Flying Australians to Hong Kong – and beyond – for over 75 years, a journey in multi-award-winning Cathay Pacific Business Class is such comfort you’ll wish your flight was as long as possible.
Flyer: Susan Elliott
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Aircraft: A350-900
Class: Business Class
Route: Sydney – Hong Kong
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
The cabin
The Business Class cabin on Cathay’s A350-900 has 38 open suites – 30 in the main section and eight in a smaller section behind the second galley. The layout is a 1-2-1 configuration, so all passengers have direct access to the aisle. The privacy is high, as the shell design means your seat remains relatively covered, perfect for peaceful travels yet awkward if you wish to converse with a travel companion.
The seat
Seats are 20.5 inches wide with a side panel that can be lowered after take-off, extending your seat and sleeping space to a spacious 31 inches. It can be angled to many positions, including a fully flat bed. On long-haul and night flights, a ‘bedtime pack’ offers a padded seat mattress, doona, plump pillow and slippers.
The 18.5-inch TV screen pops out from the wall, with a second 4.3-inch video handset to access the entertainment. There’s a small locker with toiletries, sound-cancelling headphones, Vittel mineral water, a mirror and charging ports – USB and AC. A second locker at your feet is perfect for storing shoes, handbags and items you may want to have to hand.
The entertainment
Cathay has Asia-Pacific’s most extensive entertainment library in the air with all the latest Hollywood releases, Asian cinema classics, TV Box sets, podcasts, games and HBO Max, with new titles selected every month. And with Wi-Fi roaming available at 10,000 feet, you don’t need to be disconnected.
The drinks list
French, Spanish, Portuguese and Australian wines include a Hunter Valley Chardonnay from Margan Wines, a 2017 Barossa Valley Shiraz from Elderton Wines, and Champagne from Billecart-Salmon Brut.
Beer lovers must try ‘Betsy’ – Cathay Pacific’s hand-crafted Pale Ale specifically brewed for drinking at 40,000 feet. The pick of the mocktail list is ‘Cathay Delight’, a delicious blend of kiwi fruit, coconut milk and fresh mint.
The dining
I’m on a morning flight, and breakfast orders are taken before we’ve left the gate. Business passengers can choose from five menus – Wellness, Light, Chinese, Western or Express. I pick Western and love my tomato and mushroom frittata with salmon and spinach. But seeing the Shredded Pork and Century Egg congee pass by, I get food envy!
Cathay Pacific has collaborated with Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred restaurant Duddell’s, which has curated dishes for flights out of Hong Kong. On my flight to New York, I devoured the chilled abalone and cucumber with black vinegar and braised chicken and bean curd stuck in soya bean sauce. It’s fine dining at 40,000 feet – I feel spoilt!
The amenities
Bamford toiletries include face mist, eye shades, hand moisturiser, lip balm, toothbrush, paste and mouthwash. You’ll also find the same fragrant products in the restrooms with an air freshener – a thoughtful touch.
The Signature factor
Skip the queues with Priority airport check-in, boarding, and extra baggage as a Business Class guest. Business passengers can use the Qantas Business Class lounge in Sydney and three Business lounges in Hong Kong with onward flights.
Cathay Pacific Business Class flights from Australia to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Hong Kong daily, with three and four weekly flights from Perth and Brisbane.
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