Cathay Pacific is upgrading the premium economy cabin across its Boeing 777-300ER fleet.
This doesn't involve a new seat, no doubt to the disappointment of those who have flown in Cathay's Airbus A350 premium economy seat (shown below, and which we rate as among the very best in the skies).
Instead, the Hong Kong flag carrier is fitting the calf-rest usually found on only the front row of premium economy...
... to all 34 recliners on the big Boeing.
Those rows are also being spaced two inches further apart, to increase pitch in the premium economy cabin from 38 inches to 40 inches – the same spec as on the A350.
Selected members of the Boeing 777-300ER fleet have already been given their legroom-friendly makeover.
Cathay Pacific flies both the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-300ER between Australia and Hong Kong, with the Boeing 777 already seen on two Sydney flights and a third from October.
The A350 is already flying Melbourne-Hong Kong daily as CX104/CX105 with a Boeing 777-300ER on CX163/CX178, and from the end of March an A350 will hit the Brisbane-Hong Kong roster as CX156/157.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1201
That looks like an attractive product. 40" is fast developing as the expected standard for Premium Economy. How long until QF announce that they are revising the configuration of the 787s?
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 377
A small but positive change. Something like this won't cost a huge amount to implement compared to a full refit, but certainly increase passenger comfort.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 471
That little extra will make a difference, especially when the seat in front is reclined. I do wonder where the extra 6 inches have come from to spread out PE.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 164
I flew the CX PE about 5 years ago when they launched (I think it was a $999 special) for a mini break and was quite impressed, but at 6'5" I felt it was a good day flight option only, this extra 2" would actually see me consider it more, especially if I was paying for fami
19 Jan 2017
Total posts 2
flew with CX PEY before, the issue is the recline is too much, therefore if the passenger in front recline you cannot watch your screen, or use the tray for work, or eating.
the only option you can have is to recline and lay down.
it is only good if you have the bulkhead seat.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Jan 2016
Total posts 62
We seem to be quickly moving to a PE standard of 40''+ , Wonder if this is a response to VA impending 42'' PE flights to HK. Certainly does not bode well for QF and their "revolutionary" 38'' PE.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1201
It's a good change but I doubt it is a reaction to VA. For a start VA is a tiny entrant into the HKG market and probably wouldn't precipitate a change to the entire CX 77W fleet. Also VA is flying A332s to HKG and, unless they refit these planes, they won't offer a W class product to Asia.
20 Apr 2014
Total posts 93
a timely move to wrong-foot qantas after their new seat was 38" with a legrest that seems to be intended to compress a normal sized adults legs into the seat in front
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 12
CX started this project last year and they have Boeing 777-300ERs flying all around the world, what makes you think this was done in response to a QF premium economy seat which was only revealed last month and will only fly a handful of routes from Australia?
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
07 Apr 2013
Total posts 3
Why not add Metric measurements since it is the system used in Australia. Younger Australians are not familiar with the Imperial system.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 164
Because it is industry sta
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2551
Dr Scott: we're asked that question every now and again, and the reason why inches are used rather than centimetres when measuring pitch is because it's become industry standard practice.
08 Oct 2011
Total posts 52
yeah, I am too used to imperial system in aviation, seat pitches in inches, air speed in m.p.h or knot, aircraft dimention in ft & in., etc :-)
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
07 Apr 2013
Total posts 3
Yep, same with TV's unfortunately. Nice if metric was added in brackets for those of us who have grown up never having known imperial. Hard to visualise the size. :)
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2551
That's a fair call, I'll try to do that in future.
QantasFF
16 Nov 2012
Total posts 57
The best improvement which airlines could make to PE is more convenient toilets - apparently Qantas will do this on the 787. There's nothing worse that waking up after overnight, walking to the economy toilets and discovering a mile long queue. At least those in economy can see what's happening and judge when to go.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 471
The seat map for the CX 777 with First shows a toilet in the PE cabin. Would be great if they could do this in more aircraft.
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
And what happens when they switch the aircraft to a 2 Class 777, they downgrade you, and offer a A$100 On Board Duty Free Voucher.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Jan 2016
Total posts 5
I am looking forward to flying PE Brisbane to Hong Kong on the A350 in July, however, the HK to LHR (CX257) and LHR to HK (CX254) legs are on Boeing 777-300ERs. Do you know whether these have been upgraded to the new PE seats?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Jan 2016
Total posts 5
Sorry, should have asked if PE leg rests have been upgraded rather than the seats.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Mar 2015
Total posts 96
Very late addition to this comment. But we just flew the 4 class 777 yvr to HK in the front row of PE with those footrests. BLOODY AWFUL. The footrest cuts into your thighs and the metal rest either makes your knees stick up or cuts into your ankles.
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