Binman62 flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B777-300ER (four class with Premium Economy) (21/08/2012 22:02)

The Best 3.5 hours on a plane ever!

I have recently flown Cathay Pacific between Hong Kong and Singapore.

The outbound flight was business and the rather unfortunate old cradle seat. The return however was on board a CX 777 - 300 and in First class. The aircraft also had the new business class seat which I tried out and which in my view is simply superb and gives BA first class seat some very serious competition.

However the 3.5 hour flight in First Class for the family was simply superb on ever level (well perhaps the lounge experience at Singapore could be better but one world not working together is nothing new and the JSA lounge is closed till 3pm)

There are just 6 seats in the front of the 777 and I am writing this on board a BA aircraft which has 13 seats in the same space between doors 1 and 2. The cabin layout means that 1A and 2a are isolated while the other 4 have access to one another. This gave the very real impression of having the cabin to ourselves and protected the 2 other passengers from my kids.

The seat is simply enormous and my 8 year old commented that he could lie flat across the seat if he curled into the foetal position without the need to recline!

The crew were wonderful, the food outstanding and the wines exceptional. So much so that following lunch I really had to lie down for an hour! 

What a bed! it is very very comfortable and that was without any mattress or duvet. 30 before landing I was woken and I really did want them to simply circle for a few more hours.

There were no Shanghai Tan PJ's on such a short flight and no amenity kit. However given the set up in the toilets such kits were not required. The toilet I used was huge with a full length mirror, a proper sink, with water that could be temperature controlled and with the novel benefit that you were not required to keep you hand under the tap to keep it running!

IFE was extraordinary in its breadth and depth of content. The audio was crystal clear on noise reducing headphones. I was taken by the audio book offerings as well as an extensive regional movie library. The music available would have satisfied even the fussiest passengers.

The is also a camera situated on the belly of the aircraft which allows you to see the undercarriage being lowered and retracted. Very cool!

I and the family had a ball. The kids eat the food including carrot soup and were looked after royally by the 2 crew leaving the wife and I to dine in peace and quiet.

It was a superb experience in ever way and really what flying First Class should be all about.

rcrossouw flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (new product) (15/02/2012 19:45)

Best seats and service in far east, but worst frequent flyer program Marco Polo Asia Miles, as it offers no bonus miles if you actually fly CX as opposed to other oneworld airlines, so no miles incentive to actually fly CX, as opposed to BA, AA, QF, SA and the like

hemispheres flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (11/01/2011 05:13)

Cathay First Class from Hong Kong. Slightly late in boarding but excellent information in the lounge. On board comfort exemplary. Lovely variety of food which was tasty, well cooked and beautifully presented. Cathay's 9 seat First Class cabin is well thought out & makes traveling a pleasure.

Survivor flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (new product) (12/10/2009 14:26)

The new first class product is really surprising good after such a disaster the airline did on the new business class seats.

Since it was a midnight departure on a overnight long haul flight, I prepared my bed as soon as the flight took off.

Unfortunately, the seat could not recline but the efficient cabin crew managed to reset it manually.

Their efficiency may be because this is a common problem.

Cabin food on Cathay is always good especially with an Asian choice available.

J.AKIMOTO flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (new product) (26/06/2009 02:46)

I went to Europe from Japan via Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific First class flight. I think CX’s new 744 First class seat is very comfortable and excellent full flat bed.

First flight, CX271 HKG to AMS was midnight flight, so I ate meal quickly and asked crew changing my suite from seat to bed. I had good sleep because I could get 6 hours sleeping time and I had good condition next day.

Second flight, CX252 LHR to HKG, day to night flight, was excellent flight. Because this day’s CX252 first class passenger was only me. I surprised this flight, but I enjoyed 1 passenger only first class flight.

Both flight, cabin attendants were excellent service, I think that it is natural that Cathay Pacific Airways won airline of the year 2009. If you have long flight plan, I recommend Cathay Pacific new First class.

Survivor flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (new product) (25/03/2009 06:23)

May not be the best first class product amongst other airlines but it does provide a more comfortable bed than the new CX business class flat bed. So, for a overnight long haul flight it is definitely worth spending the dollars for a great night sleep.

Topaz05 flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (07/01/2009 07:07)

I missed my December 18 morning flight to Manila on another airline. After several failed attempts to get onto succeeding flights, I hurriedly called my travel agenton the evening of December 19 to find me any available seat to Manila leaving for the morning of the next day.

My agent was able to book me on the only remaining First Class seat on CX 901 to Manila. The flight was scheduled for 0910 last December 20.

With the flight confirmed and paid for, I went straight to Cathay Pacific counter (since I was still at the Hong Kong International Airport) to check in my luggage.

What a relief not to have to queue! It could have been just an ordinary day - not the Christmas rush - when I went up the CX First Class counter at Terminal 1. After giving my eticket number, my luggage was check in and my boarding pass printed in less than five minutes.

I went home and had a good night sleep.

The next day, I returned to HKIA an hour and 10 minutes before the flight. Despite the crowd, I cleared immigration in 15 minutes. I reached Gate 12 at the other end of the airport 15 minutes before boarding time.

Boarding was on time but due the big number of people to Manila on holidays, passengers with First Class and Business Class tickets had to line up to get onto the plane. However, boarding was brisk and efficient.

The First Class section was right up front with only 10 seats. I was in 2K, which was very near the nose of the airplane. It was a very full flight, so it was hardly surprising that take off was delayed for 20 minutes.

After all the stress of the previous day, it was heaven to be seated all by myself. The seat is wide enough to fit another person. It can also be converted into a lie-flat bed. But with only less than two hours of fly time. I didn’t bother to try it out. I was grateful for the spacious legroom that allowed my legs to fully stretch.

It’s a pity I didn’t have any hand-carry luggage because there is plenty of dedicated cabin storage for each passenger.

The personal TV screen is huge. Inflight entertainment accessed via the Studio CX personal handset has a library of more than 100 movies, 888 music CDs, 350 TV programs, 22 radio channels and 70 video games to choose from. I opted to tuning in on one radio channel for the duration of the flight, using the noise cancelling earphones.

After offering a welcome drink, the flight attendant handed out the menu for breakfast. Shortly after the plane took off, breakfast was served and I ordered ham omelet, bacon, sausages and potato cake. I washed it down with orange juice. The service was good, friendly and efficient. It was fine dining on air at least judging by the cutlery.

The flight was way too short to enjoy all the perks of First Class, but it was hassle-free flying.

J.AKIMOTO flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (23/10/2008 01:27)

I went to Hong Kong by Cathay Pacific Premiun Class. Return flight, I got First Class from Hong Kong to Tokyo Narita. In Hong Kong international Airport, I think Cathay's First class Lounge is most comfortable in the world because good facility, good lounge foods, and drinks. This flight, First Class, despite old style seat, but very very comfortable and finest cabin crew and meal, drinks. So I enjoy my First class flight. I think I want to ride on Long flight in Cathay Pacific Flrst class.

firstclassboi flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (new product) (02/10/2008 12:27)

Cathay Pacific crew provide for me the ideal between the professional (unfriendly?!) but exceptionally efficient service of Singapore Airlines and the chatty buddiness of Qantas at their best. Cathay crew are superb at never letting my glass be empty, of always being attentive, of being friendly but not overly so - they deliver a high class product in a friendly, exceptional manner.

The food and drink offering, the cocktails that are updated frequently, are all of high quality, in a good quantity, with attractive glass and tableware. The inflight entertainment and games fill the hours, the seats (new and old First) are good for wake, sleep and everything inbetween. The perfect friendly-professional balance and a classy product.

If only they had priority arrival services in Hong Kong as I always seem to be at the end of a 45-60 minute queue which rather defeats the object of my hand-luggage only policy... And bring back First Class to Sydney please!

AndrewFlyer flew Cathay Pacific First, on a B747-400 (new product) (29/09/2008 11:59)

The best of the recent groupings of new First Class in the air in my opinion, Cathay Pacific provides truly exceptional levels of comfort, service and style in elegant and contemporary surroundings. Cathay Pacific excel at innovation in seat design, priority (from check-in to baggage and everything in-between), catering, service, seat comfort, design and innovation in First Class - streets ahead of other carriers. I look forward to my next trip with great excitement.