Cathay Pacific has revealed a range of enhancements for its First and Business Class customers, in what the airline calls an “elevated premium travel experience”. Features include new bedding, wellness cuisine and Bamford amenity kits, rolling out from 1st December 2019.
“We are incredibly excited to be unveiling many wonderful enhancements in our First and Business Class cabins, and to have Bamford, a renowned leader in sustainable luxury, as the cornerstone of our premium inflight experience.” – Vivian Lo, General Manager Customer Experience and Design
First Class dining
In First Class, a “more bespoke customer journey” is promised with improvements to the bedding, new amenities, plus additional food options and enhanced tableware.
You’ll be presented with a welcome reception tray on boarding, featuring a personalised welcome note, a hot towel and a glass of refreshing sparkling jasmine silver needle tea.
Brand new recipes in this cabin will include lighter options for breakfast and healthy alternatives like “superfood bowls and lighter protein side dishes”. Teas will be supplied by JING, with cold pressed juices from Hong Kong-based Bless.
There will also be new tableware in a more contemporary style, with china from Noritake, cutlery from Robert Welch and glassware by RIEDEL, including full-sized wine glasses.
Bedding and amenities
In both First Class and Business Class cabins, Cathay has partnered with Bamford to provide what it describes as “exclusive amenities, travel kits and plush bedding” on board.
Up the front, First Class flyers can look forward to 600-thread-count cotton mattresses and duvets, plus a soft full-size pillow. There’s even a “Botanic Pillow Mist”, which will be a feature of the airline’s new turndown service.
Branded male and female amenity kits will include natural skincare products in glass bottles. Bamford amenities will also be available in the onboard washrooms and will roll out at at selected Cathay Pacific lounges, replacing the current Aesop products.
In Business Class, passengers will get a Bamford soft mattress topper, a larger, plusher sleeping pillow and premium-quality slippers. Cathay said these were the items most regularly requested by its customers flying in this cabin.
New unisex amenity kits will be available in four colours that will rotate throughout the year.
The airline has stopped short, however, of offering pyjamas to Business Class passengers. Nonetheless when flying in this cabin you’ll be able to bed down on a 400-thread-count pillowcase and a two-piece cotton duvet.
The changes also come as the airline has recently refreshed its long-haul Business Class dining concept, now rolled out across the network, and started a significant investment in upgrading its in-flight entertainment systems, which is an ongoing project.
Summary
An impressive looking upgrade to Cathay’s already good and popular in-flight products and service in the First and Business Class cabins. The full press release from the airline, including high-definition images, is available here.
The mattress topper is a big benefit in Business Class and should improve comfort considerably, even while sitting and relaxing.
The biggest difference should be realised in the sleeping experience, with superior bedding in both cabins.
We already enjoy Cathay’s existing products and service, especially in First Class which to us retains an edge over many competitors, despite its age (see our comprehensive review here).
We look forward to trying out these latest enhancements on our next trip with the airline.
(Cover Photo: Cathay Pacific)