Cathay’s premium economy seats go on sale

Travellers can now purchase tickets for Cathay Pacific’s new premium economy cabin, which will launch on routes to Sydney, Vancouver, Toronto and New York in April, followed by London in May. As previously reported, the new seat will feature a 38-inch seat pitch, just over 19 inches of width, eight inches of recline, a 10.6-inch TV screen, in-seat power, a “multi-port connector for personal devices”, and extra storage space. Cathay says photos of the new seat will be available from the end of February. Passenger will also benefit from priority check-in and boarding and increased baggage allowance, as well as an amenity kit, larger pillow, noise-cancelling headphones, and an “enhanced onboard meal selection”. Asia Miles will be accrued at 110 per cent. Premium economy cabins will be available on selected services to Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver and New York from April 1, followed by London (initially three times-weekly on flights CX252 and CX255) from May. Adelaide, LA, Melbourne, San Francisco, Frankfurt, Brisbane and Mumbai are all set to follow later this year as Cathay aims to install the premium economy product on 48 B777-300ER, A330-300 and V747-400 aircraft by year end, and 87 aircraft by the end of 2013. When Business Traveller checked fares online for travel between London and Hong Kong, departing on Sunday May 6 on flight CX252 and returning on Friday May 11 on flight CX255, we were quoted £1,369 in premium economy, and £718 on the same flight in economy. For more information visit cathaypacific.com. Report by Mark Caswell