Same airline, two different premium economies (one noticeably superior)

The airline: Cathay Pacific

• Route Sydney to Hong Kong, flight CX0162
• Frequency Four times daily
• Aircraft Airbus A350-900
• Class Premium economy, seat 31D
• Flight time 8 hours and 5 minutes, 25 minutes behind schedule

Checking in

A friendly member of staff is assisting premium and economy passengers at the self-check-in kiosks and bag drops. As I hold Qantas status equivalent to Oneworld’s Sapphire tier, I check in at the business class queue and receive an invitation to the Qantas Business Lounge. The Cathay ground staff are refreshingly polite and kind.

Baggage

Premium economy passengers booked on a Flex fare get a very generous two checked bags weighing up to 23kg, plus a cabin bag of 7kg and a small personal item.

Loyalty scheme

Points earned via Cathay’s loyalty program Asia Miles don’t expire, as long as you earn or redeem points once every 18 months. The airline is a founding member of Oneworld alliance, which Qantas is part of, so on this flight, I score Qantas 4950 points and 30 status credits.

The seat

Not all cabins are created equal. I flew four long-haul legs in Cathay Pacific premium economy on my journey to Europe: twice in the original, older class on the A350, and twice in the new retrofitted premium economy 777, which is a noticeably superior product (the airline flies both aircraft on both its Sydney-Hong Kong and Melbourne-Hong Kong routes). On this A350 flight, 28 premium economy seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. The seat is 18.5-inch (47cm) wide with a 40-inch (101.6cm) pitch (legroom) and nine-inch (22.9cm) recline. Legroom is abundant, and it feels cosy and comfortable with a luxury oversized pillow, thick blanket and amenity kit that includes socks. Apart from a handy flip-down compartment in the seat back, storage space is limited. Seats in the new 777 premium economy feel more substantial, with privacy wings at the headrest and better storage. On the second flight I sleep eight hours, some of it disrupted – oddly enough – by intrusive light from the enlarged seatbelt signs overhead.

Entertainment + tech

Noise-cancelling headphones, a power outlet, USB port and a comprehensive selection of new movies. The 12.1-inch (30.7cm) screen also displays the in-flight menu. Connectivity is a miss, however. Asia Miles members can apparently access complimentary Wi-Fi on-board, but it doesn’t work on any of my four flights. I pay $US9.95 ($14.26) to attempt the upgraded package, but that’s also fruitless.

Service

It’s efficient, with the drinks trolley making an appearance first. After the meal service, the staff make themselves scarce. Rolls of new toilet paper strewn on the economy toilet floor makes the staff’s disappearance feel a little hasty.

Food

We’re welcomed onto the flight with prosecco or juice. Passengers in premium economy are served a starter, a choice of three mains and ice-cream (Ben & Jerry’s on this flight) for dessert. For lunch, I opt for kung pao prawns. Braised lamb with redcurrant or barbecued pork stir-fried egg noodles, and baked cheesecake are served later. This all pales, obviously, to the breakfast dim sum on my next leg to London.

Sustainability

The airline has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and using sustainable aviation fuel for 10 per cent of the fleet’s jet fuel by 2030.*

One more thing

Cathay Pacific will start flying non-stop from Hong Kong to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in January 2027, opening up a new route to emerging Central Asia.

The price

From about $3800, Sydney to Hong Kong return in premium economy class.**

The verdict

Despite the differences between the A350 and the 777, premium economy is comfortable, spacious and makes the long-haul feel like a breeze.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew with the assistance of Seabourn.

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.