Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Class

First look: Cathay Pacific's premium economy cabin

On a typically crisp, cold morning in Everett, Seattle on February 25, Cathay Pacific Airways had reason to celebrate: it formally became the owner of a brand new Boeing B777-300ER aircraft featuring the long-awaited premium economy and redesigned long-haul economy seats in a ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Centre complete with a dragon dance and Chinese drummers.

This aircraft, fresh out of the Boeing factory, also offers an upgraded inflight entertainment system, as well as the carrier’s newest business class seats that were unveiled in 2010 (see story here or view a review of the seats here).

But it no longer consists of the first class cabin because it is to be used on routes such as Hong Kong-Toronto. "First class will not be available on Toronto flights starting March 2012 as the new three-class configuration offers more seats in economy and overall provides a better match of capacity with demand across classes for this route," according to a statement from the airline.

This B777 has therefore been completely reconfigured to include 268 economy seats divided into two cabins – up from the usual 238 seats – 40 business class seats, also divided into two separate cabins, and 32 premium economy seats.

“It took us two years from des ign to production to develop the premium economy product: we wanted to use every inch to provide comfort and space for our customers,” said Ivan Chu, chief operating officer of Cathay Pacific. “We want the product to be more premium than economy."

The premium economy cabin feels quite exclusive, with just four rows in a 2-4-2 configuration, and the seats themselves –in the carrier’s signature emerald green – are comfortable, with a 19.5-inch width, 38-inch pitch and an 8-inch recline, soft cushioning and a headrest that can slide up to accommodate taller passengers. Furthermore, the pillows provided in premium economy are the same as those found in business class.

The wide pitch means that even if the passenger in front reclines, there’s still plenty of sp ace to stretch out and maintain a healthy distance from the IFE screen. On Airbus aircraft, the seats will be in a 2-3-2 layout, thus making the cabin feel even more exclusive and spacious.

The hardware has several additional features that make it a thoughtful product: there is a small space to store personal items such as phones or glasses just below the IFE screen at the back of every seat, as well as a coat hanger next to the IFE screen. There is also a separate cocktail table on the centre arm rest with a swing-out peanut tray and a footrest that slides down.