In 2021, Cathay launched its new fleet of A321neo planes. A bit late to the game, but I finally had a chance to fly in its Economy Class.

In the official news release, Cathay used the phrase “Extraordinary Economy” to describe its Economy Class—which, in my opinion, isn’t overselling it. It’s not just about how comfortable and cushiony the seats are; I’m also impressed by how much thought the designers put into the details.

The first thing you’ll notice when you sit down is how the chair feels like a snug sofa. The back and seat cushions hug your body as soon as you're in position. The adjustable headrest is also present, which has been missing on some other flights I’ve taken recently. The materials are mostly fabric—more breathable and soft to the touch compared to the low-maintenance leather (or faux leather) you typically see on North American flights. The leg room feels larger than average which is another plus.

Photo credit: Cathay Pacific

I took it on a 3+ hour short-haul trip, but throughout the flight, the seat remained comfortable and even offered decent lower back support. Not to mention, every passenger gets a small pillow and blanket that’s only more common on international flights.

Once I got comfortable, it was hard not to notice the gigantic screen (by airline standards) in front of me, along with the high pixel density. Only later did I find out it was actually a 4K UHD screen. While browsing the menu, I was pleasantly surprised to find the feature that lets you connect Bluetooth earphones to the in-flight system. I guess this is more eco-friendly and meaningful than Air Canada charging passengers $3 for cheap, one-time-use earbuds.

I spent more time watching content I had downloaded on my iPad, but I think next time I’ll board unprepared and actually watch more from the in-flight entertainment system.

I also noticed there’s a small camera under the screen. I wonder if it's intended for future upgrades—maybe video chatting once onboard Wi-Fi becomes fast enough?

When I looked lower, there were even more interesting features: a secondary screen showing only essential flight info (reminds me of the LG V20), both USB-C and USB-A ports (very considerate), and holders for not only cups, but also phones or tablets—which really helps save your neck on long-haul flights so you don’t have to look down on your phone all the time. And once you unfold the cup/phone tray, there’s even more space inside to place things like your AirPods case or reading glasses.

Of course, there’s also a dedicated mini hook on the side for anything you feel like hanging in front of you during the flight.

Most of the design is self-explanatory, but I do have one more question. Next to the phone/tablet holder, there’s a square-shaped hole that I haven’t figured out the best use for. I tried propping my phone in while charging, but the hole seemed too small for a regular-sized phone. I also tried putting my ticket or wallet inside, but it didn’t seem secure enough. I searched on Google and found no mention of it, so I’m still confused to this moment.

Going even lower. The tray table isn’t particularly unique, but it uses a two-stage folding design that not only maximizes functionality for different use cases, but also leaves room for all the features mentioned above. The entire storage area feels like a Japanese bathroom—every inch thoughtfully used, with virtually no wasted space and maximum utility for the user.

Because my flight was early in the morning, the breakfast served wasn't splendid. However, I did enjoy the extra butter added to the soft and tender scrambled eggs and the metal cutlery that I only saw in Emirates before.

When I turned my attention to the document pouch (is that the name?), I noticed a tiny pocket on the outside that can fit half a phone and hold it securely inside—like how a kangaroo keeps its baby safe.

So far, unlike some other airlines that prescribe how passengers should use the space, it seems that Cathay’s designers aimed to accommodate a wide range of traveler needs. I think this may stem from how diverse a city Hong Kong is, and how that diversity encourages a mindset of inclusivity and respect.

In summary, this was one of my most comfortable Economy Class trips—especially because I could tell how much thought and care went into the design. I would definitely recommend Cathay’s A321neo fleet over other options if you have the chance.