Cathay Pacific Airways

Check in/fast track of immigration is very efficient, Cathay Pacific lounge at both Bangkok and Hong Kong airport lovely with plenty of drinks and food. Flight from BKK-HKG delayed 2 hrs so I missed my connecting flight to PVG but Cathay Pacific managed to re-book an alternative flight. Business class seat on A330 is spacious and very comfortable, however cabin staff forgot to offer me any welcome drinks which is not big issue. When I arrived at Hong Kong airport I found my connecting flight delayed 2 hrs again, then canceled eventually. Cathay Pacific Airways put me at Mira Hotel (a 4 star hotel with no facilities, but clean) in city center with free breakfast and round trip taxi. Next day's flight was delayed 2 hrs again due to bad weather in Hong Kong. Food on both flights were exactly same as economy class.

Compared to the other NA carriers which fly this route CX is by far the best. Food, wine and the entertainment ranks near the top. Lots of FA's so there is no shortage of service. Noticed the NA crews do not smile (I know its artificial but still) like the HK based crews.

A very long flight, and so I chose a window seat so that I could look at the Himalayas, Hindu Kush ect. But not allowed to because the blinds were to be pulled down for all the legs of the journey, both in and out of Hong Kong. Apparently this is Cathay Pacific policy, and is to encourage passengers to sleep (thereby keeping them quiet). I can sleep well on a plane, but not for 24 hours! Most airlines have eye shades.

Outbound flight from LHR to HKG was late taking off by half an hour, so my bags didn't make the connecting flight to Guangzhou as the connection was only an hour in the first place. I found the seat and leg room quite small compared to Emirates economy, also the service was not up to the same standard. My bags were delivered by courier a day later. The same trouble on the return leg as the one Guangzhou flight to hong kong was delayed, and I had to tear through to board for the hong kong-london leg. My bags just made it. Noisy, rattling aircraft and again seat felt cramped. Largely disappointed as Cathay Pacific had won airline of the year, but they didn't come close to Emirates.

Apart from a delayed take-off the flight Paris-Hong Kong (B777) was un-eventful. Seats were a bit hard but good legroom. Good entertainment system. Pre-dinner drink service well received. Meals rather bland and tasteless. No cabin service to speak of. Hong Kong-Adelaide flight (A330) late take off due to disorganised boarding procedure and extra security checks inside the airbridge, which seem pretty brief, pointless and frustrating to me. Seat comfort better than B777 but seemed like less legroom. Entertainment system had no sound, FA went to check but never returned. Another FA was blunt to the point of rudeness when I tried to use toilet 40 minutes after take off because seat belt sign was still on - yet 6 other passengers had already done so and several others were on their feet. No pre-dinner drinks service. During meal service FA spilled a glass of wine into my lap. Noisy sleepless flight. Not happy. My rating below is based on this flight. In respect of all four of our Cathay Pacific flights to Paris return I was disappointed with the on-line check in and seat selection process. Not once did we get the seats we pre-booked nor did the on-line check in work properly. I chose Cathay Pacific because of their previous top rating. It was a mistake.

I'm sure this is in the terms and conditions, but it had never happened to me before. Upon check-in at Singapore I was asked to present my credit card. I said I didn't have it with me as I didn't realise I needed to present it. So the lady at check-in said I couldn't board my flight today. I said I've paid online, have a ticket, asked why I can't fly, told them I'm not going anywhere until I get on that flight or am at least not told why, so I was asked to hand over all my details and step to the side while the rest of the flight was checked in. About 45 minutes later the check-in lady asked for my credit card company contact phone number, I said I did not know and she could easily find it on an internet search, which I would've done if I was able. 15 to 20 minutes later I was told I was allowed to check in, after almost everyone in line had left. Eventually check-in told me I needed to present the physical credit card I booked with to prevent credit card fraud, even though on the e-ticket the credit card name matched my name on the booking and on my passport, so I don't see how this would constitute fraud if all my details matched. At no time was there ever any sympathy or apology. Funnily enough, on the return leg there was no hassle at Colombo airport check-in.

The cabin staff were amazing - very helpful, cheerful, patient and polite. On a separate review I have noted the lack of seat comfort and especially the fact that the seats did not recline on the A340-300 Hong Kong to New Zealand legs of the journey. This is the main reason that I would not recommend this airline.

(London to Hong Kong to Cebu and return CX252, CX921, CX926 and CX251). This is my first time flying First Class apart from upper class with Virgin Atlantic Airways. First Class lounge at Heathrow Airport is a sheer delight, peaceful, very few passengers and excellent breakfast. It was such a lovely experience - champagne, food and full attention to me. The flight attendant knew when I wanted snacks or drink. The only sad part was my turnaround at HK was too short as I had only an hour between arrival and departure at HK to experience the lounges fully at HK.

Cathay Premium Economy is about extra space and absolutely nothing else. If all you are seeking is additional space then fine but this is not true Premium Economy. The meal choices and portions are economy class as is the service or lack thereof. There was not even a menu offered that subsidiary Dragonair can offer in economy. One quick run to dump an economy class meal and drink and that was it for Premium. Not even close to premium service compared to other carriers.

Another excellent set of flights onboard CX (MEL-ICN-MEL VIA HKG). The level of customer service quality by cabin crew was outstanding on all four sectors. Food and beverages across the board were very good, with Haagen Dazs ice cream a nice way to conclude service. IFE was plentiful and seats generally comfortable. Pretty much on par with Singapore Airlines although they still remain my preference for travel from MEL. Overall, extremely content with all flights.