Aging Like a Fine Wine: Cathay Pacific First Class 777 Review

You won't confuse Cathay Pacific First Class for the likes of Emirates and its decked-out double-deckers with onboard spas or Etihad's luxe “Apartments.” But what Cathay may lack in style, it more than makes up for in substance. 

Flying Cathay Pacific First Class home from Hong Kong (HKG) was one of the highlights of my last decade in travel and easily one of the best flights of my life.

Now, the seats themselves have seen better days: It's a setup from more than a decade ago, lacking the privacy and high-tech features you'll find in newer cabins. Yet they remain incredibly functional and outrageously comfortable – especially in bed mode. And most importantly, the dining and service were some of the best I've ever experienced at 38,000 feet.

Combined with Cathay's stellar first class lounges in Hong Kong (HKG) – including the recently reopened Wing First Class Lounge – this is tough to beat. 

 

How to Book Cathay Pacific First Class

First things first: You'll need to find a Cathay flight between the U.S. and Hong Kong with these first class seats onboard. That's no sure thing.

While Cathay flies to more than a half-dozen U.S. cities – plus a pair up in Canada – just two routes regularly feature first class as of publication: New York City (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). Compare that to pre-pandemic, when six (or more!) North American routes routinely saw first class seats.

 

 

That's all because you'll only find a first class cabin onboard select Boeing 777-300ERs. While the carrier plans to outfit new Boeing 777-9s with first class – with a brand-new cabin, to boot – that's been delayed for years on end. 

On paper, you could book Cathay first class for just 110,000 American AAdvantage miles … or as low as 70,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards. But in practice, that's impossible: Like many airlines, Cathay has gotten incredibly stingy with letting partner airlines book its prized premium seats.

That leaves you with Cathay Pacific's own Asia Miles program … and even then, finding award availability to actually book can be a challenge – especially for two passengers. Cathay charges 125,000 miles for a one-way flight in and out of Los Angeles, while New York clocks in at a whopping 160,000 miles. 

 

 

Unfortunately, these first class redemptions have taken two hits lately: 

• Sending American Express points to Cathay won't get you as far, as those no longer transfer on a 1:1 ratio. You can still send plenty of other points – including Capital One, Citi, Bilt, and Rove miles – to Cathay on a 1:1 basis
• These awards will cost you more cash, too, as Cathay has raised fuel surcharges not once but twice amid skyrocketing fuel prices.

Lucky for me, I booked a pair of tickets to get my wife and me home from Southeast Asia before both of those developments. In all, we paid 125,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and under $200 apiece for a flight home from Southeast Asia earlier this spring, after we tipped off Thrifty Traveler Premium members to some wide-open (and incredibly rare) award space. 

Reminder: We are very much not above getting high on our own supply around here. 

 

 

At Thrifty Traveler, we don't accept freebies. We use our own points, miles, or cash to pay for every single flight or hotel you see reviewed here – including this one.

I transferred in the points we needed: half from American Express and half from Capital One. And while transfers from both banks (and others) to Cathay typically go through instantly – at least in my experience – you don't want to leave anything to chance or risk your points getting stuck in limbo. 

Fortunately, Cathay allows you to place award tickets on hold – typically for 48 hours. That doesn't mean it's an easy process…

 

Putting Awards on Hold with Cathay

For starters, putting an award ticket on hold requires calling the airline (at 1-833-933-2244).

And it took me four calls to really get the process started: The first two agents insisted awards couldn't be placed on hold, while a third said holds were capped at 24 hours. In each case, I hung up and called again until I got an agent who knew the specifics. 

Beyond feeding the agent your flight information and personal details, there are a few quirks to be aware of: 

• You need a passport saved on file in your Cathay Pacific account
• If you're booking for two or more passengers, each passenger needs their own Asia Miles account – with a passport on file, too
• And that passenger must be added to the “Redemption group” of your account – though that's presumably a requirement whether you book online or by phone

The whole process took about 30 minutes. Getting the tickets confirmed was much easier: A quick phone call back, providing payment details, and we were booked for a bucket list travel experience!

 

2 Stellar Lounges in Hong Kong

Rather than kicking off our trip to Southeast Asia in Cathay Pacific First Class, we used it to get home from Hong Kong. And I'm so glad we did. 

After connecting from Bangkok (BKK) on another airline, we didn't receive the full ground experience at a dedicated check-in. But we did get access to not one but two of what could easily be among the best first class lounges in the world. 

 

The Pier

We started at The Pier, a longtime favorite thanks to its homey, living-room-like design, complete with break-your-wrist carpeting. A first class ticket or top-tier Oneworld Emerald status will get you in. 

 

 

There's all the usual amenities and then some: Plenty of comfortable seating with charging nearby, a sit-down restaurant with an expansive (and delicious) menu, a wraparound bar with tasty cocktails and pricey champagne … and then some amazing extras: shower suites and complimentary spa treatments available for reservation. 

Plus, it's like a work of art inside. 

 

 

My coworker Gunnar spent hours here, so I'll let his full review of the Pier First Lounge sing its praises better than I ever could. After a glass of champagne and a killer bowl of dan dan noodles in the restaurant, we headed for Cathay's newest – and, arguably, even better – first class lounge: The Wing.

 

Inside The Wing First Lounge

Opened in late April 2026 after an extensive renovation and expansion, The Wing is Cathay's new flagship first class lounge. I hadn't visited the prior space, but it's hard to see how this isn't a major improvement – with one clear downside.

It's located near Gate 1, just past the primary security checkpoint in Hong Kong. It was also just a short walk to our departure gate for the flight to Los Angeles, so it was the perfect spot to kill the last few hours.

It's absolutely massive, clocking in at approximately 35,000 square feet. In place of The Pier's living room vibe, this lounge swaps in the Hong Kong airport's soaring ceilings and curving windows for a far more open and airy space – without losing Cathay's signature classy finishes, of course. 

 

 

There are plenty of distinct yet open seating areas with comfortable chairs, a few spots to dine or grab a drink, and another dedicated dining room where we enjoyed yet another bowl of noodles before boarding. What a gorgeous setup. 

 

 

There's also a special treat for first class passengers – and first class passengers alone: The 18, an aptly speakeasy-style bar tucked away near the lounge's entrance with space for 17 guests plus one bartender. It's so exclusive, you're not allowed to take photos. But it's a cozy, stylish space, draped in curtains, where you can sip on special bottles of wine you won't find elsewhere in the lounge, like a 2014 vintage of Taittinger Comtes or a 2015 bottle of Bollinger La Grande Annee.

The one downside of The Wing renovation is that Cathay did away with its iconic cabanas – spacious private suites with a soaking tub, shower, and a spot to relax. Honestly, I was looking forward to that … but the row of shower suites at the lounge's midway point was still spacious and excellent, decked out in stone with gold finishes throughout. Plus, no wait to get in!

 

 

While I still wouldn't place it among the best lounges in the world – and some will surely prefer the homey feel of the Pier First Class Lounge – I loved our layover at the Wing. That was due in part to one of the attendants, Joy, who lived up to her name (and then some) as she checked us in, showed us around the new lounge, and happily provided some recommendations for eats and drinks during our stay. 

Before long, it was time to board. 

 

Cathay's First Class Cabin

Nothing can prepare you for boarding into Cathay's first class cabin for the first time. 

Again, there are better, more modern, bigger, far more private first class cabins out there. But altogether, it's still a vibe. 

 

 

There are just six outrageously large first class seats at the front of Cathay's Boeing 777-300ERs. With a limited footprint and soaring “cathedral” ceilings overhead due to the lack of luggage bins, it felt simultaneously massive yet intimate. 

The cabin is divided by the two aisles: 

• Seats 1A and 2A are on their own aisle
• Seats 1D, 1K, 2D, and 2K open towards each other on the other aisle

 

 

Here's a look from Seat 1A at the rest of the cabin. While the walls could certainly be higher, that divider between the two sides of the cabin gives seats 1A and 2A more privacy than the other four.

 

 

While Cathay is all about the green back in business class, the Hong Kong airline leans hard into deep maroon up in first class – you see it in the carpet and the pillows at each seat. And if you ask me, it works: The contrast between the dark gray cushioning and the lighter gray shell of each seat, punctuated with brilliant white pillows, woodgrain, and those splashes of maroon, gives it a classy vibe. 

Here's a look at Seats 1A and 2A.

 

 

And here's a look back at that wall dividing the cabin. While it certainly provides some additional privacy for passengers in Seats 1A and 2A, the cabin is undeniably quite exposed – especially while standing or walking. 

 

 

Because there are no bins overhead, there are also no overhead air nozzles … and the cabin was quite warm. But the crew was more than happy to turn down the cabin temperature by a few degrees, which did the trick. 

There are two lavatories at the front of the cabin – not bad for just six first class passengers … especially when the cabin is just half full! The lavatory on the left is significantly larger, with a foldout bench that comes in handy for changing clothes. Other than that, it was unremarkable but nice – and always spotless. 

 

 

The Seat

In the name of additional privacy, my wife and I chose seats 1A and 2A for our flight from Hong Kong (HKG) back to Los Angeles (LAX) as we wrapped up our two-week trip in Southeast Asia. 

One note: Cathay blocks seats 2A and 2K from being selected in advance because they have bassinets for babies. But by messaging Cathay via Twitter, an agent happily assigned us the two seats on the left side of the plane, noting that we'd be asked to release them if another passenger with a child booked the flight. 

That never happened, so here's seat 1A in all its glory. 

 

 

Honestly, it's hard to describe, let alone capture in a photograph, just how laughably spacious these seats are. You could comfortably sit side-by-side with a companion and still have room to spare. It's the widest, most comfortable airplane seat I've ever set foot in, and it's not particularly close. 

 

 

It's not just wide but long, with an unthinkable amount of legroom between the seat and the ottoman, which doesn't restrict your feet or legs in any way. That same ottoman transforms into a buddy seat, allowing a companion to belt in while enjoying caviar, dinner, or drinks together with you at 38,000 feet. 

 

 

And the seat itself is immaculately padded, too. Put it all together, throw a plush mattress topper on top, and come bedtime, it transforms into what is undoubtedly the most comfortable, biggest, and best bed you'll find in the sky – at least in a standard first class cabin. 

 

 

I slept for nearly seven glorious, uninterrupted hours in this bed. That's a personal record. 

There's also a ton of storage. In addition to space underneath the ottoman for a backpack, there's a dedicated closet at the front of every seat for hanging a coat and stowing a standard-sized carry-on. Our carry-on bags – expanded and stuffed full of clothes and trinkets after two weeks of travel – were slightly too wide, so flight attendants put them in two of the empty seats throughout the flight. 

 

 

There's plenty of storage elsewhere, including a large open compartment beneath the seatback screen and a surprisingly deep cubby beneath a latch on the side console table. 

 

 

That's the big picture. As comfortable and spacious as these seats are, they're also showing their age … big time. Large scuffs, marks, and gashes were visible all over the finishes of each seat. 

 

 

And the in-seat technology is clearly a decade-plus old, too. There's just one universal power socket and an old USB-A port – both in an awkward position more than halfway down the console table wall. 

You can recline, control your in-seat lighting, and even turn on a massage function using a small touchscreen panel near the in-flight entertainment remote built into the console table.

 

 

There's also a simpler set of controls built into the seat shell closer to the aisle. 

 

 

Cathay Pacific's first class is clearly due for better upkeep and an upgrade – and it'll get one whenever the airline gets its hands on the Boeing 777-9 sometime (hopefully) before the end of the decade. 

Even so, I couldn't help but love these seats. 

 

Amenities

You won't walk away empty from Cathay first class. 

For starters, there was a well-stocked amenity kit waiting at each kit from the luxury brand Bamford: one for men, another for women. The kit itself is made from high-quality leather.

 

 

My kit contained a soft eye mask, dental kit, earplugs, and a trio of Bamford toiletries: moisturizer, face mist, and lip balm. 

 

 

Shortly after boarding, a flight attendant came through the cabin to drop off sets of slippers and pajamas. I'm not a big pajama guy (read as: I don't wear them), but my wife is still wearing hers around the house. That's high praise. 

There was also a set of noise-canceling Bowers & Wilkins headphones at each seat, which were comfortable (and had stellar sound quality) enough to leave my trusty Bose set packed away. 

 

 

But the bedding was the real star of the show and one of the keys to making such a comfortable bed in the sky. It was on another level, including: 

• Three pillows: One small cushion for relaxing, a full-size pillow, and another pillow affixed to the headrest
• A light maroon blanket for relaxing – or, for a sleeper who runs hot like me, for bedtime
• A great mattress topper, with flight attendants putting on the seat after meal service, along with … 
• A full, plush duvet

 

 

Service & Dining

It's the little things that separate a “great” flight from simply a “good” one – the details and attention to them. The little things made this Cathay flight absolutely phenomenal. 

That was due in large part to the amazing crew staffing the first class cabin. Karie and Angel took amazing care of us from start to finish: Always warm and kind yet polished and attentive without being overbearing. That's a difficult needle to thread, and they did it with ease – always referring to both my wife and me by name, without even a shred or indication that it was past 12:30 a.m. local time when we lifted off from Hong Kong. 

The stellar service kicked off right as we boarded, when Karie brought back a small tray with a cold, refreshing hand towel, a delightful sparkling tea, and a nice handwritten note welcoming us aboard. 

 

 

As business class passengers filtered past, Karie returned with an offer of champagne and some warm nuts. Both, please! On this flight, Cathay was pouring both Krug Grande Cuvée and a 2013 vintage of Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésime – both excellent … and way out of my budget on the ground. 

 

 

Shortly after takeoff, dinner service started with an amuse-bouche: a light and zesty cantaloupe gazpacho with Parma ham. Yum. 

 

 

From there, we asked Karie: Could we dine together in my seat? She immediately sprang into action, grabbing a leaf that would transform the fold-out tray table into a massive and sturdy dining service fit for two. Throughout the flight, every plate, glass, bowl, and piece of silverware was laid out meticulously. 

Here's a look at a happy camper (err, flyer)!

 

 

Next, it was time for Cathay's signature caviar service … for two. We each got a full tin of oscietra caviar with creme fraiche, chopped eggs, and blinis – no shallots or lime, but no matter. It was a beautiful and delicious spread. 

 

 

Every bite was delicious. From there, my wife excused herself to head off for what became a nine-hour night of sleep in the sky. 

But for you, dear Thrifty Traveler reader – and for science, really – I powered through the rest of what proved to be an unforgettable meal. 

Next up: a bowl of roasted pumpkin soup with ginger and a dollop of coconut cream, poured and assembled seatside. It was every bit as light and flavorful as it looks, including the roasted pepitas thrown on top for some extra texture. 

 

 

Can I tell you something? Only just now am I realizing that I had not one but two entrees on this flight. When Karie offered me a “salad with octopus,” I gladly agreed. And I'm so glad I did: There is absolutely no reason why octopus served inside of a metal tube needs to be this good. It was charred the way good octopus should be, the perfect texture, and incredibly flavorful with the romesco sauce and root vegetables. 

 

 

For the mains – I mean, aside from the one I accidentally had as an appetizer – there was a choice of six or so dishes, including some “Chinese favorites” like chilled abalone and cucumber with black vinegar as well as international dishes like roast lamb cutlets.

But like many airlines, Cathay also allows first class (as well as business class) passengers to pre-order their meal starting 10 days before departure – including the same onboard selections as well as some online exclusive options. 

 

From that list, I ordered the lobster and crab in cognac bouillabaisse. It was part seafood stew, part feast, and 100% delicious with a full lobster tail and lumps of crab meat soaking up a rich broth. Somehow, the broccoli was perfectly cooked – nowhere near the mush even the best airlines often serve. 

 

 

By the end of that feast, I was stuffed way past the point of ordering dessert – did I mention I had two entrees? So it was off to bed for seven blissful hours of sleep. 

Within a few minutes of waking up, Angel was at my bedside offering a coffee or a bite to eat. A cappuccino, small biscotti, and some sunlight were the perfect way to wake up and try to muster enough hunger for breakfast. 

 

 

Ninety minutes and a Star Wars movie later, it was finally time for breakfast. Much as I wanted to try just how good Cathay's “freshly scrambled, fried, or boiled” eggs could truly be, I couldn't pass up another bowl full of congee – classic Chinese rice porridge.

I chose wisely: It was my favorite bowl of the entire trip … and I tried a lot. Finely chopped ginger, green onion, and other accoutrements I couldn't name transformed the simple bowl of rice porridge into a delicious breakfast. 

 

 

The congee also came with a cute ceramic container of classic dim sum: pork siu mai, shrimp har gow, an asparagus dumpling, and a chicken bean curd wrap – all of them delicious. 

 

 

Thirty minutes or so after polishing off the final bites, it was time to land in Los Angeles. 

My expectations were high for Cathay Pacific first class, especially for the food and service. And yet Cathay somehow smashed them all.

I can count on one hand the meals I've had on a plane that were anywhere near as good as these … because there's exactly one: Japan Airlines first class. That's about as high a praise as I can give.

 

Entertainment

The entertainment situation onboard Cathay Pacific's first class on the 777 is a mixed bag, but mostly for the better. 

For starters, there's an 18.5-inch screen that slides out from the back of the seat to hover over the monitor. While by no means the biggest nor the crispest screen in the skies, it got the job done. 

 

 

Everything is touchscreen, though you've also got a wired remote on the console table to navigate, check the in-flight map, and make your selections. Speaking of selections, Cathay Pacific's library was surprisingly impressive: There were hundreds of movies and TV shows alike to pick from, with a mix of new releases and old favorites. That's often a glaring weakness for many Asian carriers, but not so here. 

In addition to the usual shows and films, Cathay lets you check in on the flight with a pair of cameras on the plane. But the picture quality isn't great – and, combined with the darkness outside during 90% of the flight, it was a bit of a snooze. 

Finally, there was free Wi-Fi available for both first and business class passengers. It was … fine: By no means blazing fast and with the occasional outage as we crossed the Pacific Ocean, but it got the job done. And best of all, it was free.

 

Bottom Line

A month and change later, I'm still blown away by just how much I loved flying Cathay Pacific first class.

Are the seats the latest and greatest in the sky? Far from it … but that's a testament to just how outstanding virtually everything else is. From the lounges on the ground in Hong Kong to the food and service onboard to those unbelievably comfortable beds, it's one of the most well-rounded first class flights in the world.