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Review: Cathay Pacific A330 Economy Class (KUL-HKG)

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Note

I write trip reports for a hobby, and like to think that I get better over time. This report was written in June 2016, and falls in the oldie-but-not-so-goodie category of trip reports – blurry photos taken with an iPhone 5, and a not-so-useful content focus.

I’ve left the post up for aviation nuts who like any and all reviews, though if you’re looking for a comprehensive review: check out an updated review of Cathay Pacific’s A330 economy class here.

Introduction: To Grub Steaks and Getting CX’d (Twice)
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong
Hong Kong Airport Midfield Terminal
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Our Whistler Apartment: Pinnacle Ridge
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort: My Thoughts
Westin Wall Center Vancouver Airport
Plaza Premium Lounge Vancouver
Korean Air 777 Business Class Vancouver to Seoul
Korean Air 747 Business Class Seoul to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific A330 Economy Class Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur
The Boulevard by St. Giles Kuala Lumpur
Cathay Pacific A330 Economy Class Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong


We made it to the airport at around six in the morning, as many people were getting home at the same time so we wanted to speed things up before the other customers came.

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Cathay Pacific Check-in Counter Kuala Lumpur International Airport

I was assigned window seat 69A, but within the group we had some arrangements, which involved me moving to the aisle seat (which I didn’t mind). Charlotte, my friend Jesse and I were all situated on one side (68A, 69A and 69C), and Jake and his two friends were situated in middle seats a few rows ahead.

We were through in no time, as we were the first school up for check-in. We made our way past immigration rather quickly, and decided to spend more time in close vicinity to the gate, so we took the train. The sunrise views were amazing – the pictures don’t do it justice.

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Sunrise Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Sunrise Kuala Lumpur International Airport

The six of us had breakfast at an airside Starbucks, then from there it was off to the gate. Our flight was operated by an A330 (it was an A340, but unfortunately there was an equipment swap a few months out), and it was one of the newer A330s delivered seven years ago, which had the newer Airbus interiors. It lit beautifully in the morning light.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Speaking of the gate area, I found the terminal airy. Sure, the internet connection was pretty bad, but at least the terminal had WiFi.

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Gate Area Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Boarding commenced at 8:30, where I was somehow so eager to board that I forgot my carry-on. Thankfully, seatmate Charlotte managed to save my life by getting the carry-on on the plane for me.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Cathay Pacific Flight 720
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Origin: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Gate: C32 Dep: 09:00 (09:00)
Destination: Hong Kong (HKG) Gate: 40 Arr: 13:05 (12:40)
Duration: 4 hr 5 min (3 hr 40 min)
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300 Reg: B-LAI
Seat: 69C (Economy Class)

First I walked through the rear business class cabin, which was the last time I’ve seen those pillows (they’ve been replaced by new ones that are neater and more temperature tolerant, but rougher).

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Business Class

Then, I walked through Cathay Pacific’s three-row premium economy cabin for the very first time. I do miss these seats, though, even if I genuinely believe the new A350 premium economy seats are better.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Premium Economy

Soon I was back in my favourite economy cabin, which I really continue to love, even with the new A350 seats.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Seats 69A and 69C

There weren’t any planes to our left, which isn’t something you see much at airports.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class View

I visited the toilet before takeoff. I love the modern A330 toilets, and this was no exception.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Lavatory

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Lavatory

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Lavatory

I got back to my seat and admired the panels. The new Airbus panels are incredibly attractive.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Panels

I had a look at the entertainment selection, which, as is the norm, is always extensive. The only thing I watched was the Great British Bake-off with Charlotte, which I half slept through due to how tired I was.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Entertainment Selection

There were also donation bags this time, which I like. Not only is it a way to get rid of loose change you pick up in Malaysia, it’s also donated to a worthy cause, which I always support.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class UNICEF Donation Bag

There was some very interesting traffic, including a Malaysia Airlines A380, which I love the livery of.

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Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380-800 Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Traffic Kuala Lumpur International Airport

We made it to the runway shortly, and soon were well off on our way back to Hong Kong. During takeoff, Jesse pointed out some landmarks, including the Petronas Towers, all that could be seen in the amazing weather.

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

When we left Kuala Lumpur, the view was still beautiful, but the colours were unlike anything I’d seen before. I mean, just look at that chalky blue above the wing.

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Views upon Takeoff Kuala Lumpur International Airport

We levelled off at around 9:20, when I admired the economy cabin. I don’t know how many more times I’ll be able to be in this cabin before the new A350 seats take over…

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Cabin

I also went around and took a few pictures of my friends sleeping, as I’m that evil. This included those of the new friends people I had met there.

Lunch was soon served, which consisted of a breakfast option and sweet and sour pork, in which Charlotte and I both chose the latter. It took a really long time for us to get our meals as they’d ran out and needed to reheat extras, but it was worth it – they weren’t crisp or anything, but they were reasonably tender, especially for airline food.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Meal

It wouldn’t have stood a chance in business class, but it was an above average dish, even compared to premium economy.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Meal – Sweet and Sour Pork

Service on the flight was fine. It wasn’t good, proactive or anything special like the outbound, but as an economy flyer I’m not really expecting anything. They were friendly, though didn’t really seem like they wanted to be there – I don’t envy their jobs serving over 200 people.

The three of us all slept after breakfast, which was once again a mishap for me, as I’d really wanted to work on some papers on the flight.

It didn’t take long for reality to hit. I woke up around 200 miles out of Hong Kong, where it was cloudless outside. I worked on some papers, but we were approaching Hong Kong at a rate that was faster than I’d hoped (which I can’t say about most economy flights).

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View Approaching Hong Kong

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Airshow Approaching Hong Kong

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Airshow Approaching Hong Kong

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View Approaching Hong Kong

The transit information started to show. Many people were transiting, but unfortunately there seemed to be a small problem.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Transit Information

The views on approach were beautiful, partially because of the nice weather, but also because of the way we headed in. We went slam over Victoria Harbour, which is something I always like – as far as I remember it was my first time seeing that view from an A330.

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Descent Hong Kong

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Views upon Final Approach Hong Kong

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Views upon Final Approach Hong Kong

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Views upon Landing Hong Kong

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Views upon Landing Hong Kong

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Views upon Landing Hong Kong

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Views upon Landing Hong Kong

We taxied past some interesting traffic before finally coming to rest at gate 40, finally ending an entire month of constant travel.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Hong Kong Airport

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Hong Kong Airport

The connecting flight information hadn’t sorted its own sh*t out yet even when we arrived at the gate.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Travel Information

I had to tie my shoe, so took the extra time (the rest of the group were ahead) to take pictures of the cabin, asking a flight attendant before doing so. She invited me to do so and take pictures of the premium economy cabin as well, without inviting me to take any pictures of the business class cabin. I didn’t mind that – I’d see that in March.

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Economy Class Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Premium Economy Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Premium Economy Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Premium Economy Cabin

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Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 Business Class Cabin

Soon I was on my way home and on another camp of sleepless nights. I did make it through long enough to get on my Osaka trip, which will immediately be following.

Bottom Line: Cathay Pacific A330-300 Economy Class

No matter how the crew are, Cathay Pacific’s new economy class remains one of my favourite ways to travel. I love Cathay Pacific’s economy class, and on these instances the crew were friendly as well. So they’re not the best product in the world, but I would fly again in a heartbeat. However, I am willing to try more economy products to have a fairer comparison (I mean, Thai Airways’ new A330 economy class comes as a very close second in terms of their economy product, which is good).

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