Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class & Premium Economy
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Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) launched its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft on its Hong Kong-Manila route. This new A350 features Cathay Pacific’s latest inflight products in the A350 Business Class which we have reviewed, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class cabins. The new Airbus A350 series will also be the first fleet to launch with the new Cathay Pacific livery (shown above). However, the airline’s existing fleet will be repainted with the new livery as aircraft go through their normal maintenance schedule over the next five years, with some 150 aircraft getting the new look in total.

The Airbus A350 is built largely from the lighter construction material, carbon fiber, which enables a 25 percent increased operational efficiency. The A350 has several advantages over older jets, including a quieter environment, larger panoramic windows, LED mood lighting that can simulate sunset and sunrise, lower cabin pressure, and a high-efficiency filtration system that changes the air in the cabin completely every three minutes.

The Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 will also offer Wi-Fi connectivity for passengers for $9.95 USD per hour, $12.95 USD for a short-haul pass, or $19.95 USD for a long-haul pass.

The A350-900 can take 280 passengers in three classes: 38 in business class (1-2-1), 28 in premium economy (2-4-2), and 214 in Economy (3-3-3). Studio FA Porsche has designed the new business class and Premium Economy seats on the A350.

Business Class Seats On Cathay Pacific Airbus A350

The shell of the Business Class seats remains the same as previous business class seat designs, but the seat pitch has been increased from 43 to 45 inches. The flatbed remains the same length at 75 inches long.

The most noteworthy addition is a new cushioned ottoman and side bench, which become part of the bed and give you more room for your feet and knees when you are sleeping on your side. Travelers will also enjoy improvements in storage space, the ability to slide the meal table closer towards you, a degree of tilt for the large HD video screen, and more knee room.

Premium Economy Seats On Cathay Pacific Airbus A350

An intimate premium economy cabin of 28 seats in a 2-4-2 arrangement. The all-new design offers a padded swing-up legrest built into every seat. There are also two inches of extra legroom (40-inch seat pitch) compared to Cathay’s Boeing 777. The airline has added a mini-tablet tray beneath the in-seat TV screen where you can place a tablet or a large-screen smartphone to watch your own movies. A new retractable armrest in aisle seats means you can let passengers by without standing up. The personal reading lights are now movable and dimmable, which is less annoying for other passengers.

Economy Seats On Cathay Pacific Airbus A350

214 new economy seats placed in a 3-3-3 layout, including the tablet holder shelf that is also common to seats in premium economy, where you can place your iPad or phone to watch your own movies. Seats also feature larger video screens and adjustable headrests that stop your head from flopping if you fall asleep.

You can read all my Cathay Pacific Business Class flight reviews and my First Class reviews.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.