What's your experience of Cathay Premium Economy?

[goldenhorn]

I'm curious for those that have experienced CX PE, if you think it's worth the additional cost instead of travelling Y?

My mother has had a number of health issues recently and is very nervous about travelling to visit my brother in the US (ORD).

Last trip she went with EY and briefly passed out on PER-AUH, was sent the medical centre, then the hospital for 9 hours to be discharged without any issue and put on a later flight. They were probably just following protocol, but it was pretty awful for her and she doesn't want it to happen again.

So I'm trying to encourage my parents to travel CX PE and have a stopover in HKG each way for one night to break up the trip.

Looks like it's approx. an extra $1,200 per person to fly PE. Do you think it's worth it to have a little more room and seat pitch?

From the reviews I've read, the food and drink is pretty much the same as Y, but I want my mum to be a little more comfortable if possible to reduce her anxiety and have a smoother trip.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

 

[toowongman]

Worth every cent. Furthermore, CX are updating their 777s to 3-4-3 in economy... you don't want to risk that at all.

 

[cosi]

Yes, without hesitation, simply to have a wider seat, more legroom and recline.

Food is same as Y.

3 times a week, there is a day flight from Perth to HK using a A330, which means 2-3-2 config.

Otherwise its a red eye every night from Perth to HK using a A350.

Plane across the pacific will be a 777 which means PE get a dedicated toilet. Config is 2-4-2, so for all flights best to your parents a window + aisle.

Good idea to have a stopover in HK. Regal airport hotel means they will not have to leave the airport terminal.

Have you checked out Air New Zealand.

Besides offering one of the best PE products, they now fly direct to Chicago from Perth via Auckland.

My son is travelling PE in May from Perth to Houston - cost was $2947 return.

 

[Spongbob]

The HKG-JFK and v/v fight is a long one (16 hours), so PE is highly recommended. PE on the CX 777 is good value compared to PE on QF, and reasonably priced compared with Y on CX.

 

[maccaisking]

I have flown once on the a350 in PE from MEL - HKG (daytime flight using points) and was delighted with the product. The seats, service, food were all very good. If you can afford the extra I recommend it.

 

[goldenhorn]

Thanks for your input everyone - that's really helpful!

 

[bsb]

I’ve only done day flights on CX PE and it was significantly more comfortable for me at 188cm so if she’s shorter it will be excellent. Food isn’t much chop though so I’d say from that perspective it’s pretty much just Y. But for me it’s about the space and it was so much less than J so I thought it was worth it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You might also want to check out the skycouch on Air New Zeland - three seats sold together that are prepared with a mattress and pillows to form a bed. When the bed is not in use you have a spare seat. A skybed can also be purchased for a solo traveller (3 seats per one passenger), might be interesting to see how that prices out compared to PE.

While PEY is 'nice' in terms of space, it still doesn't get over the need for sleep on a 16 hour flight.

For long haul flights, the main course of the main meal should be a business class offering. The rest will be economy.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Goldenhorn, I'd add my vote to those for CX premium economy. Price difference against economy is always the trick, as premium economy is very much a value proposition as measured against economy – but it's a solid win for legroom and general comfort (wider seat, more supportive contouring, better lumbar support), especially since CX introduced proper calf-cradling legrests to all seats (previous they were only fitted to seats in the first row).

When CX introduced premium economy the main meal was drawn from business class (but with a smaller selection) although posts here indicate that's changed to all-economy?

Either way, just knowing she's in a much better seat is going to make your Mum a lot more relaxed and less stressed even before she sets foot onto the flight. Back when my own parents where travelling I used to cash in my QF points every few years to send my parents on an overseas holiday in Y, but Dad had a really bad turn with DVT on the LHR-SIN leg, ended up in a Singapore hospital overnight - that immediately put Mum off flying, so I made sure their next trip was in premium economy and everything about the seat made a world of difference to her, including easing her pre-flight concerns.

I think stopping over in HKG is also a smart move, again, my parents used to do one-night and sometimes two-night SIN stopovers. Am sure you can get plenty of great advice here on suggested hotels. The good thing is that CX has so many flights that you can make this a simple overnight and book them at the airport's Regal Hotel (attached to the terminal) or the Novotel CityGate (a short shuttle bus ride away) or have them head into the city to actually experience HKG if that's their desire.

 

[goldenhorn]

Goldenhorn, I'd add my vote to those for CX premium economy. Price difference against economy is always the trick, as premium economy is very much a value proposition as measured against economy – but it's a solid win for legroom and general comfort (wider seat, more supportive contouring, better lumbar support), especially since CX introduced proper calf-cradling legrests to all seats (previous they were only fitted to seats in the first row).

When CX introduced premium economy the main meal was drawn from business class (but with a smaller selection) although posts here indicate that's changed to all-economy?

Either way, just knowing she's in a much better seat is going to make your Mum a lot more relaxed and less stressed even before she sets foot onto the flight. Back when my own parents where travelling I used to cash in my QF points every few years to send my parents on an overseas holiday in Y, but dad had a really bad turn with DVT on the LHR-SIN leg, ended up in a Singapore hospital overnight - that immediately put Mum off flying, so I made sure their next trip was in premium economy and everything about the seat made a world of difference to her, including easing her pre-flight concerns.

I think stopping over in HKG is also a smart move, again, my parents used to do one-night and sometimes two-night SIN stopovers. Am sure you can get plenty of great advice here on suggested hotels. The good thing is that CX has so many flights that you can make this a simple overnight and book them at the airport's Regal Hotel (attached to the terminal) or the Novotel CityGate (a short shuttle bus ride away) or have them head into the city to actually experience HKG if that's their desire.

Thank you @DavidFlynn. That is so helpful to hear of your experience and the similarities with my folks. Really appreciate you sharing your perspective!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

When CX introduced premium economy the main meal was drawn from business class (but with a smaller selection) although posts here indicate that's changed to all-economy?

Was just going to post the same... a former colleague flew CX PE on ADL-HKG regularly and the main course from J was a highlight. This was several years ago though.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My friend from Cathay still seemed to think the main course for the main meal on long haul flights was to business class standard. That's either out of date, or because ti's all served on the one tray, passengers aren't appreciating the difference? (Short haul PEY is still all economy food.)

CX's website says the padded leg-rests are only on 777ERs, and still being rolled out (so not on the A30s?)

 

[Austman]

I'm curious for those that have experienced CX PE, if you think it's worth the additional cost instead of travelling Y?

I've flown it many times and even recently including to/from Australia.

It's a Y+ rather then a J- product.

I didn't notice much difference, service wise, to Y. A slightly bigger seat and perhaps service before the rest of Y. But that's about all. Definitely Y meals on all my flights.

 

[NoName]

While PEY is 'nice' in terms of space, it still doesn't get over the need for sleep on a 16 hour flight.

This reflects my opinion too. I can’t sleep sitting up so for me there is no advantage to PE over Y on an overnight flight. For a day flight sure I appreciate the extra space but overnight I won’t bother any more - it’s Y (if I have to) or J.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

This reflects my opinion too. I can’t sleep sitting up so for me there is no advantage to PE over Y on an overnight flight. For a day flight sure I appreciate the extra space but overnight I won’t bother any more - it’s Y (if I have to) or J.

The best (ie. longest) sleeps I've had on flights have been on late night departures in Y (LHR-SIN and HNL-SYD). I've historically not had the ability to sleep for anything above two hours regardless of seat number. Only in the last couple of years have I gone above two hours and that is a bonus.

 

[sxc]

My friend from Cathay still seemed to think the main course for the main meal on long haul flights was to business class standard. That's either out of date, or because ti's all served on the one tray, passengers aren't appreciating the difference? (Short haul PEY is still all economy food.)

CX's website says the padded leg-rests are only on 777ERs, and still being rolled out (so not on the A30s?)

I've flown it many times and even recently including to/from Australia.

It's a Y+ rather then a J- product.

I didn't notice much difference, service wise, to Y. A slightly bigger seat and perhaps service before the rest of Y. But that's about all. Definitely Y meals on all my flights.

The meals in Y+ are definitely different to Y for the long haul flights (as of February 2019 when I experienced it). The problem is that CX J meals aren't great, and the Y+ tray looks quite economy, so the perception is that it is a Y meal.

 

[Buzzard]

Sounds like a no brainer to me.
Go Y+ if you can't go J.

 

[goldenhorn]

Sounds like a no brainer to me.
Go Y+ if you can't go J.

Yes, a no brainer for me.

Unfortunately, the challenge is convincing my folks (mostly dad) who can be tight with money, even though he has no reason to be.

Personally, my view is any flight over 3-4 hours needs to be in J, or I don't go. lol

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I tend to agree on not spending money on PEY. The ‘value for money’ calculation is usually extremely poor, and often full business class is only a fraction more.

There are some ‘steals’ in PEY, notably from China Airlines that has an excellent product, and well priced at around $2000 return to europe.

 

[Dalescott]

I also recommend China Airlines out of Taiwan. Cost is considerably cheaper than CX and the planes are new A350's. Depending on where to where you are flying the cost of PE is around $2400, and J is around $4500. I have been on both and loved both.