I’m assuming everyone of you readers reading this has some sort of online social identity via Facebook, Google+ or Twitter. Klout is a site which measures your social influence by looking at all sorts of factors such as number of followers, number of likes on your post and others.

They announced an interesting deal with Cathay Pacific yesterday, where a Klout score of 40 or upwards allows Klout users to access the recently-opened Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge in San Francisco. Earlier than today, only F & J customers of the airline, and oneworld elites flying a oneworld-member airline could be the only ones who could access the lounge.

Under the terms of the deal, anyone who complies with the 40+ condition can access the lounge, even if they are not flying a OW member airline. So, you could be flying United Airlines domestic Air France out of SFO, and still get access to the lounge. Here is what the official announcement says:

This applies to any visitor traveling through the “A” boarding area at SFO’s international terminal, even if they aren’t a Cathay Pacific passenger.

The SFO lounge owned and operated by CX is one of the newer lounges in SFO, having only opened in December 2011. Loyalty Traveler was over at the inauguration and clicked some pictures.

I’m sure this should be a good opportunity for some of you in the vicinity to try out the CX lounge in the coming days.

Live From A Lounge is also present on Facebook, Twitter and available via RSS.

Back in December, I had written about the new Cathay Pacific Premium Economy product which was going to be launched in Q1 2012, and put up on Sydney, Toronto, New York and Vancouver flights from Hong Kong, before being put out on the rest of the network.

These seats will have a separate cabin of their own, which will be not more than 34 seats at any time. So, privacy is assured, unlike some other Premium Eco products where you only get a better seat but in the front of the same cabin. Welcome drinks, including Champagne, will be offered, and the meals will be better than Y. Top it off with a big amenity kit, and noise cancelling headphones and the only thing I miss are the sleeping suits to compare with Biz class. Actually, this does compare well with a Regional Business Class seat

In terms of the hard product, the seat pitch would be 38 inches, better off than the Economy product by 6 inches, and will have an extended recline. Additionally, all the regular bells and whistles are thrown in like a large meal table, cocktail table, footrest, in-seat power and extra stowage space.

Cathay Pacific has now announced that it is ready to book seats on the flights from 1st April 2012. To start with, Cathay Pacific will offer it on the following flights, followed by those to London:

• Hong Kong to Sydney: CX101
• Sydney to Hong Kong: CX100
• Hong Kong to Toronto: CX826, CX828
• Toronto to Hong Kong: CX825, CX829
• Hong Kong to Vancouver: CX888
• Vancouver to Hong Kong: CX889
• Hong Kong to New York: CX840, CX830, CX888
• New York to Hong Kong: CX841, CX831, CX889

Mileage accrual on these flights will be 110% of the distance flown. So, here we are, with a true product between business class and economy, with all the bells and whistles. Time to figure out when can I book this one for myself!

Related Posts:

• Cathay Pacific to introduce Premium Economy on long haul routes from Q1 2012

It has been a week or so since I have come back from my first MegaDo, and apart from the many airline moments we had, there was a whole bunch of gastronomic delights lined up along the way. When not flying, we were sampling some very good food which I am assuming airline catering departments were told to keep from interfering with I can promise you these were not GateGourmet or SkyGourmet catering which we get on our flights.

The title statement was made by Randy on the MegaDo blog in the planning stages, and I thought I’d test it out during this MegaDo. Let’s take a peep into all the interesting food on the ground!

Monday, 23rd January, we were hosted by American Airlines at The Bridge, where there was a light send-off party before the JFK-LHR flight took off.

On Tuesday, our hosts were British Airways who hosted us in London at the Terminal 5 Arrivals Lounge of British Airways. The Lounge was closed for guests since all the flights for that day were serviced, and hence at the disposal of British Airways for the MegaDo reception. It started with some nice Champagne…

British Airways had lined up an exquisite wine collection they pour in-flight and at their lounges.

The appetizers were lovely, and I could try some more of those BA burgers, which were mini burgers with some juicy patty!

Read More…