ANA vs Cathay Pacific First Class
ANA's The Suite is the more private cabin, eight enclosed suites with 43-inch screens, published $14,000 to $22,000. Cathay's six open seats cost less at $12,000 to $20,000 and fly from New York and Los Angeles. Both reward checking the aircraft, since neither carries First on every rotation.
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The facts, in one view
| ANA First Class, The Suite | Cathay Pacific First Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Main hub | Tokyo (HND) | Hong Kong (HKG) |
| Aircraft with First Class | Boeing 777-300ER (8 suites; 10 of 13 frames carry The Suite) | Boeing 777-300ER |
| Typical published fare (round trip) | $14,000–$22,000 round trip | $12,000–$20,000 round trip |
| Signature U.S. routes | New York (JFK) → Tokyo (HND) · San Francisco (SFO) → Tokyo (HND/NRT) | New York (JFK) → Hong Kong (HKG) · Los Angeles (LAX) → Hong Kong (HKG) |
Where ANA wins
- The Suite is fully enclosed with a 43-inch monitor, among the most private First cabins flying
- Every New York frequency carries it, and ten of ANA's thirteen 777-300ERs are fitted
- Kaiseki dining and a sake programme matched by very few carriers
Where Cathay Pacific wins
- Lower published fares and negotiated levels from about $8,500
- Beds wide enough to lounge diagonally, plus caviar and Krug
- The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong is a destination in itself
The verdict
ANA wins the hardware comparison clearly. The Suite encloses each of its eight passengers behind tall doors with a 43-inch screen and one of the widest beds in the sky, and the service style is the quiet, exacting omotenashi that has made ANA a favourite among people who fly First often. Cathay has no doors at all and does not try to compete on enclosure; it competes on sheer space, on a bed you can sprawl across, and on a soft product that has aged remarkably well.
Availability is where both demand care. ANA First flies from New York, San Francisco and Chicago only, and only the New York services carry The Suite on every frequency; Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle and Washington are 787-operated with no First cabin at all. Cathay First is confined to the 777-300ER on New York and Los Angeles, so its newer Dallas and Seattle routes on A350s have none. Confirm the airframe before either booking.
ANA or Cathay Pacific? Let the fares break the tie.
A specialist prices both cabins on your exact dates, including negotiated fares neither airline publishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is better: ANA or Cathay Pacific First Class?
ANA's The Suite is the more private cabin, eight enclosed suites with 43-inch screens, published $14,000 to $22,000. Cathay's six open seats cost less at $12,000 to $20,000 and fly from New York and Los Angeles. Both reward checking the aircraft, since neither carries First on every rotation.
Is ANA First Class more expensive than Cathay Pacific?
Published round-trip fares typically run $14,000–$22,000 round trip on ANA and $12,000–$20,000 round trip on Cathay Pacific, though the gap moves with season, route, and how far ahead you book. Negotiated fares through a First Class specialist frequently land 30–50% below either airline's published price, which can flip which one is the better value on your dates.
Can I compare live ANA and Cathay Pacific fares for my dates?
Yes, that's exactly what a specialist desk is for. Premium-cabin inventory is capacity-controlled and changes daily, so the meaningful comparison is live availability on your specific dates and route. One call prices both airlines side by side, including unpublished fares no booking site displays.
Do both airlines fly true First Class from the United States?
Availability differs by route and aircraft, which is half the comparison. The guide above covers each airline's genuine First Class footprint from U.S. gateways, including where a product is business class despite premium branding, so you know exactly what cabin you're buying before you commit.
Undecided? That's literally our specialty.
Available 24/7 · +1 (855) 490-4330 · Fast response from experienced luxury travel consultants