Premium economy is a regular offering on many routes with full-service airlines in Asia these days. A number of airlines utilize widebody aircraft on both long-haul and short-haul routes, and selling the premium economy cabin on shorter routes is increasingly common. Simple Flying’s Justin Hayward tried out the Cathay Pacific premium economy cabin on the A350 on a relatively short flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong, and was impressed.

Premium economy on regional routes

To many people, flying premium economy class on a relatively short regional route may seem strange. This is not something that airlines in Europe or North America typically offer, but it is an increasingly standard offering in Asia.

To be clear, many airlines in North America and a few in Europe, offer some form of upgraded economy seating. This is usually just standard seating with additional legroom in the same cabin. We are talking here about a separate premium economy cabin, with improved seating and service. In Europe, airlines do not even usually offer different seating for regional business class flights. This is normally the same seating as economy (often with the middle seats in rows of three left empty) in a flexibly divided cabin with improved service and catering.

Photo: Cathay Pacific

Premium economy is a great option for regional flights. The expense and premium seating / flatbed options of business class are nice, of course, but not so beneficial on short flights. Premium economy then offers a good option, with more room, space to work, and a more comfortable seat for not that much more cost.

The following airlines are leading the way with regional premium economy options in Asia:

• Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific offers premium economy on the A350 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft. These are regularly scheduled onto regional routes.
• Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines offers one of the best premium economy seats, with large screens and more space between seats. Premium economy is available on the Airbus A350, A380, and Boeing 777.

Photo: Christian Heinz / Shutterstock

• China Airlines. China Airlines offers premium economy on the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-300. These operate on some of its busiest Asian routes.
• ANA. The airline has premium economy on the Airbus A380, Boeing 777-300, and some configurations of the Boeing 787.

Paying for premium economy

The appeal of a premium economy can be seen by looking at pricing. Whereas business class cabins are often priced significantly more expensive than economy, premium economy is not. It is often priced only a small amount higher – this is especially the case close to departure when the lowest economy fares are not available.

For frequent flyers, it is also worth bearing in mind here that mileage earning is typically much better in premium economy (even for the lowest premium economy fares) than in economy class, and this can offset some of the additional cost.

As an example, consider the pricing on the Cathay Pacific route from Hong Kong to Singapore. The Cathay Pacific booking engine screenshots below show firstly the case about one month ahead where premium economy is around twice the price of economy. The second example shows a case closer to departure where prices are much more similar.

Image: Cathay Pacific

Image: Cathay Pacific

Premium economy with Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to Bangkok

This was an afternoon flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong, in premium economy on the Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Cathay Pacific currently sells premium economy on most (if not all) daily departures on this route - this is due to change in April 2023, with more departures switching to the Airbus A330. There is also a business class cabin (which I reviewed previously), but no first class.

Photo: Justin Hayward I Simple Flying

Bangkok airport is regularly experiencing long delays with both departure and arrival at the moment, so I arrived three hours early. Check-in was fast – there is a dedicated premium economy queue with Cathay Pacific.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

However, premium economy passengers do not get access to fast-track immigration and security lanes (nor do oneworld Sapphire members), leaving me at the mercy of about a 90-minute trek through a packed security queue.

Once through, the airport was quiet. The flight departed from the distant G gate area – a good 10-minute walk. One thing I noted and loved was the estimated walking time for each flight displayed on the departure boards.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

The premium economy cabin

The premium economy cabin on the A350-900 is located between business class and economy. There are just bulkhead dividers between the three cabins here, with no toilet or galley space adjacent to the cabin. This makes it a bit more cramped, but on a longer flight will likely stop the congregation of people between the cabins. Note that on the larger A350-1000, the premium economy cabin is right behind a main toilet and galley area.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

The cabin is arranged 2-4-2. Clearly, the window and aisle seats are preferable, although all seats offer a good 40-inch seat pitch and 20-inch width. On a shorter flight, ending up in the middle seats would not be that bad. They are still spacious, and you most likely won’t have to vault over your sleeping neighbors.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

I chose a front-row aisle seat for this flight. This offers plenty of space, with the bulkhead wall in front. However, I found the location of the screen and more limited storage quite frustrating. You are also hassled to keep the row clear for taxi, takeoff, and landing – again, more of a problem on a shorter flight.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

Service and flight experience

The service in regional premium economy is not vastly different from economy with Cathay Pacific. Service is much faster, though, and this makes a difference on a short flight. In economy class, handing out meals and drinks and then clearing can take most of the flight!

The meal on this flight was served quickly, with two main course choices, and presented on a single tray. There was one drinks service with the meal (with soft drinks, beer, and wine choices) but no further service during the flight.

Photo: Justin Hayward / Simple Flying

With the quick meal service, there was time to watch a whole movie on the flight. Premium economy offers a bit of an upgrade here, with a larger screen and noise-canceling headset. The movie and entertainment library is the same as for long-haul flights, offering a great choice.

Have you flown premium economy on any short-haul or regional services? What do you think of the product and service offered compared to standard economy class? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section.