FINALLY: Cathay Pacific Adds Much Needed Long-Haul Business Class Amenities

I reviewed Cathay Pacific’s new longhaul business class product, including these amenities, here

Cathay Pacific has a business class product that I find incredibly solid. Now that Cathay Pacific is installing WiFi onto a majority of their fleet, I actually find their premium cabins a very pleasant way to fly. Their A350 business class is currently my favourite business class seat out there – the sleeping surface is maximised, the storage is done right, and reverse herringbone seats are incredibly pleasant to start with.

Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 Business Class Bed

Unfortunately as of now they don’t exactly have the amenities to match. While Cathay Pacific has a decent pillow and blanket on longhaul flights, I find some of the basics to be lacking. One of the most annoying things about Cathay Pacific amenities is that they provide socks…and no slippers. Who wants to be walking towards an airplane bathroom in socks, soaking up all the…nevermind.

Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 Business Class Bed

Travelling in Cathay Pacific business class is the reason why I’ve developed a habit of wearing shoes whenever I’m not in my seat on a plane – I’m not even sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing (and for the record, keep in mind that you should never be barefoot when you’re in an airplane cabin – but that’s a conversation for another day).

That seems to be changing, as Cathay Pacific is adding slippers and mattress pads to their business class amenities. While slippers are quite standard for a bulk of business class products these days (Cathay Pacific is merely playing catch-up here), mattress pads aren’t as mainstream, so I’m excited to see Cathay Pacific include them in their new business class seats. I’ve heard that the new mattress pads aren’t the thickest or the plushest out there (in fact, I’ve heard allegations that it isn’t much more than a thin sheet), though Cathay Pacific’s older seats are slightly lacking in the padding department, so it’s a welcome change nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific is improving their first class mattress pads, which is a change I’m looking forward to (given I’ve heard good things about the old bedding already).

Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 First Class

Bottom Line

I’m happy to see Cathay Pacific investing in their business class soft product. Cathay Pacific’s business class product is solid though not industry-leading, and this change won’t catapult them into the premier leagues of business class travel – though it is a step in the right direction.

As much as I like to crap on Cathay Pacific’s deteriorating reputation, I have to say that the airline is still extremely competitive. Their new, narrower economy class seat is ergonomically designed, their premium economy product has always been decent, and now their business class product is starting to catch up with more first-rate airlines around the area. Along with Cathay Pacific’s investments in dining and WiFi, they’re starting to move from a run-of-the-mill airline product towards an exciting way to travel.

Are you happy to see new changes in Cathay Pacific’s business class soft product?