After a protracted day of lounge hopping at Hong Kong Airport, it was time to proceed my lengthy journey to Abu Dhabi, flying Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-1000 enterprise class from Hong Kong to Singapore.
As is nearly all the time the case, flying enterprise class inside Asia is an absolute deal with, and blows away what we’re used to in america. Cathay Pacific’s A350s have a few of my favourite reverse herringbone seats, nice leisure and Wi-Fi, and an in depth food and drinks choice. I’d say the one factor that didn’t impress me all that a lot was the service — it’s not that service was dangerous, however quite it was simply very meeting line-esque, and wasn’t very polished.
Let’s get into the assessment…
How I booked my Cathay Pacific enterprise class ticket
Sadly because the begin of the pandemic, Cathay Pacific premium cabin award area has turn out to be virtually non-existent when reserving via companion frequent flyer applications. Nevertheless, I did discover award availability instantly via Cathay Pacific’s frequent flyer program, and managed to e book the next in enterprise class for 28,000 miles plus $75.39 in taxes and charges:
12/02 CX657 Hong Kong to Singapore departing 4:00PM arriving 8:10PM
Cathay Pacific companions with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou, so the miles are fairly simple to return by.
Cathay Pacific enterprise class lounge & boarding
Hong Kong is a incredible airport by way of oneworld lounge entry. As a Cathay Pacific enterprise class passenger, you possibly can go to a wide range of lounges, starting from The Pier Enterprise Class Lounge to the Qantas Lounge. Nevertheless, since I’ve oneworld Emerald standing, I used to be additionally capable of go to The Pier First Class Lounge and The Wing First Class Lounge.
Lounge entry in Hong Kong might be the very best a part of flying with Cathay Pacific (which isn’t meant to be shade — these are simply among the many greatest top notch and greatest enterprise class lounges on the earth)..
My flight was scheduled to depart at 4PM from gate 65, positioned simply close to The Pier Lounge, in order that was handy.
I noticed the attractive 2018-delivered A350-1000 with the license plate B-LXF on the gate, which might be flying me to Singapore — what a magnificence!
Boarding began at precisely 3:20PM, as scheduled. Even on flights with out top notch, Cathay Pacific invitations oneworld Emerald members to board first, in order that’s how boarding began, adopted by enterprise class and oneworld Sapphire members.
Cathay Pacific A350 enterprise class cabin & seats
On its Airbus A350-1000s, Cathay Pacific has 46 enterprise class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, all positioned between the primary and second set of doorways. It is a large cabin, because it’s not usually you could have this many enterprise class seats in a single zone.
Cathay Pacific’s A350s have reverse herringbone seats, and particularly have a custom-made model of Safran’s Cirrus product. That is among the many higher reverse herringbone merchandise on the market, because it feels significantly extra spacious than your typical reverse herringbone seat, and likewise has extra storage.
It’s not fairly pretty much as good because the Aerospace Parts product, which you’ll discover on Starlux Airways’ A350s, nevertheless it’s nonetheless superb. What’s most spectacular is that this seat was launched again in 2016, so it has been round for fairly a while, and nonetheless impresses.
These touring with others might choose sitting in one of many heart seats, in order that they will sort of discuss with their seat mate. The truth is that you just’ll nonetheless have fairly a little bit of privateness in these seats, and also you’ll must lean ahead to speak with the particular person subsequent to you.
In the meantime these touring alone will need to attempt to snag a window seat. I chosen seat 23A, the window seat on the left facet within the final row.
By way of the seat options, there’s a panel to the facet of the seat, which incorporates the leisure controller, studying gentle, and seat controls. There’s additionally an enclosed storage compartment with a conceit, a hook for headphones, and it’s additionally the place the charging ports are positioned (which embody AC and USB-A plugs).
The counter subsequent to the seat is sort of massive, and you’ll simply place a laptop computer or a equally sized merchandise there through the flight.
The tray desk additionally extends out from that console. It may be folded over in half, in case you don’t need to use the entire thing and simply need a bit more room.
The again of the seat in entrance then has an enormous, excessive definition monitor, which you’ll be able to slide round to get the optimum viewing angle.
What units this reverse herringbone product aside from others is simply how spacious the ottoman space is on this seat. Many reverse herringbone seats have a decent footwell it’s important to place your toes into, however that’s not the case with this seat. Slightly, there’s an enormous, open ottoman, which makes the seat a lot extra comfy, whether or not you’re simply enjoyable or making an attempt to sleep.
One other cool characteristic of this seat is an enclosed storage compartment beneath the seat and to the facet, which you don’t in any other case discover in lots of reverse herringbone merchandise. It’s helpful to have a handy place to retailer issues.
The aisle-side of the seat has an armrest, which may be raised or lowered, relying on whether or not you need someplace to relaxation your arm, or choose a wider sleeping floor.
Whereas the overhead console is fashionable, sadly it solely has studying lights, and never any particular person air nozzles.
Whereas this isn’t a innovative reverse herringbone seat by way of having a door or USB-C charging, this stays one of the vital comfy reverse herringbone seats on the market. And maybe what’s most enjoyable is that in 2024, Cathay Pacific is introducing an all-new enterprise class product, which will likely be referred to as the Aria Suite.
Cathay Pacific enterprise class facilities
Ready at every seat upon boarding was a easy pillow and blanket — this isn’t fairly pretty much as good as Cathay Pacific’s lengthy haul bedding, however that’s to be anticipated, provided that I used to be on a a lot shorter flight.
There have been additionally a pair of headphones at every seat, which I assumed have been fairly low high quality, each by way of consolation and noise canceling performance.
There was additionally the menu for the flight, plus a bottle of water.
I’d observe that in contrast to my quick haul EVA Air 787 enterprise class flight, there have been no slippers provided on this flight.
Boarding was fairly busy, given the variety of enterprise class passengers, however towards the tip of boarding, pre-departure drinks have been served. The selection was between glowing wine, orange juice, and Cathay Delight (the service’s signature non-alcoholic drink).
A short time later, heat towels have been additionally distributed.
Cathay Pacific A350 enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi
Cathay Pacific presents an in depth inflight leisure choice, among the many greatest on the market. This consists of tons of flicks, TV reveals, reside TV, audio, and video games. You don’t have to fret about being bored on Cathay Pacific, as there are limitless leisure choices, and I additionally recognize how the monitor is excessive definition.
Cathay Pacific additionally has a terrific map characteristic on its Airbus A350s, which is very customizable, along with a tail digicam.
Whereas the inflight leisure is nice, Cathay Pacific additionally presents Wi-Fi onboard. This flight had three pricing plans, all with no information caps:
- You could possibly purchase a messaging move for $3.95
- You could possibly purchase a one hour move for $9.95
- You could possibly purchase a full flight move for $12.95
I assumed that pricing was completely truthful, particularly since you possibly can change between gadgets. I discovered the Wi-Fi speeds to be glorious.
Talking of Wi-Fi, one passenger on the opposite facet of the cabin was clearly texting, and had their ringer on on the highest attainable quantity for the whole flight. Grrr….
Cathay Pacific A350 departure from Hong Kong
At 3:50PM, the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, and knowledgeable us of our 3hr14min flight time to Singapore. At 4PM the principle cabin door closed, and there have been eight empty seats in enterprise class (so 38 seats have been occupied). A second later, the protection video was screened, after which 5 minutes later we started our pushback.
You realize what’s tremendous irritating on Cathay Pacific’s A350s? When you could have the selection of a beautiful engine and wing view, or a excessive definition tail digicam, how are you presupposed to determine which to take a look at? It’s an unimaginable alternative!
At round 4:10PM we started our taxi, and it was solely a brief journey to runway 7R.
We have been cleared for takeoff shortly earlier than 4:20PM.
Hong Kong has traditionally been my favourite metropolis on the earth, and there’s simply one thing so particular in regards to the view of the airport on takeoff, plus the town views, in the event you’re blessed with a takeoff in the appropriate course.
Since we took off into the east after which made a pointy flip into the south, we had a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour.
We had a fairly steep climb out, and the seatbelt signal was turned off about 10 minutes after takeoff.
Cathay Pacific enterprise class meal service
Shortly after takeoff, the meal service started. Dinner was served on this flight (which the airline refers to as a “refreshment”), and you will discover the menu and drink checklist under.
Meal orders had already been taken on the bottom. Whereas Cathay Pacific has glorious service in top notch, the airline has what I name assembly-line service in enterprise class. A lot of the service is carried out from carts, and isn’t terribly personalised. Nevertheless, on this flight I discovered service to be a bit under the conventional Cathay Pacific normal, which could partly replicate Cathay Pacific having loads of junior workers these days.
For instance, in enterprise class Cathay Pacific presents blended nuts with drinks on flights, and also you’d assume that you just’d serve that earlier than the meal. As a substitute, about 25 minutes after takeoff, the appetizer course was served with the blended nuts on the tray, after which the drink got here 5 minutes later (every tray additionally routinely had a glass of nonetheless water).
Is serving blended nuts with the meal really Cathay Pacific’s service process these days, or was the crew simply being lazy or “environment friendly?” Anyway, the appetizer consisted of marinated prawns with Thai pomelo and inexperienced papaya salad, and it was fairly good. It was complemented by a boring “seasonal salad,” and there was additionally a variety from the bread basket (I selected garlic bread).
To drink, I ordered a dry martini. As talked about above, it was served after the appetizer. For the reason that crew gave the impression to be in a rush, I first loved the drink with nuts, after which later had the appetizer.
About an hour after takeoff, the crew was again via the cabin with foremost programs. I chosen the steamed halibut with cordyceps flowers, aged mandarin peel, and preserved black olives, which was the signature dish in collaboration with Duddell’s. The principle course was completely scrumptious.
Once more, the service simply felt a bit sloppy. For instance, I had completed my salad course fully and had positioned the paper serviette holder in it. However that was simply left on the tray when my appetizer course was cleared and my foremost course was served, quite than the crew eradicating it.
It’s on no account an enormous deal, however in terms of service, what differentiates an distinctive airline from airline is consideration to element, and that reveals an absence of consideration to element. And heck, I’m not the one one who thinks particulars matter — Cathay Pacific’s personal eating web page says “the distinction is within the element.” 😉
Slightly below 90 minutes after takeoff, the crew handed via the cabin with the dessert trolley, containing the selection of contemporary fruit, cheese, and ice cream. I used to be provided all three, and as an aviation geek, couldn’t assist however choose the Biscoff flavored ice cream.
The meal was fairly tasty (particularly the principle course), however the service flown simply felt impersonal and sort of sloppy.
Cathay Pacific A350 enterprise class toilets
Cathay Pacific has two toilets positioned on the very entrance of the enterprise class cabin. They’re fashionable and even have home windows, however aren’t notably spacious for premium cabin toilets.
They’ve facilities from Bamford, which is a pleasant model to have onboard.
There are additionally two toilets within the galley by the second set of doorways. Nevertheless, I imagine no less than a type of is reserved for premium financial system.
Cathay Pacific A350 enterprise class mattress
I used to be tremendous drained on this flight (these assessment journeys aren’t enjoyable!), so I managed to nod off for practically an hour. Even with out the complete bedding out there on lengthy haul flights, I discovered the seat to be comfy for resting.
I feel the under image demonstrates how rather more spacious this seat is in mattress mode than your typical reverse herringbone seat.
Cathay Pacific enterprise class service
Cathay Pacific has by no means had essentially the most attentive service in enterprise class, because the airline isn’t on the extent of EVA Air or Singapore Airways in that regard. That’s not as a result of the crews aren’t skilled, however quite simply because the service circulate works otherwise, and is extra targeted on effectivity than personalization.
That being stated, I definitely obtained the sense that this crew was very junior, and it’s my understanding that it is a widespread drawback at Cathay Pacific, because the airline (understandably) misplaced loads of workers through the pandemic, given how a lot flying was eradicated for an prolonged time period.
The crew was completely well mannered, however they weren’t very polished. I don’t count on essentially the most personalised service on Cathay Pacific, nevertheless it looks like the airline isn’t even executing assembly-line service with a lot consistency.
Cathay Pacific A350 arrival in Singapore
At 7:15PM, the seatbelt signal was turned on, and an announcement was made for the crew to organize for touchdown. That’s what woke me up from my transient nap. For the descent, I stored an eye fixed on the map characteristic, in addition to the tail digicam, because it was darkish outdoors at this level.
We ended up touching down in Singapore at 7:35PM.
From there we had a roughly 10 minute taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 7:45PM, 25 minutes forward of schedule.
From there I headed to Singapore Airways’ The Non-public Room, the place I’d be spending the evening, previous to my flight to Jakarta the next morning.
Backside line
Flying enterprise class inside Asia is all the time a deal with. Cathay Pacific’s A350s provide glorious reverse herringbone seats, intensive leisure (together with a tail digicam), quick Wi-Fi, and attractive meals. The one factor that didn’t impress me in regards to the expertise was the service — the crew wasn’t unfriendly, but in addition wasn’t very polished, and paled compared to what I’ve skilled on carriers like Cathay Pacific and EVA Air.
I’m wanting ahead to flying Cathay Pacific’s lengthy haul enterprise class once more as soon as the airline introduces its new product.
What’s your tackle Cathay Pacific’s A350 enterprise class?
