Travellers can now experience Oneworld’s Cathay Pacific in its premium economy class en route from Madrid to Bangkok and four more destinations in two countries – with a slight detour to Hong Kong both ways. These tickets currently come with a price tag as little as €1,087 and include two checked bags of up to 23kg each. Departures are scattered between February 2025 to January 2026 with blackout dates during school vacations.
You can score the following fares with departure from Madrid:
- Shanghai at €1,087
- Beijing at €1,145
- Bangkok at €1,190
- Ho Chi Minh City at €1,213
- Hanoi at €1,221 (low availability)
When starting from Barcelona, the following prices are possible:
- Beijing at €1,139
- Shanghai at €1,140
- Bangkok at €1,118
- Ho Chi Minh City at €1,211 (low availability)
- Hanoi at €1,214
On many dates, you can find similar offers from other airlines. However, Cathay Pacific usually is worth paying a little extra, as the airline’s offer has either a better (free) luggage allowance or shorter layovers than the competition.
Spanish students can get an additional 10% discount on the airfare, and extra baggage allowance to Bangkok, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City when using the code ESSTUNDENTwhile booking on Cathay Pacific’s website. You can find more about the offer here.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days without overnight stays. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. There you can proceed to Cathay Pacific’s website or check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €50 cheaper.
The long-haul flights are operated by Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-900 fleet. These come with a 2-4-2 seating pattern in premium economy, compared to the 3-3-3 in economy class. The intra-Asian segments are economy class flights.
The Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific consistently gets ranked as one of the top airlines in the annual Skytrax report. So it’s not a big surprise that also their premium economy class product gets good reviews from passengers who travelled with them. While the soft product is excellent, the seats have become a bit outdated, which is why the airline is currently installing a newer generation of seats.
Until December 2025, citizens of 33 countries in Europe may enter China for 30 days without applying for a visa.
Most European passport holders can stay in Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days.
Citizens of 25 countries, including Spain, can travel to Vietnam without needing to apply for a visa for stays of up to 45 days.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, these tickets are available for purchase without any specific travel or sales period. There is no minimum stay requirement, but a maximum stay of six months applies. Departures are scattered between March 2025 and January 2026, with blackout dates during school vacations.
You can find further dates by checking Google Flights (instructions). Once you’ve found suiting travel dates, enter them on Skyscanner to see to check which online travel agencies offer the best prices – or proceed to Cathay Pacific’s website, which we recommend for a reason.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
Cathay Pacific issues premium economy segments in booking class E, short-haul flights are booking class H. A trip from Madrid to Beijing earns as follows:
- 16,840 Miles on Bangkok Airways FlyerBonus
- 16,840 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 16,840 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 15,602 Avios + 106 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 15,602 Points + 22 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 15,602 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 15,602 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 15,534 Points on Finnair Plus
- 15,534 Avios + 970 Tier Points on The British Airways Club
- 15,534 Avios + 2,900 Elite Points on Iberia Plus 2025
- 14,916 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 14,058 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 10,378 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 4,000 AsiaMiles + 170 Club Points on Asia Miles
- Customize Calculation
Destinations
Information & Tips for China
China offers a wide range of sights, from historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City to modern cities like Shanghai and scenic areas such as Zhangjiajie and Guilin. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and mobile payments via apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used, though cash is still accepted. Prices vary—major cities can be moderate to expensive, while rural areas are generally more affordable. Weather conditions differ greatly by region, with cold winters in the north, hot, humid summers in the south, and a generally best travel period in spring or autumn.
China has a highly developed transport system, especially in urban and coastal areas. Most major cities have extensive metro networks that are cheap, efficient, and easy to navigate with English signage. For travel between cities, the high-speed rail network is one of the most advanced in the world, connecting even distant regions quickly and reliably. In rural or less-developed areas, transport options can be more limited and slower, but basic bus or train connections are usually available.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for China
Information & Tips for Thailand
Thailand is famous for its vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Key sights include the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, the ancient city of Ayutthaya, and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui. The currency is the Thai baht (THB), and while credit cards are commonly accepted in tourist areas, cash is often preferred in local markets. The cost of living is generally low, with budget accommodations and street food available, but prices can rise in more touristy areas. The weather is tropical, with a hot, rainy season from May to October and a cooler, dry season from November to February.
Getting around Thailand is fairly easy, with a mix of modern and traditional options. In cities like Bangkok, public transport includes the Skytrain (BTS), metro (MRT), and river ferries, which are convenient but can get crowded. Taxis and motorbike taxis are also widely available. For intercity travel, buses and trains are common and affordable, though train journeys can be slow. Domestic flights are frequent and often the fastest way to travel longer distances, especially to popular islands or northern regions. However, traffic congestion in urban areas can be a challenge, particularly during rush hours.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Nomad, Airhub, and RedteaGO. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Thailand 🇹🇭 Compared (Bangkok, Phuket…)
→ All Dealz for Thailand
Information & Tips for Vietnam
Vietnam offers a mix of vibrant cities, historic landmarks, and natural beauty—popular sights include Ha Long Bay, the old town of Hoi An, the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi’s colonial architecture. The official currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), and while prices are generally low compared to Western standards, tourist hotspots can be more expensive. Expect a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and a rainy season that varies by region—so packing accordingly is key.
Vietnam’s transport infrastructure is mixed—within cities, getting around is relatively easy thanks to widespread motorbike taxis and ride-hailing apps, though traffic can be chaotic and sidewalks crowded. Public buses exist but are often confusing for tourists. Between cities, options include budget airlines, trains, and long-distance buses; while not always fast or punctual, they are generally affordable and accessible with some planning.
→ All Dealz for Vietnam
Cover Picture: © Cathay Pacific Airways Limited