Many airlines have begun to introduce a new level of service, positioned between Coach Class and Business Class. Cathay Pacific now offers Great Economy service on international flights. I had the opportunity to fly Premium Economy on a recent 13 hour flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and I thought about it here;
Seats
Premium Economy offers a larger and more spacious seat with more legroom and space between the seats. Some from me that is the price of real estate in the zero. The seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration and I immediately felt the additions. I don’t recline fully in the seats, but they recline very far and I was able to sleep comfortably. A feature they really liked is that each seat has a power outlet to light up the devices in flight. The seats are in groups of two tables with small flats between them, making more space. The seat is also in the line of the foot which is extended, it is very comfortable when he is sitting and it adds space when he is fully reclining and trying to sleep. It’s also a trigger.
Price
On Cathay Pacific Premium Economy seats cost about 60% more than a coach ticket. For example, for the first week of travel in March 2013, from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, a coach ticket is available for $1127.38. A seat in Premium Economy is $1,827.38, still a far cry from Business Class fare of $6,267.38. Those prices are for round-trip tickets, including all taxes and charges, and are from the Cathay Pacific website.
Convenience
This system of office also impressed me. In Hong Kong, there was a separate boarding line for Premium Economy and the plane boarded after Class and Business Class passengers, but before Group Economy Class. The Premium Economy Section, with under 40 seats, is separated by curtains, creating a very nice private zone. The area features two restrooms, which was also convenient. When the plane landed, we were let off after the first class of passengers and businessmen, before the gathering of the Raetic group. It also seemed to me that a large space in the economy was dedicated to several flight attendants, who also served food and drinks very quickly. He was suspended at the general level of service. Economy travelers also get larger baggage allowances for up to two bags weighing 55 pounds.
Amenities
As happens in First or Business Class, as soon as I sat down, a flight attendant appeared with a tray of glasses of water, champagne and orange juice , who always makes a pleasant start to the flight. We were given small amenity kits (from the Hong Kong Good Desire designer) with toothpaste, toothpaste, eye shadow, moisturiser, socks and earplugs.
Each seat features a nicely sized 10.6″ video screen with flickering media, TV shows and other entertainment. I enjoyed playing “Who Wants to Be Money” (again without winning) and watch more movies. System inputs to connect a personal device to play your content. Great economy passengers are also given noise-cancelling options, which also made the flight quiet and pleasant.
Amen
The meals are very good and seem very similar to the meals I have seen in Business Class. Travelers’ meals are served in real china, and you get real silverware and glasses. A nice menu that offers a variety of selections to each traveler, primarily Western or Asian. The menu also includes a breakfast section, so we had dinner after dinner and served breakfast about ten hours later. I had an Australian grill beef tenderloin with mushroom cream, roasted potatoes, carrots and zucchini. A large steak and salad, mixed salad with Parma and ham and balsamic dressing was amazing, and I asked (and got) second.
Is it worth it?
I think the economy price good service offers value and convenience and comfort at an added price. Flights to Asia that can be 14 or 15 hours, cramped in a small seat, surrounded closely by other travelers can be unbearable. The Great Economy service offers a higher level of service without paying five sometimes the price of a coach ticket for Business Class tickets. I think with an airline like Cathay Pacific, that developers and understand how to serve First Class and Business Class passengers, you get the same level of personalized service in Premium Economy, with the added value you get for that higher price ticket.
Freddy Sherman is a world traveler and editor of the travel blog travel4people.com. You can follow him on Twitter @thefredsherman
More from this user:
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Five Tips to Prepare for an International Trip
Angkor Wat in Cambodia Angkor Wat
