Flying from Auckland to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific

Sunrise over the Pacific aboard a Cathay Pacific A350. Photo / Estelle Sarney

Estelle Sarney flies from NZ to China

The plane: An Airbus A350 XWB. This one was a little over a year old. Cathay has 18 of these new-generation planes.

Class: Business, an indulgent experience I haven't had a lot of exposure to.

My seat: The Business seats in this plane are in a 1-2-1 configuration. I had 18K, a window seat towards the rear of the cabin. I had more than enough room to stretch out while sitting, and, of course, the seat reclines to flat at the push of a button when it's time for a nap. Several storage compartments enable you to unpack your carry-on bag. A cushion and blanket made the space even more comfortable, and well-thought-out screening gave privacy.

The cabin: XWB stands for extra-wide body — I had little to compare it with but the space seemed generous and airy. Staff are reminded to make as little noise as possible in galleys as the usual aircraft noise is so low.

The price: Bookings the same month cost $3200 one way to Hong Kong, but you're always going to get a better deal than that by booking ahead. Cathay is offering earlybird fares next year in Business to Europe for less than $6000.

On time? Pushed back a few minutes behind schedule.

Flight time: Eleven hours, 15 minutes. With so much to entertain, and the ability to easily take a nap on the lie-flat bed, time flew.

Entertainment: A generous touch-screen TV, also operable by a remote, allowed a pilot's view of take-off, flight and landing, along with a multitude of video and audio options to suit every age.

The service: Four dedicated crew in the business class cabin. They were efficient and friendly.

Food and drink: Bubbly, beer or juice on being seated was a nice start. Self-serve snacks could be had between two meals. The duck entree and beef and lamb mains were delicious. A Pacific Sunrise — Champagne and Drambuie with citrus zest was a nice pick-me-up during the flight.

Fellow passengers: A mix of business travellers, families and holidaymakers. There was a sprinkling of spare seats in the economy section.

Toilets: Clean and tidy. An LED mirror and hand creams added a touch of hotel glam. A complimentary amenity bag contained an eye mask, socks, earplugs, lip balm, hand cream, spray mist, mini-toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. Very handy.

Airport experience: Seamless. It was a nice touch when the staff member checking us in noticed it was my husband's birthday in a couple of days and wished him many happy returns. In Auckland, Air New Zealand's lounge is a lovely, light, open space with a great view of the airfield, and excellent food and beverage choices. We shared the room with the All Blacks, en route to Sydney for the first Bledisloe Cup test. In Hong Kong we were able to choose between four Cathay lounges. We visited The Wing, with a bar the length of a check-in area that looked out through the airport's glass walls to the activity on the runway. You could also have a shower and a meal.

The bottom line: I felt thoroughly spoiled during the flight, and relaxed and rested afterwards.