Anyone who follows my blog or Twitter stream will know how much I love to fly Cathay Pacific. It’s not just the direct flights to my hometown of Adelaide from Hong Kong that I love, it’s the entire flying experience.
On my latest trip with them, from London to Melbourne, I was silly enough to book my flight four days before I was due to depart… during the middle of the Olympic period. Worst still I was paying with frequent flyer points, which dramatically limited my flight options. Thankfully, Cathay had a flight out of Heathrow to Hong Kong –but there were only in first class seats available. With no other option, and being secretly curious about what life was like down the pointy end of the plane was like, I booked it.
Showing my boarding card to the airhostess as I stepped onboard I was personally escorted to my seat and transported to another world where orchids hang from walls, trouser presses are housed inside personal luggage lockers and where mood lighting in my magazine pocket exists. Oh, and there is high ceilings – that’s right ladies and gents, there is no overhead down here!
Sitting in my private enclave I must have looked the fool marvelling at the vast range of choice in magazines and newspapers to keep me occupied, and gadgets I had at my disposal – hello back massage! Everyone else was settled into their seats working or napping and I had my camera out snapping away happily.
One thing, which did take me by surprise, was the amenities kit. I’ve found that when travelling in business with Cathay and other airlines they stuff it with airline socks, bulky masks and things I don’t want or need so it was refreshing to find a simple sleep mask, hairbrush, and a variety of products from the Aesop range, all inside a stylish leather bag made by Italian company, Trussardi.
Sleeping suits (pyjamas) and slippers are also available onboard and have been customised by Shanghai Tang with a very oriental design and small high collared necklines. Whilst a very nice touch, I did find that the size pants I got were much to large in the bottoms whilst the top was too large still gapped in all the wrong places leaving me worried I would expose someone in my sleep.
One of the definite perks of sitting in the nose of the plane, aside from the beautiful uninterrupted-by-wings sunrises, is the privacy. With only nine suites available, the area each passenger has is spacious and private with high walls you can fall into an uninterrupted sleep at any time or continue working throughout the entire flight.
Speaking of sleep, at any point during your flight you can have your bed made up for you. Yes, you have a flat lie bed complete with bedding – a thin mattress blanket like those found on sites like www.schlaf.guru, a soft duvet, and fluffy pillow – yes, all those adjectives are necessary
If sleeping isn’t your thing then stay awake and watch one of movies onboard. Cathay Pacific’s entertainment system is fantastic and always has a great choice of new releases. On my flight I watched The Five Year Anniversary’ ‘The Avengers’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ all which hadn’t been released on DVD at the time. There are also quite a good selection of movies in Cantonese or Mandarin (or with subtitles) on board as well as music, TV shows and games.
To know what movies or other inflight entertainment will be shown on your flight be sure to checkout Cathay’s inflight movie page.
I also enjoyed the extra space to spread out. A similar configuration to British Airways First and the new Cathay’s new business class, Cathay’s First class offers even more space which meant that whilst watching movies I could curl up on the seat much like it was a couch, and whilst working I could lay the armrest (which folds up to make the couch) down to seat my drink and snacks.
Whilst Cathay, regardless of class, has fantastic service it is of course a step above the norm in First. My champagne glass was filled almost as soon as I had drained it (I promise I only had a few glasses!) and the four-course dinner was definitely a step above the normal airplane food, as my table was instead laid out with a table-cloth and silverware.
One problem I do have with Cathay’s evening meals is the seafood overload in the menu. Perhaps I was unlucky or should have special ordered my meal (but why would I do that when I don’t have any allergies nor have any specific eating requirements other than a dislike for seafood?) but thankfully the cabin crew were able to find an alternative and instead I got a simple salad, some pasta and two desserts – yes, I think they know the way to a girl’s heart.
Thankfully the breakfast was better with fresh fruit, bread baskets and a proper English breakfast options were available along side salmon and congee.
Cathay Pacific’s latest marketing slogan is: ‘People: they make an airline‘ and that is something I fully believe when travelling with Cathay. No matter what class you are travelling with their staff are friendly, helpful and will make your flight with them memorable as my flight when I got the chance to live the suite life.
Now it’s over to you:
Would you splurge to fly First class?
Where would you like to fly in First class?
Details
Cathay Pacific
Based out of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is one of Asia’s leading airlines connecting to Oceania, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.
Website: www.cathaypacific.com
43 Comments
Hogga
August 18, 2012 at 1:22 am…wow. I really need some more frequent flyer miles or perks. But I think if I flew that way, I’d be ruined for economy…
Nicole
August 18, 2012 at 9:19 pmI agree! It was fantastic and I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to go back to flying economy in November… 🙁
Tom @ Waegook Tom
August 18, 2012 at 1:28 amOh dear lord…I don’t think I can ever fly economy ever again after seeing these photos and hearing your description. Now, to save up for a few months and exist only on ramen to be able to afford a first class ticket…
Nicole
August 18, 2012 at 9:20 pmHaha, do it!! You will be well fed and sleep well instead of getting of the plane and be in need of a seriously good massage.
And living off ramen isn’t so bad is it? 🙂
The Rowdy Chowgirl
August 18, 2012 at 2:16 amWow, I’m absolutely drooling with envy! Where wouldn’t I like to fly if I could do it in that kind of comfort!
Nicole
August 18, 2012 at 9:21 pmHopefully you get bumped to the front of the plane soon. I think a good excuse would be that you have to ‘assess’ the quality of the food on your site 😉
Teresa G.
August 18, 2012 at 2:50 amYou must teach me your ways of uber high class travel. That is my dream before 30… to fly First Class!!!
Nicole
August 18, 2012 at 9:22 pmWill do lovely! You have a few more years and I’m sure we can get you up the front of the plane. 🙂
Alouise
August 18, 2012 at 6:53 amThis sounds so pants. I always feel spoiled if I get the emergency exit row with an extra inch of legroom. Seems like if you’re gonna save up your frequent flier miles and sit in first class, a long haul flight would be the way to go.
Alouise
August 18, 2012 at 6:55 amOops meant to put in fancy pants.
Nicole
August 18, 2012 at 9:24 pmI only recently learnt what “pants” means in the British vocabulary so that made me giggle. 🙂
Agreed. No point wasting miles if you’re doing, for me, anything less than a 6-hour flight.
Emergency exit row leg room is a fantastic feeling as well!!!
Seattle Dredge
August 18, 2012 at 2:28 pmwoooow that’s amazing.. looks/sounds perfect. hehe to the pyjamas, and I want that breakfast!
Nicole
August 18, 2012 at 9:24 pmIt was a yummy breakfast! We’ll have to make our own ‘airplane style breakfast’ at TBEX Toronto. 😛
Scarlett
August 20, 2012 at 5:53 pmThis looks incredible – I’d love to fly business class anywhere but this looks perfect xx
Nicole
May 6, 2013 at 12:08 amCathay Pacific First was amazing, but if you ever get the change do fly in their Business class. Wonderful service, not quite as spacious, but still very comfortable for even the longest of flights. =)
Leif
August 22, 2012 at 6:18 amYou might be an alcoholic 😉
Nicole
August 22, 2012 at 11:12 am:O! Me? Nooo. Never!
Travelling Blogger
August 22, 2012 at 6:33 amOkay, So I loved Cathay Pacific anyway, but seeing those photos of first class makes me want to book with them again!
Nicole
August 22, 2012 at 11:13 amDo it! They are simply fabulous. 🙂
Hope you get to fly with them again soon!
Karen
August 24, 2012 at 5:11 pmI travel betw HKG and AMS via CX for many many yrs annually but never in 1st class ! I wish I could afford for this fabulous “suite” and I believe I will certainly be able to sleep ! Keep dreaming!
Nicole
August 24, 2012 at 6:55 pmKeep saving your frequent flyer points and I hope that you will get to fly down the front of the plane soon. 🙂
Enjoy your next flight Karen!
Adam
August 25, 2012 at 12:06 amI flew CX F once from JFK – HKG (also on miles of course), and I didnt’ think the chairs have massage function. Is this a new thing flying from LHR?
Yes, F class really ruin it for me. Very hard to go back to Y or even any other airlines’ F. 🙂
Nicole
August 25, 2012 at 12:21 amHey Adam,
From what I remember from the flights I have taken with Cathay Pacific there are back massage functions in both Business and First class. It is a separate function which may look like a ‘back roller’ on the electronic remote which adjusts the seat.
Hope you get to fly down the front again soon! 🙂
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August 27, 2012 at 9:20 am[…] is always my moment of ultimate relaxation. I begin to unwind as I enjoy a nice champagne, perhaps stretch out on a flat-lie bed for a nap, or enjoy a movie or two before landing. But one thing when travelling overseas is […]
Emily
August 27, 2012 at 9:58 pmI would fly to New York to spend time with my new grand daughter. I know that it is difficult to save enough money to fly to New york in cattle class way nog te se van first class. Eish man that would be a dream come true.
Nicole
May 6, 2013 at 12:05 amAw, that’s lovely!
I hope you get to visit your new grand daughter soon. =)
Belle
August 27, 2012 at 10:34 pmCathay is an amazing airline and they have a wonderful lounge in Hong Kong! I recently found myself stranded in the airport for 8 hours and very much enjoyed hanging out in their lounge! Unlike other airlines, they had bar staff who were more than willing to make me elaborate cocktails to make the pesky waiting game fly by! Belle http://www.travellingbelle.com
Nicole
May 6, 2013 at 12:07 amThe Cathay lounges in Hong Kong are divine! The selection of food is always amazing as well. 🙂
Glad to hear the ground staff treated you well and hope there are no more delays in your (or my!) future!
Katherine | Kapcha The World
September 3, 2012 at 7:13 amOh my god – wow! I would like to get me some of that please. Looks awesome. I’ve never flown Cathy Pacific. Must look into them next time. I’ve always been a Singapore Airlines girl.
Nicole
May 6, 2013 at 12:04 amSingapore Airlines is a great airline. I haven’t flown in years but hope to again soon.
Hope you get to fly Cathay Pacific soon! Would love to discuss what you think of it. =)
Beatrice
November 11, 2012 at 4:52 pmOh my goodness, I don’t think I’ve ever been so jealous in my life.
Not looking forward to my 15 hour+ flight in economy, after reading this!
Nicole
May 6, 2013 at 12:04 amWhoops! Sorry, Beatrice.
Hope it’s a good flight regardless of class. =)
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Pearls of Style
January 17, 2013 at 10:49 amWhat an incredible experience, you lucky thing. Flying first class is on my bucket list!
Nicole
May 6, 2013 at 12:03 amHope you have the chance to fly First Class soon!
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Muhammad Ihza Mahendra
February 24, 2018 at 10:54 pmhow much budget does it cost?
Nicole
March 2, 2018 at 10:17 amHi Muhammad,
Prices vary. The best option is to look on the Cathay Pacific website.
I purchased my ticket using Qantas frequent flyer points and believe it cost in the range of 80,000 points at the time.