Review of Cathay Pacific Business Class

Hong Kong is Cathay Pacific's chief gateway to the world. Chep Lap Kok is a fantastic and enormous airport. Prepare for long walks to reach your gate once you pass through the priority check-in lane (dedicated areas for Business Class passengers make security lines less of a wait). Luckily, there is a train as well as numerous moving sidewalks to expedite your travel through the airport.

Even better, Cathay Pacific is known for its beautiful and generously stocked business lounges. There are several around the airport, meaning you'll find one nearby, no matter your gate. Each lounge has its own character and distinctive amenities like a noodle and dim sum bar (try the Dan Dan noodles), a Chinese tea lounge, a yoga room, showers, barista-prepared coffee, and napping areas.

The lounges offer hot and cold food, bartender-crafted cocktails, self-serve beverages, including wine, beer and soft drinks, Champagne (the brand can vary), and periodicals. In some lounges, the bartender can mix up a smoothie or the airline's signature "Cathay Delight" non-alcoholic signature drink – blending milk, coconut milk, kiwi juice and mint.

The Pier Business Class Lounge is regarded among the best Business Class lounges in the world and is the largest lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Outside of Hong Kong, there are Cathay Pacific lounges in other gateway cities, including Bangkok, London, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Vancouver. Otherwise, business class passengers are treated to third-party lounges, often affiliated with the airline's oneworld partners.

Most Cathay Pacific aircraft have one large Business Class section and a smaller cabin behind the entry door and galley. Those that prefer a quieter cabin inflight should select these smaller aft seating areas; it is easy to find them on the airline's seat map. There is no charge to assign a seat when flying Business Class or reserving this specific aft cabin.

All seats recline to a flat bed and measure 1.9 metres (6.25 feet long) of usable sleeping space. Both are sufficient for tall travellers to have ample stretching room. Electronic controls allow you to recline the seat or raise the leg rest for your ideal comfort setting.

Easy-access light controls and storage closets for small items like glasses, books or the amenity kit are well-designed. Power and USB outlets are easy to find, too. Each seat has excellent bedding from Bamford, including a 400 thread-count linen package and duvet, plus a plump pillow.

Cathay Pacific offers a 1-2-1 seating setup on all its long-haul aircraft (Boeing B777 and Airbus A330 and A350). Every seat in the cabin has direct aisle access and maximum privacy. The airline uses reverse herringbone seats that face slightly away from the aisle and feature small, winged headrests. Pairs of seats in the centre section are ideal for couples because you can lean forward and chat together or sit back in privacy thanks to a central divider.

The flagship Airbus A350 aircraft offer extra-wide cabins with reduced noise and intelligent lighting to aid rest and sleep. The A350-900 provides 38 fully-flat Business Class seats with a forward cabin of eight rows and a more intimate cabin of just two rows behind the exit doors. In contrast, the A350-1000 has a single Business Class cabin of 46 lie-flat beds over 12 rows.

The Airbus A330-300 comes in two long-haul configurations with seating in the 1-2-1 set-up for up to 39 Business Class passengers depending on the aircraft seating plan. Meanwhile, the Boeing 777-300 offers two long-haul configurations of 40 and 53 Business Class seats over two cabins.     

**UPDATE"" - Cathay Pacific says its introducing the Aria Suite into its Boeing 777-300ER fleet sometime this year. The Aria Suite in Business Class features privacy door, a large lie-flat bed, 24-inch 4K widescreen TV, wireless charging station, customisable lighting and tailored storage for travel essentials. The suites will be configured in a reverse herringbone pattern in a 1-2-1 configuration.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft. Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way, you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested before making your choice.

Dining on Cathay Pacific is a treat, and on many flights, you can pre-order your preferred dish online to guarantee your selection is available. Menus, designed to look like a small newspaper, outline all the service offerings for the flight. It includes articles and pictures about some of the dishes offered, which is an entertaining way to learn about global cuisine. The crew takes orders via a tablet, allowing them to address passengers by name and get your order right – it is restaurant service in the air.

Drinks come with a ramekin of nuts as the service begins. Flight attendants lay a linen cover on the spacious tray table and start the service with an appetiser. Served on a tray, it includes a side salad and a bread plate with warm items - Cathay Pacific serves delicious garlic bread - offered from a basket. This is followed by the main course, from a menu of as many as six choices, including pasta, beef, fish, or traditional Chinese dishes. Sometimes, there is a meal relative to the destination, too. Cathay Pacific has partnerships with famous restaurants around the world, including Hong Kong's Mak's Noodle and Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant, and these dishes are often the most popular. Special meals can be requested in advance, covering dietary needs like vegetarian and Halal preparations.

Dessert includes a sweet dish, ice cream, fresh fruit, or a cheese plate with crackers. The meal presentation is served individually from the galley rather than from an aisle cart. It is swift, simple, and tasty. To round off the meal, coffee, tea, and cordials are offered along with chocolate.

Cathay Pacific's recently overhauled menu service uses more natural ingredients giving passengers a choice between heartier or lighter options. In between meals, snacks are available in the galley, but there is also a hot menu of dishes like a traditional hamburger with French fries and ketchup or noodle soup if you feel peckish.

The progressive airline has also launched new initiatives in catering.  Hong Kong Flavours is a carefully curated menu of signature dishes designed to give a taste of home to local passengers and an opportunity for international travellers to sample the best of Hong Kong cultural dining. Sample dishes include wok-fried seafood in lobster broth, Chinese roasted duck, and lai fun noodle soup.

Meanwhile, throughout 2024, Business Class and First Class passengers flying from Hong Kong on selected routes will enjoy Cantonese fine-dining thanks to a partnership with Michelin-starred institution – Duddell’s restaurant of Hong Kong.

Business Class passengers can enjoy on a culinary journey of indulgence. A delightful appetiser awaits with the Sichuan-style poached chicken, famously known as "saliva chicken," where tender chicken is bathed in a flavourful sauce infused with sesame and red chili, offering a tantalizing blend of spiciness, freshness, fragrance, and tenderness.

The main courses are meticulously prepared, with a standout being the braised pork ribs with hawthorn sauce and green apples. This dish features succulent pork ribs fried to perfection and glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce crafted from fresh hawthorn berries and a hint of apple cider vinegar. Alternatively, there's the robust braised beef ribs with port wine, ideal for the winter season. Slow-cooked in port wine and tomato paste, the beef ribs offer a tender and mouthwatering experience, complemented by the crunch of celery and carrots, striking a perfect balance of flavours.

Depending on the flight duration and time of day, a second meal can be served prior to landing or midway through the flight. These include the option for a hot or continental breakfast or a warm or chilled lunch or dinner, depending on the flight. A new dine-on-demand service also allows customers to choose what they want to eat and when later during the flight.

Cathay Pacific is partnering with Michelin-starred French restaurant Louise to bring a fresh twist to traditional French cuisine to the skies.

Expanding on the success of the airline’s recently introduced "Hong Kong Flavours" selection in collaboration with Hong Kong's renowned Cantonese fine-dining establishment Duddell’s, Cathay Pacific is working with Louise - home of master Chef Julien Roye. Together, they have unveiled an exclusive menu featuring 16 reimagined French classics. 

In Business Class, passengers are presented with an equally alluring array of main course options. The braised Iberico pork belly with bacon jam and the pan-seared beef tenderloin with Madeira jus and porcini purée are just two of the choices.  

To conclude the culinary journey on a high note, passengers are treated to an array of indulgent desserts designed to tantalise the taste buds. Among these delights is the Guanaja chocolate cremeux! 

Before takeoff, passengers can choose between Champagne (the label varies, but include Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne or Deutz Brut Classic Champagne), water or, on many flights, the delicious Cathay Delight.

The menu lists the wide variety of libations available including two white wines, two red wines and a dessert wine. The airline’s celebrated wine panelists select bottles from around the world to serve on board with the options rotating multiple times per year. 

An international selection of beer varies by flight, but Betsy Beer, created exclusively for the airline, is a highlight. A variety of cocktails is available on the menu as well as whiskies, Cognac and liqueurs.

Soft drinks, juices and still or sparkling water complete the list. Cathay Pacific serves illy coffee and Jing teas. Passengers can request espresso, cappuccino and latte drinks, and a regular favourite is Hong Kong-style milk tea. Travellers of all ages enjoy the delicious hot chocolate.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes, but feel free to let us know if there is something we missed.

Cathay Pacific offers friendly service and warm hospitality. A welcome greeting from the lead flight attendant as well as the use of passenger names throughout the flight add to the exclusive feel. Multiple languages, including the language of the destination, are the norm for Cathay Pacific crews.

The airline has rather large Business Class cabins, which means service can occasionally feel robotic and cumbersome, but the crew is always happy to oblige special requests for the most personalised experience. 

Large entertainment screens fold out to showcase the latest Hollywood films, a global selection of music, hundreds of sitcoms and documentaries, cartoons and classic albums. The airline has a solid selection of box set programming if you want to binge-watch a new-found show or reliable favourite. If you are interested to see what is playing on your flight, the airline lists its monthly entertainment selections online.

Noise-reducing headphones are available at each seat and available prior to takeoff. The entertainment system has both touch screen and remote-control features. 

On many Cathay Pacific planes, a tail and wheel camera give passengers an exterior view of the plane. Moving map displays use impressive graphics and 3-D technology to keep travellers in the know at any point of the flight.

The airline’s A350 aircraft feature wireless internet. Connectivity is being rolled out to the remainder of the widebody fleet with some planes already equipped. Travellers can verify if their plane has Wi-Fi in the flight status section on the airline’s website. The cost varies based on the flight length with flat rates differentiated by flights less than or more than six hours.

A new partnership with PressReader gives Cathay Pacific passengers complimentary access to thousands of online newspapers and magazines via a PressReader app. Passengers can browse the digital library 48 hours before departure to save reading material for the flight. 

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi.

Amenity kits offer Bamford toiletry products and are well-stocked with what you might need to stay hydrated and refreshed on a long flight. Slippers are available at each seat. Lavatories stock more products like hand lotion and facial mist from Bamford. Plush pillows and luxurious, sustainably sourced 400-thread count cotton bedlinen by Bamford help passengers enjoy one of the best rests in the sky.  

Before and after meals, hot towels bookend the service for extra refreshments.

For infants under six months of age, bassinets are available on all Cathay Pacific flights with advance notice.

Cathay Pacific delivers a multi-course meal presentation on regional and medium-haul flights like the long-haul flights, with a starter, salad, multiple main course options and a tasty dessert. The beverage menu is equally notable with wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, and Champagne.

Cathay Pacific used to only operate widebody aircraft on short flights, which came with its own benefits associated with longer journeys. However, the airline has invested in 16 state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft for its regional routes. The new aircraft feature the latest Business Class seat product, with a hard shell and recliner seat with divider screens. Other features include 4K ultra-high-definition IFE screens with Bluetooth connectivity.   

The airline's Sustainable Development Policy encompasses numerous environmental protection and improvement angles. In addition to its own measures to reduce waste and improve recycling, the airline also works with its suppliers to find ways to improve the entire process.

The airline has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by spearheading sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with a pledge to use SAFs for 10 per cent of the total fuel consumption by 2030. The investment in new fuel-efficient aircraft and technologies, such as the A321neo fleet, will also help to offset the airline's carbon emissions.

Cockpit materials are now entirely digital, which helps to reduce paper, and the carrier is also the first to serve OmniPork, a vegan, plant-based pork alternative. The airline has also installed solar panels on top of Cathay City, saving 150,000 kilograms of carbon emissions annually.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.