Mobile boarding passes are finally pretty much becoming the norm here in the US, but we do realize that there are still plenty of carriers where it isn’t yet an option. Step by step, other airlines are coming over to the tech-friendly side, and this week it’s Cathay Pacific upgrading their offerings with mobile boarding passes.

Cathay Pacific is starting off small, so you won’t be able to utilize any mobile boarding passes leaving from the United States just yet. The paper-free process is now available in Auckland, NZ—as well in Hong Kong. Passengers who do their check-ins online will have the chance to receive their boarding information right on their mobile devices, and then it just takes a swipe and scan to hop aboard both select Dragonair and Cathay Pacific flights. ]]> kjb 2012-02-09T09:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/2/7/13220/97953

Yesterday, we showed you around the Dragonair lounge at Hong Kong International. Now today, we're taking you on board with us!

Being major travel geeks, we took a second before we boarded our flight on Dragonair from Hong Kong to Beijing to soak in what was happening--we were about to fly on an airline called Dragonair. And we weren't at a Harry Potter theme park. Win!

Of course, onboard things weren't nearly as exciting. Business class sports some very well-kept but still rather aged seats. We had a little flashback to the 90s sitting in these chairs.

But as with so many Asian airlines, the experience was completely sublime compared to American domestic carriers. The boarding process from start to finish was entirely calm. Service was friendly and incredibly helpful. They even offer three different types of vegetarian fare (Asian, Indian and Western but you still have to order pre-flight.)]]> juliana 2012-02-07T17:20:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/2/6/135127/3378

We've given you a glorious tour of the unbelievable Cathay Pacific airport lounges at the Hong Kong International Airport from The Wing to The Pier but today we're taking you inside the less-exciting G16 Lounge of Dragonair, a regional carrier of Cathay Pacific.

Located at, as its name indicates, Gate 16, the lounge overlooks the gate area up on high—sort of like a Loft Lounge. The seating areas are very traditional (no Solus pods here) although plentiful. The self-service refreshment counter features plenty of drinks and finger snacks (both Western and Asian, alcoholic and non) as well as coffee and cappuccino.

There's also a kitchen with an on-site chef to prepare Hong Kong specialties like fishball noodles. (We were hoping for some Dan dan noodles like the ones we ate at SFO but alas, we were out of luck.)]]> juliana 2012-02-06T16:20:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/20/105716/29

Finally. Finally! Cathay Pacific has finally opened a lounge of their very own on US soil, at San Francisco International's International Terminal. This is huge news for frequent flyers on Cathay to Hong Kong, but even for design buffs as the lounge includes the specially designed Solus Chair, first introduced at their Cabin lounge at HKG.

Because Cathay actually enjoys making their lounges somewhere you want to hang out, we'd recommend getting there early enough before your flight to relax in the fresh space. It opens up four hours before the first Cathay departure. All in all there's several seating areas, three shower rooms, seven private workstations (with printer), a snack center and noodle bar. Plus free WiFi of course. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-21T09:35:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/12/12/13946/862
The current Economy Class seatbacks are fixed, with remote controlled entertainment

OMG. Fun news! We knew is was coming, but not the scope: Cathay Pacific has announced that not only will they be introducing a Premium Economy class on long-haul flights in early 2012, but that Economy will be revamped as well.

As veterans of the 18-hour direct flights from New York-Hong Kong, we can tell you that this is a huge deal. Already Cathay is known as one of the leaders as far as passenger service and in-flight amenities and it was only one year ago that they showed off their new business class seats.

Sadly there aren't any renderings of the new Premium Economy or Economy seats yet, but there are specifics. Let's break it down:]]> JetSetCD 2011-12-12T07:30:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/25/233443/078
Seatback TVs (and outlets) in economy on Cathay

Premium Economy. It's so hot right now. Actually, the idea of "better" economy seats for a little extra cash—something for travelers who can't afford Business Class but aren't totally happy in Economy—has been hot for a couple years now, and we've finally reached a point where increased Economy comfort can be found on enough airlines to have a variety of choices.

In fact, we've got a huge Premium Economy long-haul trip coming up later this week and the fact that we paid only $69 for 7 hours of massively increased legroom (following an 11-hour flight) is quite nice. We'll be sure to fill you in on all that later, but for now do note that not only has Delta just added Economy Comfort to select flights, but now Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific is throwing their hat into the ring. It's an announcement we've been waiting for since last December, when they hinted "it's coming" during the unveiling of Cathay's refreshed Business Class seat.

Now here's the kicker for Cathay Premium Economy: they're designing a whole new seat.]]> JetSetCD 2011-08-30T09:08:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/24/142154/428

Cathay Pacific has long emphasized its reputation for comfort, style and especially customer service. Aside from constructing decadent space-age lounges and providing flyers with delicious cocktail after delicious cocktail, the airline has especially tried to highlight the pampering provided by its flight attendants.

Those branding efforts have been going on at least since 2009, when its corporate blog announced a campaign highlighting the bios of staff "who consistently go the extra mile to make sure our passengers enjoy an exceptional travel experience."

The Hong Kong airline intended to continue its "People and Service" campaign this year with a new slogan: "Meet the team who go the extra mile to make you feel special." The tagline was supposed to provide a theme for hundreds of pilot and flight attendant stories, all emphasizing the unique services provided by Cathay Pacific's employees. That service-oriented campaign is now on indefinite hiatus, however, after pictures surfaced—and there's no way we're not going to make this joke, so prepare yourselves—after pictures surfaced of a flight attendant orally servicing a pilot in a Cathay Pacific cockpit. ]]> Omri 2011-08-24T16:27:27-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/