Some flights you want to savour. Others you just want to sleep through. Departing Brisbane at 00:50 and touching down in Hong Kong just before 7am, this was firmly in the latter camp — and Cathay Pacific delivered exactly the kind of restful red-eye you hope for, even if the ground experience got off to a shaky start.

Check-In: A Curious Start

Things began oddly. Check-in at Brisbane was self-serve, and I'll admit I was surprised. It was only the second time I'd ever used self-service check-in, and the first was on a low-cost carrier — not exactly the association you want when flying a premium airline. What struck me most was the lack of direction from Cathay staff at BNE; there was little to no guidance on hand, which felt at odds with the airline's reputation. A minor gripe in the grand scheme, but a strange first impression nonetheless.

The Lounge & A Special Livery

With no Cathay lounge at Brisbane, we used the Qantas lounge. It was conveniently located directly opposite the gate, but beyond that, it was nothing to write home about — perfectly functional, if unremarkable.

The real treat came out on the tarmac. Our aircraft wore a special livery: Cathay's 80th-anniversary tribute reviving its iconic 1970s "lettuce leaf sandwich" green-and-white retro design. A lovely bit of aviation heritage, and a genuinely cool sight to board.

The Seat & Bedding: Where Cathay Shines

Given the hour, my plan was simple — prioritise sleep. But I couldn't help myself when it came to the food. Service was impressively efficient: we were served around 45 minutes after take-off, and everything was cleared away swiftly afterwards, which is exactly what you want on an overnight when every minute of rest counts.

Once it was time to sleep, the flight attendant kindly helped me make up my bed, and I slept genuinely well. The way the seat is configured gives you plenty of room in the footwell, and the bedding is superb — a duvet that reminded me of the one you get in BA First. That's high praise for a business class soft product.

On the amenities front, the kit is from Bamford, the British wellness brand, presented in a reusable pouch with the usual travel essentials — eye mask, earplugs, dental kit and Bamford toiletries. A refined touch that fits the overall experience.

Onboard: Food & The Coffee Detail

Before landing, I had a coffee — and it was a well-made one, prepared on a proper barista machine. Little things like this matter, and it's an area where BA still falls short.

Arrival: The One Frustration

My only real frustration on arrival is that Hong Kong doesn't have an arrivals lounge — a shame after a long overnight when a shower and breakfast would be welcome. That said, it wasn't an issue for us. We were staying at the Conrad, and thanks to Hilton for Luxury benefits, early check-in was sorted, so we could freshen up properly rather than waiting around.