Many airlines are adding more and more Premium Economy Cabins to their aircraft, giving economy passengers a chance to fly in comfort and enjoy premium service, but with so many different options to choose from, how can you be sure you will get the best experience? Qantas and Cathay Pacific both offer premium services that will make your time on board comfortable and enjoyable. We take a look and compare the 2 premium economy services below.
Arrival and Airports
While Qantas flies premium economy out of all capital cities other than Adelaide, Cathay Pacific flies out of all major airports in Australia including Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. From the moment you arrive at the airport, you're treated to premium services with priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling on both airlines. One of the best perks of premium economy is the extra baggage allowance, both Qantas and Cathay Pacific allow 2 checked bags for Premium Economy passengers.
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Boarding
The Cabin
Compared to the other cabin classes, the premium economy cabin is much smaller, Cathay Pacific has between 28 and 34 seats while Qantas can have between 28 and 36, both in a 2-3-2 configuration (depending on aircraft).
Qantas Dreamliner Premium Economy Cabin
The Seat
In 2017 Qantas unveiled its new premium economy seat on their new Dreamliners and it's very comfortable with room for all of your personal items. The seat is completed with a foot cradle and calf rest, which is good in theory but really depends on the height of the passenger for it to work comfortably.
The Cathay Pacific seat is also very comfortable and spacious, like Qantas, the tray table is hidden in the armrest and there is a bit more storage around the seat so you don’t feel as cluttered as you do when you have to fit everything in the seatback pocket.
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Seat
Qantas Dreamliner Premium Economy Seat
Entertainment
Keeping entertained during your flight is easy on either airline, each has its own entertainment system filled with hours of movies, TV, and games. Both also have WiFi connectivity and personal USB and charging ports to keep your devices fully charged.
Qantas 13.3 Inch Personal Entertainment Screen
Easy to use WiFi is available on Cathay Pacific Flights
Extras
When flying Premium Economy passengers get a taste of the extra features found in Business Class, for example, both Cathay Pacific and Qantas provide noise-reducing headphones to use during your flight, and on overnight flights amenity kits that are filled with key travel essentials, like socks, eye mask, tooth cleaning kit and a pen.
Qantas Amenity Kit available on long haul flights
Dining
These extra touches begin as soon as you take your seat when the Qantas staff offer passengers a welcome drink while they peruse the menu. Unlike Cathay Pacific, the Qantas Premium Economy dining experience is much closer to a business class experience than economy, The dining experience onboard Cathay Pacific is still very similar to what is served in the economy class.
Dinner meal - Qantas Dreamliner Premium Economy
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy meal
Travelling with either Qantas or Cathay Pacific will leave passengers feeling relaxed and refreshed upon arrival at their destination. Book your next premium economy flight here.
Qantas Premium Economy - North America, South America, Europe, Asia
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy - Asia, North America, Europe
Read Next
Top Premium Economy Destinations
Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Review
Qantas Dreamliner Premium Economy Review