Cathay Pacific's Airbus A350-1000 flies between Auckland to Hong Kong daily.
Heading to Hong Kong with the Viva team for a special collector’s issue and suite of digital content, the Herald’s Emma Gleason flew from Auckland with Cathay Pacific, weighing in on whether Business Class is worth it.
It’s the highly respected flag-carrier airline for Hong Kong, and with direct flights from Auckland leaving every day it’s the quickest way to get there.
Hong Kong is popular with business travellers and holidaymakers alike, and with a flight time of just over 10 hours, is it worth investing in Business Class tickets, or does Premium Economy suffice?
I tried both on a recent trip to the famous metropolis.
The flight: CX0198 Airbus A350-1000
Class: Business
Flight time: 10 hours 32 minutes
Visas and requirements:
People with a New Zealand passport can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. This also applies to a range of other countries, including Australia, Tonga, Fiji and the US. There are no Covid-19 related requirements for Hong Kong.
Departure airport experience: Checking in at Auckland International Airport was a breeze, we didn’t even have to take fragile items to another counter. It wasn’t a full flight, possibly due to the Tuesday afternoon departure time.
With the flight not at full capacity, the gate situation was very chill. We boarded a little late, around 40 minutes after our ticket time, but everyone waited patiently and staff were calm and helpful, keeping us informed. On board we settled swiftly into business class. Seats were spacious and there were warm towels and bubbles (or juice) served before the flight departed.
Seat: Spacious and comfortable with all the accoutrements you expect of Business Class. There’s heaps of legroom, and I get my feet elevated immediately. Seats are 20 inches wide and 75 inches long and, this being Business, they recline fully. Other passengers make the most of this and sleep through the flight, but as it’s a daytime flight and I want to adjust to Hong Kong time, I decide to stay up and watch movies.
Crew: Staff are efficient, polite, masked and very nice. Jokes are shared between us and some of the cabin crew (a lovely interaction) and we feel very well cared for.
Passengers: Our flight has a mix of families, couples and solo travellers. I didn’t spot many masks.
Food and drink: Cathay Pacific does a “very good” negroni, according to my travel companion, and I can report the coffee is good too. When it was time for lunch, built-in dining trays came out and tablecloths were unfurled. To start was a little dish of smoked salmon. Entrees included a choice of cauliflower cream soup and couscous with chicken. There were the requisite warm bread rolls with butter or, if you’d like, olive oil and balsamic (it came in a nifty wee bottle) and it was the first time I’d been offered that on a plane. For the main, I had stuffed chicken, which was filling and good - not too rich, which is always welcome on a flight - followed by cheese and crackers for dessert. For dinner, I ordered chicken rendang, because I never pass up that dish. The attendant helpfully advised there was some spice to it. She’s right, and it’s just the thing to wake me up for the last hour and a half of our flight.
Entertainment: There’s a dizzying range of things to watch, and it was hard to choose - especially when flights lend themselves equally well to films that require focus and those that are guilty pleasures. With just over 10 hours to kill, I figured I could get through four. Starting with Eileen, I then watched Drift (both heavy films) followed by Call Me By Your Name, Under The Tuscan Sun and guilty pleasure Eat Pray Love.
Arrival airport experience: Astoundingly quick really. Immigration was a breeze and we were lucky to have a short queue. Baggage was swift too, and with nothing to declare we go straight to arrivals.
The best bit: Lying down and watching movies for 10 hours is the best way to fly.
The worst bit: I should have let myself have a nap to really make the most of the seat, but that’s on me.
Final verdict: If you’re travelling to Hong Kong for work and, like us, need to hit the ground running when you get there, flying Cathay Pacific direct with a business class seat ensure you’re well-rested and ready to go.
The flight: CX113 Airbus A350-1000
Class: Premium Economy
Flight time: 11 hours 20 minutes
Visas and requirements: Returning home on a New Zealand passport means there are no requirements.
Departure airport experience: Unbelievably swift and efficient. When our fixer told us you only needed to arrive an hour and a half ahead of an international flight we were incredulous, but the guidance proved correct, even at an airport as huge as Hong Kong’s.
We checked in at the business counter, there were no queues there or at the normal desk. My suitcase zip had broken en route to the airport, so Cathay Pacific’s desk staff helped secure it in a box and labelled it fragile.
Then it was on to the identity scanner - passport and face - and through the brisk, efficient security check (no need to take laptops out), before another electronic auto check and we headed to our gate.
Be prepared for a walk and leave plenty of time to get to your gate. Hong Kong International Airport many gates and the distance to some is far. Good thing there’s a metro, easy to use and spanning two stops.
The lounge: After all that walking it’s nice to have a moment to unwind, and there’s nowhere better than a Cathay Pacific Lounge.
Passengers travelling Business or First class with Cathay Pacific (or who have silver Cathay memberships or are oneworld partners) are able access to the Business lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. There are three of these at Hong Kong International Airport, so you can be strategic when it comes to locations and your gate.
We go to the famously good The Pier Business Lounge (the First Class Lounge, one of two at the airport, is nearby too), found by gate 65.
Inside it is so elegant and calm and, to be frank, huge that it’s a bit mindblowing if, like me, it’s your first time inside. There’s a huge array of sofas and chairs, desks and workspaces, a relaxation room, expansive food hall and bar - they do an excellent negroni, and for those wanting something healthy the green juice is good too - as well as a coffee and tea station, renowned noodle bar and a tea room.
There are luggage lockers, and for freshening up you can’t go past the lounge’s showers. These have to be booked in advance (you’ll be given a buzzer) and are appointed with Bamford products - face cleanser, face mist, shampoo and conditioner - as well as dental kits, sanitary bags, makeup pads, hair bands, cotton buds, hairdryer and more things to help freshen up.
After that, you can park up and unwind, or get stuck into some work. The lounge patrons are doing a mix of both. It’s the weekend when we’re there, Saturday night actually, so you can imagine the energy is more of a business buzz during the week. There are parents with kids, older couples, young people. Lots of solo travellers and a few groups - like ours - of work colleagues.
It’s all very calm, with soft ambient jazz sets the right tone, and just what I needed after a busy last day in Hong Kong.
Boarding: Considering it’s a full flight and late on a Saturday night, the staff handle the crowd masterfully, with efficient queuing and ticket checking, and our fellow flyers were all patient and polite. Boarding is quick and efficient.
Seat: Premium economy means extra legroom and more space. The recline is generous, and I felt lucky to be seated with no one behind me, so I could make the most of it. The footrest provides good elevation for the legs - critical on any flight more than four hours, in my experience and opinion. Seats in this section are 18.5 inches.
Crew: So nice and friendly. The staff did an admirable job catering to such a full flight.
Passengers: The flight was very full - not that it was a problem, and everyone boarded the plane and was seated swiftly. We were surrounded by families and couples, which makes sense given the weekend departure date. There were not many masks to be seen.
Food and drink: Cathay Pacific’s in-flight menus highlight the flavours of Hong Kong (egg tarts are even available on request). On this leg, we had a choice between eggplant caponata, braised chicken with ginger, and pork saltimbocca. The latter was my choice and put me right to sleep. Awaking in time for breakfast, dim sum - spinach shu mai, a couple of dumpling iterations and a sensational glutenous rice with chicken - was such a good way to finish the overnight flight, start my day, and enjoy one last taste of Hong Kong.
Entertainment: The offering was the same as the flight over, but seeking sleep I listened to podcasts and nodded off quickly.
Arrival airport experience: Considering how many people had to be processed and several other flights arriving at the same time, our luggage was on the baggage carousels very quickly. I had to declare some olives, which was also quick and easy.
The best bit: The Pier Business Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport.
The worst bit: Not having more time to spend in the aforementioned lounge.
Final verdict: While it doesn’t have all the frills of Business Class, Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy option is a great way to travel - particularly if you’re flying overnight.
Contact: Cathay Pacific flies direct to Hong Kong from Auckland daily and Christchurch seasonally four times a week from December 2, 2024 to March 30, 2025. For more information visit cathaypacific.com
Emma Gleason is the New Zealand Herald’s lifestyle and entertainment deputy editor. Based in Auckland, she covers culture, travel and media.
This article has been updated with extra detail about who can access the Business Class Lounge, and width of Premium Economy seats.
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