Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (HKG:0293) Tuesday said it will offer premium-economy seats on long-haul flights from April 1, with 87 aircraft featuring the innovation by end-2013.

The premium-economy option will initially be available on selected flights to and from Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver and New York City, In May, the service will be extended to selected flights to and from London.

Selected flights to and from Adelaide, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Melbourne, Brisbane, Frankfurt and Mumbai will have a premium-economy option later in the year, according to the statement.

By the end of 2013, Cathay will have 87 craft fitted with premium-economy seats and 48 will have them by the end of this year.

The airline is looking to tap a new revenue source with the seating option--an intermediate step between coach and business classes--at a time when many companies have cut executive travel budgets amid global economic uncertainties.

Premium-economy seats will be wider with a greater incline than economy seats and have additional stowage room.