Being over a 15 hour flight, Kenny was excited to be in Premium Economy with extra comfort and space. With perks like priority boarding and great inflight entertainment, it made his journey to Boston much more comfortable.
Fly on Cathay Pacific Premium Economy to North America to major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver and more! Check out the deal, or discuss with an Airfare Specialist to learn more.
Read all about Kenny’s experience below.
Upon first impressions, priority boarding made the process really seamless. On the A350, the cabin is set up in a 2-4-2 configuration. I was seated in 31A by the window, so I only had one passenger next to me.
Due to a delayed takeoff, the welcome drink was skipped as the cabin crew rushed to make up for lost time. The welcome drink is a Cathay Pacific Premium Economy perk that is typically reserved for Business Class, so it was disappointing to miss out on this first impression perk.
One of the standout features of this flight was the comfort of the seat. The seat comes with ample legroom, with a pitch of 40 inches- I was impressed! The electronic seat adjustments allow you to recline easily and fine-tune your position, and the flipped leg rest is a thoughtful touch, especially for shorter passengers.
Furthermore, I found the padding on the seat to be quite comfortable, providing just the right amount of support for a long-haul flight. The cabin temperature and humidity remained steady throughout the journey, which added to the overall comfort level, preventing that usual dry and uncomfortable feeling often associated with flying for long hours.
Service-wise, I did feel a slight dip compared to my previous experiences flying with Cathay Pacific. The crew seemed to be less experienced due to their recent expansion, and this showed. While they were still friendly and polite, they appeared a bit nervous and at times lacked the level of professionalism I’ve come to expect from the airline.
Another detail that I appreciated was receiving an amenity kit for this long-haul flight. The kit included all the essentials including socks, an eye mask, earplugs, a face towel, a toothbrush and toothpaste. This is definitely a thoughtful gesture for Premium Economy guests that adds to the overall experience.
With Cathay Pacific Premium Economy, Wi-Fi on board is definitely a noteworthy feature. For US$19.90 for the entire flight, passengers have access to the internet, or you can pay for one hour of connectivity for US$9.90. However, it’s important to note that Wi-Fi isn’t guaranteed on all routes, as only about 60% of Cathay Pacific’s flights offer internet coverage. This may be a dealbreaker for some, but it’s still a nice bonus when it’s available.
For in-flight entertainment, the large, responsive screen was a great addition. It’s 12.1 inches wide, touchscreen and comes with hundreds of hours of entertainment.
Whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the screen is clear and easy to navigate, ensuring a seamless experience. It made the long flight feel more enjoyable, especially when coupled with the nice, comfy headphones provided. I found this perfect for blocking out the noise and easing into sleep, especially since it was an overnight flight.
Expect a great meal on Cathay Pacific Premium Economy flights. On this long-haul flight, I was served both dinner and breakfast. I opted for the Pasta alla Genovese as my main for dinner. I found it to be quite a good portion size, with lots of meat on top - super flavoursome! For breakfast, I chose the Dim Sum Selection and was happy with the large portion size as well. I was also pleased with the amount of sides that were provided for both dinner and breakfast.
Although I didn’t choose to drink any alcohol on this trip, I couldn’t help but notice that the beverage options were abundant and varied. With spirits, beers, sparkling wine, white wine and red wine, there was a lot to appeal for those looking to unwind mid-flight.
Overall, my experience on Cathay Pacific Premium Economy A350-1000 was really positive. The comfort, entertainment, food, and service were all great, but there’s room for improvement in crew experience, especially given the airline’s rapid expansion. If you’re flying from Australia to North America, the A350 is definitely the aircraft to book for a more comfortable and enjoyable flight.
Discuss with an Airfare Specialist about how you can fly Cathay Pacific Premium Economy to North America.