Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes

Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes - Caviar and Crystal Return to the Skies

For those yearning to travel in true luxury, your prayers have been answered. Caviar and crystal are back in the skies on select Cathay Pacific routes thanks to the relaunch of their ultra-luxe first class service. This indulgent experience brings back a bygone era of glamour and refinement that is rarely found today.

Upon boarding your private first class suite, a flute of perfectly chilled champagne awaits you, courtesy of a dapper flight attendant. As you settle in and get comfortable in your lie-flat bed and soft cotton pajamas, more vintage Krug and Dom Pérignon flows freely to toast the start of your journey.

Mealtime is when the real magic happens. Cathay is renowned for having one of the best inflight dining programs, turning plane food into a culinary experience. First class passengers can expect to indulge in a six-course tasting menu specially designed by famed chefs. Dishes like seared wagyu tenderloin and pan-fried turbot are paired with fine wines personally selected by expert sommeliers. And no luxury meal is complete without caviar, served upon request with all the classic garnishes like crème fraiche and blinis.
In between courses, take a stroll to the lavatory to freshen up using luxury skincare products from Aesop. Or request turndown service and a cup of nighttime tea before drifting off to sleep underneath down duvets. With nearly 6 feet of personal space, you'll arrive well-rested, even on long haul journeys.

Cathay's first class cabin crew are incredibly thoughtful and gracious. As a first class flyer, you are treated as an honored guest in their home. They take pride in delivering personalized service that anticipates needs before you even have to ask. This includes everything from addressing you by name and remembering your drink preferences, to customizing your entertainment selections and recommending your next binge-worthy movie.
While the amenities and attention to detail are top notch, what truly sets Cathay Pacific's first class experience apart is the sense of old world refinement. It's a throwback to the golden age of flying where getting dressed up and savoring a civilized drink or meal was de rigueur. Between the vintage bubbly, caviar service and swanky pajamas, you'll feel like a character who just stepped out of an episode of Pan Am.

What else is in this post?

1. Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes - Caviar and Crystal Return to the Skies
2. Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes - Sleep Amongst the Stars in a Lie-Flat Suite
3. Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes - Indulge in a Six-Course Meal Paired with Vintage Bubbles

Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes - Sleep Amongst the Stars in a Lie-Flat Suite

With airlines cramming more and more passengers into tinier and tinier spaces, the concept of a genuinely comfortable flight in a lie-flat seat seems like a pipe dream nowadays. But those longing for the days when air travel was still a luxurious and relaxing experience should book themselves into Cathay Pacific's newly relaunched first class suites.

These well-appointed cocoons make you feel like you're sleeping amongst the stars. At a spacious 82 inches long when reclined into a fully flat bed, even the tallest travelers can stretch out without having their knees bent or feet hanging over the end. That's a sadly rare accommodation on most modern aircraft.

Plush down pillows and cozy cotton duvets invite you to snuggle in and experience the sublime feeling of drifting off to sleep above the clouds. With nearly 6 feet of personal space, you won't have to contort your body to avoid touching your seatmate. Pro Tip: Splurge on the pair of designer pajamas they provide so you can lounge comfortably without wrinkling your travel clothes.
Those who have tested out the lie-flat suites rave about them. Frequent flyer enthusiast Amanda G. said, "I'm 6'2" and it's the first time I could fully extend my legs while sleeping on a plane. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the day after a peaceful slumber at 35,000 feet."

Simon G., an aviation blogger, agrees. "Cathay Pacific first class suites are pure luxury. The bedding is divine with high thread count sheets and a thick duvet. With so much room, I could change positions and sleep on my side rather than being forced on my back - a true game changer for comfort."

Light sleepers will also appreciate how private and enclosed the suites are. They are thoughtfully designed as standalone pods separated by high walls. Not only does this prevent you from being disturbed by your neighbor getting up, but it also blocks out ambient noise and distractions that could disrupt your rest.

Those inclined to be productive on flights can also appreciate the design. The spacious suite allows you to sit upright on the lie-flat bed with your laptop and work comfortably as if you were at a desk. No contorting your body or crunching your knees up to balance a computer on tiny tray tables.

Sip Champagne at 30,000 Feet: Cathay Pacific Brings Back Luxe First Class on NYC Routes - Indulge in a Six-Course Meal Paired with Vintage Bubbles

Forget peanuts and pretzels - on Cathay Pacific's first class, you'll indulge in a six-course tasting menu worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The airline has partnered with famed chefs to elevate inflight dining into a true culinary experience. Each dish is thoughtfully composed to delight your palate with a balance of flavors, textures, and colors.

"Cathay's attention to detail with their inflight cuisine is incredible. The ingredients are top-notch and every bite packs immense flavor into small servings," says Julien L., an avid foodie who documents his global dining adventures.

You'll begin your gastronomic journey with an amuse bouche to whet your appetite. Next comes the starter course, with options like Hokkaido sea urchin with Oscietra caviar or pan-seared foie gras. The fish course dazzles with sustainably sourced delicacies like miso black cod with pickled daikon. Intermezzo serves up refreshing sorbets and broths to cleanse your palate before the next wave of flavors.

The main event is premium cuts of meat like Miyazaki wagyu filet mignon or rosemary-crusted lamb rack paired with luxe sides like black truffle mashed potatoes. Finally, dessert satiates your sweet tooth with Valrhona chocolate souffles or caramelized fig tartlets. At any point during your meal, you can request a caviar service complete with all the traditional garnishes.
Leave it up to the sommeliers to select the perfect wines to complement each dish. Thanks to Cathay's extensive, award-winning wine cellar in the sky, you'll sip elite French champagne, prestigious Napa Valley cabernets, and other coveted vintage pours most can only dream of.

"Having world-class wine pairings totally transforms and elevates the dining experience," says Victor N., an oenophile who indulges in fine wines across the globe. "Cathay's wine program with their vintage Krug and Dom Perignon is incredible at 30,000 feet."

It's not just the food and drink that impresses - it's the refined service as well. White glove servers present each course with flair and explain the provenance of ingredients. They gracefully pour wines and can suggesting pairings if you're unsure. You're made to feel like an honored guest at a 5-star restaurant despite dining at 600 miles per hour.
For those with special dietary needs, Cathay's culinary team can cater to a variety of restrictions with advanced notice. Whether you require kosher, halal, gluten-free, or vegan options, they customize meals so you don't have to miss out on the upscale experience.
Travelers who have indulged in Cathay first class can't stop raving. "It was the best meal I've had in the air, full stop. I loved discovering new flavors and learning about the wines from the attentive staff," says Alex W., a Melbourne-based businesswoman who logs hundreds of thousands of miles a year crisscrossing the globe.