Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific is now offering its new economy, business and first product on nearly half of its flights between London Heathrow and Hong Kong.
The new product, which initially launched on the route in May 2007, features news seats, cabin design and in-flight entertainment, and is being fitted on the carrier’s new aircraft as well as retrofitted on long-haul aircraft already in service. It has already appeared on Cathay’s 747s and 777s, with the A340s due to be retrofitted later in the year. The refit is expected to be completed by January 2009.
Out of the four daily flights from London Heathrow to Hong Kong, up to two now feature the new cabins. Currently CX252 (departing 1130) flies daily with the new in-flight product and CX250 (departing 1805) flies up to six times a week with the new product (although this depends on the season – Cathay advises customers to check at the time of booking whether their flight will include the new product).
Economy class offers fixed shell-back seats, described as a “mini business class seats”, allowing passengers to recline without encroaching on the space of the person sitting behind. The seating is proclaimed to be the first economy class offering in the airline industry to provide a “fixed living space”. They also have a bigger personal television with AVOD, and on the A340s every economy and business class seat will be fitted with an airbag within the seat belt (similar to JAL’s new premium economy offering). Economy class cabins have a 3-4-3 configuration on B747s and are fitted 2-4-2 on A340s.
The new business class cabin features fully flat beds, with the seat converting electronically into a 78-inch long by 23.5-inch wide bed. There is also a two-way massage function and lumbar support. Other features include a 15-inch screen with noise-reducing headset and storage space. Business class seats are fitted in a herringbone layout, giving each passenger unrestricted aisle access.
On the London route, first class (only available on B747 and A340s flights) will now feature nine suites as opposed to 12 seats previously. The new suites offer seats which can be used as an armchair, a chaise longue or a fully flat bed (38 inches wide by 81 inches long) touted as the largest provided by any commercial airline. There is also an ottoman and an extendable table to accommodate guests, storage space, a 17-inch screen, work surfaces and in-seat power available.
Unlike SIA it will not be charging a surcharge for flights with the new seating. Lead in prices for London Heathrow-Hong Kong are:
Economy (travel March 31-June 19): £486
Business (any dates): £3,380
First (any dates): £4,680
Cathay is also planning a revamp of its regional and domestic products in the near future – while the economy offering is expected to be very similar, there will be no first class and business class will feature angled lie-flat seats as opposed to fully flat beds.
For more information visit cathaypacific.com.
Report by Jenny Southan 
