Cathay Pacific’s Business Class on the Airbus A350-900 offers luxury air travel with comfort and cutting-edge amenities. From Johannesburg to Hong Kong, this journey offers a seamless blend of relaxation, gourmet dining, and high-tech entertainment.

• Cathay Pacific’s Business Class on the Airbus A350-900 offers a luxurious, high-tech travel experience from Johannesburg to Hong Kong.
• With lie-flat beds, curated dining, and award-winning inflight entertainment, passengers enjoy ultimate comfort.
• The journey extends beyond the flight with access to The Pier Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport.
• Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

Flying Business Class with Cathay Pacific from Johannesburg to Hong Kong is an extraordinary experience, especially aboard the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900. Earlier this year, The Sandton Times was invited to test the waters of this luxurious offering firsthand. Not only did we experience Cathay Pacific’s renowned hospitality during the 12-hour flight, but we were also fortunate to join the senior management team at the thrilling final of the Hong Kong Sevens. What followed was a journey that perfectly combined comfort, style, and a taste of Hong Kong’s vibrant culture.

Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-900 is one of the most advanced jetliners flying today, and its Business Class is a true sensory treat. Located in the first row behind the captain, we had prime seats for this non-stop flight to Hong Kong.

The seats are spacious and come with plush bedding, a lie-flat bed, and customisable lighting. Every detail of the space is intuitive, from the smart storage compartments to the high-speed charging ports and noise-cancelling headphones. With a wide screen TV, the inflight entertainment system is top-notch, offering everything from Hollywood blockbusters to the best in Asian cinema, along with Disney+ Original titles and live sports.

On our flight, we delved into the epic Ridley Scott film Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix, before indulging in a binge-watch of the new Frasier reboot on Paramount+, a nostalgic nod to the iconic 90s sitcom. Cathay Pacific’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, recently crowned best in the world at the 2023 Skytrax Awards, allowed us to adjust everything from seat positions to lavatory occupancy via the screen’s interface, which also includes a dark theme to ease eye strain.

For those needing to stay connected, select routes offer complimentary Wi-Fi, perfect for business travellers or those wanting to stay in touch mid-air. Dining in Cathay Pacific Business Class is a memorable experience. The extensive menu starts shortly after takeoff with a selection of soups, salads, and entrees like carrot and ginger soup, seared beef salad, and char siu pork rice noodle soup. The main courses ranged from slow-braised Karoo lamb shank to pan-seared kingklip with basil butter. We’re still trying to work out how they manage to serve crispy garlic rolls mid-flight, given the engineering limitations of ‘cooking’ onboard an aircraft – it’s a treat!

The pièce de résistance was the dessert trolley, a two-tiered affair that included seasonal fresh fruit, milk tart with custard sauce, a selection of Haagen Dazs ice cream, and more. Accompanying the exquisite meal service was a standout cheese selection—Cheddar, Brie, and Blue cheese served with crackers, grapes, and fig chutney.

Breakfast is just as indulgent, with options like a wellness breakfast of Greek yoghurt with granola, a Western breakfast featuring a tomato and cheese omelette, or a traditional Chinese breakfast of beef and shiitake mushroom congee. Passengers can pre-order breakfast or enjoy a quicker option for those eager to get a jump on the day.

For passengers peckish mid-flight, an all-day menu is available, offering delights such as a classic beef burger or char siu pork rice noodle soup.Cathay Pacific has curated an exceptional drinks menu, from signature cocktails like the Cathay Delight (a refreshing mix of kiwi fruit juice, coconut milk, and fresh mint) to classic cocktails like the Negroni and Manhattan. Whisky lovers will appreciate the array of premium choices, including Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

The airline also offers a wide selection of teas by Jing, such as Oolong, Jasmine Spring Tips, and Peppermint Leaf, and premium spirits from Baileys Irish Cream to Bombay Sapphire Gin. Of course, no Business Class flight is complete without a glass of champagne, paired perfectly with your meal or served on its own to toast your journey.

When it’s time to rest, Cathay Pacific ensures you do so in style. The fully lie-flat bed is draped in 400-thread count, sustainably sourced cotton linens, accompanied by plush pillows and soft bedding. The A350-900’s intelligent lighting, reduced noise, and improved cabin pressure ensure you sleep soundly and wake up refreshed. Adjustable lighting, expansive tables, and one-click sitting and sleeping settings round out an experience designed for maximum comfort.

On our return journey, we had the opportunity of sampling The Pier, Cathay Pacific’s flagship Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to bring the journey full circle. Designed by the renowned Studioilse, this 3’306 sqm lounge is the largest of all Cathay Pacific lounges, seating up to 550 guests. The space feels less like a lounge and more like a luxurious retreat, with natural materials like limestone and cherry wood lending a sense of warmth and calm.

The Food Hall offers a vibrant, self-service space where travellers can grab freshly brewed coffee or indulge in the Noodle Bar’s famous Dan Dan and Wonton noodles. For those seeking relaxation, the lounge offers bespoke Solo Chairs with views of the runway, shower suites, and a relaxation room with plush loungers.

In a most recent development, Cathay is enhancing its travel services by refreshing Cathay Holidays, a premium travel hub powered by Expedia Group’s technology, offering seamless trip planning and booking.

Cathay Pacific’s Business Class offers an unmatched level of comfort, style, and service, both in the air and on the ground. Whether you’re on a long-haul flight or enjoying the luxurious amenities of The Pier lounge, every detail is crafted to enhance your journey. With an impeccable mix of world-class dining, cutting-edge entertainment, and unmatched comfort, this is a flying experience that leaves nothing to be desired.

Stand a chance to WIN with The Sandton Times.

Advertise on The Sandton Times today!

Head back to The Sandton Times Home Page for more stories.