EVA via BKK is not that bad… I’ve flown this route 3 or 4 times a year in Deluxe/Elite (Elite is the upgraded 777 version of the old 747 deluxe) or Business for most of the last 10 years. I’ve always walked around the entire plane to take a look. You get a few drunks, but depending on the time of year you also get a number of docile well-behaved Taiwanese students.
A number of things drive my recommendation… even if you are a “bog standard” economy flyer without a membership card, the check-in lines at LHR are never as awful as with other airlines. I like the evening departure from LHR. The economy cabin is not bad: 33" with 3-3-3 layout. So less likely to get a middle seat than with airlines that fly 747s. They have proved very reliable too… after 30 or 40 flights, I’ve never faced a denied boarding or cancelled flight (though I know it happens). Been delayed twice - once 2 hours and once 4 hours.
I would recommend Elite if you’ve got the cash. 38" pitch instead of 33" and 2-4-2 layout instead of 3-3-3. Its usually very quiet in there. There’s laptop power if you have a laptop and want to watch your own films. Problem is that the price differential has increased because Elite is now taxed as “business” in the UK - so you get a bit of a shock when the travel agent quotes you the fully inclusive price. Also EVA seem to be increasing the differential of the base price - perhaps to push people to their enlarged “premium laurel” business class cabin.
As noted, BR67/68 stops in BKK on the way to LHR. Flying via HK instead can work out a little faster. But if doing it with Oasis this won’t be the case because you really need to allow loads of transfer time because the flights will be on separate tickets and the airlines won’t be responsible if you miss the connection. I’ve heard nothing but good reports about Oasis. I might try it later this year and take advantage of a stopover in Hong Kong. Also I love the idea of going to LGW instead of LHR. (Incidentally - EVA once flew to LGW…!)
With EVA a stopover in BKK is usually free if you want it (or maybe a little more because of tax) - but you must get the ticket issued that way in the first place. So a trip to London could be combined with a trip to Thailand or anywhere else accessible from BKK.
Two further ideas:
EVA via Paris
EVA flies non-stop to Paris so the overall journey time is not so different. I used to do the onward journey with BMI (which has since stopped the CDG route). Assuming you’re in economy for CDG/LHR/CDG, the tax is reduced considerably - more than enough to cover the onward ticket CDG/LHR.
EVA’s Paris flight is an evening departure from TPE - which may suit you better. In fact there’s no reason why an agent can’t book you out via the Paris flight and back via the London flight if you like evening departures (though then you’re copped for the tax outbound from LHR.
EVA via Vietnam
Sounds daft… But EVA fares from Taiwan are expensive. EVA Deluxe/Elite to Europe via Taiwan is US$1006+tax at present in Saigon (12 month flexible). You can “stopover” in Taiwan for free. So just go there for a long weekend (perhaps even a few weeks before you need to be in London) and come back and stay here “on a stopover” until you need to go. Then continue to London and come back to Taipei. You are then left with the final sector to Saigon “ready for next time”. Just bear in mind that 1) most people need a visa to Vietnam 2) you’ve got to get the ticket to Saigon in the first place. Pacific Airlines often have deals on this route - I got a ticket for US$10 + $30 tax a while back which was outstanding. NT$12,000 is more typical. If anyone intends trying this, I suggest you PM me for some other “tips”…
In fact I’m always here “on a stopover”.
If you fly alot, you should consider looking at www.flyertalk.com and consider the various “mileage” and “membership” schemes. If you just want a simple life, I’d go for a simple Elite ticket TPE/LHR/TPE if you’ve got the cash, else the cheapest Y ticket that an agent can find - choosing Singapore Airlines if all other things are equal and the connections work out (last time I looked they were difficult outbound).