Cathay Pacific A330 First Class:
A Disappearing Luxury Experience

Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A330 First Class is one of the world’s rarest premium cabin experiences – a throwback to an era when regional flights offered genuine long-haul luxury. With just 6 aircraft remaining in this configuration, we take you inside this exclusive product before it vanishes forever.

In this definitive guide, we cover:
✅ Where you can still fly Cathay’s A330 First Class
✅ How it compares to modern business class
✅ The gourmet dining & service experience
✅ Why this relic is worth booking before retirement

The Last Routes: Where to Find Cathay’s A330 First Class

As of July 2024, Cathay Pacific operates its 8-seat First Class cabin on select A330-300s flying:

✈ Hong Kong (HKG) → Tokyo Haneda (HND) – CX548/CX549
✈ Hong Kong → Taipei (TPE) – CX470/CX403
✈ Hong Kong → Jakarta (CGK) – CX777 (occasional substitution)

Pro Tip: Use ExpertFlyer or SeatGuru to confirm equipment, as last-minute aircraft swaps are common.

Cathay Pacific A330 First Class Cabin & Seat

The Space: Private but Dated

  • 1-2-1 configuration with just 8 seats
  • 78-inch fully flat beds (comparable to modern business class)
  • 23-inch width – noticeably roomier than today’s business seats
  • 1990s-style fixed partitions (lacks sliding doors of new suites)

Key Differentiator: The legacy first-class service – including pajamas, turndown service, and caviar – on flights as short as 4 hours.

The Soft Product: Last of Its Kind

Dining: A Gourmet Throwback

Despite short flight durations, Cathay delivers proper first-class dining:

🍽️ Pre-departure champagne (Krug)
🥘 Multi-course meals with tablecloths and fine china
🍜 Hong Kong specialties like wonton noodle soup
🍰 Cheese course & dessert trolley

Standout Feature: The ability to pre-order from Cathay’s signature Chinese menus up to 24 hours before departure.

Amenities: Beyond Business Class

  • PYE pajamas (same as long-haul first)
  • Aesop amenity kits
  • Plush bedding with memory foam mattress pads

How It Compares: A330 First vs. Modern Business

FeatureA330 First ClassCathay’s A350 BusinessSeat Width | 23" | 21"
Privacy | High partitions | Sliding doors
Dining | Full multi-course | Streamlined service
Pajamas | Yes | No
Ground Service | First Class check-in | Business Class priority

Verdict: The A330 First offers more space and better service, but lacks the cutting-edge privacy of newer cabins.

Is It Worth Booking Before Retirement?

The Case For:

  • One of aviation’s last true regional First Class products
  • Earns 280% mileage on Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  • More personal service with 1:2 crew ratio

The Case Against:

  • Dated IFE (smaller screens than new business class)
  • No Wi-Fi on most A330s
  • Limited availability makes booking tricky

Best For: Mileage collectors, aviation enthusiasts, and travelers who value service over gadgets.

How to Book: Tips for Securing a Seat

1️⃣ Use Alaska Miles – 50,000 miles HKG-TPE (vs. 70k for long-haul First)
2️⃣ Check last-minute availability – Opens up 14 days before departure
3️⃣ Avoid monsoon season – Higher chance of equipment swaps May-September

Sample Pricing:

  • Cash: ~$2,500 roundtrip HKG-HND
  • Miles: 50K Alaska miles + $150 taxes one-way

The Bottom Line

Cathay Pacific’s A330 First Class is a dying breed of aviation luxury – offering a standard of service that’s disappeared everywhere except the Middle East. While it won’t wow with technology, it delivers an experience that makes 4 hours feel like a proper getaway.

Would you book this before it’s gone?
✅ Yes – need to experience classic First before it disappears!
❌ No – I’ll take modern Business with Wi-Fi

Last Chance: Find available dates via Cathay Pacific’s website or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

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