-300ER cabins, according to a third-party review. The same site reports 31-33 in in Economy on the 777-300ER. Cathay's seat pitch varies by aircraft, so check the seat map for your flight.
Baggage and fares
On EVA, Economy and Premium Economy passengers get one 7 kg cabin bag and business passengers two, per the airline's FAQ. Basic and Discount fares can include less checked baggage, or none, on some routes. Cathay's allowance depends on route, cabin and fare, so read your booking on cathaypacific.com before packing.
Lounges and loyalty
At Taoyuan, EVA runs The Garden, The Infinity, The Star and The Club, with further lounges at Kaohsiung and Bangkok. Infinity MileageLands miles can be used for upgrades on EVA, UNI Air and Star Alliance partners. Cathay's Hong Kong lounges are The Wing, The Pier and The Deck. Marco Polo Club Diamond members may bring two guests, Gold one, and Silver members enter alone.
Punctuality
Cathay recorded a 78.13% on-time arrival rate in April 2025, ninth among Asia-Pacific airlines, according to Cirium data reported by the SCMP.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cathay Pacific better than EVA Air?
Neither is better for everyone. Both are full-service airlines. Cathay offers First class on some aircraft and a Hong Kong hub, while EVA offers a newer Premium Economy seat on the 787-9 and a Taipei hub.
Which has more legroom, Cathay Pacific or EVA Air?
EVA's new 787-9 Premium Economy has 42 in of pitch, and its older 777-300ER cabin has 38 in. Cathay's seat pitch varies by aircraft, so check the seat map for your flight.
Do EVA Air and Cathay Pacific include checked baggage?
It depends on the fare and route for both. EVA's Basic and Discount fares can include less checked baggage, or none, on some routes. For Cathay, check your ticket on cathaypacific.com.
Which alliance are they in?
Cathay Pacific is a founding member of oneworld. EVA Air belongs to Star Alliance.
About Cathay Pacific Read more
Overview
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1946 by Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow, and its head office is Cathay City at Hong Kong International Airport. As of May 2026 its major shareholders are Swire Pacific and Air China. It is a founding member of the oneworld alliance. The wider Cathay Group also includes HK Express and Cathay Cargo.
Network and hubs
The sole hub is Hong Kong International Airport. The airline and its subsidiaries serve more than 190 destinations in over 60 countries, including through codeshares and joint ventures. Cathay Pacific's January 2026 traffic release reported 11% more passengers than January 2025, and a single-day record of 100,747 passengers on 14 February 2026.
Fleet
According to the Cathay Pacific fleet page on Wikipedia, as of December 2025 the airline operates 159 passenger aircraft and 20 Boeing 747 freighters:
- 16 Airbus A321neo
- 43 Airbus A330-300
- 30 Airbus A350-900 and 18 A350-1000
- 52 Boeing 777-300 and 777-300ER
Orders include more A321neo, 30 A330-900, 8 A350F freighters and 35 Boeing 777-9, with 777-9 deliveries due from 2027.
On board
Cabins vary by aircraft. Business, Premium Economy and Economy are widely offered, and some Boeing 777-300ER aircraft have First class. Refurbished 777-300ERs have the new Aria Suites and Premium Economy, and A330s are due to be refitted with Aria Studio and new Economy seats. Seat pitch, meal and entertainment details vary by aircraft and route, so check the airline's website for your flight.
Good to know
- Punctuality: Cirium data reported by the South China Morning Post gave a 78.13% on-time arrival rate for April 2025, ninth among Asia-Pacific airlines.
- Lounges: In Hong Kong the business lounges are The Wing, The Pier and The Deck. Cathay Pacific announced a redesigned The Wing in April 2026.
- Loyalty: The Marco Polo Club programme gives lounge access by tier. Diamond members may bring two guests, Gold one guest, and Silver members enter alone.
- Baggage: Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare, so check the booking before travelling.
About EVA Air Read more
Overview
EVA Air (EVA Airways Corporation, BR) is an international airline headquartered in Luzhu, Taoyuan, Taiwan. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 8 March 1989 and began operations on 1 July 1991. It is part of the Evergreen Group, is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (2618), and is a member of Star Alliance. Its regional subsidiary is UNI Air. EVA Air is widely credited with creating the premium economy cabin.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Taipei Taoyuan, with focus cities at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Kaohsiung and Taipei Songshan. The airline serves destinations across Asia, North America and Europe; Plane Finder lists about 61 destinations.
Fleet
The official fleet page lists 89 aircraft in service as of 1 September 2026. These comprise:
- 32 Boeing 777-300ER
- 9 Boeing 787-9 (8 more on order)
- 13 Boeing 787-10 (4 on order)
- 9 Airbus A330-300
- 17 Airbus A321-200
- 9 Boeing 777F freighters
On order are 24 Airbus A350-1000 and 18 Airbus A321neo.
On board
Long-haul flights offer Royal Laurel or Premium Laurel (business), Premium Economy and Economy. All cabins have seatback audio and video on demand. EVA Air has introduced a fourth-generation Premium Economy seat on the 787-9, with 42 in of pitch. Older 777-300ER Premium Economy seats have 38 in, according to a third-party review. The same site reports 31-33 in of Economy pitch on the 777-300ER. Meal and Wi-Fi provision varies by route and aircraft, so check at booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: According to the airline's FAQ, Economy and Premium Economy passengers may carry one 7 kg cabin bag (maximum 23 x 36 x 56 cm); business passengers may carry two. Checked allowances depend on route and fare, and Basic and Discount fares can include less. The airline's Basic fare includes 23 kg within Asia.
- Lounges: At Taoyuan there are four lounges: The Garden, The Infinity, The Star and The Club. Access depends on cabin and frequent-flyer tier.
- Loyalty: Infinity MileageLands miles can be used for upgrades and award tickets on EVA Air, UNI Air and Star Alliance partners.
- Fees and on-time data: Change fees vary by fare, and no published on-time figure was found.
Sources (4)
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