Cathay Pacific Airbus A321NEO | “Cocoon-like” Regional Business Class? | CX751 Hong Kong to Bangkok

[@Olivesnoobchannel]

I couldn't find any cathay a321neo reviews on KZbin. Seems that you are the first one!

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, that was my plan... Was trying to edit it asap so that I can be the first one to share the experience... Hope you liked the video! :)

[@Vegas0Drew]

Yes, I was also searching for CX A321neo information. The route HKG-DPS has been served by a huge variety of aircraft over the years, even a 747 sold as a 2-class but with a proper 747 first class cabin to which some passengers were invited (lucky me!) - they simply cautioned that the food was the same as the other business class passengers but of course the CX service was extraordinary. But then over the years they even had 2-3-2 seating, 2-2-2 seat, and now this smaller aircraft - the only challenge is HKG-DPS is not really that short of a flight!

[@isaacflyaway]

I'm glad that you are the first one to upload a CX A321NEO review :) Loved the morden interior onboard

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Isaac :) Yes, the interior is really nice, hope you would get onboard one of these jets one day! :)

[@Justin87878]

I am from Indonesia. Since I was a teenager, my parents always use CX for our long-haul flight to Canada and Northern China. It was back in 2010s....Back then, they were on par with Air France, and Singapore Airlines. Although, nowadays is a bit behind SQ (just a tiny bit on their hard product). Nevertheless, I am amazed at how much it has improved in 2023. CX is something to be proud of for the people of HK and China. We now have tougher competition from Qatar and the Emirates.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Justin, haha interesting to hear that you are from Indonesia as "Ho" is a very common surname in Hong Kong. As a Hongkong-er, I do agree that Cathay has been a brand that we, Hongkong-ers, are proud of, but sadly, and you are right, the brand is facing severe challenge from other competitors and the socio-political situation in Hong Kong... Thanks for watching again and hope you enjoyed it!

[@Justin87878]

@@MarcoPoloClubFlyer I am Indonesian-Chinese (Chinese descent). However, born and raised in Indonesia.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

I see ~ I think my grandpa also used to live in indonesia and he used to call himself 印尼華僑 (not sure if u read chinese haha, but it’s Indonesian-Chinese)

[@anwerabdallah569]

nice new aircraft its clean. and good. thank you for sharing this flight with us iv enjoyed it too much. bravo

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks and I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much! :)

[@Franeux]

Certainly looks like a premium experience. Also appreciate their efforts in providing so much within such limited space. Hopefully they will make wifi freely available in Business Class in the future, definitely not catching up with the trend now. Nice video! Looking forward to your next ones!

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Henri :) Ya, it would be really sad if you couldn't use the WiFi for free on a longer flight in Business Class.

[@annecy49]

Glad to see a new colour palette; I have never liked their green. This one looks more posh and pleasant to the eyes. Nice review!

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Definitely, and I loved it too! Thanks for watching! :)

[@Sanznachito]

This new product feels next generation and superlative to many regional flight sectors around the world, especially with what we receive in Europe. The warm hospitality and service really makes me miss CX - so good to see them opening up after a long and forced absence. How was the pricing for this sector against what you experienced? Amazing result in the lounge to be so well looked after too! Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Nachito :) Well, I won't compare CX with European carriers... They are of two distinct levels haha. The pricing was fair for this flight, and I very much enjoyed it (probably because it was my first time onboard CX's A321neo). Hope to see you flying with Cathay (again) soon! :)

[@karlgalway7605]

Well this aircraft was designed for Cathay Dragon which has no flat bed business product. So I think made sense for this product. Considering it’s for short flights

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Well, I think for a 2-hour flight, that's perfectly fine... But for a 5-hour flight from Hong Kong to Sapporo or Denpasar, or a redeye flight, then that would not be the ideal Business Class seat for me :o(

[@karlgalway7605]

@@MarcoPoloClubFlyer Well I tried Cathay Dragon business class from Hong Kong to Bangalore on the A330 for 6 hour flight and it’s not lie flat so yeah not ideal for these flights. But now CX has taken over the route on the A350 so at least can get flat bed now

[@edwink1467]

@@karlgalway7605 I suspect the A350 will only be operating temporarily on that route for the next 1-2 years until Cathay’s long haul demand picks up where the A350 typically flies. Then, the A330 will likely return, but many of their A330s are equipped with long haul configuration anyway.

[@SvenSellmann]

If you're Diamond why don't you use the First Class check in?

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, very much attention to small details... the answer is simply because I wasn't Diamond haha

[@EpicThe112]

They also fly to my home airports of Clark and Manila in the Philippines from Hong Kong. Although suited for Hong Kong to Davao City since Manila needs the larger planes. Otherwise, CX copied Rival PR for using A321neo on a busy route like HKG-MNL and return MNL-HKG

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Hey, thanks for watching! I don't really understand why did CX put these small jets on really popular routes like HKG-MNL or HKG-BKK... Flights seems to be always full :(

[@EpicThe112]

@@MarcoPoloClubFlyer correct and for Hong-Kong Philippines Market the only routes where they can work are Hong Kong Davao City Hong Kong Clark possibly Hong Kong to Kalibo these are not like HKG-MNL/CEB. Hong Kong to South Korea Market HKG-PUS/Jeju Island

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Have Not Try Out Cathay Pacific Yet Great Work

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks! :)

[@vickybobo412]

A321neo originally on cathay dragon routes. Tokyo was the longest flying hours using single aisle aircraft. Mostly flying to china and southeast asia. Not sure where cathay pacific are currently flying using a321 neo. I have seen bkk and mnl.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

I think CX might also be using it for Indonesia in the future... I chatted with the crew onboard my flight and was told that from Dec 2022, CX began to put these aircrafts on flights to Southeast Asia, while flights to China have been replaced by some regional A330 jets.

[@EpicThe112]

Regarding Hong Kong to Manila CX copied its longtime competitor Philippine Airlines by using A321neo for that route. Back then CX had all widebody airplanes on HKG-MNL while PR used widebody and narrowbody planes like their A320-214s and A319-114s. when you compare Hong Kong to Manila between CX and PR easy way to do the difference between the two check economy class if you have a power plug between the two seats that means it's CX planes while PR planes only come with USB in Fiesta Class PR brand for economy class

[@teratikkoanan7671]

Dear Sir. Well review. By the way, I am going to have a transfer at HKG from BKK to KIX. How can I check the boarding gate online? I have 2hours transit time. Is it enough?

[@BrandonJohnson10K]

Nice review. I honestly didn’t even know CX acquired any A321 NEO’s

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

They are brand new! And I think the cabin a significant upgrade vs the previous regional seat products :) You should try seat 10K onboard CX's A321Neo next time... Fun fact: Cathay generally does not have row 10 on its aircraft. Its Business Class on wide body jets starts from row 11... But probably because CX wanted to avoid row 13, and with three rows of Business Class seats, they decided to start from Row 10 on the A321Neos :)

[@BrandonJohnson10K]

@@MarcoPoloClubFlyer 10K for me is a must whenever I can lol.

[@Watchwatch122]

Does the first row have less leg room?

[@fjftt]

The colors are reminescent of KA F. An homage to that bygone cabin perhaps.

[@ericforsbergs2364]

Cathay is still a great airline at least better than TG, but SQ and EK is still better. Thanks for sharing.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Hey Eric, thanks for watching! :) Well, I do agree that CX is not as good as it used to be these days, probably due to the hard-hit by covid, I think CX is far better than TG haha. But I also have to admit that, I did fly on SQ recently, and their crew were more fun and engaging when compared to the over-stressed CX crew :(

[@263184710126]

curious on what device for video taking

[@hcaviation]

Good video ken. I am going to Bangkok next week by Hong Kong Airline.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for the kind words :) Enjoy your trip! Bangkok is a lovely place :)

[@ddddhhhh101]

How to become a marco polo club member? Is it the same as cathay member (for asia miles) and need to earn status point to go up the ladder?

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Well, a very complicated story, but in short, Marco Polo Club no longer exists. It has now merged with Asia Miles and has been rebranded as "Cathay membership". The Cathay Diamond, Gold, Silver statuses are previously Marco Polo Club Diamond, Gold, Silver tiers... So, the short answer is, you can no longer become a marco polo club member :(

[@global_flyer]

Nice review. The cabin looks very modern! The economy cabin will look more “Cathay” if they're green lol.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, it's good to see some variations. Thanks for the kind words! :)

[@ax6160]

Thanks for the detailed review...The colour palette just doesn't feel CX, and the layout feels like an even more claustrophobic design than the previous regional J on KA's A321 (haven't been taking any A320 since the pandemic). Well, I had nothing but good to say about CX before mid-2022 (even during the pandemic), but the quality of their contact centre (even for Gold/DM) and a new bunch of crews are just pushing me to alternative airlines.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching Alex. I'm afraid I don't agree that this looks more claustrophobic than the previous regional J. It's quite spacious as a regional J product with lots of enhancements when compared to the previous generation. While for the contact centre, I do agree with your point... the staff these days are just not experienced at all and it has always been a hassle talking to them when there is something a little bit more complicated to handle.... Hopefully this is just transitory and we could see improvements soon :)

[@tkkchan]

This new product looks very charm and decent, except the legroom in Economy Class. Slightly more legrooms could make the things much much better. Thank you for your review.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Terence :) Hope it's helpful to you and glad that you enjoyed it! I've flown on Cathay Dragon's A321 in 2019, and I remember their legroom in Economy was also quite bad...

[@kriskrislau]

May I ask which airlines operate narrow Body aircraft with fully flat bed on Hong Kong to Japan Route?

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Hey Kris, I don't think at this point there are any airlines operating that kind of flight. Sorry for the confusion, I was just trying to say while other airlines are offering flat beds on narrow body jets, cx's product is not competitive, especially on longer flights such as those between HK and Japan. Thanks for watching :)

[@NomadicJulien]

Very interesting. I got shocked when I looked how all the business products between those 2 cities have flat-bed on wide body. I never managed to get a flatbed traveling 5-6h trip in Europe

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

That's the norm in Asia, haha. I was as shocked as you were when I discovered how domestic "Business Class" is like in the US and Europe, haha. Thanks for watching! :)

[@aarronhanson6248]

Looks pretty good,it is impossible to compare a narrowbody regional product with a long haul widebody product. Who needs a lie flat seat for under 6 hour flights. I think it looks great. I doubt this aircraft does many flights even close to six hrs. Cannot wait to see their new A330 neo.

[@Vegas0Drew]

Thank you for this review. It looks fully comparable to domestic USA airlines first class cabin. 2 x 2, nice in flight experience. It will be new experience compared to the the various levels of Business class CX has used on the HGK-DPS (Bali) route over the past 15 years with either 1-2-1 or 2-3-2 to this, so I am looking forward to it! But 5 hours should be the maximum for this equipment, any more would be tedious and painful without direct aisle access. Perhaps they could consider the staggered 2-2 configuration used on wide-bodies??

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

I recently tried the domestic first class cabins on UA... and no, they are two levels haha.... At least on CX, you have decent amount of storage and more privacy, which are very important in my opinion. Currently, 70% of CX regional flights are still flown by those long haul aircrafts, so I usually avoid this kind of regional products if possible... But I deliberately picked this flight to film this video, haha. Thanks for watching! :)

[@kinyrutravel]

I was curious, but I watched it well. :)

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching! :) And hope it gave you some idea of how the cabin looks like on CX A321NEO!

[@lin-lungyang6632]

有機會可以體驗看看華航的A321 座椅是可以平躺的

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

是台灣的朋友嗎？多謝你的提議，華航的A321確實很吸引，特別是有平躺的座椅。感覺上華航在硬件配套上不斷進步，開始追趕著長榮和國泰呢

[@lin-lungyang6632]

@@MarcoPoloClubFlyer 是的 疫情前經常在香港轉機 希望國泰能再次展翅高飛

[@yvr2002rtw]

You should take a trip to the U.S. and fly in domestic "first class" on the U.S. carriers!

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching... well, I won't compare CX with those US carriers - and I did flew on United's domestic "First Class" recently.... didn't even bother to film it as it was so "normal". :p

[@ax6160]

What's the point of comparing a premium product to the pathetic US domestic J (which is offered for free through auto upgrade anyways that doesn't even offer lounge access)???? CX competes with its Asian/Middle Eastern peers and is falling far behind

[@may72736]

Cathay is my favourite airline 👍👍👍👍

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Amy. It's also my favourite!

[@skyatmz4457]

随着内地解除隔离措施，国泰航空必在不久的将来迎来春天，希望它依然可以带给我们惊喜！

[@phillipmak4852]

I just flew with CX business to Kansai, same old boring dinning, ambiance, experience for a higher price than other airlines. If I have a choice to fly with another airline including BA, I have no hesitation to change.

[@ponkey8569]

Were you able to lie down flat?

[@UKabroad1967]

I feel sorry for the CX crews working in Y class on the A321neos. The half-sized galley on the back of the plane is just way too cramped and not fit for purpose especially for a full service airline - can’t believe they’ve gone so damn cheap just for the sake of 3 more seats in Y.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching :) Well, I didn't have the chance to visit the YCL galley on this flight, while the JCL galley was fine and spacious. I saw some pics online, and it seems the YCL galley is really cramped for 4 crew to work inside.... :( And I think when compared to other airlines, Cathay has also squeezed in more YCL seats onto the aircraft, leaving the legroom quite limited.

[@karintony8129]

請問Econ 第一行22A會否較闊or 23A 好d? Thanks

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

我會揀第一行 ☺️

[@johnnytsang7073]

good review, man.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Johnny, really happy to hear that :)

[@ohwong102]

Nice review. But please don't use white for the colour of the subtitles as they will become invisible whenever there's white background in what you filmed.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching and the suggestion on the subtitles... Probably I should have added an outline to the font

[@ManlyHK1]

You got me excited about this “cute” 321neo in CX livery but showed NO PICTURES of it!! For a busy route like Bangkok this tiny aircraft is a poor choice, especially Economy Class. I think Thai is a much better choice with their 777.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Hey man, sorry about not including pictures of the jet... I only realised the problem when I was editing the video, and I felt as disappointed as you were :( Well, I do agree with you, economy class is better on wide body jets on this route :)

[@VirtuosoAviation]

Idk why but it feels cursed to see A321 aircraft in Cathay Pacific livery... Nice review Ken

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks Virtuoso Aviation! Haha, why feel so, I think it looks cute haha

[@VirtuosoAviation]

@@MarcoPoloClubFlyer It sure does! I'm just not used to it lol :-)

[@leoyuuuuuu732]

最喜欢国泰航空的点是每次可以在长途飞行时无限次order它的夜宵😂 真的比欧洲航司的飞机餐好太多😊

[@anwerabdallah569]

nice airport hong kong airport. and Cathy pacific is good airliner too.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching, and I just can't agree more :)

[@des_mond]

Nice video to share 👍🏻 I also prefer flat bed in business nowadays regardless of the flight duration ( unless it’s less than an hour) . I got disappointed on December 2022 that the aircraft type suddenly changed from A330 ( 1 2 1 configuration) to A330 ( 2 2 2 configuration) from hk to bkk !😭😫 More to say, I personally like the business class A 350 rather than the 777 300 ER even though the latter has a higher ceiling 😅😃

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, thanks for watching Chan San! It's definitely a pain to see a downgrade from long haul business to the regional product... I also love the business class on A350, but personally, I prefer the 777-300ER jet over the A350, so it's always a hard decision for me :)

[@Nu_animal]

ประทับใจมากๆ

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thank you :)

[@galerikaban5280]

looks sad, Philippine airlines has a lie flat beds on it's a321 regional Business class

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Oh really, then that's really a sad news :( Seems CX is putting more focus on squeezing more passengers onto the plane :(

[@wsin445]

I hate this seat! I would rather have a lie flat seat which they offer to the Bangkok route. This is ok as premium economy or a one hour flt to Taipei or Manila…nth more…having to climb over a neighbour in business class is not acceptable

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

I also prefer a fully flat bed like that on China Airlines and Starlux A321neos honestly. But I would say this seat is an upgrade to the previous generation of "fake JCL" seats onboard the 777-300 and A330 of Cathay's fleet. Thanks for watching!

[@superlogistics1]

No way I would be flying on their A321s unless I have no other option. Just feels so cramped

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, of course I would also prefer wide body jets if any of them are available. Thanks for watching! :)

[@Kickflip215]

I’ve always associated CX only having wide bodies like 330 or 350 or 777 only until now I see narrow body looks sleek and it still puts American carriers that have these planes to shame

[@alhambra792]

I wonder why European business class cant be like this

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, I flew on BA Club Europe recently... the service wasn't bad indeed. But the seat... haha. Anyways, thanks for watching! :)

[@mingjunqiu2153]

cathay loose my baggage twice ，awful experience🤬

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Thanks for watching :) Really sorry to hear that, I have never encountered such situation before... Did you get your baggage back in the end?

[@Tchf1000]

xxdd

[@keiming2277]

Best Airbus A321NEO business class in the world !! Not Cathay Pacific, Starlux Airlines (Taiwan)

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Haha, I do agree. I hope to fly with Starlux in the coming summer :)

[@maitlandsinalice]

Always loved Cathay Pacific but until they get rid of stupid face masks on their planes I am not flying with them.

[@phillipmak4852]

I am afraid they have lots of room to improve. Everything is so boring.

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Hey James and Erin, thanks for watching! Just to clarify, the face mask wearing policy is enforced by the HK Government, not the airline. But based on my past flying experience with CX, the crew don't really care that much about whether you have your mask on, especially after meal service has kicked started... Just make sure you have you mask on, at least during boarding and before take-off, then that would be fine. Hope to meet you onboard a CX flight one day :)

[@MarcoPoloClubFlyer]

Hi Phillip, I do agree that there are lots of room for cx to improve... If you don't mind me asking, what do you mean with everything is so boring? I do agree that the meals options are often repeating, but are there any other points you have in mind? Thanks for watching :)