Above: A Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER.
Cathay Pacific passengers are now able to fly in a new “premium economy” class, which launched on April 1. On its website the airline describes the service, which offers bigger seats and a better entertainment system in a quieter, more spacious cabin than traditional economy class. Each premium class cabin has about 26 to 34 seats.
The seat pitch is 38 inches, or six inches more than economy. The seat itself is wider and has a bigger recline. Complementing it is a larger meal table, a cocktail table, a 10.6-inch TV screen with a noise-cancelling headset, a power outlet, a multipart connector for gadgets, and extra stowage space.
Customers of premium economy get priority check-in at dedicated counters, plus priority boarding. They also get an increase in baggage allowance, from 20kg to 25kg, and are welcomed with a glass of champagne.
The Hong Kong airline is initially offering premium economy on some flights to/from Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, and New York. That list will expand in May to include some flights to/from London. In August, Adelaide, Los Angeles, Melbourne, and San Francisco will be added, followed by Frankfurt in September and then Brisbane and Mumbai in October. By year’s end the new service will be on 48 aircraft (23 Boeing 777-300ERs, 17 A330-300s, and eight Boeing 747-400s).
The airline is running a “Double Asia Miles” promo to celebrate the new service: Customers who sign up for the Asia Miles rewards program before June 30 and fly premium economy between April 1 and June 30 will get double the miles for it.
