Story by Ken Panton

Business executives already recommend Cathay Pacific airline and this fine carrier is gaining in popularity for leisure travelers as well. Complete with a young fleet of wide body jets, enticing non-stop flights throughout Asia, and an highly respected and attentive staff traveling on Cathay Pacific is indeed a great pleasure.

Founded in Shanghai by American Roy C. Farrell and Australian Sydney H. de Kantzow in Hong Kong on 24 September 1946, the entrepreneurs soon relocated their operations to Hong Kong. Rumor suggests that Farrell and a group of foreign correspondents thought up the airline's unique name in the bar at the Manila Hotel.

Now Cathay has a fleet of over 120 wide-body aircraft and the airline is one of the youngest and most modern in the skies. Their fleet includes the impressive Airbus Industrie A340 that enables Cathay to fly even more non-stop flights from Hong Kong to long-haul destinations such as Rome and San Francisco.  The airline utilizes Airbus A330 twin-engine aircraft for regional and medium-haul routes. I traveled on the Boeing 747-400 with 383 passengers seated with the three classes of service. Cathay Pacific also flies the B747-400 between Hong Kong and destinations such as London, Frankfurt, Sydney, Los Angeles, and Vancouver and 747s on high-traffic regional routes between Hong Kong and Taipei.

Inside the cabin you will find Cathay's new First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class. I booked my trip in First Class to experience my perfect jet-set journey. Cathay’s First Class Suite, (no longer referred as a seat) is more spacious than ever before and there's even enough room to invite a guest to have dinner with you. While awake you'll enjoy a comfortable seat, exceptional food, and the incredible new AVOD (Audio/Video On Demand) system with up to 100 movies, 350 TV programs, 888 CDs, and 22 radio channels.

While resting or asleep passengers will find one of the biggest beds in the sky measuring 81 inches long, complete with posh and indulgent bedding. After a restful sleep and with the press of a button my bed transforms into one of the most comfortable seats I have every experienced. The upright seats are spacious and comfortable, with massage function, extendable side seat, drop-down armrest, and all the adjustments I could want for a 15-hour journey. Cathay Pacific was among the first airlines to install rice cookers, toasters, and skillets on board, enabling their flight attendants to prepare freshly cooked rice, toast, and eggs as well as fabulous Asian dishes.

www.cathaypacific.com