Cathay Pacific business class review: a $7000 night flight and no pyjamas?
This international flight leaves at 10.20pm. Perfect for sleeping but you’ll have to slumber in your suit. Is that good enough when you are paying a motza for a seat?
This international flight leaves at 10.20pm. Perfect for sleeping but you’ll have to slumber in your suit. Is that good enough when you are paying almost $7000?
Take a seat
There are 46 flat-bed business class seats on the Airbus A350-1000 (to Hong Kong) and 38 on the A350-900 (to London) in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration on both aircraft. They measure 51cm wide, 190cm long when extended, with a pitch of 114cm. If travelling solo, book one of the window seats, which face away from the aisle and other passengers, leaving you snug in a little pod, which has a storage bin for a small bag. Avoid row 12; it’s at the front of the business cabin but near the loos, and light glares out every time someone opens the door. Importantly, Cathay doesn’t charge for seat selection. Unlike Emirates business, there’s no personal minibar but water is provided along with noise-cancelling headphones and an amenity kit containing Bamford products, including a small tub of mouth wash.
One of the best things about this flight is the departure time. Given the hour, passengers have most likely eaten dinner, either at home or in the Qantas lounge, which hosts Cathay passengers. Unless you fancy supper, which is available, simply fill out the breakfast order and prepare to sleep. A mattress cover, pillow and 400-thread-count quilt are provided. I make up my bed shortly before 11pm, settle in, and wake seven hours later to the sound of breakfast being served.
Now, to the big issue. This is an overnight flight but Cathay doesn’t offer pyjamas, which is disappointing. Surely it would cost the airline very little, yet for passengers they’re priceless. Sleeping in a suit is not fun. Should you bring one of the 30 Qantas pairs you’ve accumulated over a lifetime of travel? I think not. An old Emirates pair, which are plain and logo free, might be acceptable.
Tech talk
The flight is wi-fi enabled, which makes me sad; I prefer to be out of reach when flying. There’s a touch-screen TV with a retractable remote, plus a USB port (A not C), a power point and a light.
That’s entertainment
Cathay won the 2023 Skytrax World’s Best Inflight Entertainment award and there are plenty of new movies and TV shows on offer, including a wide selection of Asian cinema and anime. On the Hong Kong to London leg, I watch Daddio (Dakota Johnson, Sean Penn) and Memory (Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard), and read three books.
On the menu
Breakfast is served shortly before landing in Hong Kong and it’s okay: a bowl of muesli, a few pieces of fruit, yogurt, drip coffee, re-heated croissants, but no sweet little jars of jam. On the London leg I want to try the claypot with abalone, but it’s already unavailable, despite the fact I’m in the second row.
I have the pork and shrimp dumpling soup instead, and it is delicious. For dessert there’s a choice of fresh fruit, mango and passionfruit rice pudding, opera cake or ice cream. The signature Cloud Nine cocktail, comprising vodka, cointreau and lemonade, hits the spot.
In the bag
I fly Business Light, which allows for two bags of up to 32kg each, a 10kg cabin bag and a small handbag.
At your service
The cabin crew are lovely, with bright smiles and a quiet manner. They’re responsive but don’t fuss or smother. I appreciate the warm towels between meals, the little chocolates, and tubs of ice-cream.
On the ground
There are no staff on hand to direct people to the closest lounge when we land in Hong Kong and a number of bewildered business class passengers wander around, trying to figure out where to go. For the record, the lounges are The Wing (near gate 2), The Pier (near gate 65) and The Deck (near gate 6), but since the plane lands before 5am, they are closed, opening an hour later.
Make your points
Asia Miles is Cathay Pacific’s loyalty program. Qantas frequent flyers can earn points when flying with the airline.
The bottom line
A one-way business class fare is $6907, based on airline website search departing three months from date of publication.
The verdict
There are lots of positives here – clean plane, snug pods, punctual departure and early arrival (which should never be taken for granted), kind attendants, lovely food – but for that price on an overnight flight, you should get pyjamas.
Caroline Overington travelled at her own expense.
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