China Southern to introduce premium economy class service on all domestic routes

China Southern Airlines announced (18-Mar-2010) a major expansion of its branded Premium Economy Class service on all domestic routes using B777, B737NG, A319, A320, A321 and A330-200/300 series aircraft. Effective 28-Mar-2010, premium economy service will be available on routes from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Beijing and Shanghai, at the same cost as the full-fare economy ticket, with the service to be gradually phased in on all domestic routes. By Jul-2010, China Southern expects to have 7,000 Premium Economy seats available on nearly 300 aircraft. The Premium Economy Class - which has been available on China Southern's trans-Pacific service between Guangzhou and Los Angeles for more than a decade - offers an extended seat pitch of between 35-37 inches (compared to the standard Economy pitch of 31-inches), with between 24 to 53 Premium Economy seats (depending on aircraft) offered per aircraft. [more]