Review: Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class HKG-JFK

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER

This Review of Cathay Pacific Business Class, 777-300ER HKG to JFK is one of our many Cathay Pacific Reviews, both of Cathay Pacific First Class and Cathay Pacific Business Class. Visiting Hong Kong? See all our posts tagged Hong Kong.

Here's my Cathay Pacific Business Class YouTube Video Review:

Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class Cabin and Seat Selection

Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class has 53 flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, so each seat has direct aisle access and a good amount of privacy.

Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class Seat Map

Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class Seat Map, Image from SeatGuru

Solo travelers will want to select window seats, A or K, avoiding rows close to the galley or lavatories such as row 12, 15 and possibly 16.

Couples will want to select middle seats angled towards each other, D and G.

My favorite row is row 11, in the mini cabin located directly behind first class. As mentioned though, I don't like row 12 as it's right in front of the lavatories.

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER-Row 11

Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class Seat, Bed and Sleep Quality

Each Cathay Pacific Business Class seat is 21 inches wide, and turns into a flat bed that is 82 inches in length from tip to tip, although it will be most comfortable for passengers not taller than 6 feet 2 inches. Thanks to the retractable armrest (see forthcoming video) the usable bed width at the widest point is 29.5 inches, when the seat is turned into a bed.

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER-Seat 11D

There's a good triangular storage space by the seat for a hand bag or laptop case:

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER-Storage

There's also some space in the enclosed cabinet, where the noise cancelling headphones can be hung when not in use:

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER-Noise Cancelling Headphones

The seat easily reclines to a fully flat bed position, so there's no folding down the backrest as in Singapore Business Class. At each seat ottoman there was a duvet, which I used on top of my portable Thermarest mattress pad that I'd brought with me.

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER-Using Thermarest Mattress Pad

I managed to get about 6 hours of sleep on the flight, thanks to the quiet location of seat 11A and the Thermarest mattress pad.

Cathay Business Class Review-777-300ER-with Duvet and Pillow

Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class Menu and Food

After boarding, cabin crew offered us a hot towel:

Cathay Pacific Business Class Review-Hot Towel

Next we were given a pre-flight drink; I chose orange juice.

Cathay Business Class Review-Pre-Flight Drink-Orange Juice

Here's the menu for our evening flight, which included dinner, a snack option, and breakfast before landing at New York JFK.

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Dinner Menu

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Dessert Menu

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Breakfast Menu

I didn't have any champagne on this flight, but did enjoy a small amount of the Albarino white wine with mixed nuts, before the dinner service.

Cathay Business Class Review-Albarino White Wine with Mixed Nuts

The seared scallop appetizer was good, and even better than the main course.

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Seared Scallop Appetizer

For my main, I chose the prawns, which were fine, although what I really liked was the Kai-lan (Chinese broccoli) that it came with.

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Wok Fried Prawns and Kailan

Cheese and fresh fruit were offered after the main:

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Cheese Plate

The strawberry rhubarb crumble was surprisingly good; usually I'm not too impressed with desserts on Asian airlines.

Cathay Business Class HKG-JFK-Rhubarb Strawberry Crumble Dessert

Praline chocolates were offered from a box to conclude, and the dark chocolate I chose was fresh tasting and delicious.

Cathay Pacific Business Class Review-777-300ER-HKG-JFK-Chocolate

In the morning, I started with some orange juice, which was clearly from concentrate and not very good. Air New Zealand serves much better fresh squeezed orange juice in Premium Economy.

Cathay Pacific Business Class Review-Juice

The Swiss Emmi yogurt, however, was delicious, though I wished there was the option of some fresh berries and granola to go with it.

Cathay Pacific Business Class Review-Emmi Yogurt

Bread rolls and croissants were offered from a bread basket:

Cathay Pacific Business Class Review-HKG-JFK-Breakfast Bread Basket

I liked the dim sum for breakfast, especially the lotus leaf wrapped sticky rice, and that some chili sauce was provided.

Review-Cathay Pacific Business Class HKG-JFK-Dim Sum Breakfast

The Verdict

Business class flights are generally all about the flat bed and getting some rest, and much less about service and dining–if you want a more memorable flight in that regard, you generally need to fly first class. Given these expectations, Cathay Pacific Business Class delivered a good, solid experience. With the addition of my Thermarest mattress pad, and helped by being in the mini cabin in seat 11A, I was able to get a decent amount of sleep on the flight. I recommend trying to get a seat in row 11 if at all possible, and seat 11A or 11K if flying solo.

I liked the seared scallop appetizer and prawn main course for dinner, and also the option of dim sum for breakfast, although of course it doesn't compare to dim sum in top Hong Kong restaurants. The Emmi yogurt was also good, although I wished there was fresh squeezed orange juice instead of juice from concentrate.

If you've flown long haul Cathay Pacific Business Class on the 777-300ER recently, what was your experience?

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dave f
dave f
6 years ago

Very timely article. I’m taking this flight in November. Originally booked in 12A (apparently hit and miss. Some like it some don’t). 11A and K were not available. On a whim I checked today and 11A was available.. In fact the whole mini cabin is empty. Does Cathay simply hold these seats until a month or two out? Great write up thanks

Katrina
Katrina
6 years ago

I have a good experience with CX Business class, and would fly it without hesitation. Which I cannot say about CX`s First – that was a nightmare (crew was based in Hongcouver, maybe that was the reason of such awful experience – never again).

James - The Points Pro

Great review – thanks. I’m flying HKG-BOS in August and managed to get 11A 🙂 Can’t wait!

julie davidson
julie davidson
5 years ago

just took this flight yesterday and was not impressed. no wifi, no mattress pad and bad food. they need to step up their game!