May 8, 2018, 8:11 pm
Last edit by: bart simpson
Confirmed:
SCMP, Oct 2, 2016: Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific to introduce 10-abreast seating in its Boeing planes
SCMP, March 31, 2017: Hong Kong Cathay Pacific passengers to feel the squeeze in push for profits
SCMP, March 31, 2017: Inside Cathay Pacific's new condensed economy class
48 long-haul 777s to be retrofitted. 17 regionals (including the 5 ex-Emirates aircraft). Five of the earliest 77W long-haul fleet (all first-class) to be phased out.
New seat details
Seat legroom: 32" (no change)
Seat width: 17.2" (down 1.3")
IFE screen: Long-haul - 12" (up 3"); Regional - 9" (no change)
Extra personal storage
New six-way headrest (similar to A350 but not like-for-like)
Wi-Fi
Thinner seats but extra padding
Economy class retrofit from mid-2018 to 2020
10% more economy seats
19 extra Y seats to 201 in 4-class 777: for 294 passengers.
28 extra Y seats to 296 in 3-class 777: for 368 passengers.
40 extra Y seats to 396 in regional 777: for 438 passengers.
Previous discussion on Cathay's decision to densify: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1718701-cx-considering-confirmed-having-10-seats-per-row-44.html
SCMP, Oct 2, 2016: Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific to introduce 10-abreast seating in its Boeing planes
SCMP, March 31, 2017: Hong Kong Cathay Pacific passengers to feel the squeeze in push for profits
SCMP, March 31, 2017: Inside Cathay Pacific's new condensed economy class
48 long-haul 777s to be retrofitted. 17 regionals (including the 5 ex-Emirates aircraft). Five of the earliest 77W long-haul fleet (all first-class) to be phased out.
New seat details
Seat legroom: 32" (no change)
Seat width: 17.2" (down 1.3")
IFE screen: Long-haul - 12" (up 3"); Regional - 9" (no change)
Extra personal storage
New six-way headrest (similar to A350 but not like-for-like)
Wi-Fi
Thinner seats but extra padding
Economy class retrofit from mid-2018 to 2020
10% more economy seats
19 extra Y seats to 201 in 4-class 777: for 294 passengers.
28 extra Y seats to 296 in 3-class 777: for 368 passengers.
40 extra Y seats to 396 in regional 777: for 438 passengers.
Previous discussion on Cathay's decision to densify: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1718701-cx-considering-confirmed-having-10-seats-per-row-44.html
Densified 777 10 abreast: Reviews and Experiences
Apr 20, 2018, 11:35 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Was on B-KPY to Nagoya on April 13 - and from gathering of the above posts, seems it was the first 777-300ER refitted with 10 abreast.
Thoughts:
I was seated in Economy window seat with two companions; the seat itself is a major improvement: despite being slimmer than before, they finally got the lumbar padding right and it's the first time i've never needed to ask for a pillow to put on my lower back.
The aisles are definitely noticeable narrower, and my companion sitting on the aisle seat noticed much more people bumping into the chairs. The cabin is noticeably much more cramp.
Strangely - Premium economy was not updated to the current ones on the A350 aircraft. However, I flew the A350 on PE (new) a day before from London and was on a 777-300ER PE back from Nagoya when I came back. Would agree that the new Premium Economy seat is not an improvement beyond the IFE.
Thoughts:
I was seated in Economy window seat with two companions; the seat itself is a major improvement: despite being slimmer than before, they finally got the lumbar padding right and it's the first time i've never needed to ask for a pillow to put on my lower back.
The aisles are definitely noticeable narrower, and my companion sitting on the aisle seat noticed much more people bumping into the chairs. The cabin is noticeably much more cramp.
Strangely - Premium economy was not updated to the current ones on the A350 aircraft. However, I flew the A350 on PE (new) a day before from London and was on a 777-300ER PE back from Nagoya when I came back. Would agree that the new Premium Economy seat is not an improvement beyond the IFE.
The PEY seats on 77W aren't being updated, so no surprise there.
Much thanks.
Apr 21, 2018, 6:55 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 384
I'd bet this scenario could lead to greater op-ups for the next 6-12 months as these new birds get reconfigured. I'd bet eventually, CX might start betting on the increased capacity and overselling Y a little bit more, especially to places like LAX and JFK where they have multiple frequencies of the same bird type each day. Going to be interesting.....
Apr 21, 2018, 4:23 pm
#18
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,802
Any news on increased staffing for the additional 40 pax?
Apr 22, 2018, 9:32 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Apr 22, 2018, 9:52 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 91
Looks like B-KPY has started on the long haul flights, LHR and YYZ in the past two days: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...ageActivityLog
Apr 24, 2018, 9:13 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SQ, BA, TG, Sheba, VN, MPO since 1980
Posts: 1,058
Apr 28, 2018, 5:25 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Flew recently from KIX to TPE on CX in economy and hugely regretted not booking business. 10 seats/row arrangement is horrible. Previously I enjoyed their economy, seats were convenient and I could easily sleep. New seats do not allow to adjust yourself in any comfortable way. It reminded me flying AirAsia or Cebu Pacific, it was that bad. Gonna avoid CX as much as possible from now, unless I book business.
Apr 29, 2018, 7:17 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: CX/KA
Posts: 4
Reconfigured 77H --> 77A
Reconfigured 73Z --> 77P
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...g-777/300.html
Reconfigured 73Z --> 77P
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...g-777/300.html
Apr 29, 2018, 8:35 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CRK MNL
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,288
From Airlineroute:
Cathay Pacific in the last few days gradually outlined planned operation with its re-configured Boeing 777-300 and -300ER, featuring 3-4-3 layout in Economy Class (instead of 3-3-3). The re-configured aircraft is gradually loaded in the reservation system as well as the OAG, starting June 2018.
Current schedule is updated until 28OCT18, and service entry date is likely to move forward.
777-300 (J42Y396)
01JUN18 – 30JUN18 (Selected flights only for following routes)
Hong Kong – Bangkok
Hong Kong – Manila
Hong Kong – Osaka Kansai
Hong Kong – Singapore
Hong Kong – Taipei Taoyuan
Hong Kong – Tokyo Narita
01JUL18 – 27OCT18
Hong Kong – Osaka Kansai CX506/507
777-300ER J40W32Y296
eff 19JUN18 Hong Kong – London Heathrow
eff 01JUL18 Hong Kong – Rome
eff 01OCT18 Hong Kong – Johannesburg
777-300ER F6J53W34Y201
eff 01AUG18 Hong Kong – Tokyo Haneda CX548/549
Cathay Pacific in the last few days gradually outlined planned operation with its re-configured Boeing 777-300 and -300ER, featuring 3-4-3 layout in Economy Class (instead of 3-3-3). The re-configured aircraft is gradually loaded in the reservation system as well as the OAG, starting June 2018.
Current schedule is updated until 28OCT18, and service entry date is likely to move forward.
777-300 (J42Y396)
01JUN18 – 30JUN18 (Selected flights only for following routes)
Hong Kong – Bangkok
Hong Kong – Manila
Hong Kong – Osaka Kansai
Hong Kong – Singapore
Hong Kong – Taipei Taoyuan
Hong Kong – Tokyo Narita
01JUL18 – 27OCT18
Hong Kong – Osaka Kansai CX506/507
777-300ER J40W32Y296
eff 19JUN18 Hong Kong – London Heathrow
eff 01JUL18 Hong Kong – Rome
eff 01OCT18 Hong Kong – Johannesburg
777-300ER F6J53W34Y201
eff 01AUG18 Hong Kong – Tokyo Haneda CX548/549
Apr 30, 2018, 2:28 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Cathay Pacific, Air Astana
Posts: 102
I had a 10-across 777 BOM-HKG about 10 days ago (in Y, obviously). Fortunately had an empty seat next to me.
But I was surprised at how small/ narrow/ feeble the arm rests were. Not enough room for my elbow. So heaven knows how someone sat in the middle with pax either side would endure a long haul (e.g. LHR, JNB, FCO) in Y
But I was surprised at how small/ narrow/ feeble the arm rests were. Not enough room for my elbow. So heaven knows how someone sat in the middle with pax either side would endure a long haul (e.g. LHR, JNB, FCO) in Y
May 1, 2018, 9:41 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
Had the pleasure of experiencing the new 10 abreast last week. The seat was very comfortable with excellent cushioning. Not sure this is due to the fact that's it's only a couple of weeks old, but at least there were no issues like the completely unprotected lower back like on the 350 Y seats. The IFE is fantastic - and you can skip ahead through the commercials using the FF button method 
.
However, and not surprisingly, you can def feel the missing 1.5 inches on the sides. Played around a bit, and it would be near impossible for me not to protrude into the neighbors space. No way to avoid rubbing elbows and arms. And I am certainly not a COS.
Had only read about 10 abreast on other airlines, but will try my hardest to avoid these in the future. If there's no other options like KA on my routes or can't fly PEY, I can honestly say I will look into other carriers.
.However, and not surprisingly, you can def feel the missing 1.5 inches on the sides. Played around a bit, and it would be near impossible for me not to protrude into the neighbors space. No way to avoid rubbing elbows and arms. And I am certainly not a COS.
Had only read about 10 abreast on other airlines, but will try my hardest to avoid these in the future. If there's no other options like KA on my routes or can't fly PEY, I can honestly say I will look into other carriers.
May 1, 2018, 11:31 pm
#27
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,802
"Would be" - the seat(s) next to you were not actually occupied?
May 2, 2018, 11:33 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marco Polo Gold
Posts: 1,084
I just had a downgrade with the family on a 777 plane, but we were handsomely rewarded (which I appreciate) so no argument from our family, it's only a 3-hour flight. It was 9-across still, and I feel very cramped with the seats. I'm just 6'1" 160 pounds fine-tuned guy, and I feel the seats are already too cramp. My wife ,who's 5'5" and 120 pounds, agrees.
I keep walking up and down the aisles to visually imagine how is it possible for them to fit one more seat into the cabin? In the future I will fight tooth-and-nails to NEVER get downgraded to 10-across. It's insane to imagine how can people rest comfortably in that arrangement, especially on cross-timezone long flights.
I keep walking up and down the aisles to visually imagine how is it possible for them to fit one more seat into the cabin? In the future I will fight tooth-and-nails to NEVER get downgraded to 10-across. It's insane to imagine how can people rest comfortably in that arrangement, especially on cross-timezone long flights.
May 2, 2018, 5:35 pm
#29
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,802
I just had a downgrade with the family on a 777 plane, but we were handsomely rewarded (which I appreciate) so no argument from our family, it's only a 3-hour flight. It was 9-across still, and I feel very cramped with the seats. I'm just 6'1" 160 pounds fine-tuned guy, and I feel the seats are already too cramp. My wife ,who's 5'5" and 120 pounds, agrees.
Last edited by percysmith; May 9, 2018 at 12:16 am