After spending a week in Tokyo, it was time to head home. Just like my flight to Japan, I flew with Cathay Pacific on the way back to Manila, with a layover in Hong Kong. In my previous flight report, I talked about the excellent regional economy service on flight CX549 from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong.
Today, I will be sharing my experience on the connecting leg—Cathay Pacific flight CX939 from Hong Kong to Manila. Read on to find out how a rowdy cabin crew disrupted my sleep and spoiled the last few minutes of this final daily flight 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. 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
About four weeks before my planned departure, I managed to score a round-trip ticket to Tokyo Haneda for just USD 235.20. I am not exactly sure what that amounts to in Philippine pesos, as my relatives took care of the payment. The fare covered all four segments: Manila to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong to Manila (the flight I am reviewing here).
The ticket was under Economy Light, which included a 7 kg carry-on allowance, 23 kg of checked baggage, complimentary inflight meals, personal entertainment screens, and consistently excellent service on all flights.
Considering I booked just four weeks before the trip—and with a reputable airline like Cathay Pacific—I would say it was a really good 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 only need to present a valid passport and their eTravel QR code when entering the country. Non-Philippine passport holders may be asked to show additional documents, such as a valid visa or proof of onward travel. Entry requirements can vary depending on your nationality, so it is always a good idea to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information before your trip.
Before The Flight
Two days before my flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong, I received an email from Cathay Pacific letting me know that I could now check in online for both the Hong Kong and Manila flights. The email also included details about inflight entertainment, magazines, and newspapers available during the journey.
I selected my seats for both flights (free of charge) and completed the online check-in. However, instead of receiving a digital boarding pass, I was instructed to pick it up at the airport when dropping off my baggage. On the day of the flight, Cathay sent one final email with all the key details—such as which terminal to go to, flight departure time, check-in counters, boarding time, and the departure gate.
Aircraft & Flight Information
This Hong Kong to Manila flight on Cathay Pacific was operated by an Airbus A330-343X, which was 21.2 years old at the time of the flight. The aircraft, registered as B-HLW, was delivered to the airline in December 2003. It is configured with 39 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout and 223 standard economy seats in a 2-4-2 arrangement.
Flight CX939 departed from Hong Kong International Airport at 10:30 p.m. and arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:16 a.m. There is no time difference between Hong Kong and Manila. The total flight time was 1 hour and 46 minutes.
Airport & Ground Experience
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TRANSIT EXPERIENCE
After arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, I made my way to the transfer area, went through a quick security check, and headed up to the pre-departure zone. Our flight to Manila was assigned to Gate 66, so I went straight there.
The whole transit process, including the short lines at security, took less than 20 minutes.
PRE-DEPARTURE
I waited near Gate 66 until the boarding call. I did not visit any lounge or grab a bite to eat, as I was still full from the meal on my flight from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong.
BOARDING
The ground crew started pre-boarding announcements at 9:30 p.m. Priority boarding began at 9:35 p.m., starting with business class passengers, elite status holders, and those traveling with infants. Economy passengers boarded by groups, based on their seat assignments. All boarding was done through Hong Kong International Airport’s facial recognition system.
The process took a while because the flight waited for connecting passengers arriving from Auckland, New Zealand. By 10:13 p.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing boarding in 38 minutes. The plane pushed back at 10:19 p.m. and began taxiing to the runway for takeoff.
Inflight Hard & Soft Product
SEAT FEATURES
This Hong Kong to Manila flight on Cathay Pacific was operated by a 21.2-year-old Airbus A330-343X (at the time of the flight). The aircraft features 39 lie-flat business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, and 223 economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration.
The business class follows a reverse herringbone design, with every seat offering direct aisle access. According to SeatGuru, each business class seat has a pitch of 45 inches and a width of 21 inches. Amenities include large entertainment screens, a spacious footwell, a console with remote and seat controls, noise-canceling headphones, and a power outlet.
Economy class seats are arranged 2-4-2. Each seat has a pitch of 32 inches and a width of 18.2 inches. They come with thick seatback padding, adjustable headrests, a touchscreen personal entertainment system with a USB port, a foldable tray table with a cup holder, a coat hook, a seat pocket containing the safety card and magazine, and a small storage space under the screen. While there are no personal air vents, each seat has an individual reading light and a cabin crew call button. Passengers receive headphones, but pillows are not provided; blankets are available upon request.
I was seated in aisle seat 44G, located in the forward middle section of economy. The thick seatback padding helped compensate for the lack of a pillow on this short flight to Manila. Overall, the seat remained comfortable despite the missing amenity.
INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE
Cathay Pacific serves inflight meals on all their flights, and even though this flight was less than two hours, a hot meal was provided. Shortly after takeoff, the cabin crew served dinner, which had only one option—char siu chicken rice with steamed vegetables. The meal came on a small tray, accompanied by a bottle of water and metal cutlery.
Once the meal service was finished, the crew quickly collected the used trays. The entire meal and clean-up process was completed within 30 minutes of reaching cruising altitude.
INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Cathay Pacific’s entertainment system on the Airbus A330 offers a decent selection of movies, TV shows, and music. While the choices are not as extensive as those on their Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft, the lineup is suitable for short-haul flights like this one to Manila. The system also includes a moving inflight map that shows the aircraft’s exact location and flight details.
I did notice that some TV shows had incomplete episodes. Additionally, the inflight map on the screen at seat 44G did not work for the entire flight. With no other option, I turned off the screen and tried to get some sleep.
INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY
Cathay Pacific offered paid Wi-Fi on this flight to Manila. First Class passengers, Business Class passengers, and Diamond members receive complimentary access, while all other passengers must pay to use the service. The lowest option is a messaging pass with 30 MB of data for 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 just under two hours. Although the airline’s rates are comparable to industry standards, I did not find it necessary or worth the cost for such a short flight.
LAVATORY
A few moments before landing, I visited one of the lavatories in the middle section and found it to be spotless. It was stocked with tissue rolls, liquid hand soap, and small bottles of hand sanitizer and moisturizer.
Cabin Crew Service
The cabin crew service on this flight was a major downside for me. While they greeted passengers during boarding and made sure everyone followed safety protocols, the dinner service felt rushed. Everything happened so quickly that I had to hurry to finish my meal.
What bothered me even more was what happened just before landing. The cabin crew member assigned to our section was quite rowdy while waking up the child sitting next to me. He kept shouting, “Boy, boy, wake up!” loud enough to wake me from my own sleep. He did not say “excuse me” or apologize for disturbing anyone. I am sure this was a one-time incident, but I still feel it was not handled properly.
Disembarkation
The aircraft touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:16 a.m. and taxied to Terminal 3 for disembarkation. Passengers exited by section—business class first, followed by those in the forward economy cabin, and finally, those seated in the rear economy section.
Immigration was quick, and the baggage arrived about 20 minutes after touchdown. The whole process went smoothly, likely because the terminal was not busy at that hour.
Flight Experience
It was a good final leg with Cathay Pacific on their Airbus A330. What really stood out was the price—we paid just USD 235.20 for a four-leg journey, with layovers in Hong Kong both ways. That fare included 23 kg of checked baggage, inflight meals, and entertainment on all flights. Flying a world-class airline at that price? That is definitely a steal!
The whole transit experience in Hong Kong was smooth and efficient. Getting through security and heading to the gate was quick, and the facial recognition boarding system made getting on the plane hassle-free.
Onboard, I appreciated the hot meal served despite the flight being less than two hours. The seats were comfortable with thick padding, and the lavatory was spotless and well-stocked, which always adds to the comfort during the flight.
Of course, there were a few downsides. The lack of pillows and personal air vents made resting a bit less comfortable. The inflight entertainment had some issues too—the moving map did not work, and some TV episodes were incomplete. The biggest drawback was the rowdy behavior of the cabin crew near the end of the flight, which disturbed my rest and that of a nearby child.
Despite these minor issues, I would still happily fly Cathay Pacific again, especially on their long-haul routes and aboard their newer A350 aircraft. Their overall service and value make them a reliable choice for future travels.
Here is a summary of this flight from Manila to Hong Kong onboard Cathay Pacific:
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Flight Date: 19 February 2025
Flight Number: CX 939
Route: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR (HKG) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 1 hour and 46 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 44G
Aircraft: Airbus A330-343X
Aircraft Registration: B-HLW
Engines: 2 x RR Trent 772B-60
Age: 21.2-years-old
Delivered: December 2003
That wraps up my review of Cathay Pacific Flight CX 939 from Hong Kong to Manila. Have you flown with Cathay Pacific before? I’d love to hear about your experience! If you’re thinking of booking a flight with them or have any questions about the airline or this route, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’m always happy to chat and help however I can!
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.
