Cathay Pacific is known for its long flights, and you want to think things through when picking the perfect seat.
Here’s a quick guide that’ll help you select the best seat for yourself, whether you’re looking for easy access to the aisle, extra legroom, or simply more comfort.
Selecting Your Seat on a Cathay Pacific Flight
Cathay Pacific allows you to choose seats at 3 points.
1. During booking
You’ll get an option to select your seat once you book your flight on the Cathay Pacific website or app.
The process is straightforward.
Log in to your Cathay Pacific account, enter your flight details and Cathay will offer you an interactive seat map to pick your seat based on real-time availability.
Quick Tip: Book your flight as early as possible for the best selection, especially if it’s a long-haul flight.
2. During online check-in
This check-in window opens 48 hours before departure for Marco Polo Club members and Oneworld frequent flyers ( 24 hours for non-members.) and remains open until 90 minutes before the departure.
You still have the opportunity to book your seat or adjust it if you change your mind. Simply go to your Cathay Pacific account and choose from the options available before finalizing your check-in
Quick Tip: Try checking in earlier to ensure you still have the chance at comfortable seats
3. At the airport:
While that’s not something we’d suggest, you can still select the seat at the airport during check-in if you fail to do it online. But don’t hope for Preferred or Extra Legroom seats as they’re always booked early
Quick Tip: Arrive early at the airport and choose the best seat for yourself from the remaining options. You can even make a last-minute upgrade if you want to.
Seat Types on Cathay Pacific Flight
Your seat types depend on the class you’re going with.
- Economy Class
These offer basic comfort in a 3-3-3 arrangement.
Pick a seat near the front for quick exit and choose one near the rear if you don’t want many passengers around you.
- Premium Economy
That’s your ideal seat type if you’re in for a long-haul flight. They’re positioned in the front of the economy class and offer wider legroom for more comfort.
- Business And First Class
These lie-flat beds in a 1-2-1 configuration allow you direct aisle access. You can also opt for a window seat for a more private experience.
Factors Worth Considering When Picking the Perfect Seat
In broad terms, there are three primary things you need to consider while selecting a seat in Cathay Pacific. Let’s go through them quickly.
1. Seat Categories
Cathay Pacific offers different seat categories within the Economy class. These are
- Extra Legroom Seats
As you’d guess, these offer more space for your legs for a more comfortable experience and are ideal for long-haul flights. However, they have some limitations, one being no under-seat storage.
- Preferred Seats
Located at the front of the Economy cabin, these allow you to exit the plane earlier without you paying for Business class.
- Regular Seats
These are the standard seats located throughout the cabin. They’re ideal for those looking for a cost-effective solution with no additional perks.
2. Aisle vs. Window
Time for you to make a decision
- Aisle Seats
Passengers who choose these seats want easy access to the restrooms and can let go of the view for the sake of comfort.
- Window Seats
If you want to enjoy your flight and gaze at those beautiful clouds, window seats are for you. These also offer less disturbance, meaning you can even nap if you like it.
Verdict
Choosing the perfect seat for yourself makes all the difference. Make sure you decide the type of seat you want and select it as early as possible. The airline offers seat maps to help you with decision making so make sure you use them correctly.
Hope this helps. Happy traveling!