Special Report
“When we decided to offer this product we had to ensure we were going down the right path in terms of product features and customer propositions”
Which supplier did you choose for your noise-cancelling headsets, and why? It’s the same headset that we offer in Business Class on long haul flights, to give passengers a sense of premium over Economy Class
Can you talk me through your meal offerings? Did you work with any renowned chefs on the project? What extra special enhancements are you adding to your service? We offer a choice of international cuisine from authentic traditional Chinese to local favourite dishes. We work in close communication with experienced chefs and culinary advisors as well as each of our appointed catering suppliers; making use of their strengths and culinary knowledge as well as seasonal produce availability. Hence, our Premium Economy menu design fits with seasonality, customer preferences and local market availability, combined with the professional and expert input from the chefs in local regions that Cathay Pacific operates from.
How did you go about choosing your new seat? Which company did you work with and what were your specific requirements? Any special design features? Weber supplied the seat. We specified our requirement according to passengers’ feedback that was collected to strike a perfect balance between our own Business and Economy class. Features include extra personal stowage space, pancake inflight entertainment box to maximise living space and a cocktail table that allows extra surface space for passengers to enjoy the drink services.
Which IFE supplier are you working with
and what are the special features, if any, of your IFE system? Is internet connection and mobile phone connection offered? Is it a free-of-charge service? Panasonic is our IFE supplier. New IFE features include one multi-port connector, USB port and individual power outlet are available for each passenger. The multi-port connector allows passengers
to stream audio and video content from their iPod, iPhone or iPad to their headphpones and TV screens. The USB port can be used to charge devices
such as mobile phones and BlackBerrys. The new graphic user interface is being progressively introduced on Cathay Pacific’s fleet, including those fitted with Premium Economy Class. Internet connection is something that we are exploring
Can you talk me through your sustainability programme and how is this reflected in your new Premium Economy? Our sustainability and green programme is not just a one-class programme but its thinking stretches across all classes. e.g. our cabin crew will collect used plastic cup, PET bottles, aluminium cans separately on all inbound flights into Hong Kong. These materials are then sent to a local material recycler on a daily basis. Cathay Pacific has already adopted biodegradable plastic material for blanket wrapping and with the launch of Premium Economy the same material is extended to headset wrappings.
A similar material for a seat pocket pouch
will be introduced later this year. Our menu cards and cabin crew newsletter use FSC paper material and paper hand towels are made by using a more eco-friendly material with sugar cane content. At the same time we are also working with
WWF and similar organisations to ensure we serve seafood that is sustainable. As such we have just released a sustainable seafood policy in which we advise our catering suppliers of seafood items that are not sustainable and are not to be used on board Cathay Pacific, for example shark fin and blue fin tuna.
Are there any other features we should mention on the ground? Dedicated check-in counter for Premium Economy passengers, additional checked- luggage allowance and boarding before Economy passengers
Is this new service available throughout your fleet and on all routes? Premium Economy will be progressively introduced on all Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777- 300ER, Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-300 and Airbus A330-300 for all long-haul routes.
What percentage of your fleet is now taken up with Premium Economy Class seats? All Cathay Pacific’s long-haul aircraft will be progressively fitted with Premium Economy Class by end of 2013. We currently have eight aircraft fitted with Premium Economy.
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