Review: EVA Air The Infinity Lounge, Taipei Airport (TPE)

Once I exited the aircraft that brought me to Taipei, I followed the airport signage towards the B gates, which brought me to a transfer desk. As I hinted at in the previous installment, the security officers turned on the X-ray machine so I could pass through, and turned it off once I was cleared.

Once I was cleared I found myself in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall. While EVA uses Terminal 2 at Taipei Airport, they use Terminal 1 as an overflow terminal when they run out of gates at their own terminal, which both of my flights were arriving/departing from. Taipei Taoyuan Airport’s two terminals are very closely connected, at least airside – you can take a 10-minute walk from one terminal to the other, simply by following the signage to the C and D gates. Obviously I didn’t know this at the time, so as you’d expect, I got lost; fortunately, Ethan, who lives in Taipei, was able to give me a hand.

Terminal 1 Taipei Taoyuan Airport

I have to comment on the ridiculously bad signage this airport has, at least while I was still at Terminal 1. I must’ve stopped by at least four airport maps scattered around the airport, none of which gave me any idea where the EVA Air lounges were. Even when I asked an information desk agent, she advised me to use the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, as the EVA Air lounges were in Terminal 2 (for the record, the Singapore Airlines lounge is opposite the EVA Air lounges, so I’m not sure what she was on about). The “airline lounges” signage only brought me to the Terminal 1 lounge area (this is where you’ll find Cathay Pacific’s Taipei lounge).

I eventually saw a few signs indicating that the C and D gates belonged to Terminal 2, which I otherwise wouldn’t have known (the more frequent signage didn’t indicate that the C and D gates belonged to Terminal 2); though I only came across one of these signs long after I was informed of where I was, and where to go.

Once I got instructions from Ethan I followed the signage to gate C5, which is roughly where the EVA Air Infinity lounge is. This involved a really long walk, and the travelator only operated in the opposite direction.

Terminal 2 Taipei Taoyuan Airport

I found it quite interesting that each gate had a “themed” waiting lounge adjacent to it. For example, near gate C2 was a “Skyline Waiting Lounge”, which had some cool aviation-themed stuff.

Terminal 2 Waiting Areas Taipei Taoyuan Airport

Near gate C3 was the well-known-and-loved Hello Kitty gate, featuring ostentatious Hello Kitty decor and a playground. I remember hanging out here with my sister in 2013, when we both thought this was the best thing ever. As you’d expect, though, it was quite packed.

Terminal 2 Waiting Areas Taipei Taoyuan Airport

Soon I made it to gate C5. Upon walking a little further I got to the VIP lounge area, where all of the EVA Air lounges are located.

Signage to Lounges Taipei Taoyuan Airport

I made my way up one level above the concourse, which afforded nice views of the terminal.

EVA Air Lounge Area Taipei Airport

From there I turned left and followed the signage towards the Infinity lounge (once again, there was no signage pointing me directly towards the Infinity lounge, though at least there was a comprehensive map once I reached the second floor).

EVA Air Infinity Lounge Taipei Airport Entrance

I was welcomed by a friendly lounge attendant once I entered the lounge, and she pointed me towards the Infinity lounge.

EVA Air Infinity Lounge Taipei Airport Entrance

The Infinity Lounge is open to Star Alliance business class passengers, who can also use the adjacent The Star lounge (for Star Alliance Gold members). It’s worth noting that there’s also The Club, which is open to EVA Air’s own Silver members, and The Garden, reserved for EVA Air’s top-tier frequent flyers (I’ve heard legitimately good things about The Garden, but can’t say the same for any of the other lounges).

I’m not gonna lie – I wasn’t expecting much from EVA Air’s Infinity lounge, as I’d heard quite underwhelming things from multiple sources. Still, I was almost amused by how bad the lounge was, especially for an airline of EVA’s caliber. The lounge featured a large room with some partitions, probably to make each area seem more private.

I walked into a hallway leading into the lounge, with glitzy decor (while EVA Air’s Bangkok lounge has similar decor, I didn’t find that lounge to be as tacky and cheap, probably due to the different layout, the natural light, and how brighter “pops” of colour were better integrated).