Economy Class
Cathay Pacific offers a mixed experience in economy and premium economy, with some high points like meal variety and thoughtful inflight service, but also areas for improvement.
Let’s have a look at what you can expect the next time you’re flying with Cathay!
But First, Luggage Fees!
Cathay Pacificโs baggage policy left a sour taste in my mouth. Having assumed I could carry 30kg under my light fare ticket, I was surprised to find the limit was 23kg. (My fault, I completely understand)
The self-check-in kiosk at Melbourne Airport didnโt display baggage entitlements or weights, leading to a hefty fee of $450 for 13kg over the limit.
While I understand weight restrictions are necessary, the lack of clarity and flexibilityโsuch as not allowing baggage poolingโmade this experience frustrating and left me scrutinising every aspect of the trip afterwards.
Melbourne To Hong Kong
Once we boarded the flight, we were given printed menus and bottled water on the ground.
Special meals were delivered around 25 minutes after takeoff, and the main meal service started 1 hour and 10 minutes after takeoff.
Hereโs a look at the infight menu:
When the crew finally reached our row, I received my wine and ice cream first because they had run out of trays and I placed them in the phone holder.
However, I noticed that the phone holder and cup holder were quite dirty, and I wondered if the airline’s cleaning contractors had overlooked them.
Meals
Cathay Pacificโs economy class meals are included in your ticket, and passengers are offered three main meal choices, a standout feature compared to many competitors.
The first meal options included chicken, seafood, or vegetarian pasta with sides like a bread roll and dessert.
After trying both options, I preferred the chicken dish, but the meal was nothing special.
I appreciated the small salad and the chocolate and ice cream, but the main course was a typical airline meal.
Seafood Option
Chicken Option.
The crew was noticeably absent between services, leaving passengers to find snacks and drinks in the self-service galley.
The second offering included a choice of noodles or cottage pie paired with berry cheesecake and what was labelled as seasonal fresh fruit.
While the noodles were flavourful, the fruit was processed rather than fresh, which was a minor letdown..
Hong Kong To Paris
The Hong Kong to Paris flight offered a mixed experience. While meal portions were generous there were noticeable lapses in service. Cabin crew presence was minimal between services once again.
Here’s a look at the inflight menu:
The second flight showed some improvement with what seemed like larger meal portions, and an upgraded ice cream experience thanks to Movenpick.
However, I was disappointed to find that I had to clean the tray table myself, especially considering it was a departure from the airline’s home port.
Despite the onboard reminders about post-COVID cleanliness, I couldn’t help but chuckle as I used my antiseptic wipe to clean my tray table.
On the positive side, there was a well-stocked galley where passengers could help themselves to snacks and drinks.
Second Meal Service
For breakfast, there were two options: egg noodles with chicken or scrambled eggs.
Both options were satisfactory, with the Western breakfast being particularly enjoyable. The portion sizes of all meals were generous.
Conclusion
The Cathay economy experience delivers an adequate experience, I appreciate the generous portions and three meal choices.
But! Areas like cabin cleanliness and crew attentiveness could improve significantly.
In conclusion, Cathay Pacific’s economy class experience is average when compared to Japan Airlines, Emirates, or Qatar Airways.
Don’t believe me? Check out these economy class meal options from their competitors.
That said, for many travellers, adequate economy class can be as good as it getsโand Cathay Pacific still offers enough thoughtful touches to make your journey enjoyable.
Premium Economy
Cathay Pacific has recently upgraded its premium economy experience, which includes serving meals from the business class menu.
The food is served on larger trays with fancy Chinaware โ a definite improvement.
(Thanks to Cathay Pacific for the below photos)
London to Hong Kong
On a flight from London to Melbourne, lunch featured beef with potato gratin, a bulgur salad with salmon, and dessert from Lilly OโBriens. Absolutely loved this dish!
Before landing, a Western-style omelette with bacon, potatoes, and fresh fruit was provided.
Hong Kong to Melbourne
On this 8-hour hop, the cabin service was exceptional, featuring attentive crew and lovely meals.
Between meals, snacks like hot noodles were available in the galley, and an amenity kit with essentials like an eyeshade and toothbrush was provided.
The meals on this sector included:
Chinese fish with rice and baby Chinese cabbage
Pork with stir-fried vegetables and apple rice pudding
The dining experience in premium economy was definitely a step above economy class.
Conclusion
Premium economy is a noticeable step up, offering elevated catering and a more refined service overall.
With the recent addition of a Michelin-starred collaboration in early 2025 for Economy and Premium Economy dining, Cathay Pacific appears committed to elevating the passenger experience with a renewed focus on high-quality meals and culinary innovation.
