Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300 Hong Kong to Mumbai

by Anshul
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an airplane at an airport

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This was the second-leg of our trip from Toronto to Mumbai (62,500 Alaska Points, on Cathay Pacific), which included a couple of nights in Hong Kong on our way to Mumbai. While the first leg from Toronto to Hong Kong was on a Boeing, Cathay Pacific Business Class 777-300 (review), my ride from Hong Kong to Mumbai was an Airbus, Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Flight: CX 663  HKG-BOM
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Duration: 6hr 20min
Seat: 16K

We started by taking a short taxi ride from Lanson Place Hotel (Review) to Hong Kong Central station, to hop on the Airport express train. One of the perks of taking the airport express is the In-town Check-in at HK Central station. The check-in process at the train station is no different than the airport, dedicated airline counters with priority lanes made for a straight forward experience.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Hong Kong Central Station: In-town Check-in

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Cathay Pacific check-in counters

A 25 minute train ride and we were at the airport with an easy access into the terminal. Unfortunately for us though, flight CX663 was delayed by more than an hour. We did manage a good 3 hours in Cathay’s fantastic ‘The Pier Business Class lounge‘ (review).

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Gate 2: CX 663 – Delayed by 1.5 hours

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

My ride to Mumbai: Cathay Pacific A330-300

Once boarding commenced, it was fairly straight forward with dedicated lines for Business class passengers. It was wonderful to see a dedicated bridge for premium passengers as well.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Dedicated bridge for First/Business Class passengers

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300 – Cabin and Seats

The cabin itself was well lit and welcoming. Business class is split in two sections with a 1-2-1 configuration, we were seated in the forward cabin – seat 15k and 16k.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Business Class Cabin on CX 663

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Seat 16K on Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300 seats did seem a tad bit tighter than the Cathay Pacific Business Class 777-300ER seats.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

I do appreciate a media control panel as opposed to the buttons spread across the side of armrests.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Media and Seat Controls

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Headphone and storage cabinet

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Noise Canceling headphones

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Amenity kit bag on Cathay Pacific Business Class HKG-BOM

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Amenity kit contents

Although immigration in India has dedicated counters for premium passengers, a fast-track invitation is always a good touch.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Immigration Fast Track invitation

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300 – Drinks and Meal Service

Once I settled into my seat, the crew member came around with a tray of welcome drinks. I was intrigued by the ‘green drink’ but didn’t want to break ‘champagne tradition’. To my delight, the crew member handed me both and remarked that the smoothie was her favorite. She was spot on, ‘Cathay Delight’ smoothie was tasty and refreshing! Glad I opted for both 😉

two glasses of liquid on a table

 

Meal service on this ~6.5 hour flight included a Dinner and a pre-departure meal. Dinner for me, was a starter of Cured Salmon followed by Paneer Masala as my main.

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Dinner Menu

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Nibbles: Tomato Juice and Nuts

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Starter: Salmon with Fennel and Creme Fraiche

 

Cathay Pacific Business Class A330-300

Main Course: Paneer Masala and Cumin Potatoes with Rice

I could not wait to get some sleep, so skipped dessert/coffee and opted for a 4 hour sleep instead. The full recline seats offered good comfort to rest for the rest of the ride.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There is great comfort in familiar level of good service, and Cathay provides just that. The crew on board were polite and always attentive to passenger needs. The seats offered good comfort and room to stretch out. The upholstery however is starting to show its age and I hope Cathay looks into revamping some of its older fleet as well. This was segment two of my journey from Toronto to Mumbai and Cathay Pacific Business Class continues to be my favorite way to get to Asia/South Asia, using Alaska miles.

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