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Cathay Pacific A350 Premium Financial system : AirlineReporter

I really like writing about long-haul premium financial system. Principally as a result of the judgement comes down to 1 easy query: does the product really feel like financial system with a bit of additional, or extra like enterprise class lite? Seats within the first class do sufficient to take the ache out of the coach class house crunch. Which, to be truthful, is what premium financial system was designed to do. However seats in that second class enjoyment of their very own proper, sufficient that you simply would possibly even exit of your technique to fly them.

We put Cathay Pacific’s long-haul premium financial system to that take a look at over the course of two flights on their Airbus A350 subfleet. These planes are able to dealing with some critically prolonged routes. In our case, between a flight from New York to Hong Kong after which a connection on to Sydney, we spent over 25 hours onboard.

What did we predict in spite of everything that point placing the seat and repair to the take a look at? Learn on to search out out. Plus we’ve loads of video, together with a nose-cam and tail-cam deal with on the finish.

Cathay’s premium financial system expertise began differentiating itself as quickly as we received to the airport, because of a devoted check-in line.

At JFK Cathay operates out of Terminal 8, which hosts American Airways and its oneworld companions.

The terminal has a lineup of American Airways logos from previous to current. Do you might have a favourite?

We spent some time strolling round taking in views of the ramp. Within the background of the image beneath you may see the Cathay Pacific A350-1000 working our flight.

Right here’s a view up shut.

Meet the seat

Cathay Pacific was excited to start out receiving A350-1000 deliveries again in 2018, and the airline is clearly nonetheless enthusiastic in regards to the aircraft. There are some particular design options that increase the -1000’s functionality past what the airline’s A350-900s can deal with.

Credit score: Cathay Pacific and Bay Leung

Cathay has some 777-9s on order too however they gained’t be becoming a member of the fleet for a 12 months or two.

The premium financial system cabin has house for 32 passengers, within the type of 4 rows of seats 2-4-2-across. On the A350-900 premium financial system passengers should stroll again to the bogs in financial system. However on the -1000 the cabin has it’s personal devoted lav.

There’s one fewer passenger per row right here than in common financial system, and that further house is split up among the many remaining eight seats. It’s sufficient to permit for noticeably extra elbow room, with wider armrests in between the seats.

The A350-1000 solely began becoming a member of the fleet 5 years in the past, and so the cabin finishes nonetheless look contemporary.

These seats boast a 12-inch display screen, a pair inches bigger than the screens on the 777 fleet. The seat again additionally has a pill stand, coat hook, and huge literature pocket.

The crew got here round with welcome drinks in actual glassware – a Enterprise Class Lite contact.

On pushback we received a take a look at a number of the American Airways fleet.

Try our video beneath for highlights from taxi and takeoff, together with a glance down Concorde’s favourite runway (31L/13R), a view of JFK from above, a panorama of the Manhattan skyline, and some minutes of skimming the tops of the clouds on our technique to cruise altitude.

Time to dine

After takeoff the crew began with a spherical of drinks earlier than the lunch service received began. All of it tasted nice and the actual dishware was a plus, although the paper cups and ease of the meals itself felt nearer to common financial system.

The cabin lighting set a comfortable temper for the center of the flight.

It was in all probability a coincidence, however the ceiling colours right here matched what was occurring exterior.

Passing the time

Along with these large, shiny, high-res screens I discussed earlier, each premium financial system passenger received a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The inflight leisure library had loads of choices to cross the time with.

Subsequent to the seat was a distant management (although the display screen was additionally a touchscreen) and some buttons to regulate the completely different components of the seat.

And that brings me to the only finest a part of Cathay’s long-haul premium financial system seat: the recline. This seat goes noticeably additional again than most different airways’ premium financial system seats do, an marketed 9 inches in contrast with the 6-8 inch common on most different airways. For some further sleep consolation there’s a leg relaxation and footrest that swing up from beneath.

I envy the individuals who can get a full night time’s sleep sitting largely upright. I’m not one among them. However this was sufficient recline for me to sleep comfortably and uninterrupted for half of a 14-hour flight. I wakened feeling nice. The A350’s quiet cabin and the steadiness of being proper over the wing field helped too.

This image is from the web site however offers you an concept what we imply. Image credit score: Cathay Pacific

To be truthful, recline like it is a double-edged sword. If the particular person in entrance of you reclines all the best way, it eats so much into your private house. Personally I’m pleased to simply accept the tradeoff since you may all the time recline your personal seat to reclaim the house you misplaced.

The amenity equipment got here with a toothbrush and toothpaste, sleep masks, and pair of socks.

Whereas I cherished the seat general, there have been a number of hiccups. One of many USB retailers didn’t work and the pill relaxation beneath the display screen (a cool concept) didn’t work both — shocking for seats on a comparatively new aircraft.

Halfway by way of the flight there was a second meal service.

There was extra of the entree to start out however hungry me dug in earlier than snapping a photograph, oops

There’s additionally a dine-on-demand menu for in between the primary meal providers. Cup noodles actually hit the spot in the direction of the tip of an extended flight.

I used to be excited to attempt a can of Betsy, Cathay’s custom-brewed beer. It’s designed to style its finest at 35,000 toes, and named to honor the primary aircraft — a Douglas DC-3s — in its fleet.

Wrapping up the flight

On the best way again right down to floor stage we received some stunning views of the mountains by Hong Kong Worldwide Airport. Cathay’s A350s include each nostril and tail cams, and we put each to good use in the course of the method and touchdown:

The decision

It’s an extended flight between New York and Hong Kong, however the time truthfully did fly by in Cathay’s A350 premium financial system. The service earned some Enterprise Class Lite factors, with actual ceramic dishware and glowing wine with actual glassware throughout boarding. The meals itself was a bit nearer to financial system class high quality however nonetheless tasted nice, with bonus factors for Betsy. The leisure system was glorious, with a strong library delivered on an impressively massive display screen. And the sleep expertise was superb, about pretty much as good as recliner seats can get.

The routing from New York to Sydney by way of Hong Kong concerned 25 flight hours. I had the choice of different shorter itineraries, however in the long run going the additional distance to fly Cathay’s premium financial system felt completely price it.

And not too long ago Cathay unveiled its next-gen premium financial system seat quickly to reach on its 777-300ER fleet, so there’s extra to stay up for.

Picture Credit score: Cathay Pacific

Have you ever flown Cathay Pacific’s long-haul premium financial system earlier than? In that case we’d love to listen to your ideas within the feedback part beneath.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT – NEW YORK, NY. Manu is an avid air traveler, personal pilot, and a devoted AvGeek. He enjoys writing about aviation from a millennial’s perspective, and co-manages AirlineReporter’s social media and video tasks. His day job is as a health care provider in NYC.

https://www.airlinereporter.com

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