Looking for a true premium cabin experience on a short-haul route? Cathay Pacific's A350 business class delivers just that—with a lie-flat seat, full-service dining, and excellent soft touches, all in under three hours. Here’s what to expect, and how I booked it for just 28,000 points.
You can book this Cathay Pacific business class flight to Hong Kong for only 28,000 points.
Cathay Pacific has not been releasing as many award availability to its partners post-COVID. But luckily, there are many transfer partners to Cathay Pacific including American Express, Citi, and Capital One.
To find the saver fare award availability, you can use Roame's newly released Cathay Pacific award flight availability finder and set alerts.
- Made-to-order wonton noodle soup and dim sum at the Noodle Bar
- A self-serve buffet with cold cuts, salads, pastries, and coffee
- A small but well-stocked staffed bar
Additional features include an adjustable armrest, a large tray table, and a side console with a vanity mirror and storage for personal items.
The side console table that functions well for drinks, headphones, or a laptop during meal service, and multiple storage compartments, including a shoe cubby, a water bottle holder, and a deep side pocket for smaller items.
If you’re flying solo, the A/K seats along the windows are the way to go for maximum privacy. Couples or companions might prefer the D/G middle seats, although a privacy divider keeps things discrete when needed.
While not the most cutting-edge seat design, it felt spacious, private, and premium—especially for a flight under three hours.
Each seat featured an 18.5-inch HD touchscreen loaded with Cathay’s StudioCX entertainment portal, offering a wide selection of movies, shows, and music. The tail camera view is always a fun touch.
Wi-Fi was available for purchase starting at $12.95 for the full flight. Noise-canceling headphones were provided, and while not industry-leading, they got the job done. No amenity kit was handed out on this short route, though slippers were provided.
Cathay Pacific proves that even short-haul flights can deliver a premium culinary experience. Despite the under-three-hour runtime from Bangkok to Hong Kong, the airline serves a full hot meal in business class — plated elegantly and presented with care.
Shortly after takeoff, the cabin crew distributed menus and took orders. On this flight, the entrée options included:
- Stir fried chicken with onion and shiitake mushroom
- Pork neck and eggplant with green curry
- Pan seared salmon filet and leek gratin in cilantro cream sauce
The meal started with a Thai Style orzo salad, which was okay, but nothing special.
For mains, I opted for pork neck and eggplant with green curry. The pork was tender and the curry was bursting with flavor.
I skipped the dessert, which was a selection of ice cream.
Cathay also punches above its weight with its drink offerings. They offered a complete set including champagne (Ayala Brut Majeur, France), white wine (Domaine De la Bressande Rully, Burgundy, France), red wine (D de Dauzac, Bordeaux, France), and dessert wine (Clare de Lune, Sauternes, France).
Service throughout the meal was gracious and attentive, even with a quick flight time. Trays were cleared efficiently, and the crew managed to keep things both polished and unhurried.
- Food Quality: 8/10
- Drinks Quality: 8/10
- Cleanliness: 10/10
- Cabin Design: 8/10
- Seat: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
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