Cathay Pacific's business class offering was enjoyed by two out of the three members of our party. Photo / File
Herald reporter Melissa Nightingale compares Cathay Pacific flights between Auckland and Hong Kong on economy and business class, and explains why she ended up taking what might be her mother’s only shot at a business class seat.
Visas and requirements:
Kiwis can travel to Hong Kong for short holidays without any visas or specific vaccinations, but your passport must be valid for at least one month past your departure. Vacationers can visit for up to 90 days visa-free.
Departure airport experience:
Economy check-in was relatively smooth, though there was initially little rhyme or reason to the queuing system at Auckland airport. Once airline staff stepped in to corral travellers, the line began moving more efficiently.
Meanwhile, when we checked in for our flight home at Hong Kong International Airport - originally a premium economy booking - there were no queues at all.
We recieved business class lounge access, deciding to relax ahead of the flight in the Bridge, which boasts a noodle bar as well as a food hall, containing a selection of Chinese and western food options. After filling up on treats, we retreated to a quiet section of the lounge where my 4-year-old daughter quietly coloured in pictures before, inconveniently, falling asleep 15 minutes before it was time to head to our flight.
Seat:
Economy: My daughter, my mother and I were seated in a set of three spots just a few rows forward from the back of the plane. Seats are about 46cm wide with about a 15cm recline ability.
Business: We had premium economy tickets, but at the gate were told we’d been given an upgrade to business class; news that thrilled my mum, who had never flown at the front of the plane.
Yet things became complicated after we realised there were only two business class seats available; one for my mother and the other for my daughter.
Quickly, we weighed up the pros and cons; my mother had never flown business class, but she and my daughter were in the middle of a tiff and my daughter likely wouldn’t appreciate being left with her dear Grandmama. A business class seat would be far more comfortable for my mother, but I wasn’t feeling well.
Due to the latter, she waved off my suggestion of swapping mid-flight and insisted on taking the premium economy seat.
Stretching out in the huge seats, I felt a twinge of guilt, but little Cleo had no such qualms, quickly settling in to watch Bluey. There is something absurd about seeing a 4-year-old in business class, her tiny feet dangling above the floor. What a waste of all that legroom, I thought.
The lie-flat seats were a Godsend at the end of a long day, and Cleo was out like a light the moment her head hit the pillow, once I converted the seat into a bed for her. She slept soundly for about six hours until I woke her.
Crew:
Crew on both flights were friendly and warm. On our economy leg, they were quick to offer snacks and let us know we could help ourself to refreshments at the back of the plane.
Passengers:
Both flights were full, and a full business class cabin was why our group of three couldn’t all sit in business class.
Food and drink:
There was plenty to eat on the economy flight, but little that interested my daughter. Picky child problems! We received a printed menu at the start of the flight, which was handy.
For the business flight, I had a beef brisket noodle soup and an osmanthus and oolong tea jelly for dessert. Cleo held a bread roll in her hand for an hour and took one bite. Once again, the joys of business class wasted on a small child.
Entertainment:
There was a good selection of movies, but I was in a romcom mood on both flights, so watched Materialists, which was more rom than com. Cleo had eyes only for Bluey.
Arrival airport experience:
There was a short queue at immigration, but we didn’t wait long before sailing through to baggage claim in Hong Kong, and were pleased to discover our bags were already on the belt when we arrived. We had little time to appreciate the airport before we met up with the rest of our travel group, but found it easy enough to navigate.
The best bit:
Lying flat and snuggling under a duvet in business class rather than a thin blanket was a dream, even if it was tinged with the knowledge I had ousted my mother from this very seat.
The worst bit:
Halfway through our economy flight (around 10pm in NZ), I had just managed to get Cleo to sleep and had started to nod off myself when the crew turned on the lights and made us put our seats upright for a second meal. I thought they were waking us so we could be ready to sleep again that evening in Hong Kong, but they turned all the lights off again after the meal. Sadly, neither Cleo or I could fall back asleep.
Final verdict:
Business class on Cathay Pacific is a great way to travel if you don’t mind stepping on your loved ones to get there.
New Zealand Herald travelled courtesy of Cathay Pacific.