On May 15, 2017, I flew Business Class in a brand-new Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900 from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in China to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) in Germany. Cathay Pacific is currently in the process of adding more than 40 A350-900 and A350-1000 planes to its all-wide body fleet. The new Cathay Pacific A350 Business Class cabin and seat is basically a refreshed design of the carrier's 'old' Business Class product onboard its B777 and A330 planes, with the main difference being the addition of extra storage space and onboard WiFi. Unfortunately, although this flight was fully packed, Cathay Pacific announced this week that it will suspend its Düsseldorf route from March of next year.

I made a Youtube clip with my impressions of this flight, which you can watch here:


- Trip: HKG-DUS
- Airline: Cathay Pacific
- Aircraft type: Airbus A350 WXD
- Aircraft registration number: B-LRN
- Flight Number: CX379
- Date: May 15, 2017
- On time departure: yes (0.50 am)
- On time arrival: yes (6.50 am)
- Miles: 5730
- Flight time: 12 hours
- Seat: 14A
- Class: Business Class

1. COST OF THE TICKET

I booked this one-way Business Class ticket from Hong Kong to Düsseldorf for 82,750 Avios + €112,74 taxes, fees and carrier charges. Avios is the mileage currency of Executive Club, the frequent flyer program of British Airways, which is a One World partner of Cathay Pacific.

2. CATHAY PACIFIC'S THE BRIDGE LOUNGE AT HONG KONG AIRPORT

Hong Kong International Airport is the travel hub of Cathay Pacific, which manages a total of seven lounges at terminal 1. When it's your first time in the airport, it might be quite difficult to find out where all the lounges are located and which one is best:
- The Wing lounge complex is located immediately behind the security check point (near gates 1-4) and houses a First Class and Business Class lounge.
- The Cabin is an exclusive Business Class lounge located near gate 25.
- The Bridge is also an exclusive Business Class lounge and located one floor below the main concourse near gate 35.
- The Pier, located near gate 65, represents Cathay Pacific's flagship lounge complex and features a separate lounge facility for First and Business Class passengers. If you have enough time, this is the lounge where you want to be while waiting for your flight as it offers the best facilities and food, at least IMHO.
- Cathay Pacific also has a small arrival lounge located between terminal 1 and 2.

This is a review of The Bridge lounge, which I visited since the facility was located very close to the departure gate for the Düsseldorf bound flight. A set of escalators takes you down from the main concourse to the lounge's stylish reception area, from where the lounge area extends into a North and South wing. The North wing features the bulk of the seating areas and facilities, among them a large restaurant which is called 'The Bakery'. It offers buffet-style dining, although it's clearly a step up from the usual mediocre airport buffets. In the back of the North wing, you find a stylish bar - offering drinks and tapas - together with a television lounge. The South wing features a business center as well as the so-called 'The Bistro' restaurant, a second (albeit smaller) self-service area offering a variety of Asian and Western hot and cold dishes.

Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch all along the lounge's entire length, offering great views of the traffic on the tarmac, and bringing the outside in. However, IMHO, the lounge's most striking feature is not the views nor its excellent facilities, but its residential ambience. It's clear that a lot of effort has been put in creating a stylish environment with a relaxed and homey vibe where one can unwind before a flight. The homey feel is enhanced by presence of designer pieces such as two magnificent (and very expensive) Louis Poulsen PH Artichok lamps.

From the lounge, it was only a 5 minute leisurely stroll to gate 34 where the plane was being prepared for an on-time boarding process.

3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN

The Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 has 280 seats in a 3 class configuration: 38 lie-flat seats in Business, 28 recliner seats in Premium Economy (with 23 cm or 9 inches of recline), and 214 standard seats in Economy Class (with 15 cm or 6 inches of recline). Contrary to most of Cathay Pacific's Boeing B777 planes, its A350 aircraft don't feature a First Class cabin.

The 38 Business Class seats are spread over two cabins: a large cabin behind the cockpit seats 30 passengers in 8 rows, while the remaining 8 seats are located in a smaller and intimate two-row cabin behind the galley (in front of the Premium Economy Class cabin). Both cabins feature a reverse herringbone layout in a 1-2-1 configuration, which - in my humble opinion - is the best Business Class cabin layout in the sky since it offers lots of space, direct aisle access for all passengers, and a great amount of privacy. Although Cathay Pacific was the launch customer of this type of cabin layout many years ago, several other carrier have since then copied the model, such as American Airlines, Finnair, Air France, Qatar Airways, and Eva Air.

The cabin itself makes a nice impression with its sleek, refined and modern look. It's all about understated luxury. The neutral white color palette of the cabin and suite shelves is given a subtile touch of vibrancy with green seat cushions and light grey carpets. Small but elegant white floral displays decorate the wall between the center seats, adding to the overall luxurious feel of the cabin.

4. THE BUSINESS CLASS SEAT

I was seated in 14A for the 12 hour flight from Hong Kong to Düsseldorf. The first row in the plane is designated the number 11 since the A350 doesn't feature a First Class cabin.

The Business Class seat on Cathay Pacific's A350 is a so-called Cirrus seat, and is basically a refreshed version of the carrier's 'old' Business Class seat which you find on its Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330 fleet. The main differences is that the seat on the A350 comes with extra storage space and has a more sophisticated feel, in addition to an enhanced entertainment system with onboard WiFi and improved personal service by the addition of 'do not disturb' and 'wake up call' buttons.

As mentioned above, each seat comes with plenty of room to store all your personal luggage & items in the unlikely case that it would not fit in the large overhead bins. A side cabinet on the window side (for window seats) or towards the center line (for middle seats) holds the noise canceling headphones and has a mirror on its door panel (to make sure you keep your great looks during the flight) in addition to a netted pocket below the mirror that can be used to store your smaller items such as smart phone, wallet, and other bits and pieces. This cabinet also holds a universal power outlet on the inside, while it features the seat and entertainment controls and a dimmable reading light on its outside wall at eye level. In front of this side cabinet is a large, triangularly shaped panel alias work surface that can be extended by pulling out the fold-out tray table, allowing you to eat and work at the same time. Beneath this panel is a large storage bin with a closing lid that can be used to stowe away your laptop. On the other side of the seat is another storage box with a small hole that fits a bottle of water.

In front of the seat is a large foot rest, which forms part of the fully flat-bed when the seat is reclined. There is enough space underneath the ottoman to store your shoes, a handbag or a backpack. Contrary to the Business Class seats on Cathay Pacific's B777 and A330, the ottoman forms one entity with a cushioned side panel that not only gives the Business Class suite a more spacious feel but also provides more space for your knees when sleeping. Above the ottoman is a large, private screen (15.4-inch or 40 cm) that swings out from the side of the seat suite’s wall. You can tilt it up or down, so that you can enjoy a movie or TV show from the near or fully flat-bed position.

When tired, you can recline the seat into a very comfortable, fully flat-bed (which comes with a thick pillow, a nice blanket, and a duvet). The flat-bed is just over 190 cm (or 75 inches) long, which is slightly less as compared to the B777 although I assume most passengers won't notice that. For sleeping, you may choose to leave your armrest up for more privacy, or down for more space.

What are the best Business Class seats on Cathay Pacific's A350? Click here for a seat map.
- The seats in row 20 and 21 are located in their own little private cabin and are therefore highly recommended.
- Solo travelers should go fo the window seats, while travel compagnons are better off in the center seats.

What are the worst Business Class seats on Cathay Pacific's A350? Click here for a seat map.
- Seats in rows 11, 19 and 20 are located close to the galley and lavatories, which may cause some noise annoyance.
- I also suggest to avoid the last row of Business Class, row 21, which is located in front of the Premium Economy bassinet seats (which are often taken by or appointed to families with young children).

5. AMENITIES

Business Class passengers are provided with a nice blanket (made from recycled plastic) and a high-quality pillow, in addition to a duvet to enhance the sleeping comfort. The Business Class amenity kit has been created by Seventy Eight Percent and contains Jurlique products (lip balm and hand cream) in addition to essentials such as socks, eyeshade, toothbrush, toothpaste, and earplugs.

Before takeoff, a welcome drink was offered with a choice of orange juice, water, or a glass of Champagne, in addition to a refreshing hot towel.

6. MEALS

Before takeoff, a welcome drink was offered with a choice of orange juice, water, or a glass of Champagne, in addition to a refreshing hot towel.

The elegantly looking menu read as follows:
- Starter: A tasty blend of savoury dips with grissini
- Main course: choice of Pan friend sea bream, capsicum, green beans, carrot, celeriac puree, and lemon parsley butter; or Chou hou beef brisket, turnip, mixed vegetables and steamed jasmine rice
- Dessert: Fresh berries and ginger syrup

Dinner service started about 20 minutes after take-off, which was well after 1 am local time. All food (starter, main course, and dessert) was served at once on a single tray, which was kind of odd but probably had to do with the late departure time of the plane. Food tasted good although I was not impressed (and especially disappointed by the underwhelming starter).

As a mid-flight snack, I choose the only item available on the menu - Taiwenese pork in noodle soup - which was an excellent platter and the culinary highlight during the journey.

Ninety minutes prior to landing, a continental breakfast was served, with a cold pressed juice (orange, coconut water, pineapple and passionfruit), fresh seasonal fruit, Greek yoghurt, apricot compote and granola. The crew rolled a selection of hot items through the cabin and you could choose what you wanted from the available items. I had the dim sum selection: pork siu mai, yellow fungus pomegrante basket, har grow and glutinous rice dumpling.