Cathay Pacific has lengthy been heralded as one of many world’s main airways. With top-tier choices each on the bottom and within the sky, the airline has lengthy attracted Miles & Factors fanatics and aviation afficionados alike.
Whereas the airline was considerably affected all through the pandemic, when it noticed its route community severely restricted in comparison with years previous, the continued reopening of Hong Kong to world is coming with the restoration of Cathay Pacific’s community.
Luckily, this additionally means the gradual return of one of the crucial sought-after aviation experiences round: Cathay Pacific First Class.
On this information, we’ll undergo all the pieces it is advisable learn about one of the crucial luxurious flying experiences which you can attain with a well-rounded Miles & Factors technique.
The Cathay Pacific First Class Expertise
With an elevated status as one of many world’s greatest airways, Cathay Pacific delivers an intriguing expertise from begin to end.
Whether or not it’s enjoyable in a non-public tub at one of many flagship lounges in Hong Kong or having fun with a refined meal in a cushty suite within the sky, you’ll wish to be certain that Cathay Pacific First Class is in your bucket checklist of journey experiences.
Floor Expertise
Cathay Pacific makes certain that its First Class is differentiated as a lower above enterprise class, and also you’ll simply discover how there are already variations with the expertise on the bottom.
Let’s begin with check-in. Passengers are all the time supplied a separate space, and in Hong Kong, which is Cathay Pacific’s house base, the First Class check-in space can also be linked to a devoted safety line.
With preliminary formalities taking shorter than typical, extra time will be spent at one in every of Cathay Pacific’s unique First Class lounges.
There are two of them in Hong Kong: The Pier and The Wing. These two lounges, a 10-minute stroll aside, have separate entrances and sections for enterprise class and First Class passengers.
Nevertheless, because the airline continues to be within the technique of restoring of its pre-pandemic capability, solely The Wing is open for First Class passengers for now. The Pier First Class Lounge is anticipated to reopen in mid-2023.
Whereas The Wing has components that don’t essentially differentiate itself from different lounges, it gives one significantly notable function: The Cabanas. These personal sanctuaries function a big bathtub and a day mattress, each of that are a godsend previous to or following a long-haul flight.
And except for The Cabanas, The Wing additionally notably gives à la carte eating at its restaurant known as The Haven, in addition to a Champagne bar for welcome drinks.
As soon as it reopens, Cathay Pacific First Class passengers who go to The Pier will even have entry to unique rooms in an space of the lounge often known as The Retreat, which can also be the place the lounge’s bathe rooms are discovered.
Whereas the day suites right here aren’t practically as luxurious as The Cabanas in The Wing, you possibly can nonetheless avail your self of a quiet, snug place to calm down previous to your flight.
Should you’re able to quench your thirst, there’s no higher place than the visually pleasing bar situated in The Pier.
The Pier additionally gives à la carte eating within the aptly named The Eating Room. Whilst you could also be tempted to order a little bit of all the pieces from the menu, you’ll wish to avoid wasting room on your meal on the aircraft.
Nevertheless, in case you’re simply searching for a wonderful place to calm down earlier than your flight, head over to The Library for a strikingly stunning space to spend time in.
Remember the fact that your Cathay Pacific First Class journey has solely simply begun, and it will get even higher from right here.
Seat
Whereas most different airways’ First Class cabins are configured with 4 seats in a row, Cathay Pacific edges them out with its three-across configuration. There’s one seat on the window on both facet of the plane, after which one in the midst of the cabin.
This can be a little bit of an enormous deal, since you wind up with a First Class suite that appears gigantic in comparison with others.
And ready on the seat are Bose noise-cancelling headphones, pajamas by Hong Kong-based clothier PYE, and an amenity package additionally by Bamford.
The seat that turns right into a lie-flat mattress will be turned down upon request, and it’d be laid with British way of life model Bamford’s plush 600-thread-count cotton sheet, a alternative of soppy or agency pillows, and a cover cowl. A sprig of Bamford’s well-known pillow mist and a cup of JING Tea full the ritual.
Meals & Drink
The onboard eating expertise is yet one more sturdy level of Cathay Pacific First Class. For starters, you’ll be elegantly served your food and drinks of alternative with Noritake porcelain dinnerware, Robert Welch flatware, and Riedel wine glasses.
Shortly after boarding, you’ll have your alternative of welcome drink, which is prone to embrace a high-end Champagne.
When you hit the skies, there’s sufficient room within the suite for somebody to affix you, which is all the time one of the crucial satisfying elements of First Class.
As a current improvement, Cathay Pacific has began collaborating with Michelin-starred restaurant Duddell’s to showcase Hong Kong’s delicacies.
As a First Class passenger, because of this you get to savour dishes like chilled abalone and cucumber with black vinegar, and pan-fried king prawns in white pepper sauce with spring onions and ginger as you make your solution to your vacation spot.
In fact, this all comes after the caviar course and the free-flowing Champagne you’d likewise be having fun with.
Should you nonetheless occur to be hungry, you’ll want to order one thing scrumptious from the snack menu, corresponding to braised pork noodles or a dim sum choice.
To wrap issues up, you’ll have the deal with of having fun with a cheese plate, ice cream, a pie, and even all the above.
Evidently, you’ll wish to come hungry (and thirsty) on your Cathay Pacific First Class flight.
Cathay Pacific Flight Critiques
Cathay Pacific First Class Cabin
Amongst Cathay Pacific’s blended fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes, solely choose Boeing 777-300ER plane are outfitted with First Class.
The First Class cabin consists of merely six seats divided into two rows in a 1-1-1 configuration. It’s clearly a distinction from the 1-2-1 configuration within the enterprise class behind, thus offering you with probably the most actual property on the aircraft.
Seats 1A and 2A completely share the left apart, whereas the 4 different seats share the precise aisle. Therefore, the 2 left seats are the perfect ones in the home, and so they’re most preferrred whether or not flying solo or as a pair.
Alternatively, in case you’d like to sit down nearer to your companion, the best choice could also be to decide on one of many seats within the center (“D” seats) paired with a seat on the precise facet (”Ok” seats), as these seats open in direction of one another on the identical aisle.
Cathay Pacific First Class Routes
Previous to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cathay Pacific supplied First Class on a handful of routes, together with many to North America. However with an prolonged crash in demand, due to Hong Kong’s heavy-handed pandemic restrictions, the airline parked its plane with First Class in storage.
The excellent news is that Cathay Pacific is step by step bringing First Class again, and as of this writing, it’s supplied on 4 routes: Hong Kong to London, Paris, Tokyo (Haneda), and Los Angeles.
We’re optimistic in regards to the gradual return of Cathay Pacific First Class to North America and different routes, and we’ll you’ll want to replace this information when this occurs.
Redeem Factors for Cathay Pacific First Class
As a Oneworld member airline, you’ll have to look to the loyalty applications throughout the alliance for the perfect offers.
Every program has its personal execs and cons, so you’ll want to contemplate your whole choices earlier than reserving Cathay Pacific First Class.
Alaska Mileage Plan
Reserving Cathay Pacific First Class with Alaska miles has lengthy been often known as top-of-the-line candy spots within the recreation. Nevertheless, there have been some recent changes to Alaska Mileage Plan that put the future of this sweet spot in peril.
Alaska miles are comparatively troublesome to come back by. In america, you possibly can earn Alaska miles with co-branded bank cards.
The one different possibility, except for buying Alaska miles throughout a sale, is to switch in Marriott Bonvoy factors on the preferrred ratio of 60,000 factors = 25,000 miles.
Should you occur to have a pleasant stash of Alaska miles, the excellent news is {that a} First Class flight between Hong Kong and North America or Europe prices simply 70,000 miles!
In fact, you’ll should find award availability to attain this deal, which might be going to be fairly troublesome. Should you occur to discover a seat, you’ll want to guide it as quickly as potential, since we’re undecided how for much longer this candy spot will final.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Bar none, the simplest solution to redeem Cathay Pacific First Class is thru its personal program, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. You’ll additionally profit from a higher quantity of award availability in comparison with redemption companions, which tends to be fairly sparse for such a extremely desired product, and entry to seats nearly a 12 months prematurely.
In Canada, Asia Miles is a switch associate of RBC Avion at a 1:1 ratio, American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:0.75 ratio, and HSBC Rewards at a 25:8 ratio.
We’ve additionally seen transfer bonuses of 10–15% supplied on occasion, which is a good time to switch in for a redemption when you’ve situated award area.
RBC additionally points the co-branded RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum Card that straightforwardly earns Asia Miles on each day spending, though it doesn’t have a tendency to supply the perfect return for spending.
South of the border, Asia Miles is a switch associate of American Express US Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou at a 1:1 ratio.
When it comes time to redeem, there’s no dynamic pricing to be involved about when redeeming Asia Miles. There are solely normal awards, which carry fastened costs primarily based on distance, with values as follows:
The Hong Kong–Tokyo (Haneda) route falls within the “Quick” class and costs out at 40,000 Asia Miles for a one-way flight in First Class.
In the meantime, the European routes as labeled as “Lengthy – Kind 1” and value out at 100,000 Asia Miles for a one-way flight in First Class, and the Los Angeles route costs out at 110,000 Asia Miles within the “Lengthy – Kind 2” class.
If First Class turns into supplied once more on routes to the Jap United States, the price could be 125,000 Asia Miles for a one-way flight.
Whereas that is certainly a steep value to pay, observe which you can add on one other flight in enterprise class or economic system class afterwards and also you gained’t pay any extra miles – in actual fact, the whole value could in actual fact lower, as Asia Miles calculates the mileage pricing utilizing a weighted common of the space flown in every class of service on an itinerary.
Notice that Cathay Pacific tacks on average gas surcharges on award redemptions, and quantities are naturally greater for First Class.
American Airways AAdvantage
American Airlines AAdvantage additionally options some good costs for Cathay Pacific First Class, though the miles are barely tougher to come back by than with different applications.
In Canada, you possibly can switch RBC Avion to AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio, which isn’t essentially probably the most preferrred.
In america, you possibly can earn AAdvantage miles via numerous co-branded bank cards issued by Citi.
On either side of the border, you possibly can switch Marriott Bonvoy factors at a ratio of three:1, in case you’re caught with out some other choices.
When it comes time to redeem, anticipate to pay 90,000 AAdvantage miles for a flight between Hong Kong and Paris or London in Cathay Pacific First Class.
A flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda costs out at 40,000 miles.
Should you can find award availability, anticipate to pay 110,000 AAdvantage miles for a First Class flight between North America and Hong Kong.
British Airways Avios
Lastly, contemplate reserving Cathay Pacific First Class with British Airways Avios.
In Canada, British Airways Avios is a switch associate of RBC Avion at a 1:1 ratio, American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, and HSBC Rewards at a 25:10 ratio. There’s additionally the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Card, which earns factors immediately from each day spending.
In america, Avios is a 1:1 switch associate of Chase Final Rewards, Capital One, and American Express US Membership Rewards.
In each nations, you possibly can switch Marriott Bonvoy factors at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 Avios in case you switch 60,000 factors. There are additionally switch bonuses to maintain an eye fixed out for in Canada and the US.
As you possibly can see, of all of the totally different factors currencies listed above, Avios are arguably the simplest to earn. Whereas they could be simple to come back throughout, you gained’t essentially discover the perfect worth by redeeming them for a one-way Cathay Pacific First Class flight.
Fairly, you might wish to contemplate it as half of a bigger British Airways Avios Multi-Carrier Award reserving, which might unlock a big quantity of worth.
Cathay Pacific First Class Award Availability
With solely 4 routes at present flying with First Class cabins, we are able to anticipate award availability to be very restricted with a view to favour income passengers.
Nevertheless, when First Class award seats are launched, the primary to learn are these redeeming from Cathay Pacific’s personal Asia Miles program.
The draw back of getting solely lower-priced normal awards is the overall lack of availability, particularly for premium cabins. Due to this fact, you’d want somewhat bit extra endurance when searching for a reward seat in First Class.
As well as, whereas Cathay Pacific has beforehand adopted a sample of persistently releasing last-minute availability, this doesn’t seem like the case anymore – so guide early.
It’s additionally price noting that there doesn’t appear to be a lot consistency within the availability between totally different applications. For instance, a flight that’s obtainable via American Airlines AAdvantage may not present up on Cathay Pacific Asia Miles or Alaska Mileage Plan.
Due to this fact, your greatest wager is to make use of the search capabilities on the totally different applications, after which when you’ve discovered a seat, see which program gives the perfect take care of the factors you may have at your disposal.
Suggestions and Methods for Cathay Pacific First Class
Whereas Cathay Pacific First Class could also be troublesome to come back throughout for award bookings, there are a number of ideas and tips to contemplate that will help you maximize the expertise.
Tack on one other flight
Given Asia Miles’s distance-based redemption chart, one of the simplest ways to redeem Cathay Pacific First Class, put merely, is to fly longer. By doing so, you possibly can absolutely maximize the higher restrict of seven,500+ miles on the chart.
In concept, the longest routings you would plan inside Cathay Pacific’s community could be North America to Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa by way of Hong Kong. Sadly, none of those routes at present provide First Class, however you would additionally contemplate including a really snug enterprise class flight, or a barely much less snug economic system flight, as a substitute.
Let’s take Tokyo to London by way of Hong Kong for instance. Tokyo to Hong Kong covers roughly 1,800 miles and prices 40,000 miles for a one-way seat in First Class, whereas Hong Kong to London covers roughly 6,000 miles, and requires 100,000 miles.
When these two segments are married collectively, they whole 7,800 miles. However as a substitute of paying a complete of 140,000 miles, you’d solely have to pay 125,000 miles.
As talked about above, when reserving Cathay Pacific First Class with Asia Miles, tacking on one other flight in a decrease class of service can even carry down the mileage pricing because of the program’s distinctive pricing construction.
Use calendar searches
To assist velocity up the search course of, contemplate trying to find Cathay Pacific First Class with a program that gives a calendar view. Your greatest wager is prone to go along with both American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Mileage Plan.
For instance, let’s say you had your eye on a First Class flight from Hong Kong to Paris. On the American Airways web page, merely enter in your routing, variety of passengers, and a date, after which simply ensure you click on on “Redeem miles”.
Within the search outcomes, click on on the “Calendar” button, and also you’ll see a whole month’s price of costs.
To search out First Class availability, you’ll wish to toggle the outcomes so that you’re solely seeing First Class, and never economic system or enterprise class. Merely alter the filters on the high to “Nonstop solely” and “First”, after which the calendar will solely present dates on which there are direct flights in First Class.
This makes it very simple to seek for months at a time. When you’ve discovered a date, simply ensure that it’s obtainable in your program of alternative, after which proceed with making the reserving.
It’s price noting that there’s a less-useful function on the Asia Miles web site, which exhibits availability (generally) if you’re including the date.
As you’re getting into within the knowledge for a reward search, the calendar will present both a brown seat (low availability) or a inexperienced seat (ample availability) if you’re choosing a date.
It’s not as dependable or as quick as different searches, although, however it may be helpful to notice in case you occur to stumble throughout it.
Conclusion
Cathay Pacific First Class is arguably one of many aviation merchandise on the market. With an beautiful floor expertise and one of the crucial snug methods to take to the skies, there’s little doubt that you just’ll treasure each second
Sadly, with fewer routes and fewer availability than earlier than, it’s grow to be much more aspirational than readily attainable, at the very least for now.
Regardless, in case you’re devoted to increase Oneworld factors balances and able to act if you discover an award seat for Cathay Pacific First Class, you’ll be handsomely rewarded on your efforts.
