Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific are two of the premier flag carriers of Asia. Both offer very similar premium economy seating options, although Singapore typically provides a larger checked baggage allowance than Cathay Pacific. On select routes, Singapore also operates the A380, something Cathay doesn’t have. Both airlines’ mainline fleets are widebody aircraft-heavy.

Many readers may have their own preferences based on personal experience flying for these airlines. At the end of the day, what is best is, to a large extent, a personal value judgment that can’t always be determined by measuring inches in personal space and baggage allowance. Here is what to know about premium economy classes on Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, and which is better.

Singapore Airlines Has A Slight Edge In Rankings

First of all, Skytrax is a respected international ranking for airlines in general. According to its 2026 listing, the world’s best airline is Qatar Airlines, with Singapore Airlines coming in second and Cathay Pacific in third place, ahead of Emirates. Skytrax says, « Singapore Airlines’ success has been fuelled by its dedication to customer service. » It notes that Singapore Airlines serves over 110 destinations around the world while Cathay Pacific flies to around 200 destinations worldwide.

Skytrax has other sub-rankings, including one called « World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines 2025. » In this ranking, it lists the best premium economy class airline as Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, coming in at fourth place. In fifth place is Taiwan-based EVA Air, and in sixth place is Cathay Pacific. Rounding out the top ten list are British Airways, Air France, Qantas Airways, and ANA.

With Singapore Airlines coming second overall and fourth in premium economy and Cathay coming third overall and sixth in premium economy, this kinda just means the two airlines belong to the same top tier. At best, it suggests Singapore Airlines is the first among equals when it comes to Cathay Pacific. Separately, the next top-ranked premium economy airlines are Delta, Air New Zealand, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Austraian Airlines.

Introduction To Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy

Singapore Airlines’ premium economy class is available on its A350s, A380s, and Boeing 777s. Singapore says, « Dining in the air is further elevated by a variety of meal choices served on contemporary porcelain serviceware and paired with Champagne and wines exclusive to Premium Economy Class. » Between meals, premium economy passengers enjoy an assortment of snacks and beverages.

Singapore’s premium economy seats come with two USB ports, a fully adjustable personal reading light, dedicated stowage areas, a footrest, an exclusive amenities kit, and priority treatment. Priority treatment starts with check-in and includes priority boarding and baggage handling.

KrisFlyer is Singapore’s loyalty program, and members can redeem miles to upgrade their flights to premium economy or business class. Members enjoy free complimentary WiFi and other exclusive perks and privileges. Singapore Airlines has a higher check-in weight allowance than many US-based airlines. Premium economy class passengers can check in two bags weighing up to 77 lbs (35kg) for a total of 154 lbs (70kg) on all flights not heading to the US or Canada. On US and Canadian flights, the allowance is two pieces of 50 lbs (23kgs).

Introduction To Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy

As is industry standard, Cathay Pacific passengers enjoy priority boarding, more spacious seats, and exclusive amenities. Meals include Michelin-starred cuisine from Yat Tung Heen on selected flights. The seats come with USB ports and power outlets so that passengers can keep their devices powered. The amenity kit includes socks, an eyeshade, earplugs, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.

Premium economy passengers also enjoy complimentary WiF connectivity, which is in the process of completing its rollout. To connect, passengers add their Cathay membership number they made while booking or during check-in. Cathay Pacific offers dedicated check-in counters at selected airports and priority boarding when at the gate. As with other airlines, passengers have an increased baggage allowance.

Cathay Pacific’s baggage allowance is typically lower than Singapore Airlines’. In premium economy, passengers can check in two pieces weighing up to 50 lbs (23kg). Cathay has the same checked baggage allowance for Economy Essential, Economy Flex, Premium Economy, and most Business Class fares. The outliers are Economy Light (one piece at 50 lbs or 23kgs) and Business class flights from Hong Kong to New Zealand (three pieces at 50 lbs or 23kgs).

How Cathay & Singapore Premium Seats Compare

Premium economy is available on some Singapore A350-900s and its A380s and 777-300ERs, but not its Boeing 787-10s. With Cathay Pacific, it is available on some A330-300s, its A350-900s, A350-1000s, Boeing 777-300ERs, but not its Boeing 777-300s. The two types in common are the A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER. Cathay Pacific has 28-32 premium economy seats on its A350s and 32-34 premium seats on its 777-300ERs. Singapore has 24-94 premium seats on its A350s and 28 seats on its 777-300ERs.

On its 777s, Cathay Pacific’s premium economy class comes with different configurations with between 32 and 48 seats. Premium seats are Recaro R5 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. These have seat widths of 19.5 inches, a recline of six inches, and a row pitch of 38.2 inches. The touchscreen is 15.6 inches. Singapore’s 777s have 28 Safran Z535 recliner premium seats. These come with a row pitch of 38 inches, a seat width of 19.5 inches, and a seat recline of eight inches, while the touchscreen is 13.3 inches.

Cathay’s A350-900s are configured with 28 premium seats, which are Collins Aerospace MiQ seats configured 2-4-2. They have a row pitch of 40 inches, a seat width of 18.5 inches, a seat recline of nine inches, and a touchscreen of 12.1 inches. Singapore’s A350-900s (excluding the -900ULRs) have 24 premium economy seats featuring Safran Z535 recliner sets. They have a row pitch of 38 inches, a seat width of 19 inches, a recline of eight inches, and a 13.3-inch touchscreen.

Cathay Pacific Vs Singapore Airlines Fleets

Part of what makes a flight comfortable is the airliner itself. Both Singapore and Cathay operate modern fleets, although perhaps strangely, neither offers premium economy on Boeing 787 Dreamliners even though Singapore has 28 Boeing 787-10s in service. Singapore Airlines currently operates the largest fleet of Airbus A350-900s, with a total of 65 in service. It doesn’t have any of the stretched A350-1000s in service.

Singapore has 12 Airbus A380s in inventory, giving it the second-largest fleet after Emirates and tied with British Airways. Two of these are listed by Planespotters.net as being in storage since mid-2025. The airline has another 22 Boeing 777-300ERs in service, as well as freighter 777Fs and Boeing 747-400s. Both airlines have low-cost subsidiaries focusing on shorter-haul routes. Singapore Airlines has Scoot (as well as a 25% stake in Air India), while Cathay Pacific’s subsidiaries are Air Hong Kong and HK Express.

Cathay’s widebody fleet includes 43 Airbus A330s, all of which are the older A330-300 variant. It has a large fleet of A350s composed of 30 A350-900s and 18 stretched A350-1000s. It has a total of 52 Boeing 777s in service, including 17 aging Boeing 777-300s (which don’t have premium economy) and 35 Boeing 777-300ERs. Cathay Pacific has placed orders for 35 upcoming Boeing 777-9s, while Singapore has ordered 31.

Singapore Airlines Could Have The Edge

Which airline is best when it comes to premium economy is difficult to say. Singapore Airlines wins on luggage allowance on flights not bound for the US and Canada. Both airlines also operate fleets of narrowbody aircraft. Cathay has 16 Airbus A321s, although 90% of its mainline fleet is widebody aircraft. Cathay has a mainline fleet of 179 aircraft. Singapore has 20 Boeing 737s, although the rest of its 157-strong mainline fleet is widebody aircraft.

Premium economy is not available on any narrowbody aircraft and on many widebody aircraft configured for short-haul flights. Singapore Airlines does not operate domestic flights, nor does Cathay Pacific, with its flights to the Chinese Mainland being treated as international flights. Due to their proximity to many large population centers, many international flights are short-haul. Overall, the best premium economy class is a judgment call. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are very comparable aircraft in many respects.

One more thing that Singapore Airlines is notable for is having the world’s longest-range airliners. These are specially built Airbus A350-900ULRs (Ultra Long Range) built to serve its twin flights to New York-JFK and New York-Newark. These aircraft come exclusively with premium economy and business class seating. They have 67 first-class seats and 94 premium economy seats. It is possible to fly to New York with Singapore Airlines both ways around the world. Meanwhile, Qantas is also getting specially built A350-1000ULRs to operate its nonstop routes from Sydney to London and New York.