Premium Economy worth it?

[gojun]

I need to fly out in August to KIX and on the way back I'm doing a few days stopover in HKG. I'm a very slight sleeper and hardly get any sleep on the plane at all. However, cause I'm flying out Friday night after work, I need to be pretty sharp the next day. I don't have enough points for business so thought I would just pay the extra for Premium Economy, as I know I'll never get any sleep in economy.

So I've been curious, is it actually worth the extra $1k+?

Edit: What have you experiences with CX Premium Economy been like?

 

[Mattg]

I haven't flown CX premium economy myself, but from what I've heard it does seem a bit overrated. The seats come with extra legroom and recline, but apparently service (e.g. meals) is no different to regular economy.

If I needed to be on a specific CX flight and a business award wasn't an option, I would probably just pay for an exit row in economy and save the cash. Are there any alternative flights with business class availability? Or would Qantas premium economy (offered on SYD-HND, SYD-HKG and some MEL-HKG flights) be an option?

 

[gojun]

Already checked Qantas and it doesn't fit with my itinerary.

It's okay, I don't mind biting the bullet and sitting in economy. I'll just have to visit the doctor before I fly out.

I wouldn't have mind paying the extra if the service was similar to the Air NZ Premium Economy, haven't been myself but I've seen the reviews!

 

[bsb]

CX PE isn't anywhere near as good as QF, but anything is better than being up the back of the bus. What I like about CX PE is that you can fly day up and day back which makes working (or watching movies) very easy. For me it's worth it but don't forget you'll only get half the points that QF will yield.

 

[wandering_fred]

PEY has better recline and just enough extra width to avoid dueling elbows at mealtime. I have no problem sleeping (comfortably) in PEY (CX BA or QF). Like all airfares (and all classes) there are some departure points where PEY is a better deal than others.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[JohnK]

I feel the product is overrated. Slightly larger seat with a little more recline. Not that much different to an economy exit row seat.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I need to fly out in August to KIX and on the way back I'm doing a few days stopover in HKG. I'm a very slight sleeper and hardly get any sleep on the plane at all. However, cause I'm flying out Friday night after work, I need to be pretty sharp the next day. I don't have enough points for business so thought I would just pay the extra for Premium Economy, as I know I'll never get any sleep in economy.

So I've been curious, is it actually worth the extra $1k+?

Edit: What have you experiences with CX Premium Economy been like?

50% more recline. 7 inches more legroom. Wider seat (no fighting for armrests). No fighting for overhead luggage space. Some aircraft offer a dedicated WC.

meals - the main course of the main meal is from the business class menu. The second meal is the same as regular economy. There is a lack of little touches like glassware though - plastic is the norm.

On short intra-asia flights there is no difference to the economy product except for the seat (ie same meals as economy).

 

[get me outta here]

A few weeks ago My 5'11" daughter was on a reward flight CX PE HKG-SYD. As it was an overnight er, she wanted a bit more room and only 2 side seats and room to get out of the window seat. She was I the bulkhead immediately behind J. She enjoyed the extra room but thought that the foot rest could have been 'extended' to suit a taller person's legs.

 

[FL360]

short answer is no, because if you add another extra 1k on top of the PE price usually you can find a J fare with a developing world airline.

 

[marki]

It's basically economy with business class service "overheard on a Qantas flight recently" pursor

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's basically economy with business class service "overheard on a Qantas flight recently" pursor

Neither of which is particularly correct. Hard to know whether the purser is trying to promote, or be disparaging, about the company they work for?

It's certainly not economy in terms of seating. And it used to be 'business class' service in terms of meals and beverages - but not anymore.

 

[fairhsa]

I am a Cathay frequent flyer but I usually fly long haul in business class - often on cheaper airlines just because of the cost. Due to Jordanian Airlines absolute asshole-ness (will never fly them again) in Paris recently, I was denied checkin and had to find an emergency way home. I booked a Cathay Premium Economy ticket on Asia Miles (from the airport, 4 hours before departure, on my phone!) and flew Paris-HKG in Premium Economy. First time I have flown long haul not in Business for a long time.... and I was pleasantly surprised by how well I slept.

It is MUCH better than economy. The seats are wider, more leg room, more recline - more importantly it's a separate cabin which is darker and quieter than Economy. The TV's are much bigger for watching movies; the service is good. There is plenty of room in the overheads. It actually reminded me of flying Businesss "back in the day" before the advent of flat beds and all the comfort we have these days (yes, I'm that old!).

The cost (we checked paying fares before booking redemption) was actually only about 20% more than Economy. A bargain!

I fly PE all the time short haul around Asia - it's just easier to work on a PE flight - but this was the first time I had tried to sleep on one. And I am now pondering moving back to PE from my normal business class choices.

 

[wandering_fred]

It sort of depends...

I agree with your comments with respect to PEY. Alas with the changes to MPC, the limited flying I do (a couple-three times a year typically) will no longer (re)qualify me for Gold even with multiple long haul segments. And any flight (in any class) under 2700 miles earns relatively little. But Silver will probably suffice until I turn into an Australian grey nomad.

Price wise, PEY is very dependent on where your departure point is and what Y fare classes are still available. Australia and HKG are likely the two worst but until recently ordinary Y would fall in the same category. I actually thought exUSA was OK pricing until I saw the exCanada fares.

PEY - people love or hate it. Like everything else its value depends on what you have to pay for it. Yes I can sleep in a reasonable recliner chair and prefer to avoid dueling elbows at meal times.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am a Cathay frequent flyer but I usually fly long haul in business class - often on cheaper airlines just because of the cost. Due to Jordanian Airlines absolute asshole-ness (will never fly them again) in Paris recently, I was denied checkin and had to find an emergency way home. I booked a Cathay Premium Economy ticket on Asia Miles (from the airport, 4 hours before departure, on my phone!) and flew Paris-HKG in Premium Economy. First time I have flown long haul not in Business for a long time.... and I was pleasantly surprised by how well I slept.

It is MUCH better than economy. The seats are wider, more leg room, more recline - more importantly it's a separate cabin which is darker and quieter than Economy. The TV's are much bigger for watching movies; the service is good. There is plenty of room in the overheads. It actually reminded me of flying Businesss "back in the day" before the advent of flat beds and all the comfort we have these days (yes, I'm that old!).

The cost (we checked paying fares before booking redemption) was actually only about 20% more than Economy. A bargain!

I fly PE all the time short haul around Asia - it's just easier to work on a PE flight - but this was the first time I had tried to sleep on one. And I am now pondering moving back to PE from my normal business class choices.

Please tell what happened with royal jordanian!!!

The 20% figure is interesting - it's usually much more than that - in the region of 75%-100% over the highly discounted return fare. One way fares and higher economy fares the difference is, as you say, sometimes smaller.

 

[wandering_fred]

Please tell what happened with royal jordanian!!!
The 20% figure is interesting - it's usually much more than that - in the region of 75%-100% over the highly discounted return fare. One way fares and higher economy fares the difference is, as you say, sometimes smaller.

Plus one on the RJ issue.

Remember with discount Y fares the lower fare classes credit minimally (even to the native programs) or not at all. Some people will consider that not getting the qualifying miles/points "not meaningful flying"
And I will repeat what I said earlier.
Price wise, PEY is very dependent on where your departure point is and what Y fare classes are still available. Australia and HKG are likely the two worst but until recently ordinary Y would fall in the same category. I actually thought exUSA was OK pricing until I saw the exCanada fares.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[elan]

Hi gojun,
I have flown CX PE on a number of occasions particularly on overnight flights and found it perfectly adequate to sleep. It may nor be as comfortable as business, but certainly better than Y.

 

[birder]

How can anyone say CX PE is only slightly better than Y is beyond me. In my opinion, the seat is just as good as Qantas PE. I have a neck/shoulder injury and I can't fly Y not because of leg room, but because your shoulders get crammed together in Y. CX PE is so much roomier- you don't fight over the arm rest and no one squashes your shoulders. That is certainly not the case in Y exit row. Now, Virgin PE is another matter - it's basically a Y seat with a bit more leg room.

 

[paxpax]

It is worth the extra but I noticed exit row seats in economy look perfectly alright that is if you can get them. We flew
Cathay Perth /HK/ Vancouver in Premium. Unfortunately we had an inconsiderate woman in front of us who had to have her seat
completely back even in meal service and for watching TV. This makes my blood boil especially when she was in an exit row seat with ample leg room. You definitely need a window seat. Seats in the centre are no better than economy so pick your seat carefully and don't put your seat right back.

 

[marki]

It is worth the extra but I noticed exit row seats in economy look perfectly alright that is if you can get them. We flew
Cathay Perth /HK/ Vancouver in Premium. Unfortunately we had an inconsiderate woman in front of us who had to have her seat
completely back even in meal service and for watching TV. This makes my blood boil especially when she was in an exit row seat with ample leg room. You definitely need a window seat. Seats in the centre are no better than economy so pick your seat carefully and don't put your seat right back.

This is exactly why I'am not fond of PE and feel your pain. How were you even able to get up to the loo

 

[wandering_fred]

This is exactly why I not fond of PE and feel your pain. How were you even able to get up to the loo

I think that if asked nicely, the FAs will ask that a seat not be reclined during meals... But I normally choose an aisle seat being of an age where loo trips are predictable.

Happy wandering

Fred