Airline: Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight number: CX162
Aircraft: A330-300
Route: Hong Kong to Sydney
Seating: Business class
Flight time: 9 hours, 10 minutes
Skytrax Airline Star Rating: 5 stars
The cabin
Seats were in a 1-2-1 configuration. The space around the cabin and seats was fine. Trolleys were used so easy to get up and get by if need to during a meal service. With the seat configuration of 1-2-1, it means everyone has aisle access, which also means no climbing over anyone (there’s nothing more annoying).
Checking in
Check-in was very quick as I was early for the flight. The staff seemed to manage it so well – the onboard service seemed to start right then and staff were polite and courteous. A staff member changed my original seat for me at her suggestion, which was great. The window seats are highly recommended.
Lounge
I visited The Bridge lounge in Hong Kong. It’s a beautiful lounge – spacious and comfortable. It’s split by the large desk at the entrance with the main food area to the right with seating and lounges. There were plenty of food options such as dumplings, soups, curries, hot pizzas and salads. The Portuguese egg tarts are so good that I took some with me for the flight.
The service
Always outstanding, very attentive and polite. Parting words are always “please enjoy”.
Meals
After visiting the business lounge in Hong Kong, The Bridge, where the food was excellent, I made the mistake of looking at the menu. Even though I was already full, I wanted to try the slow cooked, five-spice beef cheeks by One Harbour Road restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, which specialises in traditional Cantonese food. I’m glad I stayed up for that. It was excellent – tender and very flavoursome. Breakfast was nothing special but sufficient with an English breakfast egg dish and some yoghurt and fruit.
Space
I love the Cathay seats – they are really comfortable with plenty of room. The settings are basic, but work easily and quickly. The flat bed is very long and comfortable with a nice pillow and blankets. The pillows are never really large enough but still quite nice. It was a relaxing experience. There was plenty of room for storage and a nice large arm rest/table. The seats are configured at an angle so it still feels quite private and separated from your neighbour.
Amenities kit
The amenities kit is nice but it’s like most others out there – the usual items including ear plugs, eye mask, socks, toothbrush and paste and Jurlique products of lip balm, hand cream and a day cream; plus a pen. Everything you need.
Pyjamas or not
No pyjamas were provided on the flight.
Entertainment
There were plenty of options on the screen with a handful of recently released movies. It was adequate, though I always have plenty of reading material on me when I fly so that I don’t have to rely on the entertainment.
Quality of headphones
The large headphones are housed in small convenient compartment and already plugged in. No looking for the plug here. Large and comfortable noise cancelling headphones with plenty of cushion – very nice.
Bathroom
The bathroom seemed as it was always maintained to a high standard throughout the flight. Each time I went in it was clean and dry, pleasant smelling without any rubbish on the floor. Jurlique products are available in the bathrooms with a face wash, lotion, and spray mist.
Baggage
Passengers on business class are allowed 30 kilograms of checked-in baggage and 10 kilograms of cabin baggage. If you’re a Silver or above member of the Marco Polo Club rewards program, you will qualify for extra baggage allowances.
Loyalty program
Cathay Pacific’s loyalty program is Marco Polo Club, with four tiers; Green, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Passengers earn club points whenever they fly in eligible fare classes with Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, or any of the oneworld alliance airlines. Travel benefits also extend to all oneworld airlines, and passengers can extend their benefits on the ground with any of Cathay Pacific’s hotel and car-rental partners. Marco Polo members also get automatic Asia Miles membership, meaning they can accrue miles at other outlets (like hotels) while they travel.
Gripes
If you choose a seat towards the back thinking that it will be better for some reason, mealtime means you may not get your choice if the service doesn’t offer pre-requests.