Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific are one of the world’s best airlines and an excellent option for oneworld frequent flyers needing to stopover in Hong Kong and North Asia, particularly now that Qantas have moved away from stopovers in these regions.

Check out economy airfare deals with Cathay Pacific, perhaps look to upgrade to premium economy or experience their excellent reverse herringbone business class beds.

History

Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong’s national airline. It was founded in 1946 by an American, Roy Farrell and an Australian, Sydney de Kantzow. Both men were ex-air force pilots who had flown ‘the Hump’, a route over the Himalayan mountains, and each man put up HK$1 to register the airline. They named it ‘Cathay’, the ancient name given to China, derived from ‘Khitan’, and ‘Pacific’ because Farrell speculated that they would one day fly across the Pacific (which happened in the 1970s). Cathay made the world’s first non-stop transpolar flight flying over the North Pole in 1998, and the same flight was the maiden flight to arrive at the new Hong Kong International Airport.  The airline has been awarded Skytrax’s Airline of the Year four times, more than any other airline.

Cathay Pacific early aircraft and crew

Airline Alliance

Cathay is a founding member of the OneWorld alliance.

Destinations

Cathay serves 168 destinations in 42 countries and territories, with a well-developed Asian network. It also serves a number of gateway cities in Europe and North America with easy connections through OneWorld and codeshare partners. The airline also has access to 17 destinations in China through its subsidiary airline Dragonair.

Fleet

The Cathay fleet consists of a variety of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. At the moment there are 41 Airbus A330-300’s in service and 49 Boeing 777-300ER’s.

Cabin Classes

Cathay Pacific has phased in new cabin interiors in recent years. They offer First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

First Class on the Boeing 777-300ER’s have been refreshed and fitted out with the newly-designed First Class Suites. They have a personal closet, an ottoman for stowage or guest seating and adjustable 17-inch tv screens.  The leather seat can be converted into an 81-inch fully flat-bed and there is an LCD touchscreen controller that makes it easy to recline your seat, adjust your back support, and turn your lights on and off. Other features include BOSE noise cancelling headphones, a multi-port connector enabling you to stream movies and music from your iPod, iPhone and Ipad to your TV, and a USB port to keep those devices fully charged. There are Ermenegildo Zegna amenity kits for men and Trussardi amenity bags for women with Aesop brand skincare and toiletries provided in the First Class bathrooms. We don’t actively promote Cathay Pacific first class pricing, however, pricing is available upon application. Contact us for more info.

Cathay Pacific, First Class

Cathay completely redesigned their business class product in 2013 and had it fitted into all Airbus A330-300’s and Boeing 777-300ER’s. The Boeing 747-400’s and Airbus A340-300’s were not upgraded due to the impending retirement of those planes and instead they have been given a refresh of the older style product. The new Business Class seat converts to a fully flat bed 82-inches long and an extension increases its width by 6 inches to provide additional support. For sleeping, you may choose to leave your armrest up for more privacy, or down for more space. There is also increased storage space with a side cabinet housing your headset and mirror and has rooms for smaller items such as glasses and gadgets. There’s a 15-inch touch screen tv and noise-cancelling headphones provided. As with First Class there is a multi-port connector letting you connect your own iPod and iPhone and stream content to your TV screen, and a USB port to charge your devices.

Cathay introduced a dedicated Premium Economy Class to their aircraft in 2012 with the cabin having 26-34 seats, depending on the aircraft type. Seat pitch is 38 inches (six more than in Economy class) and the seat itself is wider and has a bigger recline. Front-row seats have a leg-rest, and other seats have a 3-position foot-rest. There is also a large meal table, cocktail table, 10-inch personal television, in-seat power outlet, a multi-port connector for personal devices and extra personal stowage space. Passengers receive an amenity kit with dental kit, socks and eyeshade. You’ll also have a dedicated check-in desk, priority boarding at the gate and increased baggage allowance. On long-haul flights there are a few extras with an amenity kit, welcome drink and an enhanced menu selection.

Cathay Pacific, Premium Economy

Also in 2012, Cathay improved their Economy Class product which has been progressively rolled out on their long-haul Boeing 777-300ER and selected Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Seating has a six-inch recline (two more than the previous Economy product) are seventeen inches wide and have a 32-inch pitch. More storage has been added with a literature pocket for your books and magazines and amenity storage for smaller items like your mobile phone, pen and glasses. The cup-holder is separate to your tray-table which has a bi-fold design letting you use it as half or full size. The nine-inch tv screen has audio-video on demand and again a multi-port function for streaming movies and tv shows to your personal screen.

Cathay Pacific, Economy

Meal service is complimentary for all passengers, with two hot meals generally being served on long-haul flights, even in Economy Class and with free alcoholic drinks.

Airport Lounges

The Wing is Cathay’s flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport and is open to First and Business Class passengers. It opened in 1998 and underwent a complete renovation to re-open in February 2013. With a minimalist design it features large open spaces and unobstructed views. Visitors to the First Class lounge will be welcomed with a drink at the Champagne Bar. There is also the Haven, an a la carte dining area, a full-service bar with comfortable seating options, five Cabanas featuring a shower, bath and day-bed and twelve shower suites. The Business Class lounge within the Wing have workstations with high speed Wi-Fi, a wide range of seating options, self-serve buffet and shower suites.

The Pier lounge at Hong Kong Airport is also open to First and Business passengers and provides an alternative to the Wing. The First Class area is currently closed for renovation so First Class passengers are invited to use a reserved section of the Business Class area or the Level 7 Atrium which has been reserved for First Class passengers to enjoy. The Business Class area is set up with Personal Living Spaces to provide a comfortable and undisturbed environment. Facilities include the Long Bar where you can get a drink and watch sports on the widescreen TV, the Noodle Bar for a hot meal, juice bar, coffee bar and the shower suites.

The Bridge is a premium lounge for First and Business passengers, Marco Polo Club members who are silver tier and above and OneWorld members who are Sapphire and above. It consists of North and South wings, each extending from the central reception area. The North Wing features The Bakery, the Long Bar, a television lounge and general seating area. The South Wing features The Bistro, the Coffee Loft and shower suites.

The Cabin is Cathay’s newest departure lounge at Hong Kong Airport. Ultra-modern in design it introduces some new concepts in seating and dining. There’s an IT Zone with high speed Wi-Fi and workstations, The Deli and The Health Bar (a healthy addition to the Long Bar). As with the Bridge lounge, the Cabin is open to First and Business passengers, Marco Polo Club members who are silver tier and above and OneWorld members who are Sapphire and above.

If you are a top-tier member of a OneWorld airline’s frequent flyer program (Emerald or Sapphire level), you are eligible to use about 550 airport departure lounges offered by our member airlines before your OneWorld flight, whether or not you are travelling in First or Business Class.

Frequent Flyer Programs

Cathay has two programs, Asia Miles, a travel reward program and the Marco Polo Club (or the Club), a loyalty program. The Club is divided into four tiers starting with Green and moving up through Silver and and Gold to Diamond. Members move up by earning Club Miles on eligible fare classes with Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and OneWorld partners. Higher-tiered members are provided with increased travel benefits such as a guaranteed Economy Class seat, additional baggage allowance, priority flight booking and airport lounge access. The Marco Polo Club membership is terminated after 12 months of inactivity or failure to meet minimum travel criteria.

Members of Asia Miles can earn miles with the airline as well as other travel partners in car hire, hotel accommodation, etc. Miles are valid for three years from the date of accrual and can be used to redeem travel and other lifestyle rewards.

Fact Sheet:

Hub City: Hong Kong
Focus Cities: Taipei, Bangkok
Frequent Flyer Programs: Asia Miles, the Marco Polo Club
Airport Lounges: the Bridge, the Pier, the Wing, the Cabin
(All at Hong Kong Airport, passengers at other airports have access to partner airline’s lounges)
Airline Alliance: OneWorld
Fleet Size: 187
Destinations: 179