China Southern Airlines plans to launch premium economy class seating on all of its domestic routes, offering a service that was available on only its trans-pacific flights.

They will be available on flights operated on Boeing 777, Boeing 737, Airbus A320-family and Airbus A330-family aircraft from 28 March, says the Guangzhou-based carrier.

Initially, it will roll the option out on flights from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Beijing and Shanghai, says the SkyTeam alliance member. The carrier adds that it will gradually phase in premium economy seating on other domestic routes.

"By this July, China Southern expects to have 7,000 premium economy seats available on nearly 300 aircraft," it says.

Premium economy seats have been available on the airline's non-stop services between Guangzhou and Los Angeles for more than a decade, it adds.

China Southern's premium economy class seats have 35-37in seat pitch, compared with 31in in economy class.

Each aircraft will have 24 to 53 premium economy seats, depending on the aircraft model, says the carrier.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news