Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - The new Y

Have had a chance to read various thoughts and look at pictures of the new product.

I must say, the biggest feature that would drag me back to choosing CX Y over either Virgin or Air NZ's PE is the fixed back.

While Air NZ has a very generous seat pitch on their 747s (34"), seat pitch is kinda moot when the person in front of you has reclined and the video screen is two inches from your nose. The number of times I have seen tussles between passengers who have disagreed on the right to one of them reclining in the other's face - well, it's not uncommon.

Sure you get what you pay for, but when an airline is advertising a seat pitch, it's a bit annoying when you realise that the numbers go out the window once the seat back in front of you is reclined. With the fixed backs, I think CX will win over a significant number of Y travellers who get air rage over seat backs reclining (I've seen it plenty of times!).

While it's not a PE product by any means, it does give the passenger some relief in that you pay for a certain seat pitch, and you know that no one can actually take that away from you. I don't really mind Y food, and I can sleep pretty much anywhere - so while the lie flat bed would be lovely, it's not an issue, esp as I love to stay up and play with AV systems anyway - but it's the fixed back Y seats are the selling point for me.

Interested on other peoples' thoughts on this.

I agree. This is really an unique product. I just hope it's more comfortable, as well.

I agree. This is really an unique product. I just hope it's more comfortable, as well.
Just remember its still Y :D

With the fixed backs, I think CX will win over a significant number of Y travellers

I'm not entirely convinced that we will see a migration en masse of economy passengers from other airlines to CX because of their new seat. Economy class passengers, more so than premium class passengers, are very price sensitive and their choice of airline will largely be decided accordingly, followed by flight schedules, company travel policy and mileage earning capabilities.

I'm not entirely convinced that we will see a migration en masse of economy passengers from other airlines to CX because of their new seat. Economy class passengers, more so than premium class passengers, are very price sensitive and their choice of airline will largely be decided accordingly, followed by flight schedules, company travel policy and mileage earning capabilities.

If the case was true people buy product over price... there will be no need for these discount carriers. :p

Well I've been wondering if CX would try to premium price their Y product because of the new seats. I doubt it.

The new seats actually weigh less, so it's win-win for both pax and airline.

I'm not sure if I understand it fully, but according to CX website, when you recline, it "enables the seat bottom to slide forward while the back recedes into the shell." Yes, the person in front of you are not taking away your space, but aren't you effectively taking away your own space when you recline the seat yourself? :confused:

Yes - but the point is that it's under your control, not the control of the person in front of you.

Yes, having control is nice but, I'm not sure if we can consider it as improvement. Basically, you can either A) have more legroom but sit straight all the time or B) recline but with a tighter space. I think it's a real dilemma when you fly longhaul.

For most people that is an improvement - if you want more overall space then you have to pay more money - it's called "business class".

if you want more overall space then you have to pay more money - it's called "business class".

LOL, I knew someone's going to say that! :D It's always the most obvious answer, you pay more if you want more. It's always as simple as that. Innovative design? Yes, no doubt. But commenting strictly on the economy cabin itself, then personally I don't see it as a huge improvement regarding personal space.

I do see it as an improvement, and the new "non intrusive" seat back thing would certainly play a part in whether we flew with CX, Virgin or Air NZ.

Part of the bummer about flying in Y is that it's always a lottery as to whether the person in front of you is going to knock their seat back 5 mins after takeoff, or for 5 minutes total. Add to this your chances of getting a seat with the IFE box at your feet, and you risk getting jammed in a very uncomfortable space for a long time on some flights.

The "get what you pay for" argument is partly true - AFAIK the chances of a passenger paying full Y fare vs a passenger paying deep discount Y getting serial seat recliners in front of them are about the same (ignoring successful MPC seat requests for EE seats).

Heading slightly OT, we were looking at flying to NZ for Xmas this year and priced up the various fares. Roughly 6 months out from Xmas, the best CX fare we could get was 8.5k + taxes p/p (in Y). A bit of calling around and we discovered that for 9.5k + taxes p/p we could fly in the new Air NZ planes in PE - getting a 40" seat pitch, as well as J class wine and cheese selection, and a seat upstairs. It was a no brainer - and the seat pitch was the selling point really (AVOD was the cherry on top).

I guess what I'm saying is that I hope the CX Y product does live up to the CX hype. With the full Y fares being very close to the lowest PE fares of other airlines, they might start to take a hit from pax who can't afford to fly J, but are happy to fork out a little extra for a few creature comforts.

Just remember its still Y :D

If I can fall asleep in the new Y seat and in my dreams, dream about J, then yes, the new Y will be superior. :D

I guess what I'm saying is that I hope the CX Y product does live up to the CX hype. With the full Y fares being very close to the lowest PE fares of other airlines, they might start to take a hit from pax who can't afford to fly J, but are happy to fork out a little extra for a few creature comforts.

While I prefer CX in almost every regard, I have taken BA WTP several times this year to LON for precisely this reason. If CX had a premium Y product I would be quite happy.

I'm not entirely convinced that we will see a migration en masse of economy passengers from other airlines to CX because of their new seat. Economy class passengers, more so than premium class passengers, are very price sensitive and their choice of airline will largely be decided accordingly, followed by flight schedules, company travel policy and mileage earning capabilities.

^

The new CX Y seats are just plain UGLY! I'd never fly long-haul with them.

The new CX Y seats are just plain UGLY! I'd never fly long-haul with them.

ugly is one thing....this doesn't mean the seats are not comfy! No matter it's ugly or wt, the most important thing of the seat is comfy!

The new CX Y seats are just plain UGLY! I'd never fly long-haul with them.

So you'd rather be in good looking seats that were uncomfortable for a long haul flight?

Sure they're not exactly oil paintings, but if they're comfy and are designed to maximise your personal space, I'd certainly give them a crack on a long haul flight.