Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class on the A350-900 from Hong Kong to Munich

Faye Bradley
Oct 25
4 min read

Updated: Nov 6

Aircraft: Airbus A350-900

Route: Hong Kong (HKG) – Munich (MUC)

Flight No.: CX301

Date Flown: September 23, 2025

Seat: 21G

Cabin: Business Class

Cathay Pacific’s long-haul network has steadily rebounded, and its newly launched Hong Kong–Munich route marks another step in the carrier’s quiet European expansion. I boarded CX301 on September 30, just one day before Typhoon Ragasa would force Hong Kong International Airport into a rare two-day standstill. We flew with Cathay Pacific to check into two new properties in Europe – Rosewood Munich in Bavaria and Rosewood Schloss Fuschl in Austria.

Pre-Flight: The Bridge Lounge

Check-in at Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1 was swift, and with several hours to spare before boarding, I made my way to The Bridge Lounge — recently reopened after a thoughtful refresh. Spanning 2,500 square metres, the lounge retains its split-level layout with sweeping tarmac views, and it now feels more curated, with an emphasis on wellness and Hong Kong dining culture.

Naturally, I headed straight for the Noodle Bar. Few rituals signal departure from Hong Kong better than a bowl of dan dan noodles or the hand-pulled biang biang noodles, both prepared to order and served steaming hot. Balanced with a glass of Cathay Delight — the carrier’s signature kiwi-coconut-lime drink — it was exactly the sort of grounding meal one wants before a red-eye across continents.

Boarding

CX301 was scheduled for a midnight departure from Gate 69, operated by the Airbus A350-900, Cathay’s flagship long-haul aircraft. Boarding was handled efficiently, but once on board, we faced an air-traffic-control-related ground delay that stretched to nearly four hours. The crew remained composed throughout, providing refreshments and updates while passengers settled in. By the time we pushed back at around 3 a.m., most of the cabin was already half-asleep — myself included.

Seat & Cabin

I was seated in 21G, a middle seat in Cathay’s Business Class cabin. The airline’s reverse herringbone layout — still among the industry’s best — angles each seat away from the aisle, ensuring both privacy and direct aisle access. The cabin palette of jade, stone, and charcoal remains timeless, a masterclass in understated design.

Each seat converts into a fully flat bed measuring 79 inches in length, with a width of just over 21 inches. Storage is generous: a side console for personal items, a compartment for headphones and small electronics, and space under the ottoman for shoes. Amenities included a Bamford skincare kit, slippers, a mattress topper, and a full-size duvet.

Cathay’s A350 cabins also benefit from lower cabin altitude (equivalent to 6,000 feet rather than the industry-standard 8,000), higher humidity, and noticeably quieter engines — features that add up to a more restorative journey.

Dining

A full dinner service was offered shortly after takeoff. I opted for the braised beef short ribs with Shanghai vegetable rice, accompanied by choy sum and a deeply flavourful pork bone soup. The beef was fork-tender, and the rice carried just the right balance of umami to complement the dish. It was, however, well past 3 a.m., and fatigue won out — I skipped dessert and the cheese board, a first in my flying history.

Breakfast was served prior to descent into Munich. Cathay’s Wellness Breakfast is both lighter and more contemporary than the standard offerings. My tray arrived with seasonal fresh fruit, a warm pastry, and a vegan bircher muesli layered with almond milk, coconut, hazelnuts, and fresh berries. Paired with a juice, it struck exactly the right balance of nourishing and indulgent.

Service & Entertainment

Cathay’s crew performed with characteristic polish — calm, discreet, and unfailingly attentive, even during the lengthy ground delay. Each Business Class passenger was greeted by name, and service throughout the flight was paced deliberately to maximise rest.

The screen was loaded with current films and full TV box sets, but on this particular overnight, I barely scratched the surface. The interface remains one of the most intuitive among major airlines, with responsive touchscreens and Bluetooth pairing for personal headsets.

READ: Review: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Austria’s Most Enchanting Lakeside Escape

Final Thoughts

Landing in Munich felt like a minor triumph, given that Hong Kong’s airport shut down entirely just a day later. CX301 delivered exactly what Cathay Pacific has built its reputation on: consistency, elegance, and calm under pressure.

This new route is a strong addition to the airline’s European network, linking Asia’s financial hub with Bavaria’s cultural capital. The product may not come with sliding doors or over-the-top theatrics, but Cathay’s Business Class doesn’t need them. It thrives on something more enduring: comfort engineered for long-haul travel, dining rooted in both wellness and flavour, and service that feels quietly assured.

For travellers seeking a sanctuary in the sky — particularly on overnight sectors where sleep is paramount — Cathay Pacific’s A350-900 Business Class remains among the finest ways to cross continents.