‘A glass of Champagne for you, Mrs Sime?’ the flight attendant asks with a smile while I settle into my premium economy seat.
Just a few seconds later, the next question comes: ‘Would you like a towel, madame?’ as I’m handed a hot, soft cloth from a silver tray. So far, so very premium.
I’m on board a Cathay Pacific flight, testing the airline’s famous premium cabin against its plush business-class offering on a whirlwind weekend trip from London to Hong Kong and back.
Cathay launched its premium economy offering in 2012 and quickly gained a reputation for finding a comfortable middle ground between business and economy.
My experience starts at London Heathrow Terminal 3 on a sunny but busy Saturday morning. After lengthy queues at security, I board the Boeing 777-300ER via a dedicated premium-economy lane – a nice touch when upgrading from economy.
Harriet Sime pits Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777 premium economy against its business class on flights from London Heathrow to Hong Kong and back. She’s pictured above in her premium economy seat at Heathrow
The premium economy cabin has just 34 seats, arranged in a 2-4-2 layout
I’m one of the first on board and walk through the business-class cabin (always painful when flying in a lower class), but first impressions of premium are positive.
The cabin, which has just 34 seats in that signature teal-green Cathay colour, is arranged in a 2-4-2 layout with two window seats on either side and four in the middle. I’m seated at 32K, a window bulkhead seat. There’s one toilet to service our cabin, which means there’s rarely a queue.
Once we’re seated, the charming cabin crew, who address us by name while dressed in white shirts and flaming red pinafores, present trays with glasses (important) of orange juice, water and Champagne. I, of course, go for the Champagne, which I sip while getting acquainted with my home for the next 12 hours.
On closer inspection, the cabin feels dated and in desperate need of a refresh. I’m a regular traveller but struggle to find the TV console and, after minutes of clicking various buttons, have to ask for assistance.
It’s to the left of my feet and requires a hard press of a button above (I have to use both hands) to force it out of the pocket. The console sits at an awkward angle in front of me and the touch screen has a delay, making perusing films a rather unenjoyable experience.
Harriet’s premium economy cream cheese and asparagus tortellini, served on china, alongside a sweetcorn and prawn salad, chopped fruit, garlic bread and chocolate. ‘It’s nothing special,’ says Harriet
The premium economy breakfast – eggs, hash browns and turkey sausages, as well as fruit, a warm croissant, and strawberry yoghurt
The test of any good economy/premium economy offering is whether I have to pull out my neck pillow, which is stowed way above me in my suitcase. And this time, I do. Straight away. Although the headrests have bendable wings, it doesn’t feel enough to support the five hours sleep I’d scheduled into my flight (hopeful, I know).
There’s a pouch in front of me where I find my amenity kit, headphones and water. Inside the kit (each with motifs of a destination the airline flies to), there’s a cream-and-white eye mask, toothbrush, tiny tube of toothpaste, ear plugs and socks (all unbranded). To my right, I find a dusty UK-style plug sock and USB, as well as a padded cream blanket and cushion.
But despite these niggles, I feel I have acres of room around me. My next-door neighbour feels a good distance away and I can stretch out my 5ft 7in frame with comfort. The huge space between my seat and the bulkhead also means I don’t have to bother my neighbour every time I need to use the bathroom. A huge bonus.
LEFT: The premium economy TV remote. RIGHT: The ‘dusty’ UK-style plug sock and USB
Harriet is served Champagne in a glass at Heathrow (left), but the wine is dispensed later on in a paper cup (right)
The premium economy amenity kit
Once in the air, we’re offered a packet of peanuts and a selection of drinks. I go for an Australian Chardonnay which, disappointingly, is served in a paper-branded cup.
Two hours into the flight, as we fly between Hungary and Romania, it’s lunchtime. I go for the cream cheese and asparagus tortellini. It’s served on china, alongside a sweetcorn and prawn salad, chopped fruit, garlic bread and chocolate. It’s nothing special but I’m hungry so devour the lot.
Full to the brim, I recline my seat back and elevate the cushioned calf rest while devouring Barbie for the fourth time and sipping a final glass of wine.
Two hours before landing and I’m woken to find the breakfast trolley in front of me. We’re given trays with eggs, hash browns and turkey sausages, as well as fruit, a warm croissant, and strawberry yoghurt.
But did I get those five hours sleep? Yes, amazingly. The cabin may be slightly dated – but the seats are supremely comfortable. And that makes all the difference when deciding which class to fly.
BUSINESS CLASS
At Hong Kong International, Harriet settles in to Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777 business class
The business cabin, set between first and premium economy, is ‘huge’, with 36 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration
Commenting on the business-class roominess, Harriet says: ‘There is tonnes of space in front, above and either side of me’
After a day exploring haggling in Hong Kong’s markets and slurping my way through the city’s backstreet dim sum restaurants, I’m back on board. This time, to test out Cathay’s business-class offering.
My upgraded journey begins at one of the airline’s three business lounges at Hong Kong International. I’d heard great things about The Pier, so head straight there. It’s huge, with multiple separate dining areas, including a noodle room, bar, and a tea room where huge pots of aluminium tea line the walls, with beverages served with a classic Hong Kong custard tart.
After an hour hopping between bars, it’s time to board the 777-300ER aircraft for the 13.5-hour flight.
LEFT: Harriet demonstrates the very ample legroom in business class. RIGHT: The business class control panel array, with seat buttons, charging points and a remote control
Business class passengers receive a Bamford amenity kit, headphones and a bottle of water, stowed away in a little cupboard
The business cabin, set between first and premium economy, is huge, with 36 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. I’m in 16D, an aisle seat. There’s another passenger on the other side and, although the seat is angled so that we’re never facing one another, our seats could do with a privacy screening between us for when we’re after some shut eye.
Despite this, my first impressions are very good. There is tonnes of space in front, above and either side of me. To the right of my feet, I find a spacious pocket where I place my laptop and toiletries and find a vanity cupboard above, which opens with the click of a button. There’s a mirror on the door, while inside, I find a bottle of water, headphones and a leather tan toiletry bag by the posh brand Bamford, which sell candles for up to £50 a pop.
Inside, there’s an eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste, as well as Bamford branded hand cream, lip salve and a little bottle of hydrating face mist that I spray every hour or so.
By my feet lies a padded Bamford 400-thread-count duvet that looks like it should be draped on the bed of a 5-star hotel, pillow and slippers – but there are no pyjamas. And I’m suddenly very grateful to have joggers in my suitcase, which I’d packed for my premium-economy journey.
Once seated, the staff bring over hot towels and trays laden with Champagne, orange juice, water and their signature drink – a kiwi, coconut milk and mint smoothie. I go for the Champagne, obviously, and the smoothie. It’s deliciously sweet and goes down a treat.
Harriet’s business-class cannellini bean soup with kale
For the main course it’s pearl barley risotto with leek, mushroom and thyme
Behold the business class dessert trolley, laden with fruit, yoghurts and cheese
Harriet’s lunchtime Chablis
As we taxi, I’m asked for my lunch order from the extensive menu, as well as drink preferences. I go for a Burgundy white wine, a Chablis, which, as promised, is delivered as soon as we’re in the air, along with a tablecloth and delicious crab meat and avocado amuse bouche.
As we travel through northwest China, I’m presented with multiple dishes that look as though they’ve come straight from Hong Kong’s finest restaurants. And that’s because they have, owing largely to Cathay’s collaboration with one-Michelin-star Hong Kong institution Duddell’s. For the starter, I go for the cannellini bean soup with kale, which is a treat and served with sourdough, garlic bread and butter. My main of pearl barley risotto with leek, mushroom and thyme is on the dry side, but I’m happy to save space for dessert.
The cabin crew wheel through trolleys laden with blocks of blue and cheddar cheese, vanilla syrup cake, fruit and ice cream. I can’t resist and go for the fruit, deliciously smooth strawberry yoghurt and a cheese board, which is served with a delicious spiced pear paste and grapes.
The Bamford amenity kit contains an eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste, as well as Bamford branded hand cream, lip salve and a little bottle of hydrating face mist
Harriet is impressed with Cathay Pacific’s business class, but feels premium economy needs a refresh
Nap time calls so I click a button to the right of my head (where there’s also a UK plug socket, USB point, reading light and TV console) and my bed is flat. I place the padded mattress down and snuggle up for a few hours.
Eager to experience all of what the cabin has to offer, I wake a few hours later and order an oat milk cappuccino (always a huge plus when airlines can whip up coffee with milk alternatives). It’s served with two palmiers (local butterfly pastries).
‘We hope to see you again, Mrs Sime,’ I’m told as I disembark. ‘Me too,’ I say with a smile. And I mean it. While the premium economy cabin could do with some love and attention, it’s well worth upgrading to for some very decent shut-eye. And business? Well, I could have done another 14 hours. And that’s saying something.
TRAVEL FACTS
Harriet was hosted by Cathay Pacific. Premium economy Heathrow to Hong Kong return fares start from £1,174 and business from £3,548. (cathaypacific.com).
PREMIUM ECONOMY
Premium economy rating out of five: 3.5
PROS: Great service, comfortable seats, first drink served in a glass, food served on china, dedicated premium economy boarding lane.
CONS: Dated cabin, drinks served in paper cups, disappointing food.
BUSINESS
Business rating out of five: ****
PROS: Spacious and comfortable lie-flat seat, fancy amenity kit and duvet, brilliant business lounge.
CONS: No privacy screening between seats, no pyjamas.
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