Full glossary
cabin
Soft Product
Cabin Soft Product
Definition
The non-hardware elements of a flight experience: amenity kits, bedding, pajamas, meals, wine list, lounge experience, ground service.
Why it matters
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and ANA consistently rank highest for business-class soft product. US carriers' soft products lag, especially on transcons and shorter international flights.
Related terms in cabin
First Class
The most-premium cabin available on long-haul international flights. Typically suite-style seating with sliding doors, separate beds, butler service, premium dining.
Business Class
Premium cabin on long-haul international flights. Lie-flat seats with all-aisle access on most modern wide-bodies. Replaced First Class on most carriers.
Premium Economy
Mid-tier cabin between economy and business on long-haul flights. Wider seats, more recline, separate cabin, but not lie-flat. Half the price of business in cash.
Lie-Flat Seat
A business-class seat that fully reclines to a flat bed for sleeping. Standard on modern wide-bodies, becoming standard on long-range narrow-bodies (A321XLR).