Turkish Airlines adds six EVA Air codeshare routes from Taipei with 150% miles earning on business class

Summary

Turkish Airlines expanded its codeshare with EVA Air effective late-March 2026, adding TK flight codes on six routes from Taipei Taoyuan to Chiang Mai, Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul Incheon. Star Alliance elite members can now book EVA Air’s premium cabins through Turkish while earning 150% miles on business class C/J fares, with reciprocal through check-in and lounge access across the network.

The expansion follows a similar October 2025 codeshare addition and builds on the carriers’ 2015 partnership that began on the Taipei-Istanbul route. Award space via Miles&Smiles requires booking 9-11 months ahead for optimal business class availability on these regional routes.

Turkish Airlines and EVA Air deepened their Star Alliance partnership with six new codeshare routes from Taipei, effective late-March 2026. The expansion targets premium travelers connecting through Taiwan to Southeast Asia and Seoul, offering seamless booking and elite benefits without leaving the alliance ecosystem.

The routes cover key business destinations: Taipei to Chiang Mai, Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul Incheon — all operated by EVA Air metal with TK flight numbers. This marks the second major expansion in six months, following October 2025 additions for the Northern Winter season.

For Star Alliance Gold elites, the codeshare unlocks priority boarding and lounge access on EVA Air flights booked through Turkish. Miles&Smiles members earn enhanced mileage rates: 150% on business class C/J booking classes, 125% on D class business, and 125% on premium economy K class.

What the codeshare expansion delivers

The six routes connect Taipei Taoyuan to destinations where EVA Air operates modern widebody and narrowbody aircraft with competitive premium cabins. On Taipei-Seoul Incheon, EVA Air deploys A330s with 1-2-1 reverse herringbone business class seats offering direct aisle access — a configuration that rivals Korean Air’s Prestige product on the same route.

Turkish’s codeshare began modestly in July 2015 with TK codes on EVA’s Taipei-Istanbul service, becoming reciprocal in 2016 when EVA Air launched its own Istanbul flights. That partnership increased load factors for both carriers without requiring additional aircraft deployments, a model the airlines are now replicating across Southeast Asian feeders.

Book TK-coded flights through TurkishAirlines.com or EVAair.com using Turkish flight numbers. The booking window opens 355 days in advance, critical for securing business class inventory on these regional routes where premium seats fill quickly during peak travel periods.

Why this matters for award travelers and elite status

The codeshare fills a strategic gap for Star Alliance members connecting between Europe and Southeast Asia via Istanbul and Taipei. Premium travelers can now book seamless itineraries earning full Miles&Smiles credit on EVA Air metal without switching alliances — particularly valuable for those targeting Turkish’s elite status thresholds or maximizing mileage earnings on paid tickets.

Miles&Smiles award redemptions on these routes follow Turkish’s distance-based chart, with business class awards to Southeast Asia from Taipei starting in the 4,001-5,000 mile band. United MileagePlus members can also book EVA Air award space, though availability patterns favor advance planning: regional business class inventory typically releases 9-11 months ahead, with tighter windows during Lunar New Year and summer holiday peaks.

The partnership also benefits North American travelers routing through Taipei to Southeast Asia. Connecting through Taipei consistently undercuts direct flights by $200-400, and the Turkish codeshare adds another booking channel for accessing EVA Air’s competitive premium cabins on these connecting segments.

Strategic booking considerations

This codeshare expansion matters because it adds flexibility to Star Alliance award charts and elite earning opportunities on routes where premium inventory moves quickly.

• Book 9-11 months ahead for business class on Taipei-Seoul and Taipei-Hanoi — these routes see consistent demand from both leisure and business travelers, with inventory tightening inside six months.
• Use Turkish codes for elite benefits: Star Alliance Gold members get priority boarding, lounge access, and extra baggage allowance when booking TK flight numbers, even on EVA Air metal.
• Compare redemption rates: Miles&Smiles distance-based pricing can beat United’s dynamic awards on these regional routes, particularly during peak seasons when United inflates point requirements.
• Monitor for European extensions: Turkish recently expanded Vienna codeshares with EVA Air — if additional European cities join, premium travelers gain seamless Taipei-Europe connections earning full Miles&Smiles credit without switching alliances.
• Check fare class codes: C and J classes earn 150% Miles&Smiles credit, while D class earns 125% — verify booking class before purchase to maximize elite qualifying miles.

Watch: Industry analysts anticipate further Asia-Europe codeshare announcements as Turkish and EVA Air deepen their partnership beyond the current Taipei hub focus.

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