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Cathay Pacific: Expert advice and recommendations

Expert travel writer Chris Dong shares all you need to know before booking a flight with Cathay Pacific.
Chris Dong
3 September 2024

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is a global airline flying direct to nearly 100 destinations, including several across the UK and wider Europe. The carrier has a long-held reputation for an excellent business- and first-class product and luxurious airport lounges. Whether you’re planning a flight in economy or a premium cabin, here’s everything that you need to know about Cathay Pacific.

Routes

With a hub in the buzzy metropolis of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is geographically well-positioned for accessing most of Asia. However, Hong Kong is not only a great connecting airport for onward flights, but it’s also a destination worthy of stopping by for a few days on its own.

Cathay has a strong route network, although it’s not quite as robust as it used to be before the pandemic. In the UK, the airline flies direct between Hong Kong and London and Manchester, with routes to other major European airports including Paris, Frankfurt and Madrid. These flights usually take about 12 hours of total flying time.

Cabin classes, seats, and space

Cathay Pacific flies several different types of aircraft, but for long-haul flights, the focus is on two plane models: the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777. On some 777s, Cathay offers an exclusive six-seat first-class cabin. Meanwhile, all flights to the UK have business, premium economy, and economy. Here’s a brief rundown of each class of service.

First class

You'll find Cathay Pacific first class on select Boeing 777-operated routes from Europe, like from London and Paris. The airline’s first-class cabin is intimate and features only six seats laid out in a 1-1-1 configuration. Seats are a full 91.5 cm wide. Having flown Cathay first class several times, I can attest to just how wide these seats are; there is enough space for two full-size adults to sit side-by-side.

All of this room in first class means that when it's time to sleep, the flight attendants will turn your almost one-metre-wide seat into one of the plushest beds in the sky. That includes everything from a sumptuous mattress pad, duvet, and several pillows. This was easily the best sleep I've ever gotten on a flight.

Business class

There are several flavours of business class on Cathay, from a less comfortable regional version (these seats recline but don’t lie flat) for flights solely within Asia to a much more spacious business seat for longer journeys, like those to the UK. My favourite business cabin is on the Airbus A350 since these seats are the newest, offering slightly more room for your legs and extra-large windows.

Business class seats for all flights between the UK and Hong Kong are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, and while they don’t offer privacy doors like on some airlines, they still have decent privacy thanks to winged partitions between seats. There’s ample storage space and all seats angle slightly away from the aisle.

Premium economy

The premium economy cabin on Cathay, arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, can be found on flights that fly between the UK and Hong Kong. On the Boeing 777, the premium economy seat is 49.5 cm wide This is slightly smaller than the A350, with each seat measuring 51 cm wide. All offer up to 23 cm of recline which makes for a significantly more comfortable experience than standard economy.

Economy

By now, you know that Cathay flies two aircraft options between the UK and Hong Kong. The Airbus A350 is typically my preferred choice of plane, and that extends to the economy cabin, too. That’s because seats are arranged in a much more comfortable 3-3-3 arrangement. The Boeing 777 has economy set up in a 3-4-3 lineup (yes, that one extra seat makes all the difference).

Pre-flight experience

Here’s what you should know about the Cathay Pacific ground and pre-flight experience in Hong Kong and beyond.

Baggage policy and fees

Since Cathay flies exclusively international flights, the airline’s baggage policy is pretty generous. The airline’s checked baggage allowance depends on the specific flight route and class of travel. However, even economy passengers on most flights can check two bags free of charge (this includes between London and Hong Kong, though passengers flying from Manchester will need to pay an additional fee if they need an extra checked bag).

Check-in

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific has several distinct areas for checking in, separated by economy, premium economy, business, and first-class passengers (and relevant status holders). There are numerous self-service kiosks in addition to traditional check-in desks. Hong Kong’s international airport is open, airy, and easy to navigate. I’ve also never had to wait longer than a few minutes for security in my dozens of experiences passing through.

Lounges

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific has several distinct lounge experiences (and they are some of my favourite lounges in the world). Not only are the amenities top-notch, but the residential-inspired design is soothing and transports you away from the hustle and bustle of an airport.

For first-class passengers (and those with top-tier oneworld Emerald status), there’s ‘The Wing’, for instance. Not only is there à la carte dining with both Asian and Western classics, but the first-class section of this lounge houses five exclusive ‘cabana’ rooms. These first-come, first-served suites include a large soaking tub, day bed, waterfall shower, amenities from Bamford, and complimentary pressing services.

Even the business class lounges are no slouch, either. ‘The Pier’, a Hong Kong lounge with a homey, living room aesthetic, features a noodle bar, nap pods, shower suites, and much more. Outside of its hub, Cathay operates several other lounges like in London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda. Beyond these airports, expect to use premium lounges from oneworld partners, like British Airways.

Onboard experience

Here's more of what you can expect when onboard a Cathay Pacific flight.

Wi-Fi & entertainment

The airline offers a broad array of onboard entertainment from films and games to TV shows. Every seatback has a screen (my favourite is on the A350, which also offers a high-resolution tail camera). Wi-Fi is available for purchase on most long-haul flights, including Cathay’s Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Amenities

In business and first class, the British wellness brand Bamford provides amenity kits and bed linens. Passengers in the long haul business class cabin get luxuries like 400 thread count duvet, a mattress pad, and pillows along with skincare products. Slippers and eye masks are also available, but pyjamas are exclusively for first-class passengers.

Food and drink

Hong Kong is a unique blend of both Asian and Western cultures, and the food onboard Cathay matches that. Breakfasts include congee and dim sum, a favourite in Hong Kong and Cantonese cuisine. However, there are also Western classics like a burger and fries (I think about Cathay’s incredible burger often) or a full English breakfast.

In economy, I’d recommend going with the Asian option; you might find dishes like stir-fried chicken in black bean sauce with mixed vegetables and steamed jasmine rice. Travellers can also request cup noodles or a small carton of ice cream at any point during the journey as a mid-flight snack.

Drinks, including alcohol, are complimentary onboard Cathay. Premium cabin passengers, however, enjoy a higher quality list of spirits, French Champagne, plus vintages from all over the world. On select flights, Cathay Pacific also serves bottles of its own pale ale, named ‘Betsy’ after the airline’s first aircraft. The beer is designed for consumption at 35,000 feet.

However, my favourite beverages on Cathay are actually not on the cocktail list. The non-alcoholic ‘Cathay Delight’ is a refreshing and tasty medley of Kiwi fruit, coconut milk, and fresh mint; it’s delightful, especially during the warmer months. There are a variety of Chinese teas, coffees, and cappuccinos, too.

The service

Cathay’s onboard service has long been second to none, but recently, due to a newer and more junior crew, I’ve had a mix of both excellent and lacklustre experiences. Still, you can expect the standard of service to be higher than that of Western airlines.

Airline partners and loyalty

Cathay Pacific is a part of the oneworld airline alliance, meaning you don’t even have to set foot on the airline to earn miles by flying. Cathay partners with more than a dozen other airlines, like British Airways and American Airlines. ‘Cathay’ is the official name of the carrier’s loyalty programme. Members can earn points, known as Asia Miles, through flying, shopping, and more.

There are several ways to book Cathay Pacific flights, including the coveted first-class product, using miles. That includes booking through Cathay directly or through partners like British Airways and American Airlines. Asia Miles can also be used for upgrades, but keep in mind that miles within the programme expire after 18 months of inactivity.

This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.

Good to know

Low season

August

High season

December

Cheapest flight

£147
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 5% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (30% more expensive on average)
Flight from Manila to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

FAQs about flying with Cathay Pacific

  • What is Cathay Pacific's carry-on size allowance?

    On board Cathay Pacific flights, cabin baggage should not exceed 22x14x9in. If your hand luggage is bigger, the Cathay Pacific assistance team will most likely ask you to pay extra for checked luggage.

  • Where does Cathay Pacific fly to?

    Cathay Pacific offers direct flights to 80 cities in 33 different countries. Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong are the most popular cities covered by Cathay Pacific.

  • What is Cathay Pacific’s primary hub?

    Cathay Pacific concentrates most of its flight operations in Hong Kong.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on Cathay Pacific flights?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine, meaning that we continuously look across the web to find the best deals for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from all airlines, including Cathay Pacific.

  • When are Cathay Pacific plane tickets cheapest?

    Flight prices with Cathay Pacific will depend on the season and route you are flying. Our data shows that overall, the cheapest month to fly with Cathay Pacific is August, while the most expensive is December.

  • What’s the cheapest route that Cathay Pacific flies?

    In the last 72 hours, the cheapest route flown by Cathay Pacific found on KAYAK was from Shanghai to Hong Kong, with a price of £112 for a round-trip.

  • What are the most popular airports for Cathay Pacific flights to depart from?

  • Is Cathay Pacific part of an airline alliance?

    Yes, Cathay Pacific is part of the oneworld airline alliance.

  • How many destinations does Cathay Pacific fly to?

    In total, Cathay Pacific flies to 82 destinations.

Top tips for flying with Cathay Pacific

  • If you’re looking for the cheapest Cathay Pacific tickets, then try to fly from Manila, where flights have been cheapest lately. The cheapest route from here available recently is to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, and costs £147.
  • The cheapest month for flights with Cathay Pacific is August, while the most expensive is generally December.

Cathay Pacific customer reviews

7.6
GoodBased on 911 verified guest reviews
7.9Boarding
7.8Entertainment
7.6Comfort
8.0Crew
7.3Food

Show reviews that mention
Traveller rating:
Sort by:
V
10.0 Wonderful
HKG-DEL
As before, my only problem was not being able to download my boarding passes prior to arrival at the airport. Everything else was perfect.
V
10.0 Wonderful
HAK-HKG
The only problem I had was not being able to download my boarding passes prior to arriving at the airport. Everything else was perfect.
V
6.0 Okay
MNL-HKG
The seat was uncomfortable,
V
8.0 Very Good
PEK-HKG
All good apart from long delays on flight schedules
V
8.0 Very Good
HKG-YVR
Better. I took an aisle seat this time. Although the overheard compartment above the seat ahead of me kept opening up during flight.
V
6.0 Okay
MEL-HKG
If I had blood clots, that window seat would've killed me for certain.
V
8.0 Very Good
PNH-HKG
Was a pleasure trip and hospitality
D
10.0 Wonderful
HKG-DFW
They ran out of food and were offering random food to passengers.
L
6.0 Okay
MNL-HKG
Please check the TV monitor not working properly.
V
8.0 Very Good
HKG-JFK
So excellent

Cathay Pacific flight status

Sat 6/28

Cathay Pacific route map – Which destinations does Cathay Pacific fly to?

Find out which destinations you can fly to direct with Cathay Pacific by entering your departure airport. If you want to know whether Cathay Pacific flies a certain route, enter both the departure and destination airport before hitting search.
Sat 6/28

All Cathay Pacific flight routes

Flight no.Departure airportArrival AirportDurationMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
907Hong Kong (HKG)Manila (MNL)2h 30m
449Kaohsiung City (KHH)Hong Kong (HKG)1h 45m
974Manila (MNL)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 40m
654Bangkok (BKK)Hong Kong (HKG)3h 10m
156Brisbane (BNE)Hong Kong (HKG)8h 55m
260Paris (CDG)Hong Kong (HKG)12h 10m
776Jakarta (CGK)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 10m
957Zhengzhou (CGO)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 55m
784Denpasar (DPS)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 20m
288Frankfurt am Main (FRA)Hong Kong (HKG)11h 45m
313Haikou (HAK)Hong Kong (HKG)1h 35m
963Hangzhou (HGH)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 45m
653Hong Kong (HKG)Bangkok (BKK)3h 5m
157Hong Kong (HKG)Brisbane (BNE)8h 30m
261Hong Kong (HKG)Paris (CDG)13h 45m
797Hong Kong (HKG)Jakarta (CGK)5h 0m
952Hong Kong (HKG)Zhengzhou (CGO)2h 35m
785Hong Kong (HKG)Denpasar (DPS)5h 5m
310Hong Kong (HKG)Haikou (HAK)1h 35m
962Hong Kong (HKG)Hangzhou (HGH)2h 25m
448Hong Kong (HKG)Kaohsiung City (KHH)1h 40m
603Hong Kong (HKG)Kathmandu (KTM)4h 45m
729Hong Kong (HKG)Kuala Lumpur (KUL)4h 0m
253Hong Kong (HKG)London (LHR)14h 10m
233Hong Kong (HKG)Milan (MXP)13h 5m
956Hong Kong (HKG)Ningbo (NGB)2h 20m
806Hong Kong (HKG)Chicago (ORD)14h 45m
334Hong Kong (HKG)Beijing (PEK)3h 30m
171Hong Kong (HKG)Perth (PER)7h 40m
779Hong Kong (HKG)Surabaya (SUB)4h 45m
420Hong Kong (HKG)Taipei City (TPE)2h 5m
828Hong Kong (HKG)Toronto (YYZ)15h 5m
549Tokyo (HND)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 45m
565Osaka (KIX)Taipei City (TPE)2h 55m
730Kuala Lumpur (KUL)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 20m
254London (LHR)Hong Kong (HKG)12h 50m
234Milan (MXP)Hong Kong (HKG)11h 40m
955Ningbo (NGB)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 25m
505Tokyo (NRT)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 0m
451Tokyo (NRT)Taipei City (TPE)3h 40m
801Chicago (ORD)Hong Kong (HKG)15h 50m
335Beijing (PEK)Hong Kong (HKG)3h 55m
170Perth (PER)Hong Kong (HKG)7h 45m
780Surabaya (SUB)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 0m
451Taipei City (TPE)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 10m
564Taipei City (TPE)Osaka (KIX)2h 50m
450Taipei City (TPE)Tokyo (NRT)3h 15m
829Toronto (YYZ)Hong Kong (HKG)15h 30m
771Hong Kong (HKG)Phuket City (HKT)3h 45m
770Phuket City (HKT)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 0m
289Hong Kong (HKG)Frankfurt am Main (FRA)13h 20m
640Kathmandu (KTM)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 45m
110Sydney (SYD)Hong Kong (HKG)9h 40m
111Hong Kong (HKG)Sydney (SYD)9h 5m
198Auckland (AKL)Hong Kong (HKG)11h 40m
113Hong Kong (HKG)Auckland (AKL)10h 35m
743Hong Kong (HKG)Hanoi (HAN)2h 10m
658Singapore (SIN)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 15m
504Hong Kong (HKG)Tokyo (NRT)4h 25m
742Hanoi (HAN)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 5m
880Hong Kong (HKG)Los Angeles (LAX)13h 40m
888Hong Kong (HKG)Vancouver (YVR)12h 5m
881Los Angeles (LAX)Hong Kong (HKG)14h 30m
867Vancouver (YVR)Hong Kong (HKG)13h 25m
305Nanjing (NKG)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 50m
304Hong Kong (HKG)Nanjing (NKG)2h 40m
662Dhaka (DAC)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 5m
667Hong Kong (HKG)Dhaka (DAC)4h 5m
876Hong Kong (HKG)Dallas (DFW)14h 50m
301Hong Kong (HKG)Munich (MUC)12h 45m
998Hong Kong (HKG)Ürümqi (URC)5h 30m
300Munich (MUC)Hong Kong (HKG)10h 55m
997Ürümqi (URC)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 5m
749Hong Kong (HKG)Johannesburg (JNB)12h 55m
875Dallas (DFW)Hong Kong (HKG)16h 40m
938Hong Kong (HKG)Wuhan (WUH)2h 5m
931Wuhan (WUH)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 20m
434Hong Kong (HKG)Incheon (ICN)3h 45m
439Incheon (ICN)Hong Kong (HKG)3h 55m
945Chongqing (CKG)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 30m
928Hong Kong (HKG)Chongqing (CKG)2h 50m
596Hong Kong (HKG)Osaka (KIX)3h 50m
595Osaka (KIX)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 5m
292Rome (FCO)Hong Kong (HKG)11h 30m
293Hong Kong (HKG)Rome (FCO)13h 5m
648Riyadh (RUH)Hong Kong (HKG)8h 45m
548Hong Kong (HKG)Tokyo (HND)4h 15m
611Hong Kong (HKG)Colombo (CMB)5h 25m
851San Francisco (SFO)Hong Kong (HKG)14h 15m
892Hong Kong (HKG)San Francisco (SFO)13h 5m
315Hong Kong (HKG)Madrid (MAD)14h 30m
372Madrid (MAD)Hong Kong (HKG)12h 35m
563Nagoya (NGO)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 25m
532Hong Kong (HKG)Nagoya (NGO)4h 0m
764Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 50m
589Fukuoka (FUK)Hong Kong (HKG)3h 45m
588Hong Kong (HKG)Fukuoka (FUK)3h 30m
163Hong Kong (HKG)Melbourne (MEL)9h 0m
178Melbourne (MEL)Hong Kong (HKG)9h 20m
328Hong Kong (HKG)Shanghai (SHA)2h 30m
327Shanghai (SHA)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 45m
270Amsterdam (AMS)Hong Kong (HKG)11h 55m
271Hong Kong (HKG)Amsterdam (AMS)13h 40m
607Hong Kong (HKG)Phnom Penh (PNH)2h 45m
608Phnom Penh (PNH)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 50m
672Hyderabad (HYD)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 30m
673Hong Kong (HKG)Hyderabad (HYD)5h 20m
925Hong Kong (HKG)Cebu City (CEB)2h 55m
926Cebu City (CEB)Hong Kong (HKG)3h 5m
769Hong Kong (HKG)Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)2h 45m
632Chennai (MAA)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 50m
694New Delhi (DEL)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 35m
679Hong Kong (HKG)New Delhi (DEL)5h 55m
830Hong Kong (HKG)New York (JFK)16h 5m
831New York (JFK)Hong Kong (HKG)16h 15m
811Boston (BOS)Hong Kong (HKG)15h 20m
812Hong Kong (HKG)Boston (BOS)15h 50m
303Shanghai (PVG)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 55m
383Hong Kong (HKG)Zurich (ZRH)13h 5m
382Zurich (ZRH)Hong Kong (HKG)11h 35m
302Hong Kong (HKG)Shanghai (PVG)3h 0m
748Johannesburg (JNB)Hong Kong (HKG)13h 10m
631Hong Kong (HKG)Chennai (MAA)5h 30m
989Guangzhou (CAN)Hong Kong (HKG)1h 35m
988Hong Kong (HKG)Guangzhou (CAN)1h 5m
978Hong Kong (HKG)Xiamen (XMN)1h 40m
979Xiamen (XMN)Hong Kong (HKG)1h 45m
624Bengaluru (BLR)Hong Kong (HKG)6h 5m
739Hong Kong (HKG)Singapore (SIN)3h 55m
623Hong Kong (HKG)Bengaluru (BLR)5h 45m
660Mumbai (BOM)Hong Kong (HKG)6h 0m
384Hong Kong (HKG)Wenzhou (WNZ)2h 10m
385Wenzhou (WNZ)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 10m
663Hong Kong (HKG)Mumbai (BOM)6h 5m
581Sapporo (CTS)Hong Kong (HKG)5h 20m
580Hong Kong (HKG)Sapporo (CTS)5h 5m
318Barcelona (BCN)Hong Kong (HKG)12h 0m
738Dubai (DXB)Hong Kong (HKG)7h 55m
321Hong Kong (HKG)Barcelona (BCN)14h 5m
731Hong Kong (HKG)Dubai (DXB)8h 5m
531Nagoya (NGO)Taipei City (TPE)3h 15m
530Taipei City (TPE)Nagoya (NGO)2h 55m
259Hong Kong (HKG)Manchester (MAN)14h 20m
216Manchester (MAN)Hong Kong (HKG)12h 35m
995Fuzhou (FOC)Hong Kong (HKG)1h 55m
994Hong Kong (HKG)Fuzhou (FOC)1h 50m
633Hong Kong (HKG)Penang (PEN)3h 45m
647Hong Kong (HKG)Riyadh (RUH)9h 15m
634Penang (PEN)Hong Kong (HKG)4h 10m
954Hong Kong (HKG)Qingdao (TAO)3h 20m
951Qingdao (TAO)Hong Kong (HKG)3h 30m
986Hong Kong (HKG)Chengdu (TFU)2h 40m
987Chengdu (TFU)Hong Kong (HKG)2h 55m
More flight routes

Cathay Pacific contact information

Overview of Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is a global leader in transcontinental and controls operations from its hub in Hong Kong. It serves more than 45 countries and flies to every inhabited continent apart from South America. The airline appeals to a wide range of customers from across the world, with scheduled flights based around most major destinations.

In 1998 it partnered with Qantas, British Airways, American Airlines and Canadian Airlines to become founding members of the oneworld alliance. The association helps Cathay Pacific link to a broader global network, using their gateway destinations in North America and Europe to reach smaller cities. Customers can benefit from smoother transfers on connecting flights. Additional destinations are available in China through the carrier’s subsidiary Cathay Dragon.

To accommodate long-distance transcontinental routes, Cathay Pacific operates an entirely wide-body, dual-engine fleet. A combination of Airbus and Boeing aircraft are used. Following on from being the launch airline for the Boeing 777-300 series, it continues to be one of the largest operators of the aircraft in the world. Several of the fleet are decorated in a dark grey oneworld livery, while others feature the company’s logo on top of a dark green base.

There is a wide range of cabin class options that include Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First Class. Passengers in Premium Economy and above are supplied a glass of champagne upon boarding. Ergonomically designed seats in the Business section offer power outlets and adjustable lighting to make working on-the-go easy. In First Class you will find a flatbed that fully reclines and is fitted with a 500 thread duvet. An Aesop amenity kit ensures traveling won’t make you look tired.

Everything you need to know about Cathay Pacific flights

Cathay Pacific information

IATA codeCX
Routes182
Top routeHong Kong to Singapore
Airports served82
Top airportHong Kong Intl
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