DRIFT Travel Fall 2016

TAKING FLIGHT
PREMIUM ECONOMY
VANCOUVER TO HONG KONG
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
by: TRACEY DRAKE
My travel budget doesn’t usually allow for
business class travel on long-haul flights.
However, I use flying time as an opportunity
to get a lot of work done so I am free to
experience my final destination immediately upon arrival.
So, I need elbow room and space for my MacBook and
notepads. I also have quite long legs, which are a curse on
any flight, but more so on a 13.5 hour flight from Western
Canada to Hong Kong.
With business class out of my financial reach,
and economy out of my comfort zone, I went in
search of middle ground and found a new option -
Premium Economy with Cathay Pacific Airways.
This is a new level of service for Vancouver to Hong
Kong flights. For the dates I was traveling (April/
May 2016), premium economy was just $710 more
than economy, but $3,530 less than business class.
From the moment I arrived at the airport, I knew
the experience was going to be markedly different.
There was a premium economy priority line at
the Cathay Pacific counter (just like business and
first class) and baggage allowance was 25kg/55lbs,
compared to just 20kg/44lbs for economy passengers.
Translation? More shopping for me in Asia!
At the gate, there was a designated line and priority
boarding for premium economy passengers. Aboard
the airplane, there was a separate cabin of the
aircraft for premium economy, with in-flight crew.
We were offered a hot towel, welcome beverage
and a newspaper while we prepared for take-off.
TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 43