Boeing Delivery: Cutting edge advantage

CEBU, Philippines - Cathay Pacific is always known for its excellent customer service. Proof of this was the way they came up with the new Business Class cabin - by carefully gathering feedbacks and engaging frequent travelers on the improvement of features, amenities, privacy and even how well a tall man could sleep on the fully reclined seat - before they formally started in March 2011. By 12 July 2012, CX bagged the Skytrax World's Best Business Class in the World Airline Awards. More than 18 million passengers worldwide participated in the survey.

This is its 8th Skytrax award in 10 years!

In the midst of the continued global economic crises, CX has earned its reputation as a company with a formidable competitive edge. The management team boldly faces looming concerns and anticipates possible breakthroughs. One such competitive edge is the introduction       of the Premium Economy cabin (PEY) which addresses the waning passenger yields, as well as the considerably weakened cargo market. CX has ordered 50 B777-300 ER's from Boeing with Premium Economy cabins, affording more saleable seats (especially when economy is fully booked) and a bigger cargo capacity in a fuel efficient aircraft. 66 PEY-installed aircraft will be in the fleet by yearend.

CX GM for Revenues James Tong disclosed: " Since the new cabin was launched in February, actual flown passengers has increased at an encouraging rate from 1,300 in April, to 3,000 in May and 4,300 in June. London is the star performer, so far, with an average flown load factor of more than 60%"

For the summer months of July and August, bookings went up to 6,000 and 7,000 respectively. New York was one of the first PEY routes with San Francisco and Los Angeles to commence this month, September. Sydney started last March, followed by Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth in August. The Canadian connection is to start in Toronto. Europe, also this month, will have its PEY routes to Paris and Frankfurt. Unfortunately, we do not have a PEY aircraft when we go to Rome this October, for the canonization    of Blessed Pedro Calungsod… unless CX, with its excellent customer service, will heed the demand for PEY aircraft by Filipino pilgrims. There are about 2,000 passengers from Cebu alone. Many more are joining from Manila and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Premium Economy seat costs US$250.00 more than Economy, but is 75% cheaper than Business Class. I flew in PEY from the Boeing factory in Seattle, Washington, USA to Hong Kong two weeks ago. There is a separate cabin for PEY with 26 to 34 seats, depending on the configuration. Mine was 2 - 4 -2 with 4 rows, very comfortable! Seat pitch is 38 inches, 6 inches more than economy. There is a small space below the entertainment screen where I placed my eyeglasses and pen and whatever items I needed to refer to, like the menu and the disembarkation card I had to fill up. This is a very thoughtful facility for passengers.

Since there is a big space between seats, one can see the screen of the passenger before you. For those who can't sleep with lights on - like me! - I appreciate the amenity kit given to PEY passengers that includes an eye mask and ear plugs, among others. The seat also has multi-port connector for iPhone/iPad, USB, RCA. It also has a larger meal table, a cocktail table, a footrest, 10.6 personal tv with a noise-cancelling headset and an unimpeded space for big handbags under the seat.

Advantages include: priority check-in at dedicated counters and during boarding, 25 kilos baggage allowance (vs. 20k for economy and 30k for business), a separate cabin before the Economy (EY) zone, an amenity kit, larger pillow, a bottle of water, welcome juice & champagne, meal and snack choices.

Especially on long-haul flights, why pay for a Business seat when Premium Economy is available? Travel wisely via Cathay Pacific, an airline that places the passenger's interest and comfort as its main concerns. No wonder the various awards it has garnered!