Delicious Delights in Cathay Pacific Business Class

Food + Drink

On my recent trip, I had the (very rare) pleasure of flying business class aboard Cathay Pacific on their route from Hong Kong to Toronto. Since having Baby E, it has been busy juggling caregiving and work and it took a lot of planning to finally take some time off to visit extended family, who I had not seen since before the pandemic. I had a great time spending the week reacquainting myself with the city, eating and doing some casual shopping – but if I was to be real, it was mostly eating 🙂

And just like that I found myself back at the airport awaiting my flight back to Toronto.

Have I ever said that Hong Kong International Airport is my favorite?

I know there are so many amazing airports out there and have been to a few jaw droppers myself (looking at you, Bangkok and Singapore) but HKIA has a special place in my heart. Perhaps there is some nostalgia mixed in being the airport I land in the most outside of Toronto, but you can’t beat the ocean approach on the landings and misty mountain views from inside the terminal. Hosting a mind bloggling 90 boarding gates that serve a total number of 530 gate numbers – yes, you read correctly – it has its own internal rail system to transport passengers to the furthest reaches, with world class duty free shopping all the way through. It is also an airport where food is as authentic as it goes and for not much more than in the city proper, so even on the shortest layover you can still try some great cantonese food!

Now, let’s head on into the business class cabin and check out our seat. Cathay Pacific has been using the herringbone lay-flat bed design for many years now and the finishes have stayed modern and updated despite the age. As soon as I got settled a stewardess came by with hot towel service and asked for my drink order, where I was served the drink called Cathay Delight, a tasty cocktail of kiwi juice, coconut milk and mint. So refreshing!

There is only drink service before take off so in the meantime, let’s look at our amenities.

This season’s amenity kit is made by Bamford, a UK based spa and lifestyle brand. The burnt orange vegan leather pouch was just perfect for this time of year (October). Inside are a few choice product samples, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, eye mask and earplugs. At the foot rest, there a duffle bag with a duvet and bed sheet for the lay-flat bed. A full size pillow and pair of slippers were also provided.

Looks like I’m going to be very comfortable!

THE MENU

They took our meal orders right after take off. The menu looked so decadent and it was so hard to decide what to try! After being told the clay pot rice was sold out I chose the spare rib. Since the flight took off mid-day from HK and arrived in Toronto in the evening, the onboard service was a lunch followed by dinner. Here is the menu for you curious foodies:

The All Day menu honestly looked good enough to be THE menu for the entire flight but they are just the snacks. Suddenly this 15 hour flight didn’t seem long enough! Especially nice were the drink offerings like Hong Kong Milk Tea and Oolong, both staples for the HK palette. Also available was their in-house craft beer, Betsy, fondly named after the first Cathay Pacific passenger plane. According to sources, it was brewed specifically to be enjoyed at 35,000 ft in the air.

LET THE FEAST BEGIN

Everything was ordered from the menu except the first which was a bonus appetizer not listed. Here is what I got:

First Course: Smoked Salmon Appetizer

Second Course: Chilled Abalone and Cucumber with Black Vinegar

Third Course: Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib with Thyme Jus

Fourth Course: Fruit Plate, Strawberry Yogurt Pudding, Hazenut Praline

There was a cheese course between the third and fourth but I was so full by that point that I declined. Textbook first world problem right here.

“MIDNIGHT” SNACKING

The lights turn off at some point after lunch we tuck in for the “night”. And as all nights go I start to feel the munchies. The galley snackbar has everything from noodles to fruits and I came back to my seat with some of the selections. Despite being so satiated from dinner but I could not say no to the fresh baked egg tart.

LIGHT DINNER

A few hours later the cabin was softly lit for dinner service, as not to disrupt those who prefer to keep sleeping. A one tray affair instead of individual courses – the format was quick but just as tasty. I had the Red Thai Curry of Prawns and Pineapple which absolutely blew me away – so delicious. On the side was a hot dinner roll and fruit plate. Dessert was a light coconut panna cotta with passion fruit and yogurt pearls. Everything was so good

And thats a wrap for my gastronomy experience on Cathay Pacific business class! Food aside, the lay-flat bed made my flight so comfortable and made all the difference with getting some sleep. I won’t count on having it again anytime soon but it was great while I had it. It was the perfect treat for a new parent like myself.

Happy Travels!