Last July Cathay Pacific announced that they would be refreshing the first class cabins on their 777-300ER aircraft. Long term, the 777-300ER will be the only aircraft in the fleet featuring first class, given that they’re in the process of retiring their 747s at the moment, which are the only other planes with a first class cabin.
While I’ve flown Cathay Pacific first class dozens of times over the years, prior to yesterday the last time I stepped on one of their planes was when I flew with them from Hong Kong to San Francisco last June for my mom’s Bali birthday trip.
I’m now just on the tail end of my quick trip to Sao Paulo to sample Korean Air first class and TAM first class, and last night flew from New York JFK to Vancouver in Cathay Pacific first class.
While I’ve flown New York to Vancouver in Cathay Pacific first class before, I lucked out and got the new first class cabin this time around.
The new product is virtually identical to the old first class product. I’d say it’s lipstick on a pig, but perhaps the more accurate statement would be that it’s a little bit of extra makeup on an all natural supermodel. Please note that below I’m posting pictures of both the old product and new product, so be sure to read the captions to see which it is (in general I’ll put the old product on top and new product on the bottom).
Cathay Pacific’s new first class 777-300ER seat
Cathay Pacific’s first class cabin on the 777-300ER still has six seats, spread across two rows in a 1-1-1 configuration. They’re the only airline I can think of with three across seating on their longhaul 777s (Japan Airlines has three seats per row in first class on some of their regional 777s), so it is a very spacious product.
Cathay Pacific’s old first class 777-300ER cabin
Cathay Pacific’s new first class 777-300ER cabin
Cathay Pacific’s new first class 777-300ER cabin
Contrary to popular belief the new seats aren’t leather — they’re a very similar material to the old product. I do think the colors are a bit more stylish than the old product, though, and the seating material is super comfortable (though the old one was as well).
Cathay Pacific’s old first class 777-300ER, seat 2A
Cathay Pacific’s old first class 777-300ER, seat 2A
Cathay Pacific’s new first class 777-300ER, seat 2A
Cathay Pacific’s new first class 777-300ER, seat 2A
Fortunately the bedding remains the same, as I find Cathay Pacific has among the most comfortable seats in the sky for sleeping.
Cathay Pacific’s old first class bed
Cathay Pacific’s new first class bed
Cathay Pacific’s new first class 777-300ER seat controls
They’ve also switched up the seat controls somewhat. While the entertainment controls remain the same, the seat controls have gone from being a simple display with a few buttons, to being touch screen. The seat controls were intuitive and practical before, so the new touch screen isn’t actually more practical, but more style over substance. That being said, I don’t think it’s worse, either. They’ve also changed the wood console from more of a “flat” looking wood to a “shinier” one.
Cathay Pacific’s old first class seat and entertainment controls
Cathay Pacific’s new first class seat and entertainment controls
On the touch screen you can choose to adjust three setting — the recline position, the massage function, and the lighting.
Cathay Pacific’s new first class seat controls
Cathay Pacific’s new first class seat controls
Cathay Pacific’s new first class seat controls
Cathay Pacific’s new first class seat controls
Cathay Pacific’s new first class pajamas
Along with the introduction of their refreshed first class cabin, Cathay Pacific also switched up the amenities they offer in first class. The first change was that they stopped offering Shanghai Tang pajamas in first class, and have instead started offering PYE pajamas.
Now I know a lot of people weren’t happy about that change, because Shanghai Tang is undeniably a more recognized brand. That being said, unless I wanted to be a Chinese emperor during the Ming Dynasty for Halloween, I kinda feel like their pajamas weren’t especially stylish.
Cathay Pacific’s old Shanghai Tang first class pajamas
The new PYE pajamas, however, are super comfortable and a bit more stylish, so I actually prefer them. Admittedly they do look a bit like Kim Jong Un’s “signature” outfit, but at least we’re not forced to get his signature haircut as well….
Cathay Pacific’s new PYE first class pajamas
Cathay Pacific’s new first class amenity kits
Cathay Pacific changed up their amenity kits from ACCA KAPPA to Aesop, though to be honest the differences are very minor, and I don’t think there’s a clear winner there.
Cathay Pacific’s old ACCA KAPPA first class amenity kit
Cathay Pacific’s new Aesop first class amenity kit
Cathay Pacific’s new first class Bose headphones
Cathay Pacific finally has some high quality headphones in first class — they now have Bose Quiet Comfort headphones, compared to the old cheap ones they used to have.
Cathay Pacific’s new first class Bose headphones
Cathay Pacific’s new first class bathrooms
While they were already fairly stylish before, their new first class bathrooms are even nicer, in my opinion.
Cathay Pacific first class 777-300ER bathroom
Cathay Pacific first class 777-300ER bathroom
Cathay Pacific first class 777-300ER bathroom
Cathay Pacific first class 777-300ER bathroom toiletries
Cathay Pacific’s new first class champagne
Just kidding, though almost scared y’all, didn’t I? Cathay Pacific has long served — and continues to serve — Krug in first class. Hands down my favorite first class champagne.
Krug in the old Cathay Pacific first class
Krug in the new Cathay Pacific first class
Bottom line
Cathay Pacific’s first class product has been around for years now, and it’s still industry leading. It provides an amazing balance between privacy and spaciousness, and features among the most comfortable beds in the sky. Stay tuned for the full trip report, as this sector had some of the best service I’ve ever had on any airline.
Have you flown in Cathay Pacific’s new first class cabin? If so, what did you think?
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