Flight review: Is it worth flying Cathay Pacific’s premium economy as a family? | Exclusive

If you can think of eating or drinking it, The Pier genuinely has it all. There were the regular Western brekkie staples such as bacon and eggs, and even wood-fired pizza and charcuterie if you were looking for something a little different, but the dandan noodles were the breakout star.

Walk into the next room and it’s a full bar with cocktails at the ready, however beyond that it gets quieter – a tea room for light refreshments, and right at the end is an almost-dark room full of day beds for those seeking a quick nap.

The complimentary Wi-Fi was strong (helping me get a head start on my work) and friendly staff were often circling the lounges to provide help or take away dirty dishes.

The bathrooms were massive, featuring big toilet stalls and shower spaces that I imagine would be crucial for those long waits between connecting flights.

Strapping in to premium economy

Any lingering concerns we had about the run home vanished the moment we stepped on the retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER and took our seats in premium economy.

Thanks to our upgrade, we had priority boarding and being first in that line meant it was a short dash down the ramp and on to the plane.

We like to consider ourselves a well-travelled family, which has meant more than a few long distance trips riding way back in “cattle class”.

And our first taste of a higher standard did not disappoint.

We each had two bottles of water waiting for us on our seats, which were located in the middle section of the back row.

The seats were comfortable and able to extend almost horizontally, offering the best possible chance at a proper bed in such a tight space. The footrest beneath the seat in front was a game changer, allowing me to lay flat for some much needed shut-eye.

We had all the little comforts we needed, with plenty of pillows and blankets on hand and we each received an amenities pack which contained an eye mask and socks (which my son quickly pulled up his legs).

The food and drinks

Although we filled our bellies in the lounge before we departed, we made sure to leave enough room for the delicious options on board – and they were plentiful.

Featuring a menu focused on Hong Kong cuisine that was crafted in collaboration with Michelin-star chefs, it changes as produce becomes seasonally available.

But if there was one element of the dining experience that put this head and shoulders above the rest, it was one thing – real, genuine, hard-hitting, cut-your-finger-if-you-press-too-hard, metal cutlery.

After a lifetime of fighting with plastic or wooden forks and spoons, being able to dig into my little tub of Haagen Dazs ice cream with a metal utensil elevated the meal ten-fold.

The service

One of the most important aspects of any flight, regardless of where you are located, is the air crew. Staff on this flight were warm and quick to respond to our needs, even if it was just for a water top-up or a question about meals.

Aside from the seating, the on-board entertainment was among the best we had experienced. The selection of films and TV shows new and old was great, and the 12.1 inch displays gave us everything we needed at the tap of a button.

The seats themselves had several little nooks and crannies for storage and for the first time in a while, the charger outlets didn’t feel worn out.

Doing it as a family

For a family of three, the premium economy experience was perfect.

Although most travellers will baulk at being in the middle aisle, having Charlie plonked between us parents made managing his flight (and ours) a breeze.

The seats were the perfect length for a child of his age to turn them into a makeshift bed, which meant as we watched movies to whittle away the hours, he had a great sleep.

There was a great selection of kids shows and movies, but immediate access to a charging plug meant his tablet was also a second option if he got bored (not that we could find a reason why).

And although we didn’t select a child’s meal before boarding our flight, that option is available to all customers. Despite that, the snacks were close at hand and the main meal options had enough to keep Charlie’s belly full.

The verdict

If you have the available points or have the capacity to spend extra, we highly recommend Cathay’s premium economy offering – especially if you’re considering it for the run home after a busy trip.

You may need to “fork” out a little more but you’ll be thankful when you get there.

The writer and his family travelled as guests of Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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