I have flown with Cathay Pacific in First Class and Business Class and have compared one Vs. the other to answer the question, is it worth paying to upgrade to First Class?
I have flown with Cathay Pacific a number of times and have reviewed their long-haul flights in First and Business Class. My trip reports can be found below. Cathay Pacific also features in my top 10 best business class airlines in the world. I also have compared Cathay Pacific Vs. Singapore Airlines in Business Class.
Cathay Pacific in First Class is one of my favorite ways to fly long-haul, and I always look forward to traveling this way. Cathay Pacific’s First Class has one of the best seats in the skies. Japan Airlines serves better food, Emirates is snazzier with a shower on the A380 and Lufthansa has an incredible First Class Terminal which beats any other First Class lounge, but overall Cathay first offers one of the best in-flight experiences in the skies.
In fact, Cathay is the airline that I have slept best on, in particular when traveling in First Class. The sheer width and comfort provided by the mattress pads in the First Class cabin, combined with the lack of passing traffic (as there are only two rows in First), means that you are unlikely to get a better night’s sleep on any other airline in the skies.
Booking First & Business On Awards
It is not easy to book Cathay Pacific in First Class on awards. There is not great availability. Cathay Pacific Business Class seats are much more readily available, even in advance. Cathay Pacific releases up to five business class award seats per flight.
How much better is Cathay Pacific first class than business class?
Crucially, you will get one of the best night’s sleep in the skies if you choose to fly First. However good the Business Class is, and it IS good, you will not get such a good night’s sleep. The seats are thinner, and there is more passing traffic. First offers an excellent comforter, duvet, and set of pillows. I also like the First Class Pyjamas from luxury Asian clothing brand, Pye.
If you like Caviar, you must fly First. The fact that you can have meals and snacks whenever you like is also a major bonus. The champers is Krug (v good), and the Amenity kit is better, too.
Pre-flight Lounges
The Cathay Pacific First Class Wing Lounge in Hong Kong is good. Just have a read of our reviews of the best airline lounges at Hong Kong airport. The Cathay Pacific First Lounge is The Wing. It’s great but not worth paying much more for. The Cathay Pacific Bridge Lounge and Qantas Lounge Hong Kong (which are for both First & Business Class passengers) are excellent, too.
How Is Cathay Pacific Business Class?
Cathay Pacific Business Class is extremely comfortable and consistent, with reverse herringbone seats and decent bedding for Business Class, but it is not as good as First. The food is good but not great, unlike First, which is pretty darned good. The delivery of the food is a little more like an assembly line.
The StudioCX entertainment selection is identical to what’s available in first-class,
Should I Book Cathay Pacific First over Business Class?
If you are booking on awards, book in Cathay Pacific Business Class on award space in advance, but look out for the opportunity to upgrade to First on points. Availability often appears closer to departure.
Is it worth paying for the upgrade in points or cash? Should you pay (or get your company to pay) for First? Is it worth the extra money? Well, the answer varies from person to person. If you put a high value on the following aspects of your flight, you should upgrade. If you aren’t that bothered, you shouldn’t.
You will get the following in First Class:
- A better night’s sleep in First
- Caviar and Krug Champagne
- You can eat at any time you want
- If you enjoy fine dining, there is a much better and more personalized dining experience in First
- You get a better amenity kit in First
- You get gorgeous Pyjamas in First. Pajamas are ONLY given to those traveling in First Class
In Business Class you do get good food, a comfy seat which goes lie flat and the experience is undoubtedly excellent. It won’t fail you, but she won’t excite you either. Business on Cathay is very good, but it’s not as good as the experience in First.
And how about Business Class? Check out our Business Class reviews here:
Business Class Reviews
Flight Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class HKG to ICN
At the end of September, I finally got the chance to take the business class in the Cathay Pacific A350 planes for my trip from Hong Kong to Seoul. I have previously sat in the Premium Economy seats on the Cathay A350 plane, which I also reviewed. Now, I can pen my thoughts on the Business Class seats. Cathay Pacific has slightly changed their seats on the new A350 planes. The seats are still reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 arrangement, with a total of 38 seats spread out in a larger cabin of 30 seats and 8 more in a smaller cabin. The seats are 20 inches wide and 45 inches in pitch.
Flight Review: Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class
In this trip report, I review my flight on Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class Hong Kong to Düsseldorf. You can read all my Cathay Pacific Business Class flight reviews and First Class reviews. The Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900 is brand new, and my flight took me from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in China to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) in Germany. The A350-900 has a more spacious and quieter cabin, panoramic windows, and LED mood lighting and burns 25% less fuel than older-generation aircraft.
Review: Cathay Pacific A330 Business Class
This trip review was in Business Class on a Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 from Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Qatar to Hong Kong (HKG). The flight itself was okay, with a great cabin crew, excellent seats, and unimpressive food. Cathay Pacific features in our top 10 best airlines for long-haul Business Class. Cathay Pacific Business Class passengers have access to the brilliant Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge, located on level 3 at Hamad International Airport. From the lounge, it was a ten-minute walk to gate A7 to the Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 flight.
Review: Cathay Pacific A350-900 Premium Economy
We review Cathay Pacific on the A350-900 in Premium Economy from London Gatwick to Hong Kong. We have also reviewed Cathay Pacific A350 Premium Economy Singapore to Hong Kong, and Cathay Pacific Business Class on the A350. The A350-900s Airbus planes were put into circulation on Cathay Pacific's routes in 2016. This plane's premium economy seats are slightly narrower than in other CX plane types (18.5 inches versus 19.5 inches) but with greater seat pitch (40 inches versus 38 inches).
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