Cathay Pacific

Cathay has been my go-to airline for many years and I only took other airlines when there was no other choice, sadly after my last couple of trips with them this will no longer be the case. CX service has progressively gone from bad to worse and with the new “upper economy” class, regular economy flyers are treated like second class citizens (if that).

I’m sure first and business class still get the royal treatment but lets face it the majority of us fly economy. Economy class seats have a decent pitch and leg room but are hard and uncomfortable. Cabin crew are not what they once were and now tend to be rude, asking them for something seems like an inconvenience.

Economy class (not upper) meals were barely edible and at times you had to wonder what it was you were eating. The portions were small and hardly meal-like compared to what you were served before the advent of upper economy. CX economy meals had in the past always been tasty and good but no longer the case.

In the past I didn’t mind paying more for CX flights because I knew it would be a pleasant flight, however withe current state of the airline I think I will bargain shop instead when looking for flights.

Cathay Pacific have once again shown me why I said I’d never fly with them again. I’m all for giving people a second chance but unfortunately they did not redeem themselves. I find the product to be OK to be honest. Not the best but the food is OK and the entertainment was average. What let’s them down is some of their staff. Check-in staff at HKG airport are some of the rudest I have encountered and on three occasions I’ve had cabin crew who seem disinterested and lacklustre in their approach to delivering anything that resembles good customer service.

I flew on economy class from Fukuoka to Hong Kong and then from HK to Vancouver, Canada. This was my first time flying CX and compared to Air Canada, the difference was just like night and day. CX is great! Other reviewers recently have given CX bad reviews and compared it to Qantas. I compare it to Air Canada and therefore can only give a good review. The seats are comfortable and padded, not skinny like the new Air Canada seats. The seats actually recline, the way they used to do many years ago. The food is good and they even offer a printed menu: for dinner three good options (not two lousy ones as with Air Canada) such as pork, fish and past accompanied by Chicken coronation salad, ice cream (Hagen-Daas) and tea and coffee. For breakfast one has two edible choices (not unedible as on Air Canada): eggs or beef shiitake mushroom accompanied by fruit, roll, tea and coffee. Moreover, snacks are always available at the back of the plane with various choices (pretzels, healthy crackers, chocolate bars, etc.). The flight attendants actually work during the long 12 hour flight instead of disappearing and sleeping as they do on Air Canada. Negative: delay on departure from HK.

Have just returned from a four leg journey with Cathay and have to say that I will avoid doing it again.

We flew premium economy from Brisbane to Hong Kong and then Business Hong Kong to Japan.

Having travelled premium economy with Qantas previously we had an expectation of the service and what was being offered and Cathay fell well short of this. Qantas premium economy even outdid Cathay’s business as far as service was concerned.

Cathay offers a larger seat than economy and metal cutlery and that’s it. The designated check in was good as was the boarding, to add a positive.

On three of the four flights when we took our seats we had to ask for a glass champagne as we watched others around drinking. On tonight’s flight they ran out of one option for the meal, which was interesting being that we were sitting in the second row of premium. On the first flight I was handed a meal tray from economy, (given away by the plastic cutlery), and when I brought this to their attention was begrudgingly brought a replacement.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the additional money spent was not worth it and I will pass on my feedback direct to the airline in the hope that the

Had read less than good reviews but I quite enjoyed the flight especially for one who hates flying and it was a fairly long flight.