What I really want to express, is that all economy seats should be like premium economy to make everyone love flying on planes! The slight extra inch or two in seat width, the bonus 8 inches of recline, and the five to six inches of extra leg room, really make a difference in travelling experience. Think about it, if all economy seats are of the quality of premium economy and the cost remain as they are, I bet over 80% of economy passengers walk off the plane with great satisfaction, happily ever after! Of course, the economy part (e.g. cost of airfare) and seat supply is another matter.
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| Still massive spacing in front - can definitely fit another foot of my size in front of each shoe. As a reference, I am approx. 5 ft 7 in tall. |
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| Extra large and cotton-packed pillow with a blanket that is at least twice as warm as the regular economy ones |
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| Premium Economy personal care kit - includes socks, eyeshade, toothbrush, and earplugs. Haven't seen these inflight kits for ages! Didn't even get one of these on the YVR-JFK Business Class ride last time ... |
Without further research and consultation, I believe that the spacious A380 can make it happen; it's just a matter of redesigning the cabin, reconsidering load factors, cost, etc, etc, etc. I mean, if an A380 that is replacing a B747 or 777ER route, and won't be filled up entirely anyways (500+ Seats versus 300+/400+ seats), why not give the economy passengers an enhanced experience - good competitive advantage!
The meals and utensils are of better quality, just like what it has been promoted. One of the main difference compared to economy, other than the taste, is the better presentation of the food. Dinner was great, and Brunch was fair.
A picture means a million words, so here we go ...
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Dinner - Presentable Entree
Appetizer: Creamy Vegetable Salad w/ Ham Entree: Grilled Beef Tenderloin w/ Madeira wine sauce, potato mash w/ Italian parsley, sauteed spinach and carrots Dessert: Haagen Dazs Ice Cream |
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| Closer look at the entree: Grilled Beef Tenderlion w/ Madeira wine sauce, potato mash w/ Italian parsley, sauteed spinach and carrots |
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| Stainless Steel Utensils |
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| Brunch - Nicely presented eggs
Appetizer: Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Entree: Onion and Bacon Frittata w/ hash brown, Cumberland sausage, mushroom and grilled tomato Dessert: Yogurt |
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| Famous Bonne Maisan Jam in glass jar - Very presentable! |
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| Extra spacing for drinks is a plus! However, the space for the beer cup is shared with the seat beside. |
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| Menu just like all other classes |
The overall service of the Flight Attendants is good. Nothing that really "Wow" me, but definitely slightly better than the Economy class. This could also be contributed by the priority meal services; the Flight Attendants haven't asked the same question to 50 other passengers before reaching us. Drinks and snacks were offered throughout the flight in person like all other cabin classes. There were no "personal welcome" at your seat like the Business/First classes (E.g. Mr. Tang, welcome on-board), neither were they referring to your name when serving meals, which is totally fine for me because I find it a bit unnecessary for the Flight Attendants to me "Mr. Tang" a million times throughout the flight.
Curtains were closed after the first meal, making the Premium Economy area a private cabin. The B773ER's 4-classes configuration has a private washroom within the cabin, making it even better! Please note that there is no private washroom on all other CX aircraft with Premium Economy - this includes the 3-Classes only B773ER, 4-Classes B744, and 3-Classes A333.
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| The exclusive private washroom within the Premium Economy cabin is only available on the 4-Classes configured B777-300ER. |
Rooms for Improvement ...
As a recommendation for improvement, I would hope that the services offered for Premium Economy PAX are aligned with what is advertised on promotion materials. The following discrepancies were identified for my particular flight:
1) Priority Boarding
As promoted on CX's website (http://www.cathaypacific.aero/premiumeconomyclass/index.html?lang=en), Premium Economy PAX gets priority boarding. Although the pre-recorded annoucement by the boarding gate said, not exactly the same statement but with the same meaning, "for First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, Marco Polo Members, and One World Alliance Members, we now welcome you to board first ...", ground personnel directed non-Marco Polo Premium Economy PAX to the regular economy line-up. I was lucky as I am a Marco Polo member, otherwise I would have to wait by the regular line.
2) Welcome Drink
As stated on the Premium Economy webpage (http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_CA/whatonboard/premiumeconomyclass), it states that "you will be greeted with a welcome drink of champagne and juice and a hot towel ...". However, no champagne was offered. If you look at CX's Premium Economy Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cathaypacific/app_307611065967150), a comment was also made (by the name of Neil Roberts), that there were no welcome drinks and that the Flight Attendants did not seem to be aware of it.
Aside from the discrepancies, a leg-rest would be much preferrable for all Premium Economy seats. Currently, only the very first row offers leg-rest, while all other rows are installed with a three-positioned foot-rest. A leg-rest supports your entire leg as shown below on the image to the right. A foot-rest is like a pedal in front of the seat where you step on and rest your foot, shown below on image to the left. CX offers a "three-positioned" foot-rest, which is slightly more advanced than a traditional economy foot-rest and just as it is named, you can lock the pedal to three different positiosn to fit your comfort. Mind you, the three-positioned foot-rest is comfortable especially with the extra legroom; however, I would recommend that all seats are aligned to make things fair.
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| First Row: Leg-rest All Other Rows: Foot-rest |
Overall Experience
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| iPhone shot from 34C - CX888 |
As you've read, there are obviously more compliments than recommendations. My overall experience was extremely pleasant! The seat was extremely comfortable, though I have to say that I am bias in a sense that I prefer the traditional Business Class layout (similar to CX's Premium Economy) because I feel more like riding a plane! Flat-bedded seats are great and have their own unique comfort level, but it doesn't feel like a plane ride. Not sure if you get what I mean, but just my feeling. Pricing wise, it is doubled of a regular economy fare (YVR-HKG Economy from CAD1,170 and Premium Economy from CAD2,344, tax and fuel surcharge included). If you can afford some spare money, but not as much as a Business fare from CAD 4,487 (YVR-HKG), then I would highly recommend Premium Economy.
