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CX joins the "charging for exit-row pack"
Cathay Pacific offers passengers the option to secure seats with additional legroom 16 November 2009 Cathay Pacific Airways announced today that it is offering passengers the option to secure seats with extra legroom in its Economy Class cabins by paying an additional charge. Previously these seats could only be reserved by certain passengers such as Marco Polo Club members of a certain level and those in the highest booking classes. Now all passengers who fulfil the safety requirements are able to book them in advance. There is always a strong demand for extra legroom seats, and the Cathay Pacific move is in line with similar practices adopted by other major international airlines. From 1 December 2009, Cathay Pacific customers will be able to secure an Extra-legroom Seat on long-haul flights by paying US$100 per sector. They can also pay for the seats by redeeming 20,000 Asia Miles. From 1 January 2010, passengers will be able to secure an Extra-legroom Seat on flights to Mainland China and regional destinations by paying US$25 or 5,000 Asia Miles. Members of the Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club loyalty programme (Silver tier and above), who are already able to reserve the Extra-legroom Seats, will continue to enjoy the service free of charge. The seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Cathay Pacific Director Sales & Marketing James Barrington said: “Those passengers who particularly value extra legroom will now be able to secure these seats and enjoy a more comfortable journey simply by making an additional payment. At the same time, we will continue to reward our most loyal customers by offering them the Extra-legroom Seat option free of charge.” The Extra-legroom Seats have significantly more legroom than other seats in Cathay Pacific’s Economy Class cabins. For most flights, there are between two and four Extra-legroom Seats available. Initially the seats will be available for booking through the airlines reservations hotline or when checking at airport or in-town check-in counters. Next year passengers will be able to secure the seats through the airlines website. |
That's Bull...t. I fly Cx as I get to use the emergency exit seats. Pfft, time to look at other options.
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i doubt many people will pay 100 USD/sector (or 20K AM/sector) for an exit row. at least, I wouldn't.
but it might increase MRs on CX/MPC. :) |
Originally Posted by hau cheng
(Post 12825847)
That's Bull...t. I fly Cx as I get to use the emergency exit seats. Pfft, time to look at other options.
but I was thinking...assuming there's really people who's willing to pay this charge...now actually it's somewhat worse off for MPO elites because there's more "competition" ? before non-elites don't have this choice, now if they book (and pay) early enough, then availability of exit rows will become less for MPO elites... |
hau cheng-- You will be able to request for those seats without the charge, won't you?
It will be interesting to see how fast are those seats gone once this charging begins....hopefully not... I was wondering whether bulkhead seats are categorised as "seats with additional legroom" |
Less seats may become available, besides, what's next? jetstar/ Air Asia service at CX prices?
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Originally Posted by hau cheng
(Post 12826011)
Less seats may become available, besides, what's next? jetstar/ Air Asia service at CX prices?
What's next? Paying aisle seats? Pay for each carry on baggage? |
UA's Economy Plus has been extremely successful thus far and elite members don't seem to be complaining about the fact that Economy Plus seats are for sale.
This, too, shall pass, my friends. :) |
Originally Posted by Cathay Boy
(Post 12826269)
What's next? Paying aisle seats? Pay for each carry on baggage?
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+1 :td: If this makes it harder for elites to secure the seats, i will not be a happy cx customer.
@Sam7 I'm guessing that CX will charge bulkheads as extra-legroom seats as well |
At least elites get the seats free....
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Originally Posted by UnitedSkies
(Post 12826628)
UA's Economy Plus has been extremely successful thus far and elite members don't seem to be complaining about the fact that Economy Plus seats are for sale.
The press release doesn't specify whether OW elites will also retain privileges to book these seats free of charge (I've generally had no problem with that). AA still allows only elites to reserve exit row seats in advance. It's a nice perk that if I have to make a relatively last-minute booking, there is usually a decent seat available for me. I wouldn't be terribly happy if that were gone. |
Originally Posted by RA-wannabe
(Post 12827277)
At least elites get the seats free....
This particular change is not too horrible for CX, but CX should really spend more time thinking about how to lure people into their DM and GL program. Like cheaper last minute upgrade cost, more anniversary gifts like upgrade coupons, discounts to in-flight products, etc. Convince people all over the world to dump SQ, AA, BA, etc. to convert to CX. That's long-term revenue building. |
I would prefer to see CX show leadership similar to that of Air New Zealand who announced that pax can pay 100-200 US at the airport and have the vacant economy seat in front slide back to almost create a bed in Y (subject to availability).
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Originally Posted by Cathay Boy
(Post 12826269)
As long as it's truly first come first serve I'm ok with it. However, I really think they will flow around "internal procedures" that will reject loyalty passengers in hope that others will pay up the dough ($100.)
What's next? Paying aisle seats? Pay for each carry on baggage? |
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