Cathay Pacific Airways

We flew from Hong Kong to London Heathrow on 23 October. The flight left 35 minutes late. The first problem was that Cathay Pacific had not registered my vegetarian meal and were in the process of allocating this to a surprised passenger nearby (who was willing to accept it). When we let them know that it was me that had ordered the vegetarian option the crew said that It "shouldn't be a problem - there was probably a spare vegetarian meal aboard". Not what you want to hear at the start of a 13 hour flight. For the record the other partners on the flights involved (Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand) had registered my request and made it clear within minutes of our arrival onboard that they knew where to deliver the vegetarian meal. We saw the cabin crew for the two meals and on three occasions after - the other aisle was serviced our aisle had little assistance. I was awake for about two thirds of the flight so I didn't miss them while I was asleep. We had to almost grab a steward to hand over our rubbish. This was not Premium Economy this was cattle class with extra legroom. Never again. Next time we fly we will avoid Cathay Pacific.

My wife and I travelled from Sydney to Hong Kong on 3 October 2014 in Premium Economy. Cathay Pacific had not cleaned its on-board toilets prior to leaving Sydney. Shortly after take off we used two separate toilets on the plane. Both toilets were filthy both had urine all over the floors and smelt. Our second leg of our trip from Hong Kong to Paris with Cathay Pacific had a delayed departure of about 1 1/4 hours. Finally we discovered why there had been a delay. Cathay Pacific announced that the entertainment system on the plane was not working or more correctly that there was no power to the entertainment system. Hence in Premium Economy we spent 12 hrs on a plane with no entertainment system no reading light and an inoperative flight attendant call button due to no power. The responsiveness of the flight attendants remained minimalist despite the inability of passengers to call attendants. Overall Cathay Pacific's service and value we received for the money we had paid was very poor. From what I observed in October 2014 the standard at Cathay Pacific airlines has dramatically fallen.

YVR-HKG-MEL in Premium economy. On balance a bit of a mixed bag experience. Seats definitely an uptick from economy but the fundamental problem is cabin design which is flawed - the cabin feels like a retrofitted afterthought which it is. On the B777 YVR-HKG leg the one toilet in premium economy is in the right front of the cabin necessitating anyone on the left side of the plane to crawl across the four seats in the middle front row to access it. That isn't well thought out and isn't a nice thing to do to the people sitting there and is difficult at night with all four people stretched out sleeping so the alternative is walking back into economy down the left aisle which is a hassle. On the A330 HKG-MEL there is no premium economy toilet which requires a trip back to economy. Food seemed more 'economy' than 'business' but to be expected really. The other big negative on the YVR-HKG flight was the premium economy cabin was filled with upgraded passengers due to a massively oversold economy cabin. I would estimate 80% of the people in premium economy were upgraded and not for status reasons which makes the logic behind paying for it hard to justify. On the positive side Cathay service always shines and the crews are professional and efficient.

DEL-HKG-SFO in Premium economy class. Few of the points to be highlighted are: Reliable co-operative ground staff and very co-operative onboard staff. Highly graded on punctuality. Easy booking even on phone. Easy online check in and pre-allotted seats. Good and tasty onboard food service. Comfortable seats even in economy class premium economy class is not as comfortable as advertised by air line but OK for the money charged.

We travelled from Hong Kong to LA on the 17/10/2014 on flight CX880 we usually fly business but on this occasion we flew premium economy we have flown for many years using Cathay to Australia Europe and the Middle East so were expecting a good flight not long after dinner the staff closed all the window shades obviously wanting people to sleep so they did not have to work as was indicated by the total lack of any service they passed through the cabin about twice in 6 hours offering people warm water from a bottle where was the ice cold drink or tea or coffee? I have never ever experienced such poor service in all my years of flying the staff on this flight had no recollection of customer service or relations to earn the 2014 airline of the year baffles me. we will certainly not be using Cathay on future flights the aviation world is full of options.

Traveling with Cathay Pacific in premium economy class from Doha to Hong Kong in 28 August 2014. Flight was on time and was operated on a A330-300. Welcome drinks and hot towel was served when I got on the plane. Touch screen entertainment system was sensitive and films were up to date. Dinner was served 1.5 hours later and it was good. However breakfast wasn't good - just a snack box served with a very cold chicken wrap - Qatar Airways serves a hot meal on the same route in economy class. Crew should smile more. Seat was uncomfortable and after a eight hours flight I was very painful. The toilet was dirty. Flight arrived Hong Kong on time. I won't pay about a double price than economy class next time when I travel in Cathay's premium economy class.

Flew Premium economy ADL to HK with connecting flight to LHR on 27 August. Flight left Adelaide 90 mins late so missed flight to LHR. What followed was the most frustrating of experiences. 10 hours in HK then we were forced to fly via Tokyo to LHR. Delay of another 7 hours in Tokyo. Arrived LHR feeling dreadful. No compensation whatsoever was offered to us until our daughter complained and we were offered a $100 voucher each which we still have not received and we are now back in Adelaide. Then came the return flight last week. Plane out of LHR delayed two hours. Turned up at airport with bags packed (as we had been told to do whilst still at home) only to be advised that they could not get us on a flight out of HK for 48 hours. Back home and unpacked bags. Two days later had to fly home via Melbourne as no seats available on direct Adelaide flight.

LHR-HKG. Premium Economy cabin isolated from the mayhem of Economy and had its own toilet for PE passengers which was not crashed by Economy people. Service very good particularly the hostess who put my jacket away in a closet and remembered to return it to me as we stopped at the stand in HKG. Food a bit disappointing - the breakfast tasted poor and was sickly. Good choice of entertainment. Could not sleep in the seat though just not comfortable enough to relax sufficiently. On return journey cabin was partly empty which looked promising but the only benefit was faster service and no toilet queue. A man sat in front of me and reclined his seat fully for the whole 13 hours except meals which wrecked my journey. On a daytime East-West flight that is totally unacceptable and should not be permitted. I had to watch movies with the screen 30 cm from my face. It's the luck of the draw however and overall I would recommend the airline and cabin.

HKG to LHR PEY class. Lounge busy but as good as ever. People arrive far too early for flights so it's always full. Flight boarding fast got front row seat. Food and AVOD great both ways. Impressed in general buzzed for a coffee on both flights lovely friendly attitude for coffee both times quickly designated bathroom in PEY. Highly recommended.

Numerous flights with Cathay Pacific over the recent month or so almost all long-haul. Most recent was BNE-HKG- LHR-HKG-BNE. All flights packed but on-board service remained good. However even for an Emerald Frequent Flyer (and I fly Cathay so many times I've lost count) getting a window seat preference was not always possible. Also while the cabin crew always seemed to do their best the same cannot be said for their lounge counter staff especially in the Hong Kong (First Class) Lounge who only rarely seem ready or willing to assist with enquiries. On-board food good but wine portions poor these days.