Cathay Pacific is a Hong Kong-based airline with a sterling popularity for world-class service. They serve all kinds of markets (all of them worldwide, after all) and have lengthy been a stalwart of nonstop flights between Hong Kong and the USA. Cathay Pacific First Class is among the “aspirational” First Class cabins, one that folks save up their miles to fly, and with good purpose. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to fly them in First Class 4 separate instances so I’m pretty well-qualified to inform you what it’s like. So lots of you loved my evaluate of Singapore Airways Suites Class, so let’s do it once more. Sit again, pour your self some Krug champagne, and check out the total expertise of flying Cathay Pacific First Class!
Checking In
Hong Kong Worldwide Airport is gigantic and delightful, the structure is simply implausible. Once you stroll into the departure corridor of Terminal 1, you’ll see huge rows of check-in desks for what looks as if each airline on the planet and even some airways for different worlds. If you happen to’re flying in First Class, head to the far left row and also you’ll see the white marble of the Cathay Pacific First Class check-in space.
As soon as the check-in brokers see you heading their path they are going to often stroll as much as greet you lengthy earlier than you make it to the desk to allow them to help you together with your baggage. Inside a number of key strokes they are going to have you ever checked in and hand you your lounge invitation.
Now, the subsequent half is out of Cathay Pacific’s management, however the annoying factor about HKG is there is no such thing as a precedence safety lane for Premium passengers (I do know I sound spoiled saying that, however it’s annoying). When you make it via safety, the enjoyable really begins!
The First Class Lounges
Cathay Pacific has two First Class lounges at HKG from which to decide on: The Pier and The Wing. They’re each distinctive and fantastic in their very own method and each are price a go to when you’ve got the time. (a observe: you may entry these lounges in case you maintain Oneworld Emerald standing and are touring on a global itinerary, no matter your class of service!)
The Pier
Certainly one of Cathay’s latest lounges, I’ve raved about The Pier. It’s positioned below gate 65. The signage is much like different lounges however what lies on the backside of the escalator is among the finest airport lounges on the planet.
A lot of the Cathay Pacific lounges have a design theme which emphasizes marble and glossy surfaces. Your first clue that the Pier can be totally different is the enormous wood Cathay Pacific brand which greets you on the backside of the escalator.
When you’re welcomed in by the lounge workers you’ll enter the principle hallway and really feel such as you’re in a unique world.
The design theme is exclusive and opulent and so totally different from virtually every other lounge I’ve ever visited. The amenity checklist is lengthy and equally luxurious, from day suites for longer layovers to foot massages.
The bar space virtually resembles a lounge from a rustic membership again within the 70s to me.
The Eating Room is equally distinctive with inexperienced leather-based and ample wood trim. The meals is catered by The Peninsula lodge and is simply excellent. I extremely suggest the Dan Dan noodles.
The Wing
The Wing has been round longer than The Pier however it’s splendidly luxurious and somewhat extra glitzy. The lounges at HKG are both the ground under the gate stage (like The Pier) or the ground above the gate stage, like The Wing. For the reason that ceiling of the lounge is in reality the ceiling of the terminal it has a really open feeling. Once you stroll into the lounge, the very first thing you’ll see is the Champagne Bar.
When you’ve had your fill of some totally different forms of champagne, you may discover the remainder of the lounge, which is adorned with a lot of black marble. There’s a pleasant bar with all method of premium boozes (beeze?) accessible.
The eating space is offset from the principle lounge space however options comparable entrees as The Pier, since they’re each catered by The Peninsula lodge.
Top-of-the-line facilities provided by The Wing is entry to Cabanas. The Cabanas are greater than a bathe suite, there’s a bathe, a tub, and a chaise lounge during which to loosen up earlier than your flight. They even provide a shirt-pressing service immediately out of your Cabana.
The Cabanas make The Wing price a go to, such a soothing expertise earlier than…nicely, enjoyable in your flight I suppose.
Which is healthier: The Pier or The Wing?
If you happen to’re flying again to the USA aboard Cathay Pacific your flight will usually depart from gates 1-4, that are immediately subsequent to The Wing. If you happen to’re flying elsewhere on the planet you could possibly be departing from any variety of gates. I believe each lounges are price a go to however in case you’re not a loungenerd like me I’d say go to the one closest to your gate. They’re each implausible and opulent however in fully other ways.
Cathay Pacific First Class
The Cabin
Once you board, you’ll be walked to your seat by a cabin attendant, who will instantly provide a beverage (champagne, maybe?) and provide to take your carry-on baggage. There are not any overhead bins to offer the cabin extra of an ethereal really feel, however there are areas accessible on your roll-aboards.
Since Cathay Pacific lately stopped flying the 747 (which is a disgrace), the one First Class cabin is aboard their Boeing 777-300ER fleet. There are six seats within the First Class cabin, each with aisle entry.
The Seat
Cathay Pacific First Class options a tremendous seat, probably the greatest within the sky in reality. The product has been round for fairly some time now however stays aggressive, despite the fact that it lacks a separate mattress or the flowery gimmicks like showers within the sky. Plus, every seat comes with its very personal orchid!
The seat itself could be very vast, in reality you could possibly virtually match two individuals in it aspect by aspect.
You may truly assume it’s too vast, however you may fold down an armrest to make it really feel somewhat extra cozy (the additional width is to make the seat extra snug in mattress mode).
An ottoman awaits your toes, below which you’ll put further baggage if essential. You’ll discover a seatbelt on the ottoman, why’s it there? So in case you’re touring with a companion they will be part of you for dinner! In all probability not a greater venue for a date than clinking glasses of Krug champagne in your cozy Cathay Pacific First Class pajamas, in spite of everything.
As you’ll see right here, when the seat is in mattress mode the footrest extends all the best way to the ottoman to create a mattress lengthy sufficient for nearly any traveler.
If that appears prefer it’s not snug, don’t fear, it’s very snug, notably as a result of the cabin attendants can put down a mattress pad of kinds together with a really cozy comforter to make sure a great sleep on board.
The Service
You cabin attendants start taking good care of you from the primary second you step aboard the plane. When you’re comfortably ensconced in your seat, your cabin attendant will give you a beverage. Take the champagne, it’s Krug Grand Cuvee and really scrumptious!
I do need to briefly speak concerning the distinction within the service “type” between Cathay Pacific First Class and Singapore Suites Class. Cathay Pacific cabin attendants don’t need to disturb you and customarily keep out of the cabin except they’re summoned by a visitor. So People, who’re usually scolded for utilizing the flight attendant name button when on a US provider, might want to take observe that they really need you to make use of the decision button. Certainly on my first Cathay Pacific First Class flight the in-flight supervisor finally got here by my seat to make sure I used to be having fun with my flight, since I hadn’t requested them to do something particular for me! I examine that to the service type of Singapore Airways, the place cabin attendants seemingly seem out of nowhere in every single place you look to make sure you’re having an awesome expertise.
The cabin attendants converse good English and I’ve all the time had very pleasant {and professional} cabin crew on my flights, the service type is sweet with out being too excessive or robotic in my view.
The Meals
The meals on Cathay Pacific receives combined opinions, though I’ve all the time loved it. Meal service begins with an amuse bouche, which I’ve loved some instances and have had no thought what to do with it different instances (just like the one under).
After determining what to do with the amuse bouche they serve a completely implausible caviar appetizer. The appetizer has modified barely through the years when it comes to presentation however it’s nonetheless fantastic any method you take a look at it.
I used to be going to submit concerning the salads, however let’s be sincere it’s a salad. They’ve all been wonderful and vegetable-y. Let’s present a few of the mains.
Cathay Pacific First Class holds a close to and pricey place in my coronary heart, as they’re one of many few airways who can appear to cook dinner an honest steak on board.
Desserts have been wonderful, however the huge important entrees often depart me with little room to get pleasure from it. Don’t fear, I nonetheless struggle via although.
Taking away the differing opinions concerning the high quality of the dinner service it’s virtually universally agreed upon that Cathay Pacific First Class makes one of the best breakfast within the sky. The scrambled eggs (scrambled on board) are merely lovely and style terrific.
The Expertise
I’ve to be sincere. Despite the fact that Qatar Airways is the airline on which I’ve had probably the most enjoyable in First Class, there’s simply one thing particular about Cathay Pacific First Class. There actually aren’t any weaknesses to their First Class service and it’s extensively accessible all through the world, versus Qatar’s restricted First Class community. The cabin service is fantastic, when you get the cling of utilizing the decision button, and I’ve by no means had a cabin attendant who has been something lower than nice. It’s clean, constant, and nearly excellent in each method.
