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When comparing British Airways Vs. Cathay Pacific, which is the best option when traveling in Business Class?
We have reviewed both British Airways in Business Class (many many times!) and Cathay Pacific in Business Class so you can read my separate trip reports for an in-depth analysis.
Airport & Lounges
Cathay Pacific operates from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), while the British Airways hub is London Heathrow (LHR). Both airports are excellent, offering decent restaurants, world-class shopping with Haute boutiques, and a wide range of leisure facilities. Hong Kong airport even has a golf course (HKG).
Hong Kong Airport has a more impressive look – with soaring spaces bathed in daylight under a vaulted roof, London Heathrow is the airport closest to my home, and I particularly love Terminal 5, which the majority of British Airways flights leave from. It has excellent British Airways airport lounges and is a marvel of engineering and design (at least by British standards).
I have reviewed the best airline lounges at Hong Kong airport for comparison, but there is little to choose between the in-lounge experience between the two airlines.
Of course, your opinion may be swayed by which destination you want a layover. Both cities are fun and lively, and both offer an excellent array of luxury hotels, so, from this perspective, the destination choice is purely personal.
Cabin
I actually like the style of both British Airways and Cathay Pacific. They are both stylish, and I don’t have a particular favorite. British Airways planes offer classic style in a blue hue.
Cathay Pacific’s planes feature an understated, white, and minimalist kind of modernism. The neutral white color palette of the cabin is given a touch of vibrancy with green seat cushions and light grey carpets, while small, elegant white floral displays decorate the cabin, adding to the overall luxurious feel.
Both British Airways and Cathay Pacific offer a consistent Business Class product across most of their long-haul fleet.
Pilots
As a nervous flyer, I like to fly British Airways as the pilots tend to keep you informed of turbulence and tend to have a rather comforting (for me) British accent. Many have a background in the RAF. I am sure pilots from other airlines are equally competent, but there is no other airline that has the Biggles style British Airways pilots.
Best Business Class Seat
Cathay and Cathay for so many reasons! British Airways Business Class seats are poor. Thin foam, thin seats, no direct aisle access for many of the seats. They were groundbreaking when they were launched, but other airlines have improved on their model and are now much, much better than the seats on British Airways.
Cathay Pacific’s aircraft, with the exception of its regionally outfitted B777s, have a 1-2-1 layout with a reverse herringbone configuration that offers a slightly greater amount of privacy since seats on the side are angled toward the window. In contrast, the seats in the middle are angled towards each other.
I think the best wide-body Business Class layout & seats are (in order from excellent to OK):
Cathay Pacific B777, A330, and A350.
Cathay Pacific B777 (with regional configuration).
British Airways (all planes).
Business Class flatbed
Cathay Pacific has the best Business Class flatbed. This, alone, is a reason to choose Cathay Pacific over British Airways. The “Cirrus seat” is one of the best Business Class seats in the sky. It offers plenty of space, privacy, storage room and turns into an excellent flatbed.
British Airways Club World seats are currently lie flat but thin, which means less privacy when you are trying to sleep to the point that you can feel quite vulnerable to passing traffic on these seats. Of course, if you have a non-aisle seat, you will feel less vulnerable, but you do not currently get aisle access from a non-aisle seat, so you have to climb over neighbors to get out.
Food
I have never been wowed by the taste nor presentation of the food onboard Cathay Pacific or British Airways. I guess a preference would be as to which style of food you prefer. British Airways food is very British with offerings like their afternoon tea. Cathay has a more Asian twist, as you would expect.
Amenity kit
Cathay Pacific’s Business Class amenity kit has been created by Seventy Eight Percent, a Hong Kong-based design company that creates high-quality bags for globetrotting professionals. The washbag contains Jurlique products (natural lip care balm, balancing daycare dream, and citrus hand cream), anti-skid socks, eyeshade, toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs, and monitor-cleaning cloth.
BA offers a luxury amenity kit with Elemis skincare products and accessories in Business Class which is not noteworthy. Both kits are similarly good.
Conclusion: British Airways Vs. Cathay Pacific
British Airways and Cathay Pacific both offer solid Business Class products. Cathay is positioned as one of the best in the skies, with the exception of the Middle Eastern Carriers. British Airways is not as good but is still an enjoyable experience.
Crucially, it is easier to sleep on the Cathay Pacific seats. However, if the cost of the Business Class ticket is the most important aspect of travel for you, you may choose to pick whichever is cheapest.
Find out how to get a free flight upgrade and if you want to pick up a travel bargain, you should read our 7 sensational secrets that all travellers should know (but probably don’t).
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