Cathay Pacific Airlines plans to introduce a premium economy product on its fleet before mid-2012. Chief Executive, John Slosar, confirmed the launch of the new product promising “a real upgrade over economy” and a great product worthy of the additional cost.

Mr Slosar also confirmed that the new product would be introduced on all of Cathay Pacific's long-haul routes, the ultra long-hauls to Europe and North America, and the medium haul down to Australia, in the Middle East and other destinations.

“The seat will be more like a regional business class seat. We’ll have great recline and plenty of leg space," he said. "But it’s not just the seat, we’ll have an improved service as well. The meal service will be improved and little extras will leave anyone who chooses Cathay Pacific’s premium economy feeling they really got value for their money. That’s the most important part, I think."

Mr Slosar is convinced that premium economy is becoming a standard product everywhere. "And certainly, as a standard product, Cathay Pacific will want to offer it and we’ll want to do a really good job of it. Starting second quarter next year we will offer a premium economy product in our aircraft.”

Mr Slosar added that the new product will be installed on the fleet "at the same time as we install the new Business Class seats." "We’ll be doing all this quite quickly, although it will still take most of 2012 before it is on most of our aircraft,” he said.