Air travel has not felt the same, at least not since the pandemic. Surely, one has heard at least a friend say, “It’s just not the same as it used to be,” in a conversation about their recent air travels. But what is the difference, and is there any at all? When airlines were forced to ground their entire fleet and minimise their operations below what was required, some airlines chose to reduce their services, dispose of amenities, and close their lounges — ultimately impacting travellers and frequent fliers.
The trend persisted even after the frequency of returning travellers grew when the pandemic subsided. Some airlines even had it worse — these services permanently went away altogether and never returned. While most eventually survived and overcame the obstacle, it took a while before airlines figured out ways to unify and resurrect their services back to pre-pandemic levels.
However, this was not the case for Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific. The time away from its fliers was also an opportunity to build upon their future. While it took a while for Hong Kong to ease up on its travel restrictions as compared to other countries, there is no doubt that Cathay Pacific is back. The airline is also bringing back most — if not all — of its flights from pre-pandemic days to full speed a year after its full reopening.
Its planes are in capacity, lounges are bustling, and the signature green interiors have certainly overtaken the skies. So, as aviation enters its new era, consumers have been given the chance to rethink how the airlines are perceived. And with Cathay Pacific’s extensive growing network to over 90 destinations worldwide, it is time to look beyond Hong Kong as just a final destination but the ideal stopover.
Yes, laying over in Hong Kong may not be anyone’s first choice. For most, flying on Cathay Pacific meant arriving at Hong Kong and not beyond. It would probably make sense if one intended to cross the Pacific Ocean over to the Americas. Its three- to four-hour travel time from most ASEAN destinations is a short connection before proceeding to a reasonable long-haul flight. Yet, if one applies that same logic to destinations in Europe, Japan or even South Korea, the advantage of being just a stone’s throw away from most cities in Southeast Asia would make transiting in Hong Kong an unquestionable option that might have been overlooked.
In Singapore, its frequency of eight direct flights a day means there is at least one option that can take one to Hong Kong and onto an onward flight with a layover of no more than two hours — just long enough to reset, recharge and ready oneself for the final journey without rushing between gates. Plus, for those travelling to Europe — and if flying directly is no longer an option — laying over in Hong Kong has advantages over the more frequently utilised route of doing a Middle Eastern stopover.
With CX716 departing at 6pm daily from Singapore or CX724 at 5:45 pm daily from Kuala Lumpur, it allows for easy connection to its red-eye European flights departing from close to midnight. It also allows for ample rest, where one can experience Cathay Pacific’s signature service on its medium-haul service with a dinner before proceeding to an average thirteen-hour long service to its European destinations like Milan or Paris — providing full uninterrupted rest before landing instead of having to wake up from a nap midway through the journey as one would usually experience on a Middle Eastern carrier.
And for those fortunate enough to be travelling on First Class or Business Class, or if one holds Sapphire or Emerald status with oneworld, prioritise at least a one-time experience at Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong International Airport lounges during one’s stopover. There is a reason for all the buzz that surrounds it. At The Pier, Business lounge tucked near gate 65 — designed by Studioilse, the English-based design studio led by cult designer Ilse Crawford — the largest lounge at HKIA boasts a traditional tea room, two dining halls, 14 showers, workstations, as well as an endless hall of seating options with windows looking over the airport’s tarmacs; perfect for all plane spotters.
If diving into a feast at a lounge is just as important as brushing one’s teeth before bed, then Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, Business lounge is a one-stop destination to satiate cravings of sorts before or in between flights. Cathay Pacific’s iconic Noodle Bar is always a welcoming sight for weary travellers to take comfort in a hearty bowl of Dan Dan or Wonton noodles. While Chinese dumplings are the ideal accompaniment, indulge in steaming hot Hong Kong classics such as siu mei and small plates unique to The Pier for now.
On the other hand, the Food Hall whisks guests away into an Italian summerscape accompanied by simple hearty Italian fare. Of the various Italian antipasto, primo or dolce to select from, none quite lives up to the aromas of hand-crafted pizza freshly baked on-site in a dedicated pizza oven. Conversely, a zen Tea House serves as the transition area into The Pier’s wellbeing area. Curated in partnership with premium tea brand JING, guests can experience the tea leaves up close in the interactive menu before making their selection. Whether one is looking to invigorate after a long flight or calm pre-flight jitters, tea specialists are on standby to assist in selecting the 10 fixed and one seasonal tea.
Even with the most advantageous connections, the real reason Cathay Pacific should be at the top of one’s list is the unrivalled experience on board. Being on Cathay Pacific and stepping into the white, green and cream interiors on board its current Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350 range of aircraft (which serves most international routes), and even Airbus A330-300 and Airbus A321 aircrafts (which serves its medium to short-haul routes), brings to mind the interiors of Hong Kong’s elite class of hotels — such as The Upper House — where there is a focus on designing a space that has useable, breathable and tangible experience instead of flashy knickknacks.
Cathay Pacific’s flagship Business Class has been raved by travellers for a decade now, and it shows. The current Business Class comes with individual pods. While it may not have sliding doors that turn the seat into a suite, it provides ample privacy with its winged divider that also removes any sense of claustrophobia. The seat also comes padded in fabric upholstery, which frankly provides more comfort than a slippery leather seat that may be soft to the touch but gets uncomfortable (and even warm) after a while.
The seats are in a 1-2-1 herringbone configuration, which leaves one little to worry about seating beside a stranger. The slight tilt also provides a side table with a small storage closet meant to keep a bottle of water, headphones, smaller electronic devices such as one’s smartphone and AirPods, and a larger storage beneath it with a magazine rack. Speaking of which, there is even a small cubby for one’s shoes beneath the side armrest. Each passenger is gifted a Bamford branded amenity kit and, on overnight flights, a mattress topper with a hotel-like duvet at no questions asked.
Even Premium Economy is an experience unlike any other. Its recliner features a similar upholstery as the airline’s Business Class seats. With an additional eight to ten inches of seat pitch, there is enough space to stretch one’s legs without having the knees touch the seat in front — even while fully reclined. There is a separate menu from the standard economy, and small treats on board include Hong Kong’s famous egg tarts and the airline’s very-own Betsy beer — usually served for First and Business Class passengers. On longer flights, Premium Economy passengers are even gifted an amenities kit that includes socks, an eyeshade, earplugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste — just like how it is at the front of the plane.
Yet, what truly sets Cathay Pacific apart from the rest are its culinary treats, where the airline is famous for offering a glimpse of the Michelin-starred haven of Hong Kong — 30,000 feet in the air. One such noteworthy collaboration is with JIA Group’s Duddell’s. On select long-haul flights through February 2025, First and Business Class passengers can look forward to the new “Hong Kong Flavours” inflight menu with the restaurant’s diverse speciality in Cantonese and regional Chinese food updated for the skies. There is also a selection of JING tea on board, perfect if traditional Chinese teas may be one’s forte. Even the standard offering suffices, as the airline’s latest menu across all classes offers Hong Kong classics such as dim sum [small, Cantonese food items typically accompanied by tea] for breakfast or classic clay pot rice on select flights.
The story does not end at just how great of an option Cathay Pacific is now, but rather how much better it will be. Not too long from now — starting from October 2024, to be exact — the airline will roll out retrofitted versions of its flagship fleet of Boeing 777-300ER planes. While First Class will not make a return to the -300ER fleet, Business Class on Cathay Pacific will eventually come with fully enclosed sliding doors. Dubbed the Aria Suite, the game-changing product from Cathay Pacific will see a modern revitalisation of its leading herringbone Business Class product that will rival even other airlines’ First Class.
The airline has revealed new features, including wider 4K-resolution touchscreen monitors, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB-C ports on all seats — all of which are necessary and an upgrade from its current Business Class offering. On board the new Boeing 777-300ERs, a newly-redesigned Premium Economy section is set to change industry standards, with its elevated seats equipped with 15.6-inch 4K seatback TVs with Bluetooth audio pairing.
With Cathay Pacific due to receive its Boeing 777-9s within the decade when Boeing has completed the plane’s certification, together with the return of its fifth-freedom daily Singapore to Bangkok and vice versa flights — a popular service once suspended during the pandemic — there are plenty of reasons to have Cathay Pacific on one’s radar as the airline evolves beyond being Hong Kong’s finest, and back to being one of the world’s leading airline that has changed perspectives on how good air travel can be.
For more information about Cathay Pacific or to book flights to Hong Kong and beyond, visit www.cathaypacific.com.
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