• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  cathay pacific • Trip Reports  >  Review: Cathay Pacific 777 First Class London to Hong Kong
cathay pacificTrip Reports

Review: Cathay Pacific 777 First Class London to Hong Kong

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 16, 2017May 16, 2017 19 Comments

I stepped onto my Cathay Pacific flight from London to Hong Kong with extremely high expectations. After all, this carrier has offered one of the most consistent and well-regarded first class products for years. I’m happy to report my expectations were exceeded.

Just to note, this review is from October 2014. I publish older reviews because they have never been previously published, changes are actually minimal (and noted) between then and now, and because they provide a better context for how I evaluate more recent flights. 

I was flying the long way to Hong Kong and had just arrived in British Airways First Class from Los Angeles. The LHR Cathay Pacific lounge has been refreshed since my flight, so I will not review it, but it was disappointment. The new lounge is much better.

Since neither the British Airways or Cathay Pacific flight had onboard internet, I stayed in the lounge until final boarding to squeeze in as much work as possible.

The later Cathay flight from London to Hong Kong had been cancelled, so my first class cabin went from a light 2 of 6 seats occupied to a full cabin.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 1

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 2

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 3

Cathay Pacific 250
London (LHR) – Hong Kong (HKG)
Wednesday, October 29
Depart: 6:05 PM
Arrive: 1:00 PM+1
Duration: 11hr, 55min
Aircraft: 777-300ER
Seat: 2A (First Class)

Although boarding was almost complete and pushback imminent, a FA named Beatrice cheerfully greeted me and offered me a hot towel.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 4

Beatrice offered me a choice of beverage “perhaps some Krug sir?” though I just ordered still water to begin. The still water was served with a delightful amuse bouche: a scallop in avocado sauce.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 6

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 7

Cathay Pacific First Class Amenity Kit and Pajamas

Next, Beatrice brought over pajamas and an amenity kit. I apologize I don’t have a more detailed picture, but I was in a phase in which I saved everything onboard and did not want to open the pajamas or amenity kit. Even now, I tend to bring along my Emirates pajamas and just take other pajamas with me.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 10

After screening the safety video, we pushed back–

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 5

Cathay Pacific First Class Seat

While four seats across is the norm on a 777 in first class, Cathay uses only three. Although the first class suites are not enclosed (in fact, even less enclosed than the British Airways A380) they are roomy, elegant, and extremely comfortable.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 64

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 63

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 58

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 62

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 70

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 61

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 47

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 74

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 55

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 56

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 57

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 60

After the meal service, Beatrice made my bed while I was brushing my teeth without even asking. I appreciated the initiative so much. Cathay Pacific bedding is great and includes a plush duvet, thick mattress pad and oversized pillow.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 32

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 34

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 35

There are no individual air vents, but thankfully the cabin did not get too warm.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 71

Cathay Pacific First Class IFE

Cathay Pacific now has wi-fi on its A350 aircraft, but the 777 still has no internet. The IFE selection included a large library of movies, TV shows, music, and games.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 66

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 67

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 68

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 69

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 73

Cathay Pacific offers first class passengers high-quality Bose headphones:

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 9

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 8

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 65

Cathay Pacific First Class Food and Drink

From the amuse bouche to the dessert, the food was seriously tremendous. Here’s a look at the menu, including a special Italian wine menu. How impressive is that?

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 77

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 78

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 79

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 80

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 81

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 82

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 83

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 84

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 85

It is hard to turn down Krug when offered, though I limited myself to one glass with cashews. We encountered a steady chop throughout the meal service, making it difficult to capture crisp pictures of the meals.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 12

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 13

First course — caviar with garnishes and bread basket. Delicious as usual.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 20

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 17

Second course: green salad with warm marinated prawns and fresh-cracked ground pepper:

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 21

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 22

Third course: am amazing creamy roasted parsnip and apple soup:

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 26

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 27

Fourth course: British longhorn beef cooked medium with roasted veggies and au gratin potatoes:

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 23

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 24

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 25

Fifth course: cheese and crackers:

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 28

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 29

Sixth course (and perhaps best of all) — ice cream with fresh berries: an absolutely perfect ending to a delightful meal. Who needs more commentary when you have the pictures above?

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 30

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 31

Thankfully this was a longhaul flight, because there is no way I could have eaten anything for at least 7-8 hours. But after a great rest, I awoke ready for breakfast. Cathay also does breakfast well, with eggs cooked to order! I wish I had taken a picture but a FA actually fried the eggs in a pan in the galley.

Breakfast included a smoothie, cappuccino, fresh fruit (no berries this time), yogurt, and the aforementioned eggs with tomatoes, mushrooms, and potatoes. Cathay does lose a point for serving the yogurt in a plastic container, but the breakfast was excellent.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 36

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 37

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 38

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 39

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 40

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 41

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 42

The food on Cathay Pacific was far better than I could have imagined.

Cathay Pacific First Class Service

I praised Beatrice already and Jennifer, wearing a Burgundy coat signifying her role as senior purser, was also wonderful. The service was not the folksy American style service that many like about U.S. carriers (on a good day). Yet it was genuine, polite, extremely polished, and kind. Both Beatrice and Jennifer truly set the bar for professionalism.

If you ever wonder how FAs on Cathay Pacific know when you wake up and magically appear at your seat at the right time, you should know there is a camera watching you (through a peephole in the front bulkhead). That’s a little creepy, but it does explain how FAs can sense the moment you are awake.

You can fly Cathay Pacific for so many reasons, but service is definitely a highpoint.

CONCLUSION

We landed a bit late in Hong Kong due to congestion leaving London and again arriving into Hong Kong. I was happy to have more time onboard and my onward connection to Bangkok did not leave for several hours.

Cathay Pacific offers a consistently excellent first class product and I cannot recommend highly enough. While not as flashy as the Gulf Carriers, the quality of the first class experience (especially if originating in Hong Kong with a proper first class lounge) makes it a reliable choice.

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 72

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 44

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 43

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 45

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 46

Cathay Pacific First Class Review - 51

Previous Article Don’t Forget to Ask For These Items When Flying United Polaris
Next Article Flight Attendants Sue For Right to Pump Breast Milk on Job

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Pago Pago Trip Report

    Trip Report: United Airlines 787-9 Diversion To Pago Pago

    January 25, 2023
  • Middle East Adventure

    Introduction: A Middle East Adventure Many Times Over

    December 12, 2022
  • Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge Review

    Review: Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge Doha (DOH)

    November 22, 2022

19 Comments

  1. GrumpyGP Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    I hope you encountered, rather than “We encouraged a steady chop throughout the meal service,…” (just below the wine area of Italy)

    A nice read about a special way to fly!

  2. Jay Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Nice photos. Keep it up.
    I flew CX F two months ago transpacific and my meal was not as good as yours 🙁

  3. Christian Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    Interesting that they had lunch, then breakfast. Pretty sensible, when you think about it, but so many airlines serve meals based purely on the current time of the departure city, rather than considering the arrival city as well.

  4. Hao Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    Last time I flew CX F, there was only myself and 2 FOB Chinese on the flight that didn’t drink. So I started asking for mimosas made with Krug.

  5. Jonathan Tekaev-Hynds Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    “The service was not the warm American style service that many like about U.S. carriers” ?!?
    It’s defiantly the first time I’m hearing about this. I’ve only experienced very basic service when
    flying a premium product on a U.S. carrier. It’s why I always choose an International carrier given
    a choice.

  6. Mark Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    Hard product looks fantastic!

  7. Nate Reply
    May 16, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    The American carriers used to have the service shown in the photos, before they became greedy, and decided to literally serve peanuts, only. The Pan American clippers, which used to stop at Midway, also had sleeping berths.

  8. Parvez Gondal MD Reply
    May 17, 2017 at 3:13 am

    I have to look at the Pacific first class more than 40 times and I cannot imagine any other Airline that can match the service in first class. I have also flown first class on Emirates United Airlines and Singapore Airline and I still will voucj for Cathay Pacific first class has the best first class of all the airlines.

    • Parvez Gondal MD Reply
      May 17, 2017 at 3:15 am

      I meant to say that I have flown Cathay Pacific first class more than 40 times

  9. Louis Reply
    May 17, 2017 at 10:40 am

    I still think their F&B has room for improvement. Like a second choice (may be rose) for champagne? The fillet of steak has been there forever. The food quality also varied depended on the skill of the FA.

  10. Billiken Reply
    May 17, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    First Class minus door equals no suite and no cares! 😉

  11. Andy Reply
    June 20, 2017 at 4:38 am

    Good read and I was looking forward to my flight to NY this coming Friday….. until I read about the “peephole”! That really is creepy and I definitely don’t want someone consistently monitoring me… I think I’ll bring some masking tape with me…

  12. Buzz Reply
    August 8, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    I just flew HKG LAX F on CX, so disappointing from start to finish. Waited 20 years to treat myself to this. Food was served under sufference as if I was interrupting their flight. Nothing more on the menu than typical business class, a little upgrade with caviar. All of my courses were removed before I had finished. The steak was grey and boiled. Cheese? Never offered. Dessert? Never offered. The bedding you spoke of was never loaded or offered for my “suite”. Execution of an unimaginative so far was abismal.

    Breakfast next. My muesli was served with salt and pepper. Ok, so I tried the Dim Sum, obviously a HK carrier would get that right. The porcelain bowl was searing hot, that was fine. The Dim Sum was like ice in the middle. Finally I said something. No offer to replace it with anything so I ordered toast.

    I wasted a lot of money on a very poorly executed mediocre product. Never again.

    • Matthew Reply
      August 8, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      Buzz, so sorry to hear about your bad experience. Please write to Cathay Pacific and let them know how disappointed you are.

  13. Tonkin - Travel Vietnam Reply
    January 26, 2018 at 3:14 am

    Oh, I can’t believe that Cathay Pacific doesn’t have the onboard wifi, even you are in the first class. Do they provide that service with fee? They are really attentive to the details with the appearance of orchid, which makes me feel fresh. And another thing I see is the wines list is filled up with a wide range of good wines in the world. Thanks for your post!

  14. Scott Hayley Reply
    February 25, 2018 at 12:58 am

    Did you really eat all that good? You must be obese and greedy !! Urghh makes me feel v sick ,

    • Matthew Reply
      February 25, 2018 at 3:14 am

      The food was lovely. Do I look obese?

  15. Connor Reply
    May 10, 2018 at 12:07 am

    Lol @ Scott… Nice read, I’m flying CX F ORD-HKG next February. Excited to say the least 🙂

    • Matthew Reply
      May 10, 2018 at 3:54 am

      You’ll enjoy the food very much.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Review: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea January 28, 2023
  • American - Delta JFK Incident Pilot Analysis
    A Veteran Commercial Airline Pilot Analyzes American – Delta Runway Incident At JFK January 28, 2023
  • Pre-Boarding With Children: How Old Until They Are Too Old? January 27, 2023
  • Dog Business Class Turkish Airlines
    Dachshund Flies Business Class To Paris…In Her Own Seat January 27, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Casting Couch? Kuwait Airways Forces Prospective Flight Attendants To Undress For “Research Purposes” January 4, 2023
  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • SWISS First Class Awards Bookable With United Airlines MileagePlus January 5, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023

Archives

January 2023
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Dec    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.