Cathay Pacific Review: Is Cathay Pacific a Good Airline?

Between London and Hong Kong, two airlines operate non-stop flights: British Airways and Cathay Pacific. And the latter arrives with a compelling argument: a third-place ranking in the 2026 Skytrax awards, behind Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Is it worth paying more to fly with Cathay Pacific? The answer depends on your class, the onboard service and, as is often the case, where you’re heading next in Asia.

To help you see things more clearly, Trip.com has put together a detailed guide to help you make the right choice when booking!

What You Need to Know About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific was founded in 1946 in Hong Kong. Its founders? An American, Roy Farrell, and an Australian, Sydney de Kantzow, two former pilots who started out with just one plane, a DC-3 nicknamed "Betsy". Today, it is Hong Kong's flag carrier, and it is part of the exclusive club of 5-star airlines according to Skytrax. Not bad at all!

As for the alliance, Cathay helped create oneworld in 1999, alongside British Airways, American Airlines, and Qantas. If you already have an account with one of them, your flights can be credited to it.

Key takeaways:

• Around 178 aircraft, mainly Airbus A350s and A330s and Boeing 777s
• 16 million passengers in the first six months of 2026 (+17.5% year-on-year)
• 35 Boeing 777-9s ordered: the first delivery, delayed several times, is now scheduled for late 2027

Cathay Pacific Flights from the UK

Only London Heathrow Airport offers direct flights between the UK and Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific operates several daily services, including CX250, CX256, CX238, CX254 and CX252 on the outbound route, with return flights including CX257, CX239, CX255, CX251 and CX53. Flights typically depart in the late morning or around midday, depending on the season.

On this direct route, Cathay Pacific competes with British Airways, which operates an evening service using the Airbus A350. Cathay Pacific’s daytime departures offer the chance to arrive in Hong Kong early the next morning, making it easier to catch a connecting flight or start exploring the city soon after arrival.

Another advantage is Cathay Pacific’s extensive network from its Hong Kong hub. You can connect to destinations including Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Hanoi, Bangkok, Bali, Sydney and Melbourne, making it a convenient option for travellers planning a wider trip around Asia.

What Is Cathay Pacific Economy Class Like?

On the London–Hong Kong route, the A350 and B777 has a real advantage: its Economy cabin has a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 seat layout, with around 81 cm of legroom between rows. On a 12.5-hour flight, every centimetre counts.

What passengers like:

• 👩🏻‍✈️ Attentive cabin crew, regularly mentioned as one of the airline’s biggest strengths
• 🍽️ Meals, often with a choice of Western or Cantonese dishes
• 🎬 In-flight entertainment, with recent films and a good selection of Asian titles

What passengers like less:

• 📶 Wi-Fi, available across the fleet but chargeable in Economy for passengers without Gold or Diamond status
• ✈️ Refurbished Boeing 777-300ERs, which have a 3-4-3 Economy layout with slightly narrower seats
• 🧳 Economy Light fares, which include just one checked bag

Premium Economy is also worth a look. On the A350, it offers about a metre of legroom and free Wi-Fi as soon as you enter a Cathay membership number, regardless of your tier.

Cathay Pacific Business Class and First Class

The A350 Business Class cabin features a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout, with fully flat beds measuring around 1.90 metres and direct aisle access for every passenger. The seats are comfortable, although they do not have doors, and the middle seats lack a privacy divider.

The new Aria Suite has been introduced on flights to London. Available on refurbished Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, it features a sliding door, a 24-inch 4K screen and Bluetooth headphones. By the end of July 2026, 17 of the 35 aircraft scheduled for refurbishment had been upgraded.

You can find the Aria Suite on selected flights to London, Frankfurt, Milan, Los Angeles, Sydney and Tokyo Haneda. The entire Boeing 777 fleet is due to be upgraded by the end of 2027.

First Class is available only on selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which operate on the London route.

On the ground, The Wing First Class Lounge reopened on 22 April 2026. It features a menu created by Mott 32 restaurant and a wellness area offering complimentary 15-minute massages. Business Class passengers can choose between The Pier, The Deck and The Bridge, as The Wing Business Class Lounge remains closed for refurbishment until mid-2027.

Baggage allowance: How many bags can you take on Cathay Pacific?

Cathay Pacific uses a piece-based baggage allowance, with the number of bags you can check in depending on your fare type.

The Cathay and oneworld loyalty programmes: Are your miles worth anything?

The loyalty programme is simply called Cathay. The miles you earn, known as Asia Miles, can be used to book flights or upgrades. Status points, on the other hand, help you move up the membership tiers: Green, Silver (300 points), Gold (600 points) and Diamond (1,200 points), plus Diamond Plus, an invitation-only tier.

A major programme change will take effect on 1 January 2027:

• The qualification year will follow the calendar year.
• A new tier, Diamond Exec, will be introduced at 2,400 points.
• Any surplus points will roll over when you move up a tier, rather than being lost.

For UK travellers, the key question is which airline alliance you belong to. You can credit your Cathay flights to another oneworld member, such as British Airways, Iberia, Finnair or Qatar Airways, if you already have an account with one of them.

Is Cathay Pacific Safe? Traveller Reviews and Ratings

When it comes to safety, Cathay Pacific ranks among the world's leading airlines. The AirlineRatings ranking, published in January 2026, placed it second among full-service airlines, behind Etihad Airways.

Passenger reviews also reflect the airline's premium reputation. At the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Cathay Pacific was recognised for having the world's best cabin crew and the world's best First Class lounge. The main drawback is the price, which is considerably higher than that of Chinese airlines flying to the same destination.

Is Cathay Pacific a Good Airline to Fly With?

For most travellers, yes. The service is excellent, but the best choice depends mainly on your route:

• If you're flying to Hong Kong: it's the most comfortable option in economy on a direct flight, with a daytime departure that makes it easier to adjust to the time difference.
• For Southeast Asia, Australia or Japan: Hong Kong's hub offers short connections and a wide choice of destinations, often at competitive prices.
• If you're travelling on a tight budget, Chinese airlines with connections in Beijing or Shanghai are generally much cheaper.
• If you want to try the Aria Suite, you'll currently need to fly via London, Frankfurt or Milan.

For comparison, British Airways is rated 3/5. Ratings are often brought down by the high number of negative reviews.

Cathay Pacific vs British Airways and Chinese Airlines: Which Is Best?

Flying from London, you have three main options:

• A direct daytime flight. Cathay Pacific is the clear choice, with a 3-3-3 economy cabin layout and an award-winning cabin crew. It offers the most comfortable option, but last-minute fares are also the most expensive.
• A direct overnight flight. British Airways departs in the evening and gets you there in the late afternoon. As a member of The British Airways Club, you can collect Avios on eligible flights, including qualifying flights with oneworld partner airlines.
• A flight with a stopover. Air China via Beijing or China Eastern via Shanghai often offer much cheaper fares. The trade-off is around four extra hours of travel, sometimes more.

How to Find Cheap Cathay Pacific Flights

💡 Fares rise sharply during Chinese New Year (6 February in 2027), China’s Golden Week in early October and UK school holidays.

In terms of weather, October to December is the best time to visit Hong Kong, with dry conditions and the typhoon season over.

In early October 2026, Cathay Pacific’s website showed return flights from London to Hong Kong for around £772 in Economy and nearly £4,600 in Business Class. Booking two to three months in advance generally helps you find lower fares.

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