Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review Flight Duration: 12 hours 45 minutes
Departure Time: 10:15PM from LHR Terminal 3, lands in Hong Kong at 6:00PM the next day local time
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Flight Number: CX254
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Booking and Value: Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Economy Review
For our Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review, flights onwards to Australia came in at around £950 return for LHR-HKG-SYD return. We thought was very good value for such a long journey on a full service airline. Considering the strong onboard product, generous seat pitch, checked baggage on standard fares, and the overall quality of the service, Cathay Pacific felt like a very competitive option on this route.
Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance on our Light fare included one 7kg cabin bag in the overhead locker plus a personal item such as a rucksack or laptop bag. Standard economy fares also include a checked bag up to 23kg each. Seat selection was free when checking in online 24 hours before departure, which is another plus as we were able to sit together and get a window seat!
Boarding Process and Timing
Boarding at Heathrow Terminal 3 was efficient and well organised, with passengers called by group numbers. The flight departed on time, which is always a strong start on a long overnight sector. The staff were polite, smiley, and consistently helpful throughout boarding, creating a very calm and welcoming atmosphere from the outset.
One detail that genuinely stood out before takeoff was that menus were handed out in economy class. That is something you rarely see these days in economy, and it immediately made the experience feel a little more premium.
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Hong Kong Hotel Options
If you are flying early, arriving late, or connecting through Hong Kong Airport (HKG), staying nearby keeps things simple. If you are heading into the city, central Hong Kong is best for sightseeing. See below for excellent hotel deals on Booking.com, filtered based on our top picks.
Seat Comfort on Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Economy
The Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER aircraft used on this route are around 23 years old at the time of writing, and you could definitely tell during takeoff. Compared to quieter aircraft such as the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350, this 777 felt noticeably louder and more dated from an engine noise perspective. That said, the age of the aircraft did not show at all once seated.
Cathay Pacific completed a full refit across all cabins in October 2024, and the interior felt modern and sleek. The seats and cabin were absolutely spotless, and everything looked fresh and well maintained. This Boeing 777-300ER has a total of 361 seats, made up of 45 business class seats, 48 premium economy seats, and 268 economy seats.
Economy seat pitch is a generous 32 inches, which is better than many long haul economy products, while seat width comes in at a fairly standard 17.2 inches with 6 inches of recline. There was an adjustable headrest, which helped for sleeping, although there was no footrest. A blanket and pillow were waiting at every seat and both were comfortable enough for an overnight flight. There was no amenity kit, but that is very standard in economy.
We had seats 67A and 67B, just three rows from the back. Even here, the cabin felt clean and well looked after. There was a USB charging port at every seat, and Wi Fi was available onboard, although it was not free and cost around 24 USD for the flight.
In-Flight Entertainment Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Economy Review
The entertainment system was one of the biggest highlights of this Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review. The screens were very responsive, clearly part of the newer seat installation, and the Studio CX in-flight entertainment system had a wide selection of both Western and Hong Kong films.
What impressed me most was the games section. I played Monopoly, and the system even allowed you to link entertainment screens with another passenger. Myself and my partner were able to play against each other from our separate screens, which was a cool touch.
The interactive map was also smooth and responsive, and you could view the menu through the screen as well. Cheap headsets were provided at every seat and they were not especially comfortable, but at least they worked properly. Overall, this was a very strong entertainment setup and clearly one of the better long haul economy systems I have used. Perhaps not quite as good as the Emirates entertainment system which we have reviewed, but pretty close!
Food and Drink on Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Economy
The food and drink service was another strong point. Before dinner, there was a full round of drinks, where I had a red wine, served with some peanuts. There was no sparkling wine or Champagne, which is exactly what you would expect in economy, but the overall bar selection was very impressive. The menu included spirits such as Finlandia vodka, Gordon’s gin, and Bacardi rum, along with red and white wines, several lagers, Betsy Pale Ale, soft drinks, teas, and more. It felt like a properly stocked long haul bar service.
The first meal was served around two hours after takeoff on one tray, again as expected in economy. To start, there was a tomato salad with chicken. The mains were a choice of tomato chicken with egg fried rice or braised beef with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes. I had the beef and mash, which was tasty.. Dessert was a Häagen Dazs cookies and cream ice cream, which for me is one of the best things Cathay Pacific does in economy. I would much rather have proper branded ice cream than a forgettable standard airline dessert.
The meal also came with a warm bread roll, cheese and crackers, and I was pleased to see proper metal cutlery, which made the whole service feel a little closer to premium economy. Paper cups did bring things back down a little bit, but overall the catering presentation was very solid!
After the meal, there was another round of drinks, and later in the flight Cathay Pacific also left out crisps, granola bars, and fruit for a mid flight snack at the aircraft galley.
Cabin lights were dimmed for over eight hours, giving everyone a good chance to sleep. Around two hours before landing, breakfast was served on one tray. This included fresh fruit such as melon and dragonfruit, a strawberry yoghurt, a warm bread roll, and a choice between a chicken omelette with vegetables and potatoes or prawn congee. I chose the omelette, which was a little dry but passable.
Overall, the food and drink offering was very good for economy class and felt well thought through from start to finish.
We’ve uploaded the menus below for you to read!
Cleanliness and Onboard Facilities
The toilets were cleaned regularly throughout the flight, and the cabin remained tidy the whole way to Hong Kong. This was another area where Cathay Pacific impressed. Despite this being an older aircraft underneath, the refitted interior and excellent upkeep meant the onboard environment felt fresh and modern throughout.
The flight itself was smooth and we landed on time in Hong Kong. The crew remained warm and attentive throughout, always smiling and happy to help when needed.
Judging Parameters Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER Economy Review:
Overall, this Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review shows a very strong long haul economy product. The aircraft may be older and noticeably noisy on takeoff, but Cathay Pacific has done a great job with the 2024 refit, and the interior now feels modern, spotless, and well equipped. The responsive entertainment system, strong food and drink offering, printed menus, and polished service all help this stand out as one of the better economy experiences on a long haul overnight route. There is honestly not much to improve here beyond the aircraft noise from the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft type!
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Staff: 9/10
• Food and Drink: 9/10
• Entertainment: 10/10
• Seat Comfort: 8/10
The Airport Lounge Bro Flight Rating: 9/10
For more information on Cathay Pacific, you can view their website here.
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FAQs
In this Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review, the Light fare included one 7kg cabin bag plus a personal item. Standard economy fares also include a checked bag up to 23kg, along with a 7kg cabin bag plus a personal item.
Yes, this Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review found the alcohol offering very good for economy class. Passengers could choose from red and white wine, beers, and spirits such as vodka, gin, Baileys and rum, alongside soft drinks, tea, and coffee.
This Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER economy review found the amenities and entertainment to be very strong. Passengers received a blanket, pillow, printed menu, headphones, USB charging, and an excellent entertainment screen with films, games, and a responsive interactive map.
Yes, this review shows that Cathay Pacific economy is definitely worth it. The combination of good seat pitch, strong food and drink, excellent entertainment, checked baggage on standard fares, and polished service makes it one of the better long haul economy products.
Book Lounge Access
After you click Priority Pass, simply scroll down to the ‘Your Journey Starts Here’ section to purchase a lounge membership that suits you. A ‘Standard’ membership is best for more infrequent travellers which allows access to all lounges for a discounted fee (£24 or currency equivalent). ‘Standard Plus’ membership will provide 9 free visits per year, and then at the discounted rate after that. The ‘Prestige’ membership is for the frequent flier, which grants unlimited lounge access for the year!
*Please note, all guests would enter at the discounted entry fee.
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