Ask a Cathay member: what's your favourite aspect of Cathay Pacific's inflight service?

How does Cathay Pacific consistently rank among the world's best airlines? Beyond the intuitive design of its aircraft cabins to the award-winning inflight entertainment system, the differentiator lies in the warm hospitality of the crew and the welcoming atmosphere they cultivate. It’s a holistic experience where every element feels considered, proving that the highest form of luxury in the sky is seamless, thoughtful care.

Read on to delve into some of our valued members’ favourite memories of flying with Cathay. 

“The story began years ago, when a crew member once told me that drinking chilled jasmine tea on a flight helps you sleep better. I took her advice, and it worked to calm me down and letting me rest on long-haul flights. Since then, it’s become my little ritual."

“One overnight flight from Sydney, I settled into my usual routine - ordering my iced jasmine tea with dinner, midway through the flight, and once more with breakfast. As we touched down in Hong Kong, I was preparing myself for a long day ahead. What I didn’t expect was one of the crew — who had noticed my repeated tea orders throughout the flight — standing there with a chilled bottle of jasmine tea as I disembarked. She handed it to me with a smile, saying she thought I might appreciate it for the day ahead. Landing at 4am, tired and bracing for a busy schedule, that drink was the perfect gift at the perfect moment. That small gesture touched me deeply, and it stayed with me long after the flight."

“Back in the day, when we were travelling with our toddler, a flight attendant struck up a conversation with him about the 'magic' of the inflight map. It completely captured his attention, giving us a few precious minutes to relax. It was a real lifesaver.”

“I also have to mention the Cathay Delight, a signature mocktail made with kiwi juice, fresh milk, coconut milk, and a hint of mint, often garnished with mint leaves. It's my absolute favourite. Also, I particularly enjoy the latest movie releases available on the inflight entertainment system, especially during long-haul flights.” 

“It's when the crew offers a properly chilled, full glass of freshly opened champagne (not the 1 cm of warm, flat champagne that was offered to me on my last flight with another airline) and makes sure that everyone has their cocktail immediately after take-off so I can sit back, relax and enjoy a movie with a drink and a bowl of cashew nuts. Too often, the first thing the airline crews brings down is a tablecloth which then stays on the table for up to one hour before anything else happens, but not on Cathay Pacific.”

“It's also the cabin temperature being just right, 20–21 degrees Celsius for a full cabin, not 23–24 degrees Celsius for the crew's comfort while passengers are perspiring in their seats. And finally, it's when the toilets are actually kept clean by a conscientious crew, with no overflowing waste bins, dirty toilets and blocked handbasins. That's a good flight – you can usually tell the quality of an establishment by the state of the toilets.”

“The warm hospitality of the cabin crew is charming. I fondly remember the senior purser greeting Business class passengers personally, handing out menus and making everyone feel special! The crew’s genuine smiles while offering welcome drinks and hot towels always make me feel pampered. I also loved how amenity kits and water bottles were personally handed out, adding a lovely touch. One of my fond memories is feeling very relaxed and not rushed when the cabin crew was taking my order. And who could forget the fabulous way meals were served? Each course felt like a celebration, beautifully presented via the First class cart! Crew members were very educated to explain each dish, especially the cheese selections and wines.”

“My favourite part about flying with Cathay Pacific is the onboard Wi-Fi in Business cabins, it makes a long-haul flight feel much shorter when I can stay connected, scroll through my phone and chat with friends. I also always look forward to checking out the latest movies and dramas on the inflight entertainment. Cathay's selection is consistently excellent, and honestly, it’s the best I’ve experienced across all airlines I’ve flown with.”