When I woke up, the Cathay Pacific app reflected that my family and I had all been upgraded to Business Class from Economy Class. What made the upgrade even sweeter was that we were upgraded to Cathay’s awesome long-haul Business Class cabin.
We checked in at Cathay Pacific’s Business Class counters at Hong Kong Airport, where the agent informed us of our operational upgrade. After dropping off our bags, we were sent on our way through security.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Airport Business Class Check-In
After spending a while at Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class lounge, which Alvin has reviewed before, we headed to our gate where a Boeing 777-300ER decked out in Cathay’s brand new livery (which, despite initially hating it, is one of my favourites).
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER at Hong Kong Airport
Cathay Pacific Flight 751
Monday, June 27th, 2017
Origin: Hong Kong (HKG) Dep: 15:55 (16:10)
Destination: Bangkok (BKK) Arr: 17:45 (18:00)
Duration: 2 h 50 min (2 h 50 min)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER Reg: B-KPX
Seat: 26A (Business Class)
Cathay Pacific’s 777 business class is laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration. Our 777 featured first class, so there were two rows behind first class in front of the second doors, and a huge cabin with 11 rows behind that. Obviously, being operationally upgraded on the day of departure, I couldn’t snag seats in the front mini-cabin, though you should if you find yourself in this configuration.
This reverse herringbone configuration is basically identical to what you’d find on Cathay Pacific’s longhaul flights (Alvin’s review of his flight from Hong Kong to Sydney dives deep into the hard product, so I won’t be reviewing it as detailedly on this flight.) Do keep note that on flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok, not all flights feature this longhaul configuration; you may be stuck on Cathay Pacific’s far inferior regional business class, so check your seatmap accordingly before your flight.
I was welcomed by the friendly Senior Purser who directed me to my seat, 26A, in the last row of the rear Business Class cabin.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Seats
We were parked next to a China Airlines A330.
China Airlines Airbus A330 At Hong Kong Airport
As is expected for what is one of the world’s best Business Class hard products, there was a ton of space to stretch out.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Legroom
The friendly flight attendants came around the cabin offering welcome drinks and hot towels.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Boarding Slideshow
After a 20 minute delay because of air traffic flow control, we taxied to our runway, where we passed by an assortment of traffic.
Air China Airbus A330 Hong Kong Airport
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon Aircraft at Hong Kong Airport
American Airlines Boeing 777 Hong Kong Airport
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 at Hong Kong Airport
Eventually, we took off after spending a little bit of time waiting for takeoff.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Cabin During Taxi
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER View During Takeoff
Shortly after takeoff, the cabin crew started the meal service. Cathay Pacific serves an abbreviated meal on routes including Hong Kong to Bangkok, Bangkok to Singapore, Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh, and flights from Taipei to Japan and Seoul. Essentially, a salad with protein is served in lieu of a full starter and the side salad, which is then followed by the main course and dessert.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Starter and Meal Tray
The starter for this flight was a cold sesame prawn salad with julienned vegetables and tofu. While the prawns were tasty and the sauce was decent enough, the vegetables were truly revolting.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Starter
Shortly after receiving my main, my Cathay Delight arrived, which is one of my favorite drinks of all time.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Cathay Delight
For the main course, I selected the pan-fried cod with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes in a tomato sauce. Although the presentation was really sloppy, the fish was really flaky, the vegetables weren’t soggy and the mashed potatoes were flavorful and well seasoned.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Main Meal
It’s worth noting that despite claiming that “our menus are ever changing”, Cathay Pacific can’t seem to think of new recipes. Case in point, here’s what I was served when I flew on another flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok exactly one year ago.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Meal (From 2016)
Think that’s an isolated incident? Here’s the main meal.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Main Meal (From 2016)
The menu was identical to the one that was served the previous year, which I honestly find so disappointing. I know that Cathay Pacific is in the process of cutting costs, but is it too hard to invest in developing some new recipes?
Back to the flight, the meal service concluded with a tub of Haagen Dazs ice cream, which is always a treat.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Ice Cream
Throughout the meal, the service was friendly and the crew was well-intentioned. However, with 54 passengers to serve, they were clearly hustling. As is usually the case on Cathay, the service felt a lot like an assembly line.
Before we knew it, we had started our descent into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class View During Descent
We got some really nice views of Bangkok and their famous “spaghetti roads” as we descended into the airport.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Business Class View During Descent
Eventually, we touched down on time. Immigration was a breeze, and we were soon on our way to the Oriental Residence Bangkok.
Bottom Line
It’s a real treat to have been upgraded, even on such a short flight. The hard product was phenomenal as always and continues to be one of the best Business Class seats in the industry despite having been introduced 5 years ago. Although I was disappointed how the menu was exactly same as the one the year before, I can’t complain, considering the food was quite decent. All in all, this was an excellent flight.
