12.1 What is Dragonair, and how is it different from Cathay Pacific?
Dragonair is a full service, 100%-owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific and an affiliate member of oneworld. Prior to Cathay assuming 100% ownership in 2007, Dragonair was a separate airline (in which Cathay had an approximately 19% stake) and was somewhat of a competitor on certain Asian routes. While in many respects, Dragonair's entry into the Cathay Pacific group has produced some synergies between the airlines at booking, loyalty club membership and lounge access, Dragonair holds a separate Air Operator's License to Cathay and is operated as a separate airline with its own crew and brand identity. Check-in for Dragonair flights is separate from check-in for Cathay Pacific flights at Hong Kong International Airport - passengers on Dragonair-operated flights should check in at aisle H.
12.2 What sort of aircraft do Dragonair fly?
Dragonair operate a mix of Airbus 320, 321 and 330-300 aircraft. There is a single two-class Business-Economy configuration of each of the A320 and A321 aircraft.
There are five different types of A330-300 aircraft, of which Dragonair have a total of 14 airframes. Five aircraft operate in a three-class First-Business-Economy configuration ("33R", "33Q"). Three aircraft operate in a regional two-class Business-Economy configuration ("33A"). Two aircraft operate in a regional two-class "ex-CX" Business-Economy configuration ("33C"). Three aircraft operate in a 'long-haul' two-class Business-Economy configuration ("33L"). We explain the seats available on these different aircraft below.
320 aircraft bear registrations B-HSD through HSQ.
321 aircraft bear registrations B-HTD through B-HTK.
33R aircraft bear registrations B-HYA, D, F, J and Q ("type 1" on the KA online seat map).
33Q aircraft bear registrations B-HYG, H and I ("type 1" on the KA online seat map). There is no difference between the 33R and 33Q configurations save for very minor discrepancies between bassinet positions and the position of the toilets.
33A aircraft bear registrations B-HWF, G and K ("type 2" on the KA online seat map).
33C aircraft bear registrations B-HLB, D and E. These are ex-CX birds which were transferred to KA.
33L aircraft bear registraionts B-HWH, I and J ("type 3" on the KA online seat map).
For those familiar with the Cathay A330 Zone A toilet layout, note that Dragonair's differs in that the port toilet in Zone A is located in front of the first row of portside seats and not behind the cockpit.
12.3 What lounges do Dragonair use in Hong Kong and elsewhere?
Prior to being amalgamated into the CX Group, Dragonair operated its own lounge opposite Gate 16. That lounge is still there, although it has been given a minor facelift to bring it in line with the general decorative scheme of CX lounges worldwide, and has been rebranded as the "G16 lounge". Lounge-eligible passengers may use any of the four Cathay Pacific lounges: the Wing, the Pier, the Cabin or the G16 lounge. Although not branded as such, the G16 and the Cabin lounges are generally regarded as Business Class equivalent lounges and Dragonair passengers with First Class lounge access are advised to use the First Class sections of the Wing or the Pier.
As an affiliate member of oneworld, Dragonair extends lounge benefits to oneworld elite members in line with the general oneworld/Cathay Pacific policy, which is outlined in the Lounges section below.
12.4 What is Dragonair First Class like? Is it worth it over Business Class?
(1) 33R/33Q
The seat
The ten A330-300 three-class aircraft feature two rows of First Class in a 2-2-2 configuration. The type of seat is similar to the lie-flat seats used by many airlines prior to the introduction of full-flat sleepers. They are similar to CX's previous-generation "New Business Class" or SQ's Spacebed. The best description of the seats can be found on the
Dragonair website.
Inflight entertainment
Each seat is fitted with a 10.4" PTV, but has an extremely poor (by today's standards) selection of programming. There are only five channels, and there is no AVOD. Generally, one channel will show a current blockbuster movie (the same as on the main screens in Business and Economy class), one channel will show an Asia movie (Indian movie on flights to and from Bengaluru), and the remaining three channels will show a pre-programmed loop of short features. Headphones provided are similar to those in Cathay Pacific regional Business Class, i.e. non-noise cancelling. A three-prong jack is used.
Meals
Dragonair First Class usually offers a choice between a 'western meal' and a 'Chinese meal'. Although the menu delineates the two options, crew are generally happy for you to mix and match, e.g. if you wish to have a Western appetiser but a Chinese main course. Basically, the menu provides for a choice of a Western or Chinese appetiser, a Western or two Chinese main courses and a Chinese dessert or Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Dragonair typically partners with well-known restaurants in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai to offer 'special' main courses.
As to whether the premium of First Class is worth it over Business Class, that is a question only you can answer. There is not a huge difference between catering and service in F, compared to J, anywhere like the difference that you would find on a long-haul CX service. The main advantages are having a lie-flat sleeper, and having access to F lounges in Hong Kong.
12.5 What is Dragonair Business Class like?
All of Dragonair's fleet is being retrofitted with the New Regional Business Class product that is also being fitted on Cathay Pacific aircraft. KA currently fly 6 aircraft with NRBC with retrofit proceeding at a clippy pace (in fact more clippy than the CX fleet!)
As for the non-retrofitted fleet, although it seems like that there are five different types of Business Class seat, there is really only one type of seat (that fitted on the 33L) which is dramatically different from those fitted on the rest of the KA fleet.
(1) 33R/33Q
The seat
The Business Class cabin on these aircraft is split across two cabins, forward and aft of doors 2. The seats are in a typical Airbus 2-2-2 configuration and are very similar to Cathay's regional Business Class product, i.e. a cradle recliner with 45" seat pitch. Please see the description on the
Dragonair website.
Inflight entertainment
These seats do not have PTVs. There is main screen programming, and a choice of audio programmes. Headphones provided are similar to those in Cathay Pacific regional Business Class, i.e. non-noise cancelling. A three-prong jack is used. We suggest you bring along your own inflight entertainment and headphones.
(2) 33A
The seat
The Business Class cabin on these aircraft is basically an updated version of the cradle seats found on the 33R and 33Q. Please see the description on the
Dragonair website.
Inflight entertainment
Each seat is fitted with a 10.4" PTV, but has a comparatively poor (by today's standards) selection of programming. There are ten channels, and there is no AVOD. Headphones provided are similar to those in Cathay Pacific regional Business Class, i.e. non-noise cancelling. A three-prong jack is used.
(3) 33L
The seat
These aircraft are fitted with lie-flat electronically-controlled sleeper seats similar to the pre-flat bed generation seats on other airlines. The seats have a 63" seat pitch and recline within a hard shell. Please see the description on the
Dragonair website.
Inflight entertainment
Each seat is fitted with a 10.4" PTV, but has a comparatively poor (by today's standards) selection of programming. There are ten channels, and there is no AVOD. Headphones provided are similar to those in Cathay Pacific regional Business Class, i.e. non-noise cancelling. A three-prong jack is used.
(4) 321
The seat
These seats are typical regional cradle seats, with a 42" seat pitch. They are similar to a Oceanic/North American regional premium class product (and not like an European regional product) in that they are not convertible Economy seats but are arrayed in a permanent 2-2 configuration. Please see the description on the
Dragonair website.
Inflight entertainment
There is overhead main screen programming and a choice of sixteen audio channels. Headphones provided are similar to those in Cathay Pacific regional Business Class, i.e. non-noise cancelling. A three-prong jack is used.
(5) 320
The seat
These seats are typical regional cradle seats, with a 42" seat pitch. They are similar to a Oceanic/North American regional premium class product (and not like an European regional product) in that they are not convertible Economy seats but are arrayed in a permanent 2-2 configuration. Please see the description on the
Dragonair website.
Inflight entertainment
Dragonair's own website says that inflight entertainment on the A320 is "newspapers and magazines", which is entirely truthful. There are no audio or video programming facilities on board the A320. We strongly suggest that if you are in the market for inflight entertainment, you bring on board a good book, a laptop or an ipod, or an eyeshade and earplugs.
12.6 What is Dragonair Economy Class like?
Descriptions of seats on each aircraft type can be found on the
Dragonair website. (For Economy Class products on aircraft other than the 33R/33Q to which the link redirects, please click on the relevant aircraft type on the left hand menu and then click 'Economy Class' on the box on the right hand side of the screen, that appears for each aircraft type). Basically, there are PTV's in Economy Class only on the 33A and the 33L, main screen video and audio programming on the 33R, the 33Q and the 321 and nothing at all on the 320.
12.7 Why do Dragonair and Cathay fly some of the same routes? Which airline should I choose?
Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and Manila are served by both airlines. The reason why both airlines operate these sectors is largely a matter of history and market forces. Historically, the Hong Kong Airline Transport Licensing Authority granted route licenses under a system of "one route, one airline". When this was abolished, Cathay immediately applied to recommence services to Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen; an application that was granted in 2003. Simultatenously, Dragonair applied to commence services to Bangkok, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo and Sydney.
Upon Dragonair’s amalgamation into the CX Group, this route duplicity was reduced to some extent. Schedules between the two airlines were adjusted to allow for better hub synergies. CX took over two Dragonair frequencies to Shanghai, and withdrew from Xiamen. Dragonair withdrew from Bangkok and Tokyo, discontinued its plans to launch Seoul and Sydney, and added a narrowbody five-weekly flight to Manila to supplement a widebody two-weekly service operated by Cathay (CX912/3 + KA912/3).
As to which is preferable, that is largely a matter of determining what factors are most important to you as a traveller. Mileage-earning privileges on both airlines are effectively the same under Marco Polo/oneworld rules. Passengers on both airlines have access to the same lounge facilities in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and Manila. If the seat is important to you, Cathay sometimes rotates long-haul aircraft on to its regional routes, and these will generally be of a superior quality to Dragonair's regional aircraft. On the other hand, Dragonair's 33L Business Class product is superior to Cathay's regional Business Class. Anecdotal evidence has been received that catering and Economy Class service is slightly better on Dragonair, but again, this is largely a matter of personal perception and preference. As a general rule, it is generally not worth deliberately choosing one airline over the other if by doing so you are required to take a flight that is at an inconvenient time for you.
However, if you are indifferent to the time of your flight, we suggest the following priority cascade for Business Class flights:
Beijing/Shanghai/Taipei
- CX 33G/77G/77H
- CX 34B/34J/74A/74K
- KA 33L
- CX 77Z, KA 32Z or KA 33Z (i.e. New Regional Business Class)
- KA 33C and CX 330/773/777
- KA 33A
- KA 33R and KA 321
- KA 320
Manila: CX > KA
Passengers in Economy Class who are indifferent to inflight entertainment, and who have checked baggage, may prefer KA narrowbody flights as the smaller capacity of the aircraft will result in speedier (on average) hold baggage delivery times.