EVA Airways

[Sellanious Caesar]

EVA Air:

Quote

EVA Air (Taipei) wants to expand its route map with more flights to North America. The airline is planning to add new routes to both Chicago (O’Hare) and Houston (Bush Intercontinental) according to the Taipei Times.

http://worldairlinenews.com/2014/03/06/eva-air-plans-to-fly-to-chicago-and-houston/

Looks like another one about to become a reality.

[wxman]

Sweet but I think most on this forum aren't surprised. Good news for Bush.

 

Btw, the article says it will add more US flights to "Chicago OR Houston." Not AND Houston. It'll be serviced by the Boeing 777-300.

 

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2014/03/05/2003584872

[Naviguessor]

Yep.  It's "or".  Worth Hoping for.  But, until there is a schedule announced, I'm not getting excited.  Kind of Like the Transaero news.  It's not really news until there is a launch date.  

[nativehoustonion]

That is very good news since EVA is with Star Alliance, so they can connect with United flights in IAH.  They want to get a piece of the pie to compete with Korean Airlines which does not have much flights to connect with SkyTeam.  There is Delta and Air France.  Good news for Houston.

[arche_757]

I was going to say I read the Taipei times and it clearly stated "OR" not both.  So my guess is Chicago first - bigger airport, closer to more people.  Though Houston is a different region so maybe we would get the first new flights?

[wxman]

I was going to say I read the Taipei times and it clearly stated "OR" not both.  So my guess is Chicago first - bigger airport, closer to more people.  Though Houston is a different region so maybe we would get the first new flights?

 

I would argue Houston has a better shot. Largest United hub. Direct competition to the new Air China and Korean service at IAH. I've been wrong before though.

[ArchFan]

If the article originated with the Chronicle, I wouldn't try to read to much into the nuances between "and" vs. "or".  Likewise with the Taipei newspaper, too.  In fairness to them, it may be that the person they interviewed was just relaying ideas about future service they are considering, not necessarily final, formalized plans.

 

As I said earlier (in another thread, I guess), I think IAH did have nonstop service to Taipei in the past.  Also, I have flown EVA nonstop between LA and Taipei and wasn't very impressed with their service, even tho' it was business class.  Nevertheless, I'd be delighted if they decided to put a Houston flight into service.

[RLB222]

IAH never had a nonstop flight to Taipei. China Air had a horrible flight to Taipei but it stopped in Anchorage for freight pickup. It was basically a freight carrier with add seats for some passengers. The hours of the flight were horrible and the wait in Anchorage was very long. It was doomed to be a failure from the get go. Thankfully, EVA might solve this problem.

IAH's problem is a lack of wide-body room. If only they thought big like Dallas does re DFW or as HOUSTON DOES ABOUT ITS PORT, we would have a truly world-class Airport with more International flights from domestic or International carriers not to speak of room for 3-4 380s.

[urban909]

IAH never had a nonstop flight to Taipei. China Air had a horrible flight to Taipei but it stopped in Anchorage for freight pickup. It was basically a freight carrier with add seats for some passengers. The hours of the flight were horrible and the wait in Anchorage was very long. It was doomed to be a failure from the get go. Thankfully, EVA might solve this problem.

IAH's problem is a lack of wide-body room. If only they thought big like Dallas does re DFW or as HOUSTON DOES ABOUT ITS PORT, we would have a truly world-class Airport with more International flights from domestic or International carriers not to speak of room for 3-4 380s.

 

Actually the flight stopped in Seattle not Anchorage.

 

As far as lack of wide-body room:

 

www.fly2houston.com/TerminalD

[Houston19514]

IAH's problem is a lack of wide-body room. If only they thought big like Dallas does re DFW or as HOUSTON DOES ABOUT ITS PORT, we would have a truly world-class Airport with more International flights from domestic or International carriers not to speak of room for 3-4 380s.

 

Yeah, if only we thought big like Dallas does.     Maybe then we could have 11 foreign flag carriers like DFW does, instead of the measly 15 we currently have.  Maybe if we thought big like Dallas we could have been the second airport in Texas with A380 service, instead of the first.  Maybe if we thought big like Dallas we could have 50-ish non-stop foreign destinations instead of only the 70-ish that we have.  Or maybe we could have had less than 7 million international passengers in 2013 instead of the 9 Million we had.  Dang'it, why can't we could do everything like Dallas does?  ;-)

[Houston19514]

FWIW, Gate D-9 is going to be converted to handle Class VI aircraft (A-380).  Supposed to start work this month, I believe.

[HoustonBoy]

D-9 is already under construction according to a.net

[ArchFan]

I hope EVA does initiate service to Houston.  That would make them a much more attractive choice for getting to Taipei.  However, based on past experience with them, I would be sure to pack a snack to eat during the flight.  I flew biz class with them from LA last time and went hungry for quite awhile.  I was kinda surprised by that.

[HtownWxBoy]

Yeah, if only we thought big like Dallas does.     Maybe then we could have 11 foreign flag carriers like DFW does, instead of the measly 15 we currently have.  Maybe if we thought big like Dallas we could have been the second airport in Texas with A380 service, instead of the first.  Maybe if we thought big like Dallas we could have 50-ish non-stop foreign destinations instead of only the 70-ish that we have.  Or maybe we could have had less than 7 million international passengers in 2013 instead of the 9 Million we had.  Dang'it, why can't we could do everything like Dallas does?  ;-)

 

.... nailed it.

[nativehoustonion]

Rumor is EVA Air will start service from Taipei (TPE) 07/01/2015 to IAH great news for Houston.  Also connectivity with United since they are a Star Alliance partner.  IAH needs to get busy rebuilding Terminal D.  The other partners are Air Canada, Air China, Lufthansa, SAS, Turkish, Singapore, and Aeromar.  Maybe Air India is next.

[Sellanious Caesar]

EVA Air is now a reality.

How long until Houston gets Aeromar?

[nativehoustonion]

They already are a partner, they are just not part of Star Alliance.  You have to send them your boarding passes and receipt to get credit.

[Houston19514]

With Interjet's start tomorrow, George Bush Airport now has 16 foreign flag carriers; 17 airlines with international service.  Eva AIr's start next July will make that 17 foreign flag carriers; 18 carriers with international service.

[Sellanious Caesar]

With Interjet's start tomorrow, George Bush Airport now has 16 foreign flag carriers; Eva AIr's start next July will make that 17 foreign flag carriers; 18 carriers with international service.

IAH has 18, not 16; EVA is 18th not 17th foreign flag carrier; EVA marks the 19th, not 18th airliner with foreign service capabilities at IAH (United being the only domestic airliner with intl service).

Foreign flags

1. Aeromexico

2. Air Canada

3. Air China

4. Air France

5. Avianca El Salvador

6. British Airways

7. Emirates

8. EVA Air

9. Interjet

10. KLM

11. Korean Air

12. Lufthansa

13. Qatar Airways

14. Scandinavian Airlines

15. Singapore Airlines

16. SonAir

17. Turkish Airlines

18. VivaAerobus

US carrier with international service, 19) United Airlines.

[Sellanious Caesar]

FWIW Volaris is very interested in starting service at Hobby when it's upgrades are complete for international travel.

That'll be Hobby's first foreign flag.

[Houston19514]

IAH has 18, not 16; EVA is 18th not 17th; EVA marks the 19th, not 18th airliner with foreign service capabilities at IAH.

Foreign flags

1. Aeromexico

2. Air Canada

3. Air China

4. Air France

5. Avianca El Salvador

6. British Airways

7. Emirates

8. EVA Air

9. Interjet

10. KLM

11. Korean Air

12. Lufthansa

13. Qatar Airways

14. Scandinavian Airlines

15. Singapore Airlines

16. SonAir

17. Turkish Airlines

18. VivaAerobus

US carrier with international service, 19) United Airlines.

 

Does Avianca actually fly to Houston?  They are not listed on the airport's website, and when I did a rudimentary search, it shows service on TACA.

 

[Sellanious Caesar]

Does Avianca actually fly to Houston? They are not listed on the airport's website, and when I did a rudimentary search, it shows service on TACA.

Yeah they have a sign for it at IAH with other foreign flags and a baggage check in and I ternary print stations at IAH too. If they are using TACA's planes to fly(?) then it is still a foreign carrier regardless.

[Houston19514]

Yeah they have a sign for it at IAH with other foreign flags and a baggage check in and I ternary print stations at IAH too. If they are using TACA's planes to fly(?) then it is still a foreign carrier regardless.

 

They aren't just "using TACA's planes".  It is TACA (a different airline) flying the route.  Avianca merely sells seats on a TACA plane, through code-share agreements.   Avianca's route map confirms that they don't actually fly here.  Only TACA flies here and people with AVIANCA tickets fly on TACA flights.   The airport puts up signage for carriers that provide service by way of code shares, so that people who have (in this case) an Avianca ticket, can find their way to their flight.   This is why, at least at certain times in the past (not sure if it's currently the case), Northwest Airlines and possibly Delta were shown on the airport signage as having international departures -- Neither had metal departing nonstop to international destinations, only code shares with the likes of Air France and/or KLM.

 

The other one you added to the list, SonAir, is charter service only, so pretty much a different category from the standard listing of foreign flag carriers serving the airport. If we want to add them to the foreign flag carrier list, we should probably put an Asterisk by their name.  ;-)   

 

Including SonAir, it looks like we now have 17 foreign flag carriers and EVA will be the 18th (unless of course someone else jumps in before July 1, 2015).

 

 

 

FWIW, I think I heard of another foreign flag interested in starting service at Hobby, in addition to Volaris.

[Sellanious Caesar]

They aren't just "using TACA's planes". It is TACA (a different airline) flying the route. Avianca merely sells seats on a TACA plane, through code-share agreements. Avianca's route map confirms that they don't actually fly here. Only TACA flies here and people with AVIANCA tickets fly on TACA flights. The airport puts up signage for carriers that provide service by way of code shares, so that people who have (in this case) an Avianca ticket, can find their way to their flight. This is why, at least at certain times in the past (not sure if it's currently the case), Northwest Airlines and possibly Delta were shown on the airport signage as having international departures -- Neither had metal departing nonstop to international destinations, only code shares with the likes of Air France and/or KLM.

The other one you added to the list, SonAir, is charter service only, so pretty much a different category from the standard listing of foreign flag carriers serving the airport. If we want to add them to the foreign flag carrier list, we should probably put an Asterisk by their name. ;-)

Including SonAir, it looks like we now have 17 foreign flag carriers and EVA will be the 18th (unless of course someone else jumps in before July 1, 2015).

FWIW, I think I heard of another foreign flag interested in starting service at Hobby, in addition to Volaris.

Yeah I looked it up too. Avianca rebranded its name to what it is now last year apparently but still hasn't made all the switches (like switching the name and logo on the plane). IAH recently added some new signs on the drive in, the name has been switched from TACA to Avianca El Salvador if it used to be TACA before (I never paid attention before just recently).

I do include SonAir, they've added their ensembles and logos to Atlas airs fleet and they carry passengers from IAH as a foreign provider to an overseas country. That's the definition of foreign flag in my book.

FWIW I think IAH will land another carrier or maybe 2 before EVA officially starts service. If the last 2 years mean anything with 5 new airlines (Korean, EVA, Turkish, Qatar, Air China) then we can expect a couple more by next summer.

Great news on Hobby. It's going to start growing quickly.

[Sellanious Caesar]

Rumor is EVA Air will start service from Taipei (TPE) 07/01/2015 to IAH great news for Houston. Also connectivity with United since they are a Star Alliance partner. IAH needs to get busy rebuilding Terminal D. The other partners are Air Canada, Air China, Lufthansa, SAS, Turkish, Singapore, and Aeromar. Maybe Air India is next.

That would be remarkable. I've noticed the subcontinents (Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi) airliners are the most resistant to expand in the US of the major Asian countries. It would be a bragging point and economic boon to Houston if it gets only the 3rd US-India connection. NYC and Chicago are the only other 2.

[nativehoustonion]

I thought ANA would fly here but they do not need to.  United has a hub in Tokyo that connects with ANA codeshare flights and are making good profits.  Tomorrow we will see how much United made for the 3/Q.  Wall Street predicts $2.48 per diluted share.  Which will beat Delta that is why the stock shot up in the last two days.  I think Air India is next.

[Houston19514]

Yeah I looked it up too. Avianca rebranded its name to what it is now last year apparently but still hasn't made all the switches (like switching the name and logo on the plane). IAH recently added some new signs on the drive in, the name has been switched from TACA to Avianca El Salvador if it used to be TACA before (I never paid attention before just recently).

I do include SonAir, they've added their ensembles and logos to Atlas airs fleet and they carry passengers from IAH as a foreign provider to an overseas country. That's the definition of foreign flag in my book.

FWIW I think IAH will land another carrier or maybe 2 before EVA officially starts service. If the last 2 years mean anything with 5 new airlines (Korean, EVA, Turkish, Qatar, Air China) then we can expect a couple more by next summer.

Great news on Hobby. It's going to start growing quickly.

 

So, we're agreed we're at 17 foreign flag carriers right now (with an asterisk for SonAir)?

 

 

Agree that we're fairly likely to add others before EVA starts up in July.

[Sellanious Caesar]

So, we're agreed we're at 17 foreign flag carriers right now (with an asterisk for SonAir)?

Agree that we're fairly likely to add others before EVA starts up in July.

Agreed.

Although I think 17.5 is also a sufficient answer. As of today (Interjet launches) we have 17, just got word #18 wants into Houston but not coming officially until next year.

[nativehoustonion]

The CEO of Southwest Airlines said so far their Latin America traffic so far is flat.  They are making any money yet.  Once they AirTran buyout is done and Hobby Airport is completed they will slowly add more flights.  This quarter they made over $300 million.  American and United made over $900 million and it will be a big fight once Hobby is completed.  This is so nice to Houston!

[wxman]

Is there any hope of reviving the Auckland route---even if ANZ has to pick up the route instead of United? Since we don't have a chance at Qantas (thanks to Dallas), maybe ANZ would consider us. I'd rather see that than Air India.