Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

Having just completed a JFK-MNL RT on Cathay Pacific, I've decided
that life is too short for 20 hours in steerage.

I've flown EVA's Evergreen Deluxe class before, and assume they still
offer it. The downside is that (when last I was there) TPE was a
rather shabby airport, whereas HKG is truly spectacular. This is more
of an issue now that my wife accompanies me to MNL.

So what other airlines, preferably Asian, offer a premium economy
service from EWR or JFK to MNL?

TIA!



Ed R.

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

Just flew EVA from SFO to MNL and I wouldn't consider TPE to be a "shabby
airport". What you need to do when you fly EVA is to try to get a pass to
the Evergreen Lounge at TPE. Makes the layover much more pleasant. I know FC
and BC customers automatically get the Evergreen Lounge pass but if you
offered to pay, they could give you a pass.

<edrud1@hotmail . com > wrote in message
news:1175097280.239516.307710@b75g2000hsg.googlegroups . com ...
> Having just completed a JFK-MNL RT on Cathay Pacific, I've decided
> that life is too short for 20 hours in steerage.
>
> I've flown EVA's Evergreen Deluxe class before, and assume they still
> offer it. The downside is that (when last I was there) TPE was a
> rather shabby airport, whereas HKG is truly spectacular. This is more
> of an issue now that my wife accompanies me to MNL.
>
> So what other airlines, preferably Asian, offer a premium economy
> service from EWR or JFK to MNL?
>
> TIA!
>
>
>
> Ed R.
>

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

I think the OP flew into the old Terminal 1 several years ago. EVA now
flies to the relatively-new Terminal 2. Certainly "not shabby" by any
standards. Wouldn't consider it to be as nice as HKG, but still nice, clean
and new.

Given the choices, I'd stick with EVA Evergreen Deluxe.


"Alex Neri" <alexn@comcast . net > wrote in message
news:UizOh.1705$xE4.1605@news.cpqcorp . net ...
> Just flew EVA from SFO to MNL and I wouldn't consider TPE to be a "shabby
> airport". What you need to do when you fly EVA is to try to get a pass to
> the Evergreen Lounge at TPE. Makes the layover much more pleasant. I know
> FC and BC customers automatically get the Evergreen Lounge pass but if you
> offered to pay, they could give you a pass.
>
> <edrud1@hotmail . com > wrote in message
> news:1175097280.239516.307710@b75g2000hsg.googlegroups . com ...
>> Having just completed a JFK-MNL RT on Cathay Pacific, I've decided
>> that life is too short for 20 hours in steerage.
>>
>> I've flown EVA's Evergreen Deluxe class before, and assume they still
>> offer it. The downside is that (when last I was there) TPE was a
>> rather shabby airport, whereas HKG is truly spectacular. This is more
>> of an issue now that my wife accompanies me to MNL.
>>
>> So what other airlines, preferably Asian, offer a premium economy
>> service from EWR or JFK to MNL?
>>
>> TIA!
>>
>>
>>
>> Ed R.
>>

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

Thanks for the replies.

And I really should not have called TPE shabby. It is indeed a clean,
efficient, modern airport. From a passenger's POV it's much better
than, say, Kai Tak or Kimpo. I guess I'm just a bit spoiled by Changi
and more recently Chek Lap Kok! We're not big on longes for the
layover from the long-haul, but do like to walk around a shop and
browse.

Incheon is the same way - very modern, but rather sparse in terms of
shopping.

I may have to give EVA a try again. The fact that they fly out of EWR
rather than JFK is a useful plus for me.

The best solution would of course be BC on CX, but that's not going to
happen any time soon...



Ed R.

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

Let me get this straight. You're going to pick an airline solely based on
the amount of shopping you can do on a 2 or 3 hour layover to MNL, since you
don't care much about lounges. I guess I just don't understand your
priorities. Personally, there are a lot of other criteria that are way more
important than maximizing shopping during a layover.

<edrud1@hotmail . com > wrote in message
news:1175110019.383515.45360@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups . com ...
> Thanks for the replies.
>
> And I really should not have called TPE shabby. It is indeed a clean,
> efficient, modern airport. From a passenger's POV it's much better
> than, say, Kai Tak or Kimpo. I guess I'm just a bit spoiled by Changi
> and more recently Chek Lap Kok! We're not big on longes for the
> layover from the long-haul, but do like to walk around a shop and
> browse.
>
> Incheon is the same way - very modern, but rather sparse in terms of
> shopping.
>
> I may have to give EVA a try again. The fact that they fly out of EWR
> rather than JFK is a useful plus for me.
>
> The best solution would of course be BC on CX, but that's not going to
> happen any time soon...
>
>
>
> Ed R.
>

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

On Mar 28, 4:24 pm, "Alex Neri" <a...@comcast . net > wrote:
> Let me get this straight. You're going to pick an airline solely based on
> the amount of shopping you can do on a 2 or 3 hour layover to MNL, since you
> don't care much about lounges. I guess I just don't understand your
> priorities. Personally, there are a lot of other criteria that are way more
> important than maximizing shopping during a layover.

It's one criterion.

I've flown SQ, KE, OZ, and CX in steerage to MNL (as well as BR's
Evergreen Deluze). I will not fly SQ again, as the legroom was
abysmal. For the others, the experience in steerage was more or less
the same (some people are big on IFE; I'm not), so the home airport
experience becomes a differentiating factor. And yes, shopping is
important; the prices for Cuban cigars in duty free at HKG are
excellent, and the selection is good ;-)

But this time around the experience in steerage was so uncomfortable
that I want to consider trying a premium economy product, and wondered
if there was anything else besides BR.

Thanks again.



Ed R.

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila


<edrud1@hotmail . com > wrote in message
news:1175182026.298405.313030@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups . com ...
> On Mar 28, 4:24 pm, "Alex Neri" <a...@comcast . net > wrote:
>> Let me get this straight. You're going to pick an airline solely based on
>> the amount of shopping you can do on a 2 or 3 hour layover to MNL, since
>> you
>> don't care much about lounges. I guess I just don't understand your
>> priorities. Personally, there are a lot of other criteria that are way
>> more
>> important than maximizing shopping during a layover.
>
> It's one criterion.
>
> I've flown SQ, KE, OZ, and CX in steerage to MNL (as well as BR's
> Evergreen Deluze). I will not fly SQ again, as the legroom was
> abysmal. For the others, the experience in steerage was more or less
> the same (some people are big on IFE; I'm not), so the home airport
> experience becomes a differentiating factor. And yes, shopping is
> important; the prices for Cuban cigars in duty free at HKG are
> excellent, and the selection is good ;-)
>
> But this time around the experience in steerage was so uncomfortable
> that I want to consider trying a premium economy product, and wondered
> if there was anything else besides BR.
>
> Thanks again.
>
So I guess I wasted my time writing about SQ's premium economy.
Now you want premium but not through Taipei and not SQ?
Via the Atlantic with Virgin or BA premium economy to Singapore?



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila


> > I've flown SQ, KE, OZ, and CX in steerage to MNL (as well as BR's
> > Evergreen Deluze). I will not fly SQ again, as the legroom was
> > abysmal. For the others, the experience in steerage was more or less
> > the same (some people are big on IFE; I'm not), so the home airport
> > experience becomes a differentiating factor. And yes, shopping is
> > important; the prices for Cuban cigars in duty free at HKG are
> > excellent, and the selection is good ;-)
>
> > But this time around the experience in steerage was so uncomfortable
> > that I want to consider trying a premium economy product, and wondered
> So I guess I wasted my time writing about SQ's premium economy.
> Now you want premium but not through Taipei and not SQ?
> Via the Atlantic with Virgin or BA premium economy to Singapore?

Not at all! In fact, thank you! When I flew SQ it was in steerage, and
was horrible. This premium economy on an A345 from JFK or EWR sounds
really really good, and the fact that it's a nonstop to SIN makes up
for most of the added time it usually takes flying east to MNL. I can
live with 3 hours in steerage from SIN to MNL. And going through
Changi is a nice bonus.

In addition, I will definitely consider BR, as I had previous great
experience in Evergreen Deluxe. I was simply curious if there was any
other Asian airline offering premium economy. Until you posted, I only
knew of BR, and that's likely what I'd be flying (a nicer home base no
longer compensates for the misery of long-haul steerage). Now SQ is an
excellent option as well, and with the bonus of a nonstop from NYC to
Singapore. I simply don't want to overlook any potential options.

Far from wasting time, yours was the most helpful posting of all, and
all were helpful.

BTW, there's no way in hell I'd fly BA, with their absurd restrictions
on carryons. Is Virgin the same?


Ed R.

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila


<edrud1@hotmail . com > wrote in message
news:1175262250.988319.51460@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups . com ...
>
>> > I've flown SQ, KE, OZ, and CX in steerage to MNL (as well as BR's
>> > Evergreen Deluze). I will not fly SQ again, as the legroom was
>> > abysmal. For the others, the experience in steerage was more or less
>> > the same (some people are big on IFE; I'm not), so the home airport
>> > experience becomes a differentiating factor. And yes, shopping is
>> > important; the prices for Cuban cigars in duty free at HKG are
>> > excellent, and the selection is good ;-)
>>
>> > But this time around the experience in steerage was so uncomfortable
>> > that I want to consider trying a premium economy product, and wondered
>> So I guess I wasted my time writing about SQ's premium economy.
>> Now you want premium but not through Taipei and not SQ?
>> Via the Atlantic with Virgin or BA premium economy to Singapore?
>
> Not at all! In fact, thank you! When I flew SQ it was in steerage, and
> was horrible. This premium economy on an A345 from JFK or EWR sounds
> really really good, and the fact that it's a nonstop to SIN makes up
> for most of the added time it usually takes flying east to MNL. I can
> live with 3 hours in steerage from SIN to MNL. And going through
> Changi is a nice bonus.
>
> In addition, I will definitely consider BR, as I had previous great
> experience in Evergreen Deluxe. I was simply curious if there was any
> other Asian airline offering premium economy. Until you posted, I only
> knew of BR, and that's likely what I'd be flying (a nicer home base no
> longer compensates for the misery of long-haul steerage). Now SQ is an
> excellent option as well, and with the bonus of a nonstop from NYC to
> Singapore. I simply don't want to overlook any potential options.
>
> Far from wasting time, yours was the most helpful posting of all, and
> all were helpful.
>
> BTW, there's no way in hell I'd fly BA, with their absurd restrictions
> on carryons. Is Virgin the same?
>
>
OK, glad the SQ idea helps. I have not travelled enough in other PE (as I
henceforth refer to premium economy) classes to compare it with others.
I have used Garuda's but that was their old business class - good but a
different style from purpose-built PE.
I have not seen Eva's who seem to have set the standard. Friends like it.
The first time I was on the SQ PE (just going Sin-Jakarta where it is priced
as normal economy) I was puzzled about the extra leg room (plenty for me)
and width (not business class but enough not to be touching the person next
to me. I asked the cabin crew boss about it. He said he loved this plane,
the best he had been on, and he thought the PE was near enough as good as
business - a bit of an exaggeration but I think he meant that you had all
the room you really need for a reasonable price.
Unfortunately for me I think SQ do not offer PE yet on routes to UK and
Australia. I do not fly trans-pacific. I usually pay my own fares these days
and usually cannot justify business class fares, sniff.

I have seen BA's but not used it. I also do not use BA after some appalling
treatment in the 90s (mainly ground service issues, I have found them good
in the air). They were often tight on baggage even before the recent
changes.
I remember in the 90s a friend's wife being charged extra when they insisted
on including her hand bag and carry-on in the weight - and they were
frequent-flier gold-class and flying 1st class - they stopped using BA as
far as they could, and he was flying 1st or business longhaul at least once
a month - not a customer to throw away so easily.

I have not heard any complaints about Virgin's baggage allowance etc.
Suggest you make a new post asking about Virgin's PE and baggage policy.
Some Virgin flights are codeshares and may not have PE if on another
airline's planes.




--
Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila


<edrud1@hotmail . com > wrote in message
news:1175097280.239516.307710@b75g2000hsg.googlegroups . com ...
> Having just completed a JFK-MNL RT on Cathay Pacific, I've decided
> that life is too short for 20 hours in steerage.
>
> I've flown EVA's Evergreen Deluxe class before, and assume they still
> offer it. The downside is that (when last I was there) TPE was a
> rather shabby airport, whereas HKG is truly spectacular. This is more
> of an issue now that my wife accompanies me to MNL.
>
> So what other airlines, preferably Asian, offer a premium economy
> service from EWR or JFK to MNL?
>
> TIA!

Maybe it's a long way round, but Singapore airlines new-ish Airbus 340-500
has premium economy on their non-stop routes Singapore-USA. I don't know
which cities they go to, but I think NYC JFK &/or Newark) and LA. I don't
think they have normal economy on those planes, but I am not sure.

I have only flown it short haul (they use the same planes on some
Singapore-Jakarta flights) and was very impressed, but of course that was
only for 1h30m hours flights.

See
* w w w .singaporeair . com /saa/en_UK/content/exp/cabin/exececonomyclass_seat.jsp

Then from Singapore it's a few hours to Manila, no premium economy.
And Singapore airport is one of the best transit airports in the world (the
best I know).



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com

Re: Premium Economy Service from NYC to Manila

Hi,

FYI the EWR-SIN SQ non stop is excellent. Only business and premium
economy, which is 2-2-2. Tons of space.

The seats don't recline so far but service is excellent. Much better
than TG from JFK to BKK which is 2-3-2, not so comfortable and has a
economy cabin.

ALso FYI I've had the most terrible time with Virgin. Tried to book a
pre econ seat LHR-EWR but the web site was down and when it came back
prices had gone up 40%. Surprise, so had BA. Virgin staff unhelpful,
and even today when they advertise another sale the fare's still
UKL960

Any opinions about VS vs BA premium economy?










On Mar 29, 2:45 am, "RAK" <rakn...@gmail . com > wrote:
> <edr...@hotmail . com > wrote in message
>
> news:1175097280.239516.307710@b75g2000hsg.googlegroups . com ...
>
> > Having just completed a JFK-MNL RT on Cathay Pacific, I've decided
> > that life is too short for 20 hours in steerage.
>
> > I've flown EVA's Evergreen Deluxe class before, and assume they still
> > offer it. The downside is that (when last I was there) TPE was a
> > rather shabby airport, whereas HKG is truly spectacular. This is more
> > of an issue now that my wife accompanies me to MNL.
>
> > So what other airlines, preferably Asian, offer a premium economy
> > service from EWR or JFK to MNL?
>
> > TIA!
>
> Maybe it's a long way round, but Singapore airlines new-ish Airbus 340-500
> has premium economy on their non-stop routes Singapore-USA. I don't know
> which cities they go to, but I think NYC JFK &/or Newark) and LA. I don't
> think they have normal economy on those planes, but I am not sure.
>
> I have only flown it short haul (they use the same planes on some
> Singapore-Jakarta flights) and was very impressed, but of course that was
> only for 1h30m hours flights.
>
> See * w w w .singaporeair . com /saa/en UK/content/exp/cabin/exececonomycl...
>
> Then from Singapore it's a few hours to Manila, no premium economy.
> And Singapore airport is one of the best transit airports in the world (the
> best I know).
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from * w w w .teranews . com