21 Hours in Vancouver: Cathay Pacific Business Class YVR-JFK

This was my first time experiencing Cathay Pacific’s International Business Class and my friend was just happy there would be lie-flat seats, so we were both excited to board the plane, which we eventually did an hour late, everything having been delayed by the late arriving aircraft.

When we arrived at our seats though, I was suddenly apprehensive and slightly claustrophobic.

My seat was 15A, a bulkhead seat that had only half a window (if I leaned forward). Somehow it managed to feel like a tight fit and, because there was no aisle-side armrest, wide open to everyone filing through the aisles.

But the rest of the cabin felt well lit and roomy, I think it was only the bulkhead seats that had this problem. (Note my friend who fell asleep almost the minute we boarded, worn out from our hijinks that day.)

All seats had quite a bit of storage space, both under the seat and storage on the side.

The TV had to be popped out to be seen which meant limited viewing options during take off and landing.

The business class cabin was quite large, which is good for award availability but not ideal for a 4 hour flight and service was rather rushed.

Pre-departure drinks of champagne, juice, and water were offered along with hot towels.

They dropped off an amenity kit designed by Seventy Eight Percent with Jurlique amenities, no slip socks, and a screen cleaning cloth.

Then came the menus, which I was particularly curious to see. Decent entrée options but nothing stood out.

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Dinner service was more reminiscent of domestic First class, with the salad, silverware, tub of dressing, and plastic container of butter arriving pre-plated.

I chose the spicy Hunan Chicken for my entrée, and it reminded me more of American Chinese than Asian fare.

The beverage service came at the same time as the entrees and I decided to take advantage of their Business Class Chilean Wine Promotion and sample the Carmenere.

The mango mousse dessert was probably the highlight!

Dinner was wrapped up about an hour and a half into the the flight and I dove under the giant fluffy blanket provided to catch an hour or two of sleep before we landed. The seats might not be as spacious as First Class, but I apparently slept just as well, waking up a few minutes before we began our descent, getting in on a glass of orange juice and luke warm towels that were being offered.

Even for a 4 hour flight, I found spending 25,000 miles for business vs 12,500 for economy well worth it, if only to get decent sleep on a red-eye. The lie flat seats ensure you won’t arrive with a stiff back or sore neck

Is is it worth spending the extra 12,500 (32,500 total miles) for First Class? On the shorter eastbound flights I’d say no, unless you plan to stay awake the whole time and enjoy dinner, Krug, and the enormous seats.

More from this trip:

Cathay Pacific JFK Check In and British Airways Galleries Lounge
Cathay Pacific First Class New York to Vancouver
One Rainy Snowy Day in Vancouver
Review of the Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge in Vancouver
How to Experience International First Class Flights Without Leaving the Continent

Related Posts:

• 21 Hours in Vancouver: Cathay Pacific Biz Class Lounge Vancouver Airport
• A Night at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver
• Experience An International First Class Flight Without Leaving North America
• Why You Should Always Be Nice to the Homeless When Traveling
• 21 Hours in Vancouver: Rainy Day Siteseeing and Squamish Falls