Cathay Pacific offers one of the all around most solid first class products, in my opinion. I don’t think they’re necessarily the best in any one area, but they’re one of the airlines that’s truly “solid” all around from the seat to the service to the food to the bedding to the entertainment to their lounges.
Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge Cabana Hong Kong Airport
Back in the day a majority of Cathay Pacific’s longhaul fleet consisted of 747s, though over time they’ve retired 747s to the point that it’s mostly just 777s they’re flying longhaul.
And only a subfleet of those 777s feature a first class cabin.
So, what are the best seats in Cathay Pacific’s 777 first class?
Cathay Pacific 777 first class cabin layout
Cathay Pacific’s first class cabin consists of only six seats spread across two rows.
There are two seats on the left side of the cabin, two seats in the center part of the cabin, and two seats on the right side of the cabin.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class cabin
It’s worth noting that the center two seats face the right aisle. In other words, the left aisle is exclusively for the two seats on the left side of the cabin, while the right aisle is shared by four seats. So as you might expect, there’s quite a bit more foot traffic on the right aisle than the left aisle.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class cabin
But Cathay Pacific’s first class seats are in my opinion among the most comfortable in the sky. They’re not fully enclosed suites, but they’re private, spacious, and extremely functional both for relaxing and sleeping.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class, seat 2A
Each seat also has an ottoman, which can be used as a buddy seat. So if you want to dine with someone else, they can sit there quite comfortably.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class, seat 2A
Best Cathay Pacific first class seat when traveling alone
My seat of choice in Cathay Pacific first class is 2A, followed by 1A. The reason is simple — the left side of the cabin just feels more private since the center seats are facing the other aisle. Therefore you just see a “wall” in the center of the cabin, so you hardly even know the other four passengers are there.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER first class, seat 2A
Keep in mind that Cathay Pacific also has “thick” curtains between first and business class, so you don’t see any light from business class (unfortunately they don’t have such curtains on US airlines).
Best Cathay Pacific first class seats for couples
Cathay Pacific’s 777s are one of the few planes where my seat recommendations are the same whether you’re traveling alone or as a couple.
Conventional wisdom would suggest you want seats 1D & 1K or seats 2D & 2K (a center and window seat combination facing the same aisle). But in practice I disagree.
I would choose 1A & 2A, followed by 1K & 2K if they’re not available.
Why? Because if you’re seated across the aisle from one another, you’re not actually close enough to talk. And the center seats are kind of boring, since you have no windows.
Fortunately it’s still easy to socialize and even dine together thanks to the “buddy” seat. So I still think you’re better off selecting the best single seats, and then just dining together on demand.
Cathay Pacific first class buddy seat dining
This makes 1A & 2A especially advantageous, since you literally have the entire aisle to yourselves.
Cathay Pacific first class bottom line
Cathay Pacific first class is one of the most solid products out there. In a way the product is almost too spacious if you’re traveling with someone, since there’s no way to really talk while being seated in your respective seats.
That’s why it’s always 1A & 2A for me when I have the choice, followed by 1K & 2K, and then only 1D & 2D as a last resort. And that’s even when traveling with someone.
As a reminder, keep in mind that seats 2A & 2K typically can’t be assigned online, and instead you have to call to reserve those.
What are your preferred seats in Cathay Pacific first class?
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