Category: Japan

Last February, I flew to Tokyo, Japan for a week-long break from my busy work schedule. I traveled with my relatives and spent time with my cousins visiting theme parks and other kid-friendly attractions. We flew with Cathay Pacific to Tokyo Haneda from Manila, transiting through Hong Kong.

Over the past few weeks, I have shared my experiences on our Cathay Pacific flights — CX930 from Manila to Hong Kong and CX542 from Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda. If you have not seen those posts yet, I hope you will check them out.

Today, I will be sharing the first of our two return flights to Manila: Cathay Pacific flight CX549 from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong. Let me take you through this excellent regional service between Japan and Hong Kong.

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 the ticket four weeks before the intended flight and got it for only USD 235.20 roundtrip. I’m not exactly sure how much that was in Philippine pesos, as my relatives paid for it. The fare covered all four segments of the trip: Manila to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong (this flight), and Hong Kong to Manila.

This Economy Light fare included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, 23 kilograms of checked baggage, in-flight meals, personal entertainment screens, and excellent onboard service across all legs of the journey.

Considering it was booked just four weeks in advance, this was definitely a great deal—especially with a quality airline like Cathay Pacific.

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

Passengers connecting through Hong Kong International Airport only need their onward boarding passes upon arrival. However, those who plan to clear immigration and visit the city must comply with the territory’s border requirements. Philippine passport holders are allowed to enter Hong Kong for tourism or business without a visa for up to 14 days.

Since my onward destination was the Philippines, I needed to follow the country’s entry protocols for arriving passengers. Philippine passport holders are only required to present a valid passport and an eTravel QR code upon arrival. Non-Philippine passport holders, on the other hand, may need to present additional documents such as a valid visa or an onward departure ticket. These requirements can vary by nationality, so it’s always best to consult the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date entry information.

Before The Flight

Forty-eight hours before the flight to Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific sent an email notifying passengers that online check-in was now available for both the Hong Kong and Manila segments. The message also included information about the in-flight entertainment system, as well as details about onboard magazines and newspapers.

I selected my seats for both flights (free of charge) 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 reminder email with key details, including the departure terminal, flight time, designated check-in counters, boarding time, and assigned gate.

Aircraft & Flight Information

The Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong flight on Cathay Pacific was operated by a 10-year-old Boeing 777-367(ER) aircraft (as of the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in March 2015, the aircraft is registered as B-KQW. It features 6 lie-flat First Class seats in a 1-1-1 layout, 53 lie-flat Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 34 angle-flat Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 arrangement, and 201 standard Economy Class seats in a 3-4-3 layout.

Flight CX549 departed from Tokyo Haneda International Airport at 4:09 p.m., cruised at an altitude of 38,000 feet, and arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at 7:40 p.m. local time. There is a one-hour time difference between Tokyo and Hong Kong, and the total flight duration was 4 hours and 31 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

Cathay Pacific operates out of Terminal 3 at Tokyo Haneda International Airport.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

I arrived at the airport just before 1:00 p.m., printed my boarding pass and luggage tag at the check-in kiosks, and lined up for bag drop even before the counters opened. Cathay Pacific’s check-in counters at Tokyo Haneda International Airport open exactly three hours before departure. The counters are organized by class and frequent flyer status—Economy and Premium Economy bag drop, Business Class and Oneworld status holders, and First Class.

For this flight, the check-in counters opened right on time at 1:00 p.m. I finished queuing by 1:12 p.m. and completed the bag drop process at 1:13 p.m. The staff member at the counter was friendly and greeted me with a warm smile.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I cleared security and immigration and headed straight to the SkyHub Lounge. My RCBC JCB Platinum credit card granted me complimentary access. The lounge featured cozy seating areas, beautiful views of the tarmac, and a wide selection of drinks. However, it did not offer any food or snack options.

After spending an hour working in the lounge, I stopped by the duty-free store and bought Royce chocolates along with other Japanese staples before making my way to our assigned boarding gate.

BOARDING

Our assigned boarding gate for this flight was Gate 142, the farthest gate on the left side of the terminal.

Priority boarding began at 3:20 p.m., starting with First Class passengers, Business Class passengers, elite status holders, and those traveling with infants. Economy Class passengers boarded in groups according to their assigned seats.

By 3:46 p.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing the entire boarding process in just 26 minutes. The plane pushed back at 3:50 p.m. and began taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

The Boeing 777-367(ER) used on this Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong flight has 294 seats spread across four cabin classes.

According to our friends at SeatGuru, the six lie-flat First Class seats offer a pitch of 81 inches and a width of 36 inches. The 53 lie-flat Business Class seats feature a pitch of 81 inches and a width of 21 inches. All First and Business Class seats come with large personal entertainment screens, pillows and blankets, a side console, noise-canceling headphones, and aisle access for every passenger.

The 53 Premium Economy seats, arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, provide a seat pitch of 38 inches and a width of 19.5 inches. These recliner seats include larger-than-average personal entertainment screens and footrests.

The 201 regular Economy seats are arranged in a 3-4-3 layout, each offering 32 inches of seat pitch and 17 inches of width. Economy seats are equipped with thick seatback padding, adjustable headrests, touchscreen personal entertainment systems with USB ports, foldable tray tables with built-in cup holders, coat hooks, seat pockets containing the aircraft safety card and in-flight magazine, and small stowage shelves beneath the screens. While individual air vents are not available, each seat features a personal reading light and a cabin crew call button. Headphones are provided, and blankets are available upon request.

I selected window seat 66K in the rear Economy section during online check-in. I intentionally chose this seat to have a chance to see Mount Fuji on the flight back to Hong Kong—and I did. The seat’s thick padding and adjustable headrest made it comfortable, and the legroom was decent—perfect for a short-haul flight like this. Blankets were provided by the crew to those who wanted them.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

Cathay Pacific serves in-flight meals on all its flights. After reaching cruising altitude, the cabin crew went around distributing peanuts and drinks to all passengers. I opted for a glass of apple juice to go with the peanuts. The flight encountered several periods of turbulence, which caused the snack and meal service to be temporarily suspended a few times.

About three hours before landing, the crew began the dinner service. Special meals were served first, followed by the regular options. There were two meal choices: baked fish with Japanese rice and penne pasta with mushroom sauce. Each meal came with a smoked ham salad, a bread roll with butter, fresh fruit, and a small cup of Häagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream. The tray also included metal cutlery, a napkin, a moist towelette, and a second drink of choice. The crew later followed up with a second drink service, offering coffee, tea, or water.

I chose the fish with rice option, pairing it with apple juice and water. While I am not usually a fan of fish in airplane meals, I found this dish quite tasty. I also enjoyed how the smoked ham salad complemented the main course. Cathay Pacific never fails to be consistent with its branding by serving Häagen-Dazs ice cream on their flights.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Cathay Pacific’s touchscreen entertainment system on their Boeing 777 aircraft offers a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and music. It has 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. It also includes a nose camera that passengers can view during the flight.

I finished watching Oppenheimer—which I had not been able to complete on our HKG-HND flight—during this journey back to Hong Kong. Aside from that, I kept the inflight map open most of the time. About an hour before touchdown, the entertainment system also displayed all connection information on the screens.

Cathay Pacific’s personal entertainment screens on the Boeing 777 are a decent size. They are fast, responsive, and easy to navigate. While the earphones provided may not be the best quality, they do the job well enough.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Cathay Pacific offered paid wireless connectivity on this flight to Hong Kong. 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 just over 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 Hong Kong, as the passenger seated in the middle seat was asleep for the entire duration of the journey.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew assigned to our area were warm and pleasantly chatty. They served meals with genuine smiles and attended to passengers’ needs in the friendliest way possible. Throughout the flight, they also made sure everyone followed the protocols from boarding to disembarkation.

Disembarkation

The plane landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 7:40 p.m. local time and taxied to Gate 69 for disembarkation. Passengers exited the aircraft by section—First Class and Business Class passengers disembarked first, followed by those in the forward Economy section, and finally, passengers seated in the rear Economy cabin.

I exited the plane and proceeded to the transfer area, cleared security, and walked straight to the assigned gate for my onward flight to Manila, Philippines.

Flight Experience

It was another excellent regional service with Cathay Pacific from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong. What stood out most was the fare—we paid only USD 235.20 for a four-sector trip with layovers in Hong Kong both ways. The ticket included 23 kilograms of checked luggage, in-flight meals, and entertainment on all flights. Talk about flying a world-class airline for such a low fare!

Cathay Pacific ensured all passengers were well-informed with timely emails and mobile app notifications about online check-in availability, assigned check-in counters, and boarding gates at Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Although I waited in line for just over 10 minutes, the bag drop process at the counter took less than a minute. The ground staff showed the same efficiency during boarding, completing the process for a fully booked Boeing 777-300ER in under 30 minutes.

The inflight experience on this Cathay Pacific flight truly felt world-class. From the thick seatback padding and spacious legroom to the extensive entertainment options, tasty fish main course complemented by smoked ham salad and Häagen-Dazs ice cream—the airline ensured passengers enjoyed every moment. The friendly cabin crew assigned to our section also made the flight more pleasant.

That said, the flight was not without minor drawbacks. The aircraft lacked individual air vents in Economy Class—a personal preference of mine—and pillows were not provided on this 4.5-hour flight. The cabin temperature also remained warm from boarding until we reached cruising altitude.

Nevertheless, it was still a great flight with Cathay Pacific. I will keep them in mind for future travels, especially when similar great deals come up. I am also excited to eventually try their Airbus A350s, Premium Economy, and hopefully Business Class as well.

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 549
Route: Tokyo-Haneda, Japan (HND) to Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR (HKG)
Duration: 4 hours and 31 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 66K
Aircraft: Boeing 777-363(ER)
Aircraft Registration: B-KQW
Engines: 2 x GE GE90-115BL2
Age: 10-years-old
Delivered: March 2015

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That’s a wrap on my flight review of Cathay Pacific Flight CX549 from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong. Have you flown with Cathay Pacific before? I would love to hear about your experiences! If you are considering booking a flight with them for your next trip, or if you have any questions about the airline or this route, please leave a comment below or get in touch via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am always happy to chat and help!

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.

Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

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 Hong Kong to Tokyo Haneda 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

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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.

Before you go, please consider liking, following, and sharing my social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. This will help increase my reach and keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and I will see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.