Is Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy Worth the Upgrade?

Here’s what it’s like to fly Premium Economy from Sydney to London via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777.

Aussies are no strangers to long-haul flights. But the journey from Australia to Europe can still feel like a marathon if you’re not someone who easily falls asleep on planes. Despite my best efforts, I’m not that lucky person who drifts off by take-off, so I pay a bit more to make myself comfortable.

Australian-based aviation review company AirlineRatings.com ranked Cathay Pacific as the second best airline in the world for 2026, and it’s one I find I keep returning to. This was my fourth time flying from Sydney to Europe in their Premium Economy class. Here’s my verdict.

Pre-departure

a complimentary glass of champagne onboard Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy — Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne.

If you’re an overpacker, or in my case, relocating to another country, the two-bag (23 kilograms each) inclusion, as you would get if you were flying Business Class, is certainly helpful. You can have one piece of carry-on up to 7 kilograms, plus one small personal item.

Other times I’ve flown Cathay Pacific from Sydney International Airport, there has been a dedicated Premium Economy check-in line, but that wasn’t the case this time. The general boarding line moved swiftly regardless. Lounge access at Sydney Airport isn’t complimentary with a Premium Economy ticket; you will need frequent flyer status, connecting flight class or credit card perks to gain access.

Boarding was punctual, and once in my seat I was offered juice or prosecco – as well as a warm hand towel on the second flight – before take-off.

The seat

Cathay Pacific is in the midst of a multi-year fleet-wide cabin refurbishment, but on this journey, I missed out on the new Premium Economy fit-out. I’ve flown in the refurbished Boeing 777-300ER planes before and the design is definitely an upgrade from the older one with elevated features such as a light on the headrest privacy screens, a small storage space, sleek seats and 15.6-inch widescreen 4K TVs. However, the seats in the older 777s are still very comfortable.

There are just four rows and 32 seats in Premium Economy on the Sydney to Hong Kong leg of the journey. There is a 2-4-2 configuration and I was sitting in the front row in window seat 30A. Opt for this seat if it’s available, as you get extra legroom, which makes it easier to get in and out of your seat without disturbing the person next to you.

The elevated footrest is a game-changer for those who experience leg swelling when flying or those who struggle to sleep on planes. As is the seat, which reclines roughly 120-125 degrees. The seat width is 19.5 inches versus 17-18 inches in economy and feels spacious.

To help you settle in, each passenger gets noise-cancelling headphones, a duvet and pillow to use as well as a city-themed zipper toiletries bag made from recycled materials with an eco-friendly toothbrush, padded cloth eye mask, earplugs and non-slip socks.

The only differences with the Hong Kong to London leg were that there were 34 seats – I was sitting in aisle seat 33D (second last row in the middle section).

The lack of mood lighting was a feature I missed from the newly fitted cabins.

Can you sleep in Cathay Premium Economy?

While it doesn’t offer the luxury of a lie-flat sleeping position, the seats are comfortable and I didn’t have any aches throughout the flight. As a notorious non-sleeper on planes – and a poor sleeper at the best of times – I was surprised that I slept on and off for approximately seven hours in total. Most other passengers appeared to be sleeping throughout the flight.

Food & drink

a set meal onboard Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy — Premium Economy offers elevated food options.

Plane food can be underwhelming, but I find Cathay Pacific’s dining experience to be really enjoyable and better than many airlines. In Premium Economy, the offering is more elevated than in Economy and includes metal cutlery.

Over the two flights, I tucked into mushroom rigatoni pasta in tomato leek cream sauce; casarecce pasta with roasted curly kale, red capsicum and celeriac puree; Häagen-Dazs and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

My “hack" of not listing my pescatarian diet (as you end up getting a vegan meal and there’s usually a vegetarian option on the menu anyway) was foiled on the second leg, as the dinner menu had no vegetarian option this time. Instead, it was stir-fried beef fillet with cordyceps flowers and Hungarian chicken paprikash. But given I was still full from lunch and took advantage of Cathay’s iconic hot cup noodles, I was happy to just tuck into the sago crème brûlée pudding with ginger crumble.

Entertainment

Widescreen 4K Ultra-HD TV onboard Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy — The onboard entertainment is definitely an upgrade.

The 15.6-inch widescreen 4K TVs in the refurbished cabins are a definite improvement from the 12.1-inch personal touchscreen TVs on this journey, but they did the trick when I watched The Devil Wears Prada, Couture, Tow and The History of Sound. A solid library of on-demand movies, TV box sets, music, games, as well as live flight information is available.

The built-in USB-A port and universal AC power outlet made it easy to charge devices, particularly as most airlines don’t let you charge items using power banks.

Service

Cathay Pacific staff were polite and attentive on both flights.

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The business class lounge

As previously mentioned, business class lounge access isn’t complimentary with a Premium Economy ticket. My Cathay Pacific status has meant the three out of four flights I’ve taken with Cathay Pacific (all Sydney to Europe) have included lounge access for my Hong Kong layover.

There are three Cathay Pacific business class lounges to use, and they are all fantastic. I recommend The Wing, as it’s the largest of the three and is located in Terminal 1 near gate two, the closest to immigration. My eight-hour layover would have felt like a drag had I not been able to access this lounge, which boasts a whopping 2,937 square metres of space. The sleek space features a low-lit relaxation room with daybeds and three distinct dining sections: The Noodle Bar, The Coffee Loft and The Buffet. There are also private bathrooms with showers to freshen up in between flights.

How much is a Cathay Pacific Premium Economy seat?

sitting onboard Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy — Every seat comes with extra comfort.

I wouldn’t say that Premium Economy is an affordable option, but the extra comfort makes for a much more enjoyable flight and it can set you up for being better rested when you arrive at your destination. All up, I paid $2,347.99 for my one-way flight from Sydney to London.

In July 2025, my return Premium Economy ticket from Sydney to Amsterdam was $4,077.69.

In July, 2024, my return Premium Economy ticket from Sydney to Paris was $4,264.12.

The verdict

If you value sleep and arriving at your destination more refreshed, the upgrade to Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy will be well worth it once all cabins are upgraded. Being able to recline your seat further than in Economy and use a built-in leg rest makes a significant difference to your comfort levels.

Premium economy is my happy medium in which I feel like I’m experiencing a bit of luxury, get to the other side feeling somewhat human, but without the hefty price tag.

The lounge access I’ve received also makes it feel like Cathay Pacific actually values its customers’ loyalty – something many modern travellers are struggling to find with other airlines.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Is Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy worth the upgrade?