Since relocating to Asia, I have been eager to try Cathay Pacific Airlines because I have heard great reviews. While Cathay Pacific isn’t a budget airline, flights are cheaper than some no-frills airlines during sales; and the planes are much more luxurious.
On my third trip to Hong Kong, I had an added bonus—Cathay Pacific was offering free stopovers on flights to certain destinations in Asia. I love flying to new places, and the opportunity to fly on a blue airplane is something I never refuse. My photographer thinks Cathay Pacific is green but I disagree. Cathay Pacific travels to numerous locations with a stop at Hong Kong International Airport, many of which are on my bucket list. The chance to show my photographer around my favourite city, starting with H, during a free stopover was an unexpected bonus.
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Pre-flight Experience with Cathay Pacific
Checking in at the airport was a smooth process because it was fully automated. I completed my check-in online before my flight, which reduced my stress level and allowed me to simply drop off my bag at the airport. This minimized my waiting time at the airport, but I still arrived three hours early. Airports in Asia tend to be very large, and I feel quite anxious about getting through security and boarding on time.
Flights
I recently took several flights with Cathay Pacific on their short-haul routes, including the routes between Singapore and Hong Kong on different aircraft.
- Singapore to Hong Kong: CX692 (3 hours and 27 minutes) and CX710 (3 hours and 24 minutes)
- Hong Kong to Taipei: CX420 (1 hour and 20 minutes)
- Taipei to Hong Kong: CX4891 (1 hour and 15 minutes)
- Hong Kong to Singapore: CX691 (3 hours and 14 minutes)
During my travels, I experienced a few different models of Cathay Pacific’s fleet. This includes the A330-300, A350-900, A321 neo, and Boeing 777. All the planes were modern, comfortable, and very clean, with a dinosaur blue interior.
I flew in economy class for all my flights, as I couldn’t justify spending an extra £1,000 for a seat closer to the front (being a travelling dinosaur doesn’t pay enough for such luxuries). However, I appreciate that Cathay Pacific offers the opportunity to bid for an upgrade, allowing travellers to pay what they can afford.
Experience on board Cathay Pacific Airways
Cabin and Atmosphere
Each plane I traveled on had a slightly different seating layout. But, my favourite was the A330-300, which featured a 2-4-2 arrangement in economy class. As a solo traveler, I appreciated this setup because it allowed me to have a window seat without needing to climb over two other passengers to reach the aisle when I needed to use the bathroom.
I use the SeatGuru website to choose my seating on flights because I prefer to sit in a quieter area of the plane. As I enjoy looking out of the window I also look to avoid the sections over the wing.
Cathay Pacific offers accessible seating in business and first class. I was pleased to find seats are also available in economy class. Most of the accessible seats are aisle seats or located closer to the bathrooms. Additionally, certain Cathay Pacific flights provide an adapted bathroom and a Sky-chair (wheelchair) to assist passengers who have difficulty walking in moving around the cabin.
All the seats had ample legroom and enough space for my photographer’s backpack to fit under the seat—an essential requirement when traveling with a power bank.
The cabin was adorned with soft blue lighting on the early morning flight. Creating a calm atmosphere that was perfect for catching some sleep during the early morning flights.
Food
Cathay Pacific provided a full meal service on my three-hour flight from Singapore to Hong Kong, which surprised me, as I didn’t expect breakfast at 39,000 feet on such a short flight. When checking in, I noticed that there are many dietary options available, including meals for vegan, bland, diabetic, liquid, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant diets. I am impressed with Cathay Pacific’s commitment to inclusive meals; they are one of the best airlines in this regard.
My breakfast consisted of a simple yet enjoyable selection of potatoes, beans, and mushrooms, complemented by a wholemeal bun and fruit. My only moan is that Cathay Pacific serve fruit juice from a Russian brand. Given the ongoing war, I try to avoid Russian products. However, the orange juice tasted good, and I figured that juice itself isn’t involved in any acts of violence, so I decided not to dwell on it.
The biggest surprise came with the meal provided on my 80-minute flight between Hong Kong and Taipei. I received a bowl of stir-fried vegetables and water—something I hadn’t anticipated. The food was delicious, and this unexpected lunch energized me for my travel from Taoyuan to my hotel in Taipei.
Cabin crew regularly offered cups of cool water to passengers. I appreciated this reminder to stay hydrated, as I often don’t drink enough water while flying.
Entertainment
I had my TV on during every flight, even the short city hopper flights, and there were so many options to choose from. Much to my surprise, I discovered that Disney+, HBO, and BBC shows were available. It took me about an hour to decide what to watch. I ended up watching all the Sonic the Hedgehog movies to stick with the blue theme. My photographer watched “Interview with the Vampire”, “Suzume”, and “Wicked.” Games and music are also available, but I didn’t have time to explore them because I spent too long searching for a movie.
I always enjoy the map and camera feature because I like to know where I’m flying over. This app is more advanced than those of other airlines, as it has the option to show the map facing the window on each side of the plane and directly ahead, allowing you to see which cities are visible from your window. I was incredibly lucky, as most of my flights with Cathay Pacific were clear, and I could enjoy stunning views of Hong Kong from above. However, my favourite moment was spotting a rainbow above Malaysia during my descent into Singapore.
Unique touches
Cathay Pacific exceeds expectations with thoughtful touches that make you want to fly with them repeatedly. I travelled on Easter Sunday, and the ground staff surprised everyone on the flight with an Easter Chocolate Bunny.
The safety demonstration was a unique walking tour of Hong Kong, showcasing its culture, attractions, and some hidden gems. I appreciate it when airlines make the safety video more engaging, as it helps me follow along more easily. They also incorporate local languages throughout the flight, which adds to the overall experience.
Staff interaction
I find the cabin crew on Cathay Pacific to be friendly and attentive. They seem to anticipate your needs even before you do, and it’s a lovely touch to have someone walking through the cabin regularly offering water.
Being greeted by name adds a personal touch, as does the verbal confirmation of any specific dietary meals ordered before service. The crew wears different colours, making it easy to spot them in the cabin if you need assistance.
During our landing in Taiwan, there was a passenger who was being very disobedient. The cabin crew went above and beyond to ensure the safety of everyone, including themselves. They even requested the captain to abort the landing if the passenger continued to refuse to take their seat. Each time they gave instructions, they were repeated in three languages to ensure comprehension. Thankfully, we landed safely without any issues.
Things to do in Hong Kong
There is no shortage of things to do in Hong Kong. I have visited numerous times for both work and leisure, and the city always surprises me with new places to explore. Currently, I am planning several new blog posts to highlight the great places I have found in Hong Kong.
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I love the opportunity to easily navigate the city and escape into nature without having to travel far. My favourite spot in Hong Kong will always be the Peak, as the views there are unlike any others in the world and change dramatically from day to night.
Cathay Pacific offers direct land and air tickets to Macao or Zhuhai on the Chinese mainland. Macao is an amazing destination that is easily accessible from Hong Kong, with just a 45-minute coach ride across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Overall impressions of Cathay Pacific
Overall, I found Cathay Pacific Airways to be an excellent choice for short-haul travel. Even in economy class, the seats were spacious and comfortable, and the in-flight entertainment was outstanding. The cost was comparable to that of a budget airline, but I received all the extras I would typically expect on a long-haul flight. I am curious to see how Cathay Pacific performs on long-haul journeys and plan to try it in the future, as I believe Hong Kong’s flagship carrier may surpass some airlines from the Middle East.
The food was decent, though not quite as luxurious as what you might find on Emirates. Overall, I found Cathay Pacific Airlines to be very accommodating, and I would recommend them to anyone seeking a budget-friendly flight with some luxurious touches.
Airline rating
Friendliness of staff 🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Service 🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Airplane 🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Food 🦖🦖🦖
Entertainment 🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Overall-Rating: = 4.6 dinosaurs 🦖
*1 dinosaur = 1 star, and 5 dinosaurs is the highest rating.
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