Cathay Pacific is the largest airline based in Hong Kong, and it operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft on routes within the region, as well as to Europe, North America, Australia, and even Africa.
The airline also operates half a dozen lounge at its base and another several at its destinations to cater to its premium class passengers and elite status holders.
Cathay Dragon, formerly known as Dragonair, is Cathay Pacific’s subsidiary that focuses on flights connecting Hong Kong with the rest of Asia. It operates an all-Airbus fleet of A320s, A321s, and A330-300s.
Since taking my first Cathay Pacific flight in 2014, I had a chance to take several more and to visit some of its lounges.
Below, you can find reviews of some of those.
Cathay Pacific Flight Reviews
Over the last few years, I flew with Cathay Pacific numerous times on a variety of its aircraft including the now-retired 747-400. While all of those flights were within Asia, I was able to sample both the airline’s economy and first class.
You can find reviews of those flights below.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 Economy Class (Tokyo – Hong Kong)
Until October 2016, Cathay Pacific operated a fleet of Boeing 747-400s. I was lucky to fly on them twice, both times from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong. In fact, the second time I flew on the Cathay Jumbo, it was its last scheduled flight.
As such, there were some festivities at the gate before the flight’s departure, and the mood onboard was bittersweet – everyone was sad to see the Queen of the Skies go, but everyone was also happy celebrating the important moment in Cathay Pacific’s history.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific 747-400 economy class flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300 Economy Class (Tokyo – Hong Kong)
Cathay Pacific is the world’s largest operator of the non-ER Boeing 777-300. The aircraft are equipped in a two-class (business and economy) configuration and are used on regional flights from Hong Kong to Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and so on.
I had a chance to fly on the type in economy class on a flight from Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong. The meal left a bit to be desired, although it was nice to get a cup of Haaagen-Dazs for dessert. While my flight was operated by a 777-300 in the spacious “3-3-3” 9-abreast layout, unfortunately, all of those are in the process of being converted into the denser “3-4-3” layout.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific 777-300 economy class flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER First Class (Bangkok – Hong Kong)
While most of Cathay Pacific’s intra-Asian flights are operated with aircraft in regional configuration (business and economy class) or with three-class aircraft (business, premium economy, and economy class), there are still some routes on which first class can be found.
One of those is the Bangkok – Hong Kong route on which I had a chance to try Cathay Pacific’s massive first class seat, as well as sample its first class service. The flight was too short to fully enjoy the fact that I was in first class, but it was still an amazing experience.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER First Class (Hong Kong – Tokyo)
When it comes to Cathay Pacific’s intra-Asian first class, Tokyo Haneda is the one destination where you can experience it consistently as both of the airline’s two daily rotations are operated by 777-300ERs in a four-class configuration.
I took the flight as a continuation of my trip from Bangkok (I booked the two flights using Alaska Airlines miles), and since this one was longer, I was able to turn the seat into a (very large) bed, stretch out, and enjoy some TV shows. I also got off the plane stuffed as the flight attendant was kind enough to insist on serving me almost every breakfast item on the menu.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo
Cathay Dragon Flight Reviews
Below are reviews of the two Cathay Dragon flights that I took in the past. The two flights, from Hong Kong to Hanoi and back, were operated by Airbus A320 and A330-300 aircraft, and I took them in economy class.
Cathay Dragon Airbus A320 Economy Class (Hong Kong – Hanoi)
While Cathay Dragon has A321neos on order, currently, A320ceos and A321ceos are the only narrow-body types in its fleet. The aircraft are equipped with economy class and business class with recliner seats, and are used on shorter flights out of Hong Kong to Vietnam and Thailand among other countries.
I flew on one of Cathay Dragon’s A320s in economy class on a sub-two-hour flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi. While the legroom was a bit tight and the seats were a bit worn, I appreciated the airline providing a decent hot meal service in spite of the flight’s length. The aircraft was equipped with an entertainment streaming system – that required getting an app before boarding, though, and so I wasn’t able to test it.
Read a full review of the Cathay Dragon A320 economy class flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi
Cathay Dragon Airbus A330-300 Economy Class (Hanoi – Hong Kong)
The most common aircraft type in Cathay Dragon’s fleet is the Airbus A330-300. The airline operates the type in three different configurations – one even featuring first class (although they are just long-haul business class seats).
The flight that I took on Cathay Dragon’s A330-300 – from Hanoi to Hong Kong – was operated by a two-class aircraft featuring economy class and regional business class. I flew in economy class which was more than sufficient for the short flight. Once again, Cathay Dragon served a proper meal of decent quality. And, this time, the aircraft was equipped with personal screens with a more than sufficient content selection for the two-hour flight.
Read a full review of the Cathay Dragon A330-300 economy class flight from Hanoi to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Airport Lounge Reviews
Cathay Pacific operates half a dozen lounges at its hub, Hong Kong International Airport, including two first class lounges and four business class lounges. While the first class ones are only accessible to first class passengers and oneworld Emerald status holders, the business class ones are also accessible to business class passengers and oneworld Sapphire status holders.
It also operates several lounges at some of the major destinations that it serves including London, Bangkok, and Tokyo.
During a trip from Bangkok to Tokyo in Cathay Pacific’s first class that I booked using Alaska miles, I had a chance to visit some of those including both of the first class lounges, one business class lounge, the now-closed arrival lounge at Hong Kong airport, and the lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. You can find a review of each of those below.
I also visited the Cathay Lounge in London, although it was too crowded for me to get photos and be able to review it properly.
Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge Bangkok
Over the last couple of years, Cathay Pacific has been refurbishing its outstation lounges. One of the first to be go through the process was its first and business class lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. And, all I can say is that Cathay has done an excellent job.
The lounge offers a variety of different seating options arranged in a living room-like style, and offers a staffed bar where I certainly recommend getting Cathay Delight – the airline’s signature mocktail. I also recommend getting a bowl of noodles at the lounge’s noodle bar.
Cathay Pacific “The Arrival” Lounge Hong Kong
Until November 2018, Cathay Pacific operated an arrival lounge at its base, Hong Kong International Airport. Unfortunately, at this point, it does not seem like the airline has any plans to reopen it or build a new one.
While the lounge was quite small and nowhere near as nice as Cathay Pacific’s departure lounges, it was still a useful amenity. It allowed passengers to have a quick shower before heading into the city after an early morning arrival, or even have a meal from the lounge’s selection of a la carte items.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific “The Arrival” Lounge at Hong Kong Airport
Cathay Pacific “The Pier, First” Lounge Hong Kong
“The Pier” is one of Cathay Pacific’s two excellent first class lounges – and personally, it’s my favorite of the two. The lounge looks more like a luxury apartment than an airport lounge, and it has many seating areas with all kinds of seats.
Not only that, though, the lounge also offers its visitors a spa where complimentary massages are provided, as well as an a la carte dining room with a fairly extensive menu. To top it all of, it offers day suits – small curtained-off rooms with a day bed where one can relax before their next flight while enjoying some apron views.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific “The Pier, First” Lounge at Hong Kong Airport
Cathay Pacific “The Wing, Business” Lounge Hong Kong
“The Wing, Business” is one of several business class lounges that the airline operates at Hong Kong airport, and as its name suggests, it is located in the same spot as its first class version that I talk about further down. In fact, the reason I had a chance to visit this lounge was that when I arrived there, the first class lounge was still closed.
During breakfast time, the lounge – with plenty of comfortable seating – offered a decent selection of pastries, yogurts, and so on, and a limited selection of hot items. Besides that, it also had a cafe and Cathay Pacific’s signature noodle bar.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific “The Wing, Business” Lounge at Hong Kong Airport
Cathay Pacific “The Wing, First” Lounge Hong Kong
“The Wing, First” is the other of the two Cathay Pacific first class lounges at Hong Kong airport. Just like “The Pier, First,” this lounge is beautifully designed and provides Cathay Pacific and other oneworld first class and elite passengers with a place worth spending a couple of hours in before or between flights.
The one thing that sets this apart from the other Cathay Pacific first class lounge – and even all other first class lounges except perhaps for the Lufthansa ones – are “Cabanas” – private rooms with a bathtub, a daybed, and so on that are great to relax in before taking (or after arriving on) a long-haul flight. Besides that, there are also a champagne bar and an a la carte dining room in the lounge.
Read a full review of the Cathay Pacific “The Wing, First” Lounge at Hong Kong Airport
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon Resources
Cathay Pacific Official Website – Visit this website to book Cathay Pacific (and Cathay Dragon) flights, create a Marco Polo Club account, and so on.
SeatGuru: Cathay Pacific – Visit this website to find what the best seats on different aircraft types operated by Cathay Pacific are.
SeatGuru: Cathay Dragon – Same as the above, but for Cathay Dragon.
Where to Credit: Cathay Pacific – Visit this website to learn about which programs you can credit the miles for your Cathay Pacific flights to, and what the accrual rate is for each of the booking class and program combinations.
Where to Credit: Cathay Dragon – Same as the above, but for Cathay Dragon.
Wikipedia: Cathay Pacific – Visit this website to learn about Cathay Pacific’s history, fleet, and so on.
Wikipedia: Cathay Dragon – Same as the above, but for Cathay Dragon.
