Cathay Pacific eyes seat upgrade auctions

Cathay Pacific passengers could soon bid for seat upgrades online if the airline approves a pilot programme under consideration. The online auction, which will work in a similar way to Ebay, is designed for Cathay Pacific to improve its passenger load factors. Should it be implemented, passengers will be able to bid for a single-sector, one-cabin upgrade to either premium economy or business class.

The airline will then inform the successful bidder four days prior to departure, when payment is to be made. The initiative is unlikely to be welcomed by high-tier members of CX's Marco Polo Club, who typically enjoy free upgrade privileges. A Cathay Pacific spokesperson told our sister magazine Business Traveller Asia-Pacific that the project is still in the study phase and a final decision has yet to be made.

In a statement, the spokesperson said: "At the moment we are examining new initiatives that will allow us to offer passengers, including our Marco Polo Club members, different ways to get an upgrade."

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SAS revamps long-haul cabins with new seats and Wi-Fi

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has unveiled a major overhaul of the cabins products on its long-haul flights, including the installation of Wi-Fi on all aircraft.

Seven of the carrier’s Airbus A330 and A340s will receive cabin upgrades, with new seats in all classes, on-demand in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and Wi-Fi access.

The first upgraded aircraft is expected to go into service in early 2015, with the majority of the SAS long-haul fleet featuring the new interiors within 12 months. The airline’s eight new Airbus A350 aircraft, which will be delivered from 2018 onwards, will also have the new cabins.

“SAS customers will enjoy a totally new travel experience in our upgraded cabins. The new interior is designed to meet the needs of frequent flyers and substantially enhances our customer offer,” said Rickard Gustafson, president & CEO of SAS.

In economy class, the new seats will have a pitch of 31 or 32 inches (79-81cm) and come equipped with nine-inch HD IFE screens, power outlets and USB ports. The premium economy cabin will offer the same amenities but with a 37-38-inch pitch and 12-inch IFE screen, while the business class cabin will offer full flat-bed seats that stretch out to 196cm, plus 15-inch IFE screens. All business class seats will offer direct aisle access.

SAS currently flies long-haul to New York, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and, from August 2014, Houston.

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