A few months ago, I took a week-long break from my busy work schedule and flew to Tokyo, Japan. About four months before my trip, I came across an affordable round-trip fare on Cathay Pacific from Manila, Philippines to Tokyo, Japan, with a layover in Hong Kong. My aunt encouraged me to book the tickets, and just a few hours later, we began planning our spontaneous Tokyo getaway.
My relatives and I flew to Tokyo-Haneda with Cathay Pacific, connecting through Hong Kong. In my last flight report, I shared the experience onboard CX930 from Manila to Hong Kong. Today, I will be talking about the connecting flight CX 542 from Hong Kong to Tokyo-Haneda, covering everything from our arrival at Hong Kong International Airport to our late-night landing in Tokyo. Read on to find out how my first transit experience at HKIA and arrival at Haneda Airport went.
In case you missed it, I also flew with Cathay Pacific in December 2023 on both legs of the Manila to Hong Kong route. I wrote flight reports for both sectors, which you can check out: CX 912 from Manila to Hong Kong and CX 901 from Hong Kong to Manila.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, commonly known as Cathay Pacific, is Hong Kong’s flag carrier. According to the airline’s website, two ex-Air Force pilots founded the airline in Hong Kong in 1946. Five years later, the airline acquired its rival Hong Kong Airways and gained additional routes to Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. Since then, the airline has expanded to more routes in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. It has emerged as one of the world’s leading airlines and lifestyle brands, connecting the world through Hong Kong.
Today, Cathay Pacific is primarily owned by Swire Group, a diversified Hong Kong-based corporation, Qatar Airways, and Air China. The airline flies to over 80 international destinations using close to 180 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 60 more in order. It also has airline subsidiaries, namely Cathay Pacific Cargo, Air Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Express, the region’s budget airline. Cathay Pacific is based and headquartered in Hong Kong International Airport.
Cathay Pacific is a 5-star full-service airline. It offers a free checked luggage allowance, premium amenities, meals and snacks, and personal entertainment systems onboard. The airline is one of the founding members of Oneworld, a major global alliance with the likes of Qatar Airways, Qantas, American Airlines, and British Airways. It has a loyalty program called Cathay Membership Programme, where members can gain status points (previously Marco Polo Club) and Asia Miles when flying the airline or through its non-airline partners.
In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.
Airfare & Inclusions
I booked my ticket just four weeks before the intended departure date, and the round-trip fare was only USD 235.20. I am not sure of the exact amount in Philippine pesos, as my relatives covered the payment. The fare included all four flight segments: Manila to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda (this flight), Tokyo Haneda back to Hong Kong, and finally, Hong Kong to Manila.
This Economy Light fare came with a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, 23 kilograms of checked baggage, inflight meals, personal entertainment screens, and excellent onboard service on all legs of the journey.
Considering it was a last-minute booking with Cathay Pacific—a top-tier full-service airline known for its award-winning economy class—this ticket was an exceptional deal.
Do you want to know the difference between a full-service and a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.
Travel Requirements
Philippine passport holders are required to obtain a tourist visa to enter Japan for leisure purposes. Those planning to visit Japan as tourists must apply for a visa through the embassy’s official application center, VFS Global Philippines, Inc., which operates in five locations: Parañaque City, Makati City, Quezon City, Cebu City, and Davao City.
In addition, the Japanese government requires all incoming passengers to complete immigration and customs procedures via the Visit Japan website. Upon arrival, passengers must present their issued QR codes at immigration and customs for scanning. These QR codes can be obtained up to two weeks before the intended arrival date.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to complete an online departure form and generate a departure QR code through the eTravel website.
Before The Flight
One week before the flight, Cathay Pacific sent an email advising passengers to prepare for their upcoming journey. The airline reminded travelers to review their baggage allowance and ensure their contact details were correct and up to date. They also offered optional services such as paid preferred seating, business class upgrades, and travel insurance.
Two days before the flight to Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific sent another email informing passengers that online check-in was now available for both the Hong Kong and Tokyo Haneda segments. The message also included information about the inflight entertainment system, along with details about onboard magazines and newspapers.
I selected a seat (free of charge) for both flights and completed the online check-in process. However, I did not receive a digital boarding pass and was instructed to collect it at the airport during bag drop. On the day of departure, the airline sent a final email with key details, including the departure terminal, flight time, designated check-in counters, boarding time, and assigned gate.
After arriving in Hong Kong, I received an email notifying me that the onward flight to Tokyo Haneda had been delayed by 20 minutes. The airline’s mobile app also reflected the updated schedule. Props to Cathay Pacific for keeping passengers informed, even for a minor change in flight time.
Aircraft & Flight Information
The Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda flight on Cathay Pacific was operated by a 21.2-year-old Boeing 777-367 aircraft (as of the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in November 2003, the aircraft is registered as B-HNN. It features 42 angle-flat business class seats in a 2-3-2 configuration and 396 standard economy class seats arranged in a 3-4-3 layout.
Flight CX 542 departed from Hong Kong International Airport at 5:10 p.m., cruised at an altitude of 35,000 feet, and arrived at Tokyo Haneda International Airport at 9:23 p.m. local time. There is a one-hour time difference between Hong Kong and Tokyo. The total flight duration was 3 hours and 13 minutes.
Airport & Ground Experience
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TRANSIT EXPERIENCE
Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, my companions and I proceeded to the transfer gates, went through a security check, and headed up to the pre-departure area. We walked directly to Gate 32, which was assigned for our flight to Tokyo Haneda.
The entire transit process took less than 15 minutes, including the brief queues at transfer security. Coincidentally, our assigned boarding gate was right next to the one where we had disembarked from our flight from Manila.
PRE-DEPARTURE
My relatives and I stayed near Gate 32 as we waited for the boarding announcement. We didn’t visit any lounge or get food, as we were still full from the inflight meal served on the previous leg of our journey.
BOARDING
The ground crew began making pre-boarding announcements at 4:05 p.m. Prior to that, staff walked around the gate area to check passengers’ passports and boarding passes. They later informed passengers to keep their passports, as only the boarding pass would be required during boarding. Boarding gates at Hong Kong International Airport are equipped with electronic scanners and facial recognition systems.
Priority boarding began at 4:15 p.m., starting with business class passengers, elite status holders, and those traveling with infants. Economy class passengers boarded by groups, based on their assigned seats.
By 4:45 p.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing the entire boarding process in just 30 minutes. The plane pushed back at 4:51 p.m. and began taxiing to the runway for takeoff.
Inflight Hard & Soft Product
SEAT FEATURES
The Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda flight on Cathay Pacific was operated by a 21.2-year-old Boeing 777-367 aircraft (at the time of the flight). The aircraft features 42 angle-flat business class seats in a 2-3-2 configuration and 396 standard economy class seats in a 3-4-3 layout.
According to SeatGuru, each recliner-style business class seat offers a pitch of 45 inches and a width of 21 inches. The seats come with large entertainment screens, a spacious footwell, a side console with remote and seat controls, noise-canceling headphones, and a power outlet.
The economy cabin follows the 3-4-3 layout. Each seat, according to SeatGuru, has a pitch of 32 inches and a width of 18.2 inches. Economy class seats are equipped with thick seatback padding, an adjustable headrest, a touchscreen personal entertainment system with a USB port, a foldable tray table with a built-in cup holder, a coat hook, a seat pocket containing the aircraft safety card and an in-flight magazine, and a small stowage shelf beneath the screen. While there are no individual air vents, each seat has a personal reading light and a cabin crew call button. Headphones are provided, and blankets are available upon request.
I selected seat 40A, a window seat in the forward economy section. It offered a great view of the engine during takeoff. Although the seat initially lacked a pillow and blanket, these were eventually distributed before departure. The thick seatback padding made the seat quite comfortable, and with the middle seat unoccupied, both my seatmate in 40C and I had extra space to stretch out. Legroom was generous, and overall, the seat was very comfortable for the 3-hour flight to Japan.
INFLIGHT MEAL
Cathay Pacific serves inflight meals on all its flights. About 30 minutes after takeoff, the cabin crew began the refreshments service, handing out a pack of peanuts and a drink of choice. I opted for a glass of apple juice with the peanuts.
Shortly after the refreshments, the crew distributed the dinner trays. There were two meal options: seafood curry rice and pork with potatoes. Each meal came with a serving of udon, a bread roll with butter, fresh fruit, and a small cup of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. The tray also included metal cutlery, a napkin, a moist towelette, and another drink of choice. The crew followed up with a second drink service, offering coffee, tea, or water.
I chose the pork with potatoes and paired it with orange juice and water. The portion size was just right. While I did not particularly enjoy the pork dish, I found the udon starter to be refreshing—the cold noodle sauce made it a perfect appetizer. The Häagen-Dazs ice cream was also a highlight and made for a satisfying dessert.
INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Cathay Pacific’s touchscreen entertainment system on their Boeing 777 aircraft offers a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and music. It had noticeably more content than the system found on their Airbus A330 aircraft. One standout feature is the interactive inflight map, which displays the aircraft’s real-time location throughout the journey.
I usually just keep the inflight map on for most of the flight, but this time I took the opportunity to watch Oppenheimer on the way to Tokyo Haneda. The entertainment screen was a good size and responsive to touch, making for an enjoyable viewing experience.
INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY
Cathay Pacific offered paid wireless connectivity on this flight to Tokyo Haneda. First class passengers, business class passengers, and Diamond members receive complimentary access, while all other passengers must pay to use the service. The lowest tier is a messaging pass with 30 MB of data, priced at USD 3.95. One hour of access costs USD 9.95, and a full-flight pass is available for USD 12.95.
I chose not to connect to the onboard Wi-Fi since the flight was under four hours. While the airline’s rates are in line with industry standards, I did not find it necessary or worth the cost for a short-haul flight like this.
LAVATORY
I did not visit the lavatory during the flight to Tokyo Haneda, as the passenger seated in the aisle seat was asleep for the entire duration of the flight.
Cabin Crew Service
The cabin crew service on this flight was just right. There were no particularly memorable moments, but the crew performed their duties professionally and ensured that passengers had a comfortable and smooth journey.
Disembarkation
The plane landed at Tokyo Haneda International Airport at 9:22 p.m. local time and taxied to Gate 147 for disembarkation. Passengers exited the aircraft by section—business class first, followed by those in the forward economy section, and finally, passengers seated in the rear economy cabin.
The entire arrival process, including disembarkation, immigration, baggage claim, and customs inspection, took about an hour. That was reasonable, given how busy Haneda Airport was that evening.
Flight Experience
Overall, my Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda was a smooth and enjoyable experience. The fare was one of the standout aspects—an exceptionally affordable price of USD 235 for a last-minute, full-service flight.
Pre-flight communications were efficient and timely, with several updates sent out, including online check-in notifications, gate details, and reminders about baggage allowance. These proactive communications helped ensure a seamless travel experience right from the start.
The transfer at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was impressively easy and hassle-free. We were able to complete the transfer process in less than 15 minutes, including a quick security check, and head straight to our assigned gate. This smooth connection was a big plus and reflected the efficiency of both Cathay Pacific and HKIA.
Despite flying on an older Boeing 777-367 aircraft, the cabin was in great condition. The spacious legroom in economy class made the flight much more comfortable, and the entertainment options were excellent.
Cathay’s inflight entertainment system offered a broad selection of movies, TV shows, and music, which was notably better than the system found on their Airbus A330. The meal service also impressed, with a hot meal, dessert, and multiple drink rounds—all adding to the positive experience.
On the downside, there were no pillows on the seats when boarding, which was a small inconvenience. Blankets were eventually distributed, but having both items available from the start would have added to overall comfort. However, this was a minor issue compared to the overall quality of the flight.
Once again, it was a delightful experience flying with Cathay Pacific. I’ll definitely keep them in mind for future travel, especially when similar great deals come up. I’m also excited to eventually try their Airbus A350s, premium economy, and hopefully their business class as well.
Here is a summary of this quick hop from Manila to Hong Kong onboard Cathay Pacific:
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Flight Date: 13 February 2025
Flight Number: CX 542
Route: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR (HKG) to Tokyo-Haneda, Japan (HND)
Duration: 3 hours and 13 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 40A
Aircraft: Boeing 777-363
Aircraft Registration: B-HNN
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent 892
Age: 21.2-years-old
Delivered: November 2003
This wraps up my recent flight review of Cathay Pacific Flight CX542 from Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda. Have you ever flown with Cathay Pacific? I’d love to hear about your experience! Are you planning to book a flight with them for your upcoming travels? If you have any questions about the airline or want to learn more about this route, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond!
I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Qantas, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.
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PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.