Cathay Pacific — a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to nearly 200 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa with a fleet of more than 140 wide-body aircraft – has joined in the trend.

The airline offers top-notch services with an added touch: luxurious lounges for passengers flying in first and business class. Some journalists and bloggers, including from The Jakarta Post, were recently invited to experience first and business class at the invitation of Cathay Pacific and the Japan National Tourism Organization for a trip to Japan, where the airline flies to six cities — Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Okinawa and Sapporo.

Tea House: Visitors are presented with an interactive tea menu, giving them an opportunity to see and smell teas before they choose a type.(Cathay Pacific/File)

Cathay Pacific country manager for Indonesia George Edmunds said the airline scheduled up to four flights a day from Jakarta to Hong Kong, where 20 connecting flights can fly passengers to the six Japanese cities each day.

“Cathay Pacific provides excellent connections and flexibility to and from Japan for Indonesian customers, allowing them to maximize their stay in Japan and conveniently arrange their itinerary with a combination of different arrival and departure cities,” he says.

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During our trip, check-in and boarding was smooth and fast, and as soon as we entered the Regional Business Class cabin for our Jakarta-Hong Kong flight, which would take around four hours, fresh drinks were served by stewardess who personally greeted each passenger on board by name.

The choices were plentiful – water for those who simply wanted to quench their thirst, orange juice for freshness, or champagne for those in the mood to celebrate the start of the trip. The dining was exceptional. In business class, for a starter course, we were served poached angel prawns, seaweed and plum mayonnaise alongside seasonal mixed salad, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Fine dining: Passengers are treated to a fine-dining experience.(Cathay Pacific/File)

The starter was then followed by a choice of three main courses and I opted for roasted chicken breast, carrot, turnip, parsnip, creamy parmesan polenta and black truffle port wine sauce — rich in taste and served just the way you would have it at a fine dining establishment.

Dessert was certainly my favorite. You could either choose or have the three available choices — a cheese selection, fresh seasonal fruit and ice cream — all together. Still happy and full from the starter and the main course, I only opted for Belgian chocolate ice cream.

And to seal the deal, you could have freshly brewed coffee or enjoy a wide selection of premium teas.

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Comfort: A passenger sleeps on a flatbed on board a Cathay Pacific flight.(Cathay Pacific/File)

Of course, at all times, you can enjoy the free flow of drinks, from juices, Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne, Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2011 to the airline’s signature drink, Cathay Delight — a kiwifruit-based nonalcoholic drink with coconut milk and a touch of fresh mint.

The airline also prepares halal meals for those wishing to have them.

As explained by the airline’s inflight catering manager Kim Chong in the menu, traveling well starts with fine food and the best ingredients, the reasons why it offers locally sourced and sustainable produce when creating the dishes.

“Our menus are ever changing, taking the opportunity to incorporate fresh vegetables and fruits that are in season while also offering lighter and healthier dining options,” she says.

Exploring The Pier

In between watching the latest films and listening to music, the time flew and we arrived at Hong Kong International Airport early in the morning.

Shortly thereafter, we were taken to experience Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge.

Located just opposite Gate 63, the lounge sends out a warm and homey atmosphere, with its design employing the concept of a contemporary apartment as a framework for the overall elements — from the choice of materials, furniture, lighting to the art — creating the feeling that visitors are in an apartment where they are the guests.

Specially designed: Cathay Pacific's The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong evokes a homey feeling.(Cathay Pacific/File)

With an area covering 2,061 square meters and a maximum seating capacity of 231, the lounge, designed by London-based Studioilse, was quite impressive, with contemporary Asian touches all around.

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With several hours before the next flight, I decided to shower in one of the lounge’s shower suites, furnished with natural limestone and timber for a relaxing feel. The suites also came with fluffy white towels and exclusive toiletries.

Fresh out of the shower, I decided to stay in one of the Day Suites, each furnished with a comfortable daybed, a reading light and heavy curtains for added personal privacy, a calm and relaxing sanctuary for passengers to unwind before the next journey.

Favorite service: Complimentary food massages cater to passengers' physical and emotional needs while travelling.(Cathay Pacific/File)

I intended to try a complimentary foot massage or neck and shoulder massage at the lounge but it turned out to be a popular service and the waiting list was already long enough. I decided, therefore, to skip it with the hope of giving it a try some other time.

Food and beverages were given great focus at the lounge. It has the Dining Room, which offers an à la carte dining service with freshly prepared dishes made-to-order by the chef, and a wide selection of wines and cocktails at the full-service Bar.

My favorite was the Pantry, which provides grab-and-go delicacies along with a wide selection of yoghurts, fresh juices and coffees, just perfect for breakfast.

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For the rest of the trip, we were in first class — with a flatbed and all the things that further improved the overall experience.

The first-class option also allowed us to use both first and business class lounges, just like on our return trip back to Jakarta, where we had the chance to enjoy Cathay’s fully refurbished Business Class Lounge at The Pier during our Hong Kong transit.

The lounge, located adjacent to Gate 65, was surprisingly much bigger in space, at 3,306 square meters. It is considered the largest among the airline’s lounges.

Me time: The Pier is fitted with day suites, each furnished with a comfortable daybed, reading light, mirror and heavy curtains for added personal privacy.(Cathay Pacific/File)

I only had a couple of hours to spend at the lounge, also designed by the London-based Studioilse studio, and with so many services on offer, I wished I had more time.

The lounge’s overall concept has been designed to replicate a street with a distinctly Hong Kong identity, enabling passengers to enjoy the facilities at their own preferred “fast” or “slow” pace.

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A wide array of dishes and beverages greet passengers at The Food Hall — a fun and vibrant space with self-service kiosks, including a coffee cart which design is inspired by Asian style street food carts.

My favorite was The Noodle Bar, which offers a variety of signature noodles, from the popular Dan Dan and Wonton to Asian style noodles and Chinese dim sum and buns.

Other friends managed to shower while others waited for our flight in the extensive seating lounge, sipping on wines or coffees, with views out of the big glass windows and glazed timber screens.

For tea lovers, a visit to the lounge’s Tea House, touted as a brand new feature developed specifically for the Business Class Lounge at The Pier, is a must.

In this quiet space, a wide selection of premium teas, served by a tea specialist, is a perfect place to unwind before getting back to the busy airport and catching the next flight.