10 Comfy Reasons to Try Cathay Pacific’s New Flights to Hong Kong from Vancouver

Hooray! Air travel is glamorous again — well, it is on Cathay Pacific’s three weekly flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong. With so many airlines announcing cuts to comfort, the news comes precisely when we need it most. After all, a flight should be about enjoying the journey, not enduring it.

To give their customers a memorable flight, Cathay Pacific’s new A350-900 brings spacious comforts to Business, Premium and Economy seats. If you’re planning on travelling between Hong Kong and Vancouver, here are 10 features you’ll get to enjoy.

1. Lighten up:
   We’ve all heard about the impact of light therapy on sleep disorders. The A350 brings these benefits to long-distance travel. LED mood lighting subtly changes colour during the flight, triggering your internal clock to reset. Passengers will be recovering from jet lag before they even touch down.

2. Get horizontal:
   If you’re one of those people who just can’t sleep sitting up, the A350’s cozy new Business class compartments will be a dream come true. Seats lay out completely flat and Cathay Pacific provides high-quality pillows and comforters so you can snuggle right in. Program “do not disturb” or “wake-up call” modes from your seat to take control of your sleep schedule.

3. Immediate entertainment:
   When travelling with kids or a grouchy travel buddy, time waiting for the entertainment system to kick in can seem interminable. Cathay Pacific’s improved entertainment service is available from the moment you take your seat right up until landing. Enjoy a larger more sensitive touchscreen that’s easy to navigate. You’ll be toggling through the extensive library of movies, games, city guides and digital magazines in no time at all.
4. Quiet time:
   The cabin is noticeably quieter than other planes — you can whisper your requests to flight attendants and still be heard. The impressive acoustic-friendly design and draft-free air circulation system brings the customary roar of fans down to a gentle hum, so you can rest or read without auditory distractions.

5. Luxurious seating:
   Award-winning designer Studio F.A. Porsche has given Premium Economy seats some luxurious updates. Imagine reclining back in your seat with your feet elevated on leather-padded leg rests, enjoying a book with a reading light extending from an adjustable arm on your headrest. Every Economy seat also has a USB port and tablet holder at eye-level to make binging your favourite show a breeze. Catching up on me-time in-flight has never been so comfortable.

6. Store more:
   The well-known struggle of racing to find a spot for your carry-on luggage has no place on the A350-900. Overhead bins are gigantic, and, in Business class, the floor under seats is flat, leaving you with more space in which to tuck your books and handbags. Seats in all sections have additional console and seat-back space for keeping track of smaller items like your devices and snacks. 

7. Modern updates:
   Chic teal fabric covers Cathay Pacific’s proprietary six-way adjustable headrests, keeping your neck supported through naps and movies during the entire journey. There are more compartments in seat-backs for bits and pieces, including a deeper cup holder to guard your wine against turbulence (or clumsiness).

8. Meal time:
   One of the plane’s sweetest accessories is the new bento-box inspired meal tray that reduces waste while elevating in-flight meals with a luxe aesthetic. The Asian-inspired trays allows food to fit more snugly, and the matte aluminum finish gives it a sleek modern edge. Meals are also served within an hour of take-off so you can spend the rest of the flight enjoying all the amenities on board.

9. Low pressure:
   In the realm of feel-good science, the A350’s unique design allows it to lower air altitude to 6,000 feet instead of the usual 8,000 feet. That means cabin air pressure is lower, reducing strain on our bodies. What does that amount to for passengers? You’ll experience fewer symptoms of jet lag like headaches or dehydration, so you can get to your destination ready to go.

10. Get connected:
    These days, it’s hard to disconnect from your devices. Whether you need to send a few emails, chat with family or simply browse for a new pair of shoes, the A350 has you covered. As soon as the plane reaches 10,000 feet, ask for the Wi-Fi password to get connected (fees apply).

Time to break out the travel guides because travelling to Hong Kong and Vancouver just got a whole lot comfier.