If Economy class exists to get the job done and Premium Economy works by getting the job done well, then Business Class’ purpose is to execute everything effortlessly and wrapped in a nice little bow.
Here’s what we mean…
THE ROUTE
Hong Kong to Sydney (approximately 9 hours 30 minutes).
THE PLANE
Airbus 330-300
SEAT
11A & 12A
Business Class on the Airbus 330-300 is a 1-2-1 arrangement.
SERVICE
If you’re flying Business Class then you’ll probably arrive at the plane well-fed and massaged from Cathay Pacific’s The Wing or The Pier lounges. Both are designed to start the premium experience long before you turn left at the gangway. The Wing has a zen-garden aesthetic thanks to a ceiling scraping bamboo garden, with comforting bowls of fresh made wonton noodles (prepared on site). It’s stunning but The Pier is Cathay’s latest premium offering and you’d do well to split your time between both lounges. It’s more like a dreamy apartment or private club (which, we suppose, it is). A hark back to designer Ilse Crawford’s days designing SoHo House New York.
But more on The Pier soon.
We’ve heard this route is predominantly reserved for evening flights and there is a certain romance in falling asleep in one country and waking up in another, however, the catch is you might sleep through the perks of being up the pointy end. On the other hand, isn’t a fully flat bed one of Business Class’ biggest calling cards? It depends on how you like to fly. Our plane departed at around quarter to 1am so there was very little the kindly cabin crew could do to improve on the experience other than set us up with our sleep socks and politely allow us to nod off in our cocoon of privacy. The glass of Deutz champagne and hot towel on arrival was a welcome touch though.
FOOD
At such a late departure there is the expectation that most guests enjoyed dinner at the terminal so just a light supper is offered once the plane is in the air. For some the lure of sleep is just too tempting and we waged a strong internal battle between nodding off and allowing the steward to place our white tablecloth (the Business Class symbol for ‘I’m hungry’).
Those that remained awake enjoyed wok-fried prawns, ginger, shallot, jade melon and steamed rice. Or the traditionally western pan-fried lamb loin, ratatouille, chive new potatoes and Madeira sauce. As well as offers of a Fourme d’Ambert, Cheddar and Reblochon cheese plate. Lighter options included ham and cauliflower soup or hot smoked creole salmon, asparagus and roasted fingerling potatoes.
Breakfast options included an deliciously fluffy omlette, pan-fried Dingley Dell pork sausage and bacon, marinated red peppers, braised bean ragout and roasted potatoes. Or dim sum, scallop siu mai, har gow, pork and chive dumpling, chicken glutinous rice. Thirdly, dried scallop, chicken and shiitake mushroom congee with a baked barbecued pork pie.
ENTERTAINMENT
Cathay’s complimentary set of noise cancelling headphones are reverently kept in their own seat side closet and are so effective we agree they should be treated as thus. Unlike the Dreamliner, the A330-300 still emits a bit of cabin noise (file under ‘First World Problems’) and so these cushiony accessories are utterly welcome. The Studio x in-flight entertainment is, as always, extensive. Seen every new release? There are some 500 TV shows to keep you busy. There’s really no boredom factor in Business Class, where your biggest problem is deciding between a signature cocktail (the champagne and Drambuie Pacific Sunrise is our pick) or spicy Blood Mary. It’s all in the revelling.
OVERALL
A midnight flight following an action-packed journey through Hong Kong is the ideal recipe for a fully flat Business Class seat siesta. However it’s also the reason we’ve yielded only a few images of this flight. Take it as testament to the soothability of the service that we slept like babies and landed in Australia with a freshness that does not befit an overnight transit.
Home.
Follow Cathay Pacific on Instagram @cathaypacific & on Facebook and Twitter
Connect with us on Instagram @citizensoftheworld & @dominicloneragan & @meghanloneragan
We’re also on Facebook and Twitter
