US travel magazine Global Traveler has published the winners of the 2016 Leisure Travel Award with China Airlines named winner of Best Premium Economy Class. The NexGen cabin design of China Airlines has therefore won international acclaim yet again having previously won the Outstanding Innovations achievement for its Family Couch last year in the Leisure Travel Award.

An international design team created the look of China Airlines’ all-new Boeing 777-300ER Premium Economy Class in understated jet-black tones and a Song Dynasty print, representing both cutting-edge technology and refined culture. The cabin seats 62 passengers, and each row of seats are 39 inches apart to give passengers more legroom. Seats have a fixed backshell and front-sliding design, so passengers reclining their seats won’t disturb travelers in the row behind them. Seats are also equipped with adjustable leg-rests, extending to provide passengers with more support and comfort. Passengers can now upgrade from Economy Class to Premium Economy Class and enjoy the greater legroom offered by 39 inches without breaking the bank. Premium Economy Class is also equipped with 12" super-large entertainment displays, the largest in their class, a selection of cleverly designed storage spaces, extra-large tray tables, as well as seat-mounted USB and power ports that give travelers uninterrupted power supply.

Global Traveler is a world-renowned travel trade magazine highly regarded in the industry. The magazine's Travel Leisure Award is judged by the magazine's team of veteran editors. At the awards ceremony held on May 19, Hsien-Kuang Lee, CAL Vice President for the Americas, said: "China Airlines is honored that our next-generation Premium Economy Class proved superior to other world-class airlines. In the future, China Airlines will continue to provide better and more advanced products and services." The new Airbus A350 passenger aircraft that will arrive in Taiwan in July will maintain the NexGen style of China Airlines' Premium Economy Class. It will provide travelers with a personalized flying space that captures the startling cultural creativity of Taiwan and redefines the meaning of traveling in style.

The China Airlines NexGen Premium Economy Class has previously been named No. 8 in Skytrax's World's Best Premium Economy Airlines and also the "Best Airline in North Asia" by Global Traveler magazine for three consecutive years. The NexGen 777 fleet's winning of the Best Business-Class Seat Design and Best Flight Attendant Uniforms awards makes for a grand slam of awards. Other top awards this year include the PAX International magazine reader survey's "2016 Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier", and Onboard Hospitality magazine's "Best Onboard Amenity Kits (Premium Economy)" and "Best Onboard Textiles (Premium Business)". (2016/05/23)