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Over time, economy class has become less comfortable, with less legroom and more extra fees. In 2025, some airlines still offer only the basics, but others are working to make passengers more comfortable. As some airlines cut costs, a new segment has emerged: the “Premium Leisure” traveler. These passengers pay out of pocket and seek a quality experience, not just a low fare. In this split market, one airline stood out by investing in quality, while others focused on saving money.
At the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Cathay Pacific was named “World’s Best Economy Class Airline.” The airline also received awards for World’s Best Inflight Entertainment and ranked among the global Top 3. This recognition is significant because it defies industry trends, demonstrating that airlines can still provide an excellent economy experience by focusing on details. Cathay Pacific leads in 2025 because it consistently focuses on what passengers care about most. This sets it apart from airlines that only try to cut costs. Here’s a closer look at why.
What Passengers Value Most In 2025
In 2025, finding a good flight isn’t about luxury; it’s about the basics of survival at 35,000 feet. Can you sit for 12 hours without your lower back seizing up? Does the USB port actually charge your phone, or is it loose? No one expects a Michelin-star meal in row 50, but passengers do expect food that is hot, recognizable, and tasty. Then there’s the crew on a packed flight. Do they hustle to help, or do they disappear behind the curtain?
Above all, passengers want to avoid the “bait and switch”—the disappointment of booking a top-tier airline only to walk onto an outdated plane. This is where the competition diverges. If legroom is your only priority, Japan Airlines is your best bet. If you fly for food, EVA Air is unbeatable. But for travelers who want high marks in all these areas without gambling on which plane they get, Cathay Pacific has become the default choice.
Why Consistency Beats Perfection
Skytrax’s award proves that Cathay Pacific’s approach is working. After some difficult years, the Cathay Group spent over HK$100 billion (about $12.8 billion USD) to improve its operations. They used this money to purchase new planes, update cabins, build new lounges, and improve digital tools.
Some airlines have nice cabins on new planes but old, worn-out seats on their older ones. Cathay Pacific keeps the same high standard on every plane. Whether you fly from Hong Kong to London, New York, or Sydney, you get the same modern design and technology.
As Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Lam noted:
“These accolades underscore our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and enhancing the customer experience across every part of their journey.”
In an industry where things often change, being reliable is a big advantage.
It’s Not Just About Legroom
If you only look at the numbers, the winner is clear. Japan Airlines (JAL) won the “World’s Best Economy Class Airline Seat” award in 2025. Their Boeing 787s have an 8-seat layout (2-4-2), which gives passengers much wider seats (about 48cm) compared to the usual 9-seat layout (3-3-3).
Cathay Pacific takes a different approach, focusing on comfort for the whole flight, not just seat width. Their economy seats have cushions that distribute pressure and a headrest you can adjust in six ways for better neck support, so you might not need a travel pillow. They also include tablet holders and tables that work with your own devices. While JAL offers more space, Cathay’s seats are designed to keep you comfortable throughout the flight.
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Many transatlantic airlines are offering more comfortable seating options as the class becomes more popular.
The 4K Screen Revolution
Inflight entertainment is a massive part of modern travel. In this category, Cathay Pacific won the “World’s Best In-flight Entertainment” award for the second time in three years. In 2025, Cathay Pacific will be one of the few airlines to offer 4K and 4K HDR10 screens at every seat, not just in business class. They’ve already added 4K HDR screens to some planes and will make inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi standard from August 2025. You can also use your own Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones instead of the airline’s basic headsets. The airline has the largest content library in Asia-Pacific, adding new movies and shows every month, from Hollywood hits to Disney+ originals, so even frequent flyers always have something new to watch.
A good screen is just the beginning. Today’s travelers also want to stay connected. Cathay Pacific now has WiFi on every plane, so you’re always in touch. Every economy seat has USB-C ports and power outlets, so you can land with your phone and laptop fully charged. It may seem small, but for work or fun, it makes a big difference.
This Airline Has The World’s Best Inflight Entertainment In 2025
Cathay Pacific has been recognized by Skytrax for having the world’s best IFE.
Dining: Tasty, Not Complicated
The 2025 award for “Best Economy Class Onboard Catering” went to EVA Air, known for its restaurant-style meals. Cathay Pacific does things differently by focusing on food that actually tastes good in the air. By working with well-known Hong Kong restaurants like Duddell’s and Yat Tung Heen, it brings real “Hong Kong Flavors” to economy class.
This approach is more than just adding a famous name to the menu. In April, the airline launched its new “Chinese Classics” options. Now, even economy passengers can try authentic dishes that showcase China’s culinary history, rather than just the usual “chicken or beef.” The menu includes comforting dishes like clay pot rice, braised meats, and congee, which keep their flavors at 30,000 feet. Steak or pasta, on the other hand, often dries out. Unlike airlines that serve the same frozen meals for months, Cathay changes its menu often. This smart move puts taste first, so you actually want to finish your meal.
10 Airlines With The Best Food Onboard
These airlines serve top-class inflight meals.
Service That Actually Cares
Airlines can buy things like 4K screens and wide seats, but good service takes real effort. One of the main reasons Cathay Pacific is in the global Top 3 is its cabin crew, who truly make a difference. On many Western airlines, service can feel like just a transaction. The crew is mostly there for safety, and sometimes it seems like you’re bothering them if you ask for a drink. Cathay Pacific, along with airlines like Singapore Airlines and ANA, builds a culture of real hospitality.
Passengers often say the crew anticipates their needs, like bringing water before they ask or helping with heavy bags without complaint. On a 14-hour flight across the Pacific, this friendly attitude makes a big difference. It turns a long-haul flight from a tough experience into a pleasant journey. This “soft product” is why they consistently beat airlines with similar seats but worse service.
The American Reality Check
Cathay Pacific’s quality stands out even more than that of US airlines. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards show that US travelers care most about practical things: For instance, 
Delta Air Lines is often favored for its punctuality, while JetBlue wins hearts with more legroom and free WiFi. Meanwhile, 
Southwest Airlines keeps fans loyal primarily through its “bags fly free” policy. US airlines focus on the basics. Cathay Pacific, by contrast, aims to offer a complete experience. This shows the big difference between the “Asian standard” and the “US standard” for economy class in 2025.
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These three airlines offer the most prominent premium economy offerings in the domestic aviation market.
The 2025 Global Scorecard
To see why Cathay Pacific’s win matters, we need to look at the competition.
The top six rankings in 2025 show a contest between “all-rounders” and “specialists.”
The winner (#1), Cathay Pacific, took the top spot not by offering the widest seat or the fanciest meal, but by earning the highest average score across all categories. In 2025, they will offer the industry’s most complete package. This steady quality sets them apart from All-Rounders (#2,#3,#4) like Qatar, Singapore, and ANA, which are still excellent but split votes on certain features. Specialists (#5, #6) like JAL and EVA Air lead in single areas, JAL for legroom, EVA Air for food, but they didn’t have the all-around balance to win the overall title.
The Verdict
Cathay Pacific didn’t reinvent economy class in 2025. They didn’t add beds to the economy or serve free lobsters. Instead, they made the basics better. By focusing on comfort, technology, and food, Cathay Pacific met travelers’ real needs. While other airlines cut corners, they focused on quality at every step. This clear approach is what made them the world’s best economy class airline in 2025.
