Dodgers Stars Visit Taiwan, EVA Air Serves Jumbo Steak in the Sky

The Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) are set to arrive in Taiwan this evening (March 11). To ensure all the visiting star players and staff enjoy a home-away-from-home flying experience, EVA Air, which has been assigned the special charter flight mission this time, has specially deployed a crew of "Dodgers fans." The in-flight service has been conducted under high-spec procedures throughout. Considering the players' hearty appetites, EVA Air not only provides the highest-tier Crown Lounge service across all cabin classes but has also specially designed a triple-sized steak meal to ensure the rarely visiting stars are well-fed and thoroughly satisfied.

All the crew members deployed by EVA Air this time are die-hard Dodgers fans. Both the captain and the first officer have deep ties to the Dodgers, baseball, and Phoenix. Senior Captain Espinal was a baseball player in his youth and played as a catcher for a team equivalent to the AA level of MLB while in Venezuela. As for First Officer Li Guoji, in addition to having undergone a year of flight training in Phoenix, he is such a big fan of the Dodgers that he even adopted the English name “Dodger.” Therefore, this trip holds extraordinary significance for both EVA Air and the crew.

A total of 69 Dodgers players, coaches, and staff members have been invited for this visit. EVA Air is operating the flight with a B777-300ER aircraft, which can accommodate up to 316 passengers, ensuring the players have ample and comfortable seating space. EVA Air has also specially increased the number of cabin crew in the rear section from the usual 10 to 13 members to deliver the most comprehensive service possible.

Since the Dodgers are currently conducting spring training in Phoenix, EVA Air has arranged the Taipei–Phoenix route, with a round-trip flight time of approximately 12.5 to 15 hours. Considering the long flight duration and the fact that most passengers are athletes with big appetites, EVA Air has put significant effort into the meal planning. With the overall catering concept centered around being “familiar, delicious, and appealing,” the airline has arranged three meals during the journey. The dishes are presented in an American style familiar to the players, not only increasing the portion size of the main courses but also carefully considering the nutritional balance of meat and starch. For the main course alone, there are four options: steak, spring chicken, cod, and Western-style vegetarian. Notably, to give the players a deeper impression of Taiwan even before landing and to promote the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, EVA Air has also included a variety of Flora Expo-themed cabin supplies—such as headrest covers, napkins, and paper cups—on this special charter flight.