Cathay Pacific’s direct service between Johannesburg and Hong Kong offers travellers in Asia a convenient and comfortable link to southern Africa.
Airline: Cathay Pacific | Route: Hong Kong-Johannesburg | Aircraft: A350 | Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Check-in and Lounge
I checked in for my Cathay Pacific flight, CX748 from Johannesburg to Hong Kong, at sprawling O.R. Tambo International Airport’s Terminal B, where the process was quick and efficient, with cheerful staff setting the mood perfectly.
From there, it was a quick walk through immigration and security to the Shongololo Lounge, which Cathay uses for its premium passengers. The space was busy but well-maintained, offering a great selection of hot and cold snacks, as well as a full bar. It was also only steps from Gate 6, where the boarding process onto the A350 aircraft was similarly orderly.
Cheerful crew greeted us onboard and, after settling in, we were offered glasses of chilled Drappier Carte d’Or Brut champagne and piping hot towels, as well as menus for the brunch service.
After a quick briefing from the pilot, we taxied and departed on time at 11.20am for the 13-hour, 10-minute journey to Hong Kong.
The Seat
It’s hard not to love Cathay’s business class on the A350-900, its newest aircraft type. Designed for long-haul services, the A350’s business class cabin is split into two, much like those on the 777, and features a 1-2-1 configuration. With the perfect balance of privacy and functionality, the seat boasts a razor-sharp 18.4-inch monitor, convenient USB and AC ports and seat controls, and at 20 inches wide, with a 45-inch pitch, it’s a dream to lounge in.
A large work table also makes working, or in my case, safari photo editing, a breeze. Even with my laptop open, I was still able to enjoy a movie over my Bluetooth headphones, no adapter needed, while I worked, with convenient storage spaces allowing me to secure all those little long-haul essentials.
Dining
On this long daytime flight, I started with a Bloody Mary and a seared beef salad with muhammara dip and grilled asparagus and peppers. The salad was fresh, zesty and well-proportioned, and it was followed by stir-fried chicken with mixed peppers, pak choy and steamed rice, with a pork and carrot soup on the side. The dish was surprisingly good, so much so that I decided to skip dessert and settle in for the long journey north.
A couple of hours out from Hong Kong, I opted for the char siu pork rice noodle soup from the all-day snack menu. It was rich and satisfying, and a lovely taste of Hong Kong.
Entertainment
I love the A350’s crystal-clear monitor, the Bluetooth connectivity, and the ability to skip the many ads at the beginning of films. While the aircraft type does offer wifi connectivity, I decided to make the most of the peace and quiet instead.
Service
My only niggle with the flight would be the service. There’s no doubt that Cathay has been working hard to restore service levels after the pandemic, and while crew are cheerful and attentive when summoned, there’s definitely a greenness on this flight, with crew literally jogging through the cabin and trays slopped down unceremoniously. The result, at times, felt closer to economy-class service from a crew that preferred to hide in the galley rather than work proactively.
That said, I’m confident Cathay’s service ethos will stick, and that this next generation of crew will help lead the airline back to world-leading status.
The Verdict
Cathay Pacific’s Johannesburg–Hong Kong route delivers a genuinely excellent hard product, with the A350’s business class seat, dining and entertainment all performing at a five-star level. Service on this particular flight fell short of that standard, holding the overall experience to a still-impressive four out of five, making it a serious contender when you’re looking to head south for that luxury safari.
If you are headed to South Africa, don’t forget to check out our favourite South African safari destinations and our 48 hour guide to Cape Town.
