My seat: 20D, at the back of the cabin where every crew member knows your (sur)name. The herringbone style layout means there are three seats across and they provide maximum privacy, great for the lone traveller or if you're working. The seat reclines from upright to horizontal in seconds, providing a lovely comfortable bed with two pillows and duvet. Soon after take-off you're offered amenity kits in a stylish agnes b. pouch, containing creams and balms to restore, a decent size tube of toothpaste, comfy eyeshades, socks, earplugs and even a shoehorn.
Fellow passengers: Quite a few baby boomers travelling beyond Hong Kong and a sprinkling of business types.
How full? Business was full up, as was premium economy, I didn't venture much further back but the plane seemed to be packed.
Entertainment: A great-sized easy-to-use touch screen, and StudioCX features latest movies you'd pay to go and see back home but haven't got the time, plus a reasonable catalogue of old favourites. The TV section includes Soho channel-type shows, The Wire, The Sopranos and True Detective for a bit of binge viewing. There isn't gate-to-gate entertainment so allow for it to be switched off before landing. If you can't resist your own electronic device, you'll be glad to know that as of yesterday you can use it from the time you sit down on all Cathay flights - providing it is in flight mode - following changes to Hong Kong civil-aviation regulations. Conveniently placed multi-plug charging beside your seat. The airshow tracking the flight is a little limited but there's plenty else to keep you entertained.
The service: A strong suit. It's a formal, professional approach from staff, but not uptight. The offers of food and drink were endless and, being at the front of the plane, it comes at optimal times to give you long sleeping/movie watching opportunities on the flight of just over 11 hours. Great attention to detail - the cashews were warmed perfectly.
Food and drink: Again, this is where Cathay really lays it on, with a choice of Chinese favourites or fresh international cuisine, and the food is splendid. Three-course meals were served shortly after take-off and about two hours before landing and there's a comprehensive wine and spirits list. I stuck to the Oriental Breeze, a delicious sour plum tea and cranberry juice-based non-alcoholic drink.
The toilets: Two for the cabin, plenty more behind and all spic and span.
The airport experience: A smooth and very rewarding check-in. Cathay has an alliance with Air New Zealand so you can use the national carrier's lounge at Auckland Airport. Returning through the sprawling but efficient airport at Hong Kong, I was able to avail myself of The Wing, one of Cathay's premium lounges.
Would I fly again? Is politics dirty? This was a top-notch flight and the experience is set to be further enhanced as the airline plans to use the Airbus A350 XWB on the Auckland route when it takes delivery of the newest wide body plane in 2016.
