What Is It Like To Fly on Cathay Pacific to Los Angeles in Business Class?

Cathay Pacific operates two daily flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), connecting Hollywood of East Asia with Tinseltown.

The airline operates its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft across the Pacific Rim, showcasing quiet luxury and a diverse array of culinary flavors.

Photo: Boeing 777-300ER. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

As a founding carrier of the Oneworld, it effortlessly highlights its five-star accolade.

Check-In

At Cathay Pacific’s home airport, business class passengers benefit from dedicated check-in counters, ensuring a streamlined process.

Upon check-in, passengers receive a paper boarding pass and a lounge invitation card, allowing them to enjoy the exclusive amenities before their flight.

Boarding

As passengers gathered for the full flight, the ground crew organized everyone into zones for an orderly boarding process while checking passports.

First, First Class guests and high-status members were invited to board, followed by those in business class, premium economy, and economy class. This structured approach ensured an efficient boarding process.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Once on board, I found my dedicated overhead bin space for my carry-on bag and backpack. After settling in, the flight attendants offered pre-boarding beverages.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

I chose the famously delicious Cathay Delight, a refreshing blend of kiwi juice, coconut milk, and fresh mint. The vibrant green color echoed the airline’s branding perfectly.

The Seat

Cathay Pacific’s business class features Safran Cirrus seats arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, providing direct aisle access in two distinct cabins: a larger main cabin and a smaller mini cabin located across the wings. I had the pleasure of sitting in 16G, a first-row middle seat by the bulkhead in the larger cabin.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

The seat proved to be extremely comfortable, especially when paired with high-quality bedding. After enjoying a delicious dinner, I covered the seat with the mattress padding and reclined, quickly falling asleep. Having explored Hong Kong throughout the day and departed past midnight, I relished a restful seven hours of sleep.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

The storage cabinet beside the seat was spacious and well-equipped, featuring a water bottle, a Bamford amenity kit, and a pair of headphones, along with enough space for my camera. Additionally, I found a pair of slippers and “an in-flight magazine conveniently placed in the seat pouches.

The footwell was generous, and the retractable bi-folding table offered ample workspace. The 15-inch touchscreen, along with a remote control, operated smoothly, providing access to a diverse entertainment system that included videos, audio, and games.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Cathay Pacific operates a large fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft, each with various cabin layouts. The specific plane I was on included six first-class suites in a 1-1-1 arrangement across two rows at the front. Behind business class, there were 34 premium economy seats equipped with lumbar support and footrests, along with 201 Recaro slimline seats in the economy section.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Additionally, the airline has recently introduced the Aria Suite, a new business class pod equipped with a door, and is in the process of retrofitting 30 of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with this exciting new product.

The Flight

One of the most impressive aspects of the flight was the pre-order menu, which featured over a dozen entrées spanning both classic and seasonal selections. The menu highlighted a delightful array of Asian and Western dishes, thanks in part to collaborations with two renowned restaurants in central Hong Kong: Louise and Duddell’s.

For my late dinner, I chose the traditional clay pot, which was filled with a substantial meatball, Chinese sausage, steamed vegetables, and braised abalone, all served over soy sauce-drizzled rice.

Upon waking, I was eager to try the famous Cathay burger. While the burger itself was well-prepared, I found the fries to be a bit hard to chew. However, the soft egg custard and smooth Cathay Delight dessert were perfect complements to the meal.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

About 90 minutes before landing, breakfast was served. The meal consisted of rice porridge with chicken, ginger, and scallions, accompanied by crispy noodles, a fresh fruit bowl, and a cup of milk tea. With each bite, I felt a growing nostalgia for Hong Kong.

Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang

Wi-Fi was complimentary for first and business class passengers, and once I figured out how to log on, I enjoyed fast and steady connectivity, which allowed me to share food photos with family and friends.

Arrival

The aircraft was outfitted with an exterior camera mounted underneath, providing live feeds of arrivals and landings at Los Angeles International Airport.

Thanks to Global Entry, the customs process was a breeze, and I didn’t have to wait long for my checked bag.

Best for

Travelers looking for elevated service and desiring to indulge in top-notch meals would be in for a treat — from nostalgic street food in Hong Kong, known as the Pearl of the Orient, to hot snacks like the popular meaty burger with Besty Beer, specially brewed to commemorate the history of the airline.

Verdict

Meeting my expectations, Cathay Pacific moves beyond carrying people across the world. It’s a lifestyle brand that enriches travelers by bringing rewarding experiences. While the current business class product is already decent, I look forward to Aria Suite, the next-level state-of-the-art design.