REGIONAL DISAPPOINTMENT

It has always been a pleasure to fly Cathay Pacific, but standards seem to be slipping. Cathay used to have old seating on the regional B777-300 and A330 aircraft type, but over the last two years or so, they have completely revamped to the newer regional seatings.

While this may seem like a positive move, I must say that Cathay has taken two steps back with this revamp. Even the troubled Malaysia Airlines has revamped its business class to a complete lie-flat configuration (on its A330).

I strongly believe that there should not be a distinction between regional and long-haul business seating, or if there must be, it should at least offer equivalent comfort (ie lie-flat configuration) – like Singapore Airlines.

Most modern airlines today are offering more comfort to business travellers while Cathay is cutting back – how does it intend to win over and retain premium customers?

Continuing to fly Cathay in 2017 will be a tough call. It cannot continue to believe that giving less and less to customers is good for business. Without a competing product, Cathay can only compete on price – it must make itself the airline of choice for travellers once again. Edmund Chuah Choong, Hong Kong

CATHAY PACIFIC RESPONDS: We place great importance on listening to our customers, especially our top-tier Marco Polo Club members like Mr Choong, and would like to thank him for providing his feedback regarding our regional business class seat.

As Mr Choong rightly points out, not all of our regional business class seats are lie-flat like those found in the business class cabins of our long-haul aircraft. Instead, we have a wide seat featuring an innovative cradle recline that is designed, using our customers’ and frequent flyers’ input, to provide optimum comfort and privacy, and for relaxing and working on short- and mid-haul flights.

We are reviewing our long-term product offerings, which includes evaluating a variety of seat designs. As stated, passenger feedback is of the utmost importance and will be carefully considered in our ongoing decision making. We look forward to welcoming Mr Choong on his next flight with us and hope he will continue to enjoy the exclusive privileges that he is entitled to as one our Marco Polo Club Diamond members.