{"id":232391,"date":"2017-06-01T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mp-2702.milesopedia.dev\/news\/flight-vancouver-new-york-cathay-pacific-first-class\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T09:33:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T09:33:39","slug":"flight-vancouver-new-york-cathay-pacific-first-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mp-2702.milesopedia.dev\/en\/reviews\/flights\/flight-vancouver-new-york-cathay-pacific-first-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Cathay Pacific B777 – First Class – Vancouver-New York"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The highlight of our little 48-hour jaunt<\/a> to discover new cabins: a transcontinental flight on Cathay Pacific in First Class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For details on how we booked this flight with avios miles, go to this page<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, at the time of our booking, only one first class seat was available (50,000 avios miles). Matthieu managed to book it, while I had to “content myself” with the business class (37,500 air miles).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn’t count on Matthieu’s generosity: between two glasses of champagne at the Cathay Pacific lounge<\/a>, he gave me his boarding pass<\/em> as a birthday present!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific Lounge – Vancouver YVR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

At this time of day, few people are walking through the international terminal of the Vancouver Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Vancouver International Airport YVR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Vancouver International Airport YVR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We go to our boarding gate… which only opens 30 minutes before the flight departure.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Vancouver International Airport YVR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Indeed, for immigration reasons, passengers arriving from Hong Kong to New York must remain confined in a “buffer” room.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Vancouver International Airport YVR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

30 minutes before departure, they will board first. Then the doors of the hall open and the order of priority is respected: passengers with elite status, first class and business class board. This is our case.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

To get to first class, you have to go through the “mini-cabin” of the business class, composed of 8 seats. This is where Matthew will be sitting… in my seat 11A!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cathay Pacific’s business class is known for offering one of the best products on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – Business Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – Business Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – Business Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – Business Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As for me, I go to Premi\u00e8re, to my seat 1K, in a cabin with 6 seats.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A real suite in this Boeing 777-300ER.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Here is the width of the chair when sitting in it: my daughter could sit comfortably next to me.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The table arrangement is designed so that you can dine face to face with another passenger who will sit on the ottoman.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I take advantage of the fact that the lighting is still correct to take a picture of the chair in bed mode.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Right away, the crew is very attentive to the 4 passengers of Premi\u00e8re. A small photo to immortalize the moment, a glass of Krug champagne in hand:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The stewardess asks me if I plan to have dinner during the flight? Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if I want to wear pajamas? Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champagne? Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I say yes to everything actually… I want to have the most complete First Class experience possible so I can share it with you… even if it means not sleeping much on that red-eye <\/em>flight from Vancouver to New York.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

So it will be a pair of pajamas in my size and an accessory kit – in “milesopedia” colors and Krug Grande Cuv\u00e9e champagne<\/a> (SAQ = $300), which is one of the elements that Cathay Pacific First Class is famous for.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The menu of this evening is proposed to me, accompanied by a small personalized note to the attention of Matthieu who should have taken place in this armchair.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Tonight, I’m the only one having dinner. The staff service will therefore be “exclusive”!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\"dsc00374\"<\/a> \"dsc00375\"<\/a>\n\n\n

Takeoff: the lights are dimmed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Shortly after takeoff, the dinner begins. A choice of breads is proposed to me… in fact it is an individual basket… enough to satisfy the desires of each.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On this part of the flight, no caviar (unlike the service you can get to\/from Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific). But the dishes are of good quality. Appetizer: Grilled jumbo tiger prawns, crab meat salad, saffron and tomato sauce. It’s hard to say no to the glass of white wine offered to accompany these appetizers, even after 2 glasses of champagne (and the 4 drunk at the show…): a Chablis Grand Cru 2013<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A pea soup follows.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Then a glass of red wine to accompany the meat of the main course: Ch\u00e2teau Lynch Bages 2004, Grand Cru Class\u00e9<\/a> (SAQ vintage 2011: $175) . An exceptional wine<\/strong>, especially on a plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meat is a Grilled Canadian AAA beef tenderloin, asparagus, portobello mushroom, yukon gold truffle mash, red wine jus and Bearnaise sauce. Simply exquisite with perfect cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Then comes the cheese platter: Cambozola, Aged Cheddar, Triple cream Canadian Brie.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Finally the dessert: White chocolate banana cake and black berry sauce. Another wine(Baileys of Glenrowan Founder Series Liqueur Muscat<\/a>) is proposed to me: I say stop!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When dinner is over, I go to the bathroom to change. It’s the first time I’ve seen such vanities on a plane: you’d think you were in a traditional bathroom, judge for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Small picture with the pajamas with Mao collar, incredibly soft! As you can imagine, I am over the moon, is it the alcohol that is finally taking effect?<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Back to my seat, it will have been put by the hostess in bed mode: a mattress topper was installed, a comforter was placed, pillows added and a bottle of Evian. A real cocoon for a few hours of sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The flight is rather short. Having chosen to have dinner and to make the pleasure last, I could only sleep 2 hours before the arrival in New York. A small view of the cabin before the lights go out:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"cathay<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There will be no breakfast service. It was a good thing that the crew woke us up only 15 minutes before landing, which maximized our sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A coffee will be proposed to me all the same…<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"img<\/a>
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

…and we are already flying over Manhattan.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cathay Pacific – First Class – Vancouver – New York<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We landed safely and on time at New York JFK shortly before 7am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bottom line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n

An excellent flight to cross the continent. In fact, it’s one of the only upscale options available between the West and East Coasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was it worth 50,000 airline miles? Maybe not. It is indeed possible to travel in very good conditions on Air Canada between Vancouver and New York EWR (Newark) on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner<\/a>. Business class here would only cost 25,000 Aeroplan miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here we are talking about an exceptional product offered by one of the best Asian airlines. So for enthusiasts like us… yes, it was worth it\/cost!<\/p>\n\n\n