Tag: Premium Economy

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Cathay Pacific's Amenity Kits are Down with G.O.D.

October 24, 2012 at 4:50 PM | by | Comments (0)

Who doesn't like free stuff, especially when it comes to complimentary items on flights? As rare as a gratis pillow or warm snack is these days, it's nice to see some airlines offering more than just extra legroom in Premium Economy. Specifically, on long-haul flights with their brand new Premium Economy seats, Cathay Pacific passes out little amenity kits.

Though they're not stuffed with the little lux lotions and lip balms of the Business and First Class kits, they do come complete with an eyemask, socks, toothbrush/toothpaste, mints and earplugs. To liven it up a bit, Cathay has even just now introduced new pouches for the kits, branded with a funky design from Hong Kong design and homewares brand Goods of Desire (G.O.D.).

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In-Flight Meals Return to Comfort Food Classics, Even on Cathay Pacific

Where: Hong Kong
August 28, 2012 at 10:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

Just when we thought American Airlines' onboard comfort food was really hitting the spot, another airline antes up. Cathay Pacific has taken that idea to the next level by introducing Signature Chinese Dishes to their in-flight menu. Best part of the announcement is that every passenger will get the opportunity to sample the new dishes.

From August to October, Cathay will be refreshing the dishes on-board long-haul routes from the front of the plane all the way to last row. The new menus will feature Hong Kong specialties and traditional tastes while adding a level of service for premium cabins. Each dish is designed to capture local cuisine in cooking style, ingredients, taste and appearance.

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The Newbie Traveler Takes His First Flight in a Boeing 747

August 17, 2012 at 11:09 AM | by | Comments (0)

What would your life be like if you hadn't yet traveled to Europe? If you'd spent years reading travel novels and fantasizing over guidebooks, but hadn't made the big leap? This is the case for Andy Miles, who in his late twenties just embarked on a trip to hit most of the cities for the first time. He's walking us through the emotions and observations of a true Newbie Traveler.

Here's the truth: I'm not really such a Newbie Traveler anymore. A few days ago I realized that I may have been more places than some people who consider themselves world travelers. All told, I've been to the UK, France, Mexico, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Oh, and also the United States, but that doesn't really count.

There are some specific things I did on this trip which I had never done before, all aiding in the end feeling that I'm officially an international traveler now. Here's a couple, for example:

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Even Canadians May Soon Enjoy Premium Economy Seating

Where: Canada
August 7, 2012 at 10:26 AM | by | Comments (0)

It seems like everyone wants a little more space nowadays, and airlines are certainly aware that passengers are willing to pay for it. Carriers like Virgin America, United, Delta, and JetBlue all have different flavors of their extra legroom seats, and now there’s one more airline looking to help you stretch out a little bit.

WestJet is looking for more profit (and to lure more business travelers away from Air Canada), so they’re now offering up their own version of premium economy seating for those willing to pay for the privilege. Planes are heading into the hangar starting this month, as four rows of seats will now be enjoying around 36 inches of pitch.

WestJet is upgrading and updating their entire fleet of Boeing 737s, so this is going to be quite the undertaking; however, they obviously feel that moving and shifting all the seats is more than worth it.

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'Molto Bene' for Alitalia's Upgrades

Where: Italy
July 26, 2012 at 10:03 AM | by | Comments (0)

Lots of new changes coming to Alitalia over the next few months. From a full fleet renewal, more transparent fares on their most popular flights, and even a very generous offering for their passengers from young to older. In true Italian fashion, they have named their newest classes of services super romantic names.

In the past 3 years, the Italian airline has spent a considerable amount of time, not to mention, euros, on creating a more pleasurable experience for all of their passengers. In a quest to fly the youngest fleet in the world, they have bought new planes and refreshed existing planes. By the beginning of next year, the entire fleet will be an average of about 6 years old.

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Air New Zealand Considers Letting Other Airlines in on the SkyCouch Love

June 18, 2012 at 9:54 AM | by | Comment (1)

You know we’ve been all about Air New Zealand and their Skycouch seats ever since we first heard of the idea, but now the airline may share their beloved glorified economy seats with friends.

Just in case you missed it, the seats are basically coach seats with the middle blocked out. Then at cruising altitude the three seats transform into a couch of sorts, where you and your traveling companion can snuggle up for the long-haul flight over the Pacific. It seems that these seats are catching on, and they might just make their way over to other airlines as well.

Apparently the airline has already been chatting with like 12 other airlines about the ability to license the Air New Zealand invention. Airline officials seem to have no problem doing so, but they are pretty honest when they state that they’re looking for quite a bit of cash for them to share their clever idea. Sounds like—if all goes well—t might be around the end of the year when we start to hear about the snuggle-seats being offered up elsewhere.

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Delta's Economy Comfort Seating Options Are Everywhere, Starting Next Week

June 1, 2012 at 9:04 AM | by | Comments (0)

It’s been a couple summers since Delta first introduced their plans to help you stretch out on those long-haul international flights. Apparently travelers enjoyed not having their knees bash up against the seat in front of them, so the stretched out seating design was extended to some domestic flights as well. Obviously they’re looking to cash in on our willingness to pay for a little bit more comfort and space, and it also probably doesn’t hurt that the competition over at United Airlines has been doing something pretty darn similar with their Economy Plus options.

Delta’s Economy Comfort upgrade is almost complete, as it sounds like they’re just about finished upgrading and updating a whole mess of their airplanes. The airline is promising that as of June 7 the new seating options will be available for your seating pleasure on all two-class airplanes throughout the globe.

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All the Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Food from Hong Kong to New York

Where: Hong Kong
May 15, 2012 at 5:24 PM | by | Comments (0)

FOOD. Think about it. Food is so awesome. AIRPLANE FOOD. Now think about that. Not so awesome, right? Well, an airline can only do so much to develop an appealing onboard menu, while battling with catering companies, onboard kitchen appliances, altitude issues and passenger diets. Obviously it's best to go for First or Business Class for optimum yumminess, but we're happy to report that Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy meals are better than economy, which aren't too shabby on their own.

Flying CX840 from Hong Kong to New York in Premium Economy, we were first presented with a welcome flute of champagne, followed by a hot towel to refresh. Then, a printed menu arrived, laying out the options for a dinner, brunch, drinks and snacks at any time.

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The Definitive Guide to Cathay Pacific's New Premium Economy Class

Where: Hong Kong
May 15, 2012 at 11:37 AM | by | Comments (2)

Premium Economy is hot, there's no doubt about that. It feels like almost every international airline is widening the seats, adding extra garnishes to the in-flight meals and cooing about deeper reclines for passengers willing to pay more than economy, but not so much as business class.

The latest airline to join the Premium party, Cathay Pacific, is also the one where ponying up the extra cash for extra cushion may make the most sense; the flight from New York to Hong Kong is a whopping 16 hours, after all.

Well we've flown it many times, mostly in Economy but also in Business and, now, in Premium Economy. Want to try it out yourself? ENTER HERE, into our contest to win a roundtrip (valued at $4,000) from the US or Canada to Hong Kong, in Cathay's new Premium Economy class.

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty:

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Jaunted Contest: Win a Ticket to Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific's New Premium Economy

Where: Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong
May 8, 2012 at 3:45 PM | by | Comment (1)

**UPDATE: CONTEST HAS ENDED**

"I'm going to Hong Kong."

Practice saying it. You have our permission to modify it to "I'm going to Hong m*thaf*ckin' Kong." They're five simple words and yet speaking them means you're about to jet into one of the world's most complex and colorful cities. Never been to Hong Kong? It's time. Been to Hong Kong before? It's time to go again. And we'll take you there.

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's official airline and one we personally get excited to fly, has just introduced Premium Economy to their long-haul fleet and we've got a ticket to give away!

It's a super easy contest—no video pleas or written essays required—just be psyched to fly 16-ish hours in comfort for free, to the other side of the world. Enter here:

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All-Business-Class Flights to Singapore May Become a Thing of the Past

Where: Singapore
April 3, 2012 at 10:19 AM | by | Comments (0)

The allure and glamor of flying between 18 and 19 hours, non-stop, in a super wide business class seat, surrounded by, and nothing but, other plush business class seats may be a story we tell our grandchildren. Singapore Airlines has been considering reverting their all-premium aircraft back to a 2-class cabin with premium-economy class seating.

The sky-rocketing cost of jet-fuel, a turbulent airline industry and low load factors are causing the airline to toss around the idea of adding seats to pack in the passengers a bit more and, ultimately, increase revenue.

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American Airlines Will Have Premium Economy and Will Call it 'Main Cabin Extra'

March 1, 2012 at 2:21 PM | by | Comments (0)

Premium Economy—it's so hot right now. It's so hot in fact, that even American Airlines is getting in on the smidge-more-space game with a just-announced new class of service: Main Cabin Extra.

"Main Cabin Extra" isn't much of an upgrade compared to what other carriers are doing for Premium Economy, but it does create a couple perks to appeal to economy passengers who can't splurge for business, but will part with a few more dollars for more inches.

Here's what you'll get, at a cost of between $8-$108 each way additional*:

· 4-6 inches more of legroom.
· Priority boarding.
· A seat in the first few rows of economy.

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