Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300 Male To Hong Kong

Thanks for your review! I'll be on that flight next year and am looking forward to it. Thanks to your post about cheap C fares ex-MLE, I was able to get MLE-HKG-SYD for $1400 in C. Not bad considering the other options. ^^

Ben, we are really enjoying the Maldives posts. It looks as if Hong Kong was not overcast but covered in smog, which is a big problem for the area. Hong Kong is a wonderful city and it's a shame the pollution has really started to sock it in.

Was there any type of snack menu for this flight? Granted, since its a short redeye, I'm assuming they wouldn't have one...

One thing I'd add about the A330 with the new business class - the seat is decidedly smaller than the 777-300 (narrower hull I assume). You notice this in the table surfaces, the headphone compartment, and a bit in the seat width. All and all still a very nice product - but if there's a choice the 777-300 with the flat beds (not the regional 777-300) it is a slightly better choice.

Thanks for the report!

Is this the same plane they fly CMB-HKG non-stop?

@ beachfan -- Yep, sure is (assuming it's still operated by the plane with the 1-2-1 configuration, as it was before).

@ wwk5d -- Nope, no snack menu.

maybe the parents want to show their kids where they were produced?

That old lady part, I remember it from before, another post. Was it a preview I saw it on?
Poor you! It must have been so embarrassing the next day to think about

I literally lol-ed at this -

"Clearly I wasn’t thinking straight, because I still proceeded to grab paper towels and muttered “sorry, I spilled something,” while she gave me a death glare."

I can't believe you can chug back a coffee and expect to sleep.

Important question! Did the plane arrive "on skedule," or "on sched-yool"?

"This time I was too embarrassed to tell the crew, so I ran to the lavatory to get some towels, and it showed as being unoccupied. Except when I opened the door there was a lady in there. Clearly I wasn’t thinking straight, because I still proceeded to grab paper towels and muttered “sorry, I spilled something,” while she gave me a death glare."

I have read these words before...methinks someone is "updating" posts for clicks.

I had this seat from hong kong to kuala lumpur, and its perfect, but the thing I miss the most is Cathay garlic bread.

Regarding the stowage of the IFE screen for takeoff and landing I find that depends on the cabin crew for the flight. I wasn't asked to stow the screen on my recent SYD-HKG and HKG-SYD flights.

The SYD-HKG flight also left at 10pm and dinner service was carried out in full.

There is a separate shoe storage cubicle at feet level directly underneath the retractable armrest. The open storage area can be used for your water bottle and bag.

@Guilherme - I had the garlic bread on all sectors of my SYD-HKG-ICN and vv itinerary and it was uniformly dry. Easily the least flavourful and impressive amongst the airlines I've flown that offer it - SQ, MH, EK.

"... since the crew was almost always running through the aisles to get things done".

U should try flying CX for HKG-TPE. The FAs rush around like thumping elephants and you can hear them opening/closing everything with a loud bang in the galleys.

Lol!
I see a lot of videos, plane spotting, blogs, reviews and read a lot on them too.. and not once have I ever seen a video without an Emirates aircraft in it! They literally fly everywhere everytime!! Just amazing

Do you often see teenagers travelling alone?

@ Mateusz -- I wouldn't say "often," but certainly sometimes.

@ Narwhal -- Wrote a brief summary about the flight shortly after I took the flight, which included that line:
https://onemileatatime.com/babies-on-a-plane/

@ wxguy -- Hahahah, the latter, of course!

@ JMR -- I did have a "babies on a plane" post the day after the flight:
https://onemileatatime.com/babies-on-a-plane/

Isn't this the second time you run into someone in a lavatory?

@ George -- Is it? If so, guess that's what happens with 4mm+ miles of flying.

Hi Lucky,

For couples flying together on A330-300, would you recommend the middle seats or A & D or K & G. I couldn't tell or see very well if the middle seat has partitioned so would be hard to see & converse with your spouse during the trip.

Thank you so much for your trip reports. They are always helpful in planning ours. Cheers!

@ Lena -- I would just do two seat together in the center, D & G. It won't be perfect for talking, but by leaning forward a bit you should be able to communicate easily.

I remember reading on CX's website that the middle seats can be moved slightly forward when in the upright position so that two people traveling together could have casual chat without straining their necks.

And I agree that CX probably has the best business class hard product out there. Perfect balance between privacy and freedom. The color scheme looks great too, calming, clean and modern.

Lucky - would you rather fly Etihad's A330 from AUH-HKG, or Cathay's A330 from DXB-HKG?

So, well written AND well documented with loads of nicely taken photos. I'm seriously considering taking Cathay Pacific Business Class from Dubai to Hongkong. There's a whopping $800 difference in business class of Emirates and Cathay Pacific.

Love your glib honesty. We've ALL spilled stuff on our seats, much to our embarrassment. Even Lucky is unlucky sometimes!