Cathay Pacific review by Catherine 2014-10-22

Perth-Hong Kong-New York – return from San Francisco
Departing Perth at 11.55 on a cool September night the economy cabin was hot and uncomfortable and remained so. The Airbus had no means of individually controlling airflow. Flight departure and arrival on time.
Food: we pre ordered 1 x lacto-ovo and 1 x strict veg which were supplied. However, unlike other airlines (Emirates, Qantas) CP’s veg food was extremely light on; no legumes/lentils or other types of vegetable protein. We arrived hungry in H Kong. However, not as hungry as when we arrived in New York. This is a 15+hr flight. Two meals only are served, the last one we received was 7 hrs prior to landing at around 13:00 in NY. They say there are snacks available. Snacks were, tiny packets of artificially flavoured crackers, or peanuts or sugary dried fruit. By the time we checked into our Manhatten hotel we were very hungry indeed. As has been noted elsewhere, no salt/pepper/toothpicks etc are automatically supplied, the crew carry them in their apron pockets!!! Wine served in an almost collapsed thin plastic ”glass” and a request for a refill was met with apparent reluctance. Water/juice etc was brought around regularly. Shades were down for almost the full 15 hrs which if not in an aisle seat inhibits moving around for health reasons.
Seats as good as it gets in economy.
Seat booked and changed: we checked in online/booked our seats in advance. However, on boarding at S Francisco for the 15 hr flight to H Kong we found we were not in the 2 seats near the back as booked, but in the dreaded 2 in the middle of 4. Our objection was smilingly dismissed. The couple sitting in our ”new” seats were then reallocated/separated.
I would only recommend CP because they were on-time, the cabin and toilets were maintained very well, and the crew are politie. Oh and the choice of airlines flying to the US from Perth is fairly limited.
However, I would recommend that you bring sandwiches and carefully check the seat allocated when you receive your boarding card at the airport.