Asia 4: First with Cathay. HKG-TPE in F on the B744



The map, courtesy of GC Mapper, of this report:


And zoomed out a bit


The map, courtesy of GC Mapper, of what is currently booked for this series:


Previous Reports in this series:

Part 1: Limoncello with Alitalia. BA/AZ LHR-MXP-FCO-NRT

Part 2: JALing it to Beijing. JL HND-PEK 772 Business

Part 3: Around China with China United, China Eastern & Grand China

Hi!

Thanks for clicking on Part 4 of my Autumn Asia series. Picking up where I left off in Nanning…





China’s largest Medicinal Herb Garden


A common sight around China



At the Provincial Museum






Nanningers love to shop!




After 2 nights in Nanning, I headed over to Yangshuo to meet up with some old colleagues.








Kebabed and spiced broccoli – delicious.


Some sights from the surrounding countryside








After 4 days in Yangshuo, I caught the sleeper bus over to Shenzhen before hopping over the border.


I found a great deal at the Ramada Hong Kong Island for a (semi) harbour view suite for just GBP 40 night…not bad!




As nearly always, I took bus #15 up to the Peak…bit smoggy today


But a nice sunset later on


And after nightfall



As I’d been to HK so many times before, I thought I should do something I’d never really done…visit the New Territories. First stop was a cultural trail out in Tin Shui Wai


The next day would be quite a lot more strenuous. My aim, HK’s best beach, Ham Tin beach. Why is it the best? Because it’s empty (and the scenery is gorgeous). Why is empty? Because, save for a long boat ride, the only way to get there is by a rather long and winding path, the MacLehose Trail. I decided to do Parts 1 and 2 (of 10), a nice 24km walk.






And here’s the beach. Doesn’t look like HK does it? By the time I got there, some 2 hours in, I was ready for a dip…wonderful.


After lunch and my swim, it was time for the next 20km….boy, it was hot and hard. Luckily the scenery was still fantastic.








It took me 6 hours in total (although, thank God, I hitched the final 2-3 kms)…exhausting stuff, but very nice. Don’t even think about trying this in the summer or without loads of water.


My final tourist activity was a visit to the free viewing gallery in the Bank Of China buidling




With all the touristy stuff out of my system, I checked out, and hopped on the bus to the airport.


Passing the Ngong Ping cable car (great day out)






Today’s flight would be in the comfort of Cathay Pacific’s First Class cabin. CX (and KA) operate up to 20 flights a day on the route. Together with China Airlines, EVA Air, HK Express and a few others, this route is possibly the world’s busiest in terms of daily seat numbers (most, if not all, flight are widebodies). Only a handful of CX flights offer F, and of those, roughly (it changes daily) 2 are operated by the Queen of the Skies. Thankfully, I found a flight to suit my schedule.

Checking in online, the cabin doesn’t look too busy


Whilst the rest of the airport sports large queues, the F check in area, whilst nowhere near as comfortable as the TG one in BKK, presents no wait time. My bag is whisked away, and my boarding card is printed, but only after the agent has noted down ALL the details on my onward flight. You’ll notice the long skirt worn by F staff – looks very chic and professional.






With check in completed, and plenty of time before my flight, I head over to Terminal 2 to check out the Observation deck


I love the T2 roof. Under the check in area are buses to the mainland


Entrance to the “Entertainment Zone”. There’s a proper IMAX here, but I don’t indulge today. The viewing deck has attracted a HK$15 charge since I was last here. I’m not in the mood particularly today, so just have a quick look at the plane info area.






Thankfully, today’s version of the F seat is a bit better than the one of show




I decide to try out security and immigration in T2 rather than going back to T1…it doesn’t take long. You have to catch a shuttle to the main terminal. From there, I caught another shuttle to the end of the pier.

The last time I went to Taiwan was on EVA





Some interesting Korean types


And an international lineup


Nice airy terminal


I’m lucky enough to catch the CZ A380 on it’s daily PEK run just days before it’s swapped for an A330 (the A380 is now plying the LAX route, no doubt with a nice low l/f)


And I also catch the brand new TG 380




With my spotting over, I head downstairs to the First lounge


I’m quite disappointed to find that the pre-flight dining is just a buffet with a waiter service for drinks…no restaurant? To be fair to CX, the food is very nice, but this is not what I expect of a carrier like CX. CX are currently rejuvenating their F lounge in the main Wing complex. Hopefully when it reopens, it will be more First Classesque, as today’s offering are not really up to scratch.

As you can see, I’m a fan of salmon, dim sum and sushi




The main lounge area. Nice, but nothing special. And no views.


I ask a waiter for a drinks list. He’s obviously stumped by the question as he looks very confused. I ask what champagnes he has on offer. “Um, only one”. Er, righty, I’ll go with whatever that is then! I hope the crew on the plane are more on the ball!


So, what else is there in this F lounge? How about the Day Rooms? Very nice, although the TV only has 2 channels.




Better than the TV!


As long as the flight is better than the lounge!


Time for another champers


Last stop in this lounge in a shower…nice room


Well, other than a nice lunch, I’m left very underwhelmed by this lounge. I take a walk down the length of the Pier to try out the Wing. On the way out, I pick up a paper timetable from the lounge desk…how many airlines still publish them? This is a nice old-style thick thing, full of maps, diagrams and times…wonderful!


















Today we get the exalted Gate 1…nothing happening for another few hours yet though


Nearby is the Wing lounge area. Ironically, when I was in HKG last year flying to Tokyo in Business, the C area was being redone. Now I’m flying F, the F is being redone! As such, there is a small cordoned off area in the new C lounge for F eligible pax.


Nice view


Just a champagne and some fruit


At a quarter to four, I head out. The QF F lounge opens at 4, and I want to check it out. I pass the very nice looking noodle bar on the way out.


Time for a look at the FIDS? How about that…a delay to “sometime tomorrow”. Good old RA!


And in Chinese


En route to QF F


The C lounge is in the basement, F is upstairs

I’m the 3rd person admitted when the lounge opened….I take advantage of the emptiness and snap some shots






The buffet is limited, but of a good quality




The Parma ham and melon was tasty


Some reading materials


Again, just one type of champagne. A lady is patrolling the lounge offering top ups.


And a cappuccino to keep me awake


BA arriving


With 45 minutes before departure, I pack up my stuff, and walk down to the gate. My plane B-HOS is awaiting her passengers.




Mmmm. Those first 3 windows shall shortly be mine  







And Swiss to the side


By the time I wander back to the gate, boarding is underway.




Despite quite a few people waiting in the premium line, I am the only one to take the premium airbridge.



October 2012
Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei Taoyuan (TPE)
Cathay Pacific CX 470
Scheduled: 1745-1925 (1h40m)
Actual: 1819-1934 (1h15m)
Boeing 747-400 B-HOS
First Class



I greeted at the door by one of the two F crew, and escorted to my seat. I’m the first pax in the cabin, so go camera crazy for a minute or two.


How wonderful to be riding in the nose again! Shame the flight is so short…I could quite happily bed down for the JFK via YVR service!








My seat…not bad! I beats LX and TG First for sure (although I still like the TG sliding doors)


My big PTV…it’s hanging a bit low to one side




Seat 1K…A and K have never been so close


I’m asked what I’d like to drink…champagne (Armour De Deutz Brut 2003, not bad tasting) and a sparkling water


My wardrobe…far superior to the options on TG/9W First


And the end of the carpet


Hot towels are handed out when the rest of the cabin has boarded. Despite the loads showing 6 seat available for purchase a few house before take off (and the cabin map being similarly empty), we leave with 7 of the 9 seats taken. A particularly loud Canadian (travelling with his brother) is initially sat in 1K, but thankfully moves before take off. A and K are quite close for strangers.




Time for a top up before push back


The pack of menus are handed out


And stowed for take off


Map info






And the safety demo





Due to “late loading of cargo” we push back a little late, causing us to miss our slot….no problem for me. The longer the delay the better


Arrivals forms are handed out. I ask for a pen…I nearly pocket it before I realise it’s the pursers personal pen (it’s got her name inscribed in it)…I thank her and hand it back with my Change for Good wallet.


The mood lights flicker into life as we taxi off to the runway. I don’t think much of that wave thing. Maybe a photo of the HK skyline would be nicer?






We hold here for around 20 minutes before finally moving into position.












Checking out the controls


Nearly dark now as we sidle onto the runway




Here we go. It’s a nice feeling to know you are at the very front of the plane, with even the guys in hats upstairs sitting further back (albeit it with a better view!).








Climbing out over Hong Kong…sadly I’m sat on the wrong side for views of the harbour…here’s Mongkok instead




Soon the seatbelt signs come off, and so I take a few more photos. Nice and wide!




Let’s have a look on what’s on offer on this 500 mile flight






A little brochure about F wines


Food…


Not bad for a short flight. “Will you be joining us for dinner sir?”. Does a bear s#!t in the woods? “Yes please!”. Turns out that I’m the only one dining tonight…everyone else feels the desperate need to sleep on this short late-afternoon flight. (I guess if you’ve paid for a big bed, you might as well sleep in it).


The table is set


Everything is beautifully laid out. I decline a further champagne, and go for a Belvedere vodka and tonic.


Complete with a card from the 2 F crew and purser


Starter is fruit…maybe a little odd. I’d expect that more as a dessert. It’s tasty though


Bread basket


Wow, time’s flying by


I opt for the Chinese option of abalone. I’ve seen this on menus thousands of times before in China, but never ordered it (it’s normally quite pricey)…I have no idea what it is, but decide to try it anyway.


Yum, very tasty it is too.


I like the stained wooden chopsticks…very nice


Peep Show is my poison tonight


The abalone is very tasty…a perfect meal! It’s only as I write this TR I actually Google what abalone is….sea snail. Pictures of it are pretty revolting, but I have to admit, it tasted great! Useless fact of the day (if you believe Wikipedia): the world’s first underwater arrest was in the Channel Islands of a man illegally harvesting abalone.

Dessert is a chocolately cake thing. It’s rich and tasty, but I can’t finish it. I’m asked if it’s ok, so just have to explain my food rampage in the lounge.


A post dinner drink? I’m well into my Cointreau as a flying drink now, so that’s what I go for tonight


And a cappuccino


And a hot towel to complete the wonderful (if slightly accelerated) dinner


CX magazine. It was nearly packed in Clingfilm and so in pristine condition


I pay a quick visit to the toilet facilities. No shower on CX, but you do get a window and some nice toiletries. Sadly no amenity kits were loaded on this short hop.




Not my seat/suite, but you get the picture.


Safety card




As the only passenger awake, I’m asked to complete survey…of course, as I get a free pen!


With way too little time before our arrival, I experiment with the seat a little….very comfy!






Oh dear. Just 20 minutes after my table is cleared of dinner and folded away and the seat belt signs come on.


I ask for a bottle of water to take away…an Evian for the trip to the hotel


Mood lights on as we approach Taipei. The magic of the cabin is shattered only by the two loud Canadians sharing their thoughts with the cabin at large on how to fill out the arrivals cards (“Do Canadians need a visa?”) (and other useless topics that happened to flicker into their brans as their mouths were moving). I guess the seclusion of the seats induced a feeling of being on your own such that you forget other people have to endure your brain farts.










And we’re down. The taxi is short, and we end up next to a company A330. CX have quite an operation out of TPE, with some 4-5 regional destinations served (mostly Japan, possibly ICN too).








Sadly, it’s time to leave the plane. I bid adieu to the wonderful staff and make my way to arrivals. The crew were exemplary (I guess it helped only have one (demanding) customer awake). All requests were handled with a smile and efficiency, clearly the result of many years of on the job experience. My photo taking too was not a problem either. The purser came and had a quick chat with me before we landed to check that I was enjoying the flight.

There wasn’t much happening in TPE on arrival, so there was no queue at all for immigration. Sadly the bags took quite a while to appear. When the bags did start coming out, mine was #30 out….not what an F passenger expects! There were plenty of C tagged bags (and, gasp, non-priority bags) that came out first.


With my bag off the belt, I headed through customs, and down to the bus station, where I was soon on a bus headed into Taipei. My report covering my time in Taipei, and my Scootin’ flight down to Singapore will be out soon!

Future reports include:

TZ TPE-SIN B772 Y
MI SIN-LGK A320 Y
FY LGK-SZB ATR Y
MH KUL-DAC A330 Y
4H DAC-ZYL ??? Y
AI CCU-DEL B788 Y
AI IXM-MAA-BLR A32S Y
SV BLR-DMM-JED-LHR A330/B773 Y

No doubt more flights will be added over time!

As always, all comments and questions welcome!

Some of my other TRs:

Part 3: Around China with KN, MU & CN
Asia Part 2: JALing it to Beijing. JL HND-PEK 772 Business
Asia Part 1: Limoncello with Alitalia. BA/AZ LHR-MXP-FCO-NRT
Va BeNe with Cityjet. RTM-LCY Fokker 50
Truly Great Britain: FlyBE EDI-IOM on Saab 340 & BA IOM-LCY on Saab 2000
Cyprus with Aegean. Business on the A321, LHR-LCA-LHR
Scotland In A Day: FlyBE GLA-BHD-LGW. DH8 & E190
Tegel A.Net Meet. SN LHR-BRU-TXL, LH TXL-BHX
Bye Bye Baby: easyJet LTN-BFS, bmi Baby BHD-BHX
Air One and Alitalia to Sicily – LGW-MXP-PMO-LIN-LHR
Part 12: Sun Air of Scandinavia & BA, DUS-BLL-MAN-LHR on the J31, D328 and A320
Part 11: Thai Airways BKK-FRA, B77W First Class & LH FRA-DUS Business
Part 10: Thai Airways Kathmandu-Bangkok, B772 Business Class
Part 9: Yeti Airlines “Everest Express” on the J41
Part 8: Biman Bangladesh A310 Dhaka-Kathmandu
Part 7: United Airways ATR Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar & Regent Airways Dash Chittagong-Dhaka
Part 6: Biman Bangladesh DC10 Calcutta-Dhaka
Part 5: SpiceJet B739 & Jet Konnect B738 Calcutta-Bagdogra rtn, with Darjeeling
Part 4: Singapore Airlines A330 Business Class Singapore-Calcutta
Part 3: Sriwijiaya Airlines & Lion Air Boeing 737-900ER Banda Aceh-Medan-Jakarta-Singapore
Part 2: Valuair/Jetstar Asia SIN-MES and Garuda MES-BTJ
Part 1: U2 LTN-BCN, SQ BCN-SIN 77W Business
Africa Part 7: British Airways Club Europe B767, LCA-LHR
Africa Part 6: LX ZRH-ATH, A3 ATH-LCA. A Greek Tragedy
Africa Part 5: Dar es Salaam – Nairobi – Zurich with Swiss First
Africa Part 4: Fly 540 DAR-ZNZ in Y, and Zanzibar photos
Africa Part 3: ET KGL-EBB-ADD-DAR-ZNZ, A to Z with Ethiopian Airlines in C
Africa Part 2: SN BRU-BJM, SA BJM-KGL, Business to Burundi and Rwanda
Africa Part 1: BD LHR-CMN, TP CMN-LIS, SN LIS-BRU in Y and C
A.net meeting in snowy Tallinn. U2/FR STN-TLL-LTN
easyJet and bmi up to Aberdeen, LTN-ABZ-LHR
The Costa del Sol with British Airways. LGW-AGP-LCY
Mysterious Moldova (and Transnistria). Lufthansa LHR-MUC-KIV
BA to the Austrian Alps. LHR-MUC, INN-LGW
I can't get no Jetisfaction: LH LGW-FRA inaugural
Colombia Part 4: Colombia to London via FRA/MUC/HEL on LH & BA
Colombia Part 3: Colombia with Avianca (AV). SMR-BOG-MDE-BOG
Colombia Part 2: Colombia with Avianca (AV). BOG-MDE-CTG
Colombia Part 1: London to Colombia via ARN/MUC/FRA on BA & LH
USA and Mexico Part 4, British Airways Mexico City – London, World Traveller Plus
USA and Mexico Part 3: Around Mexico with Aereo Calafia Cessna 208B & Viva Aerobus B733
USA and Mexico Part 2: Sightseeing tour of SAN, and AA San Diego - LA – Dallas - San Jose Cabo
USA and Mexico Part 1: easyJet Luton to Paris, and BA Paris to San Diego via LHR in World Traveller Plus
British Airways to Scandinavia (LHR-CPH,GOT-LHR)
Where’s my bag? British Airways, Milan to London
What airline am I flying again? Bmi/Lufthansa Italia LHR-MXP
Albania and Macedonia: Austrian LHR-VIE-TIA, Macedonian Airlines SKP-ZRH, Swiss ZRH-LCY
Part 1, Lufthansa London-Munich-Frankfurt-Nanjing, Economy Class A321 and A343
Part 2, Cathay Pacific Shanghai to Tokyo via Hong Kong, Business Class A330 and B747-400
Part 3, ANA Boeing B767 Tokyo to Shanghai, & Air China Airbus A340 Shanghai to Beijing, Business Class
Part 4: Chinese domestics, inc. Joy Air Xi’an MA60, Tianjin Airlines ERJ, and China Express Airways CRJ
Part 5: Lufthansa Beijing-Frankfurt-London City, Economy Class A388 and E90
5 Countries, 5 Flights, 5 Days, with Ryanair (FR)
bmiFriday: Welcome to Sunny Norway, London to Bergen, A319)
Royal Jordanian, London to Aqaba via Amman. A330 and A320
Royal Jordanian, Amman to London, A330
London City to Antwerp with Cityjet and the Fokker 50
Croatian Airlines, LHR-ZAG,PUY-ZAD-ZAG-LHR, A319 and Dash 8
British Airways, Iberia & Binter to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, LHR-MAD-TFN-LPA-MAD-LHR, A320,ATR, A321
British Airways, London To Amsterdam, LGW-AMS-LHR, B737 & A321
British Airways up to a snowy Glasgow, with a change of flights and delay, LHR-GLA-LCY A321 and E90
Turkish Airlines Business Class from London to Istanbul. From Terrible To Fantastic
Turkish Airlines Business Class from Istanbul to Batumi (Georgia). Not again!
bmi Business Class, Tbilisi to London via Azerbaijan
Tallinn to London, with Estonian Air and BA, via ARN
Cuba! BA/IB London-Madrid-Havana, Business Class
Aerocarribean, Baracoa to Havana
Asia Trip, Pt 1: Qatar Airways Business Class (LHR-DOH-ICN)
Asia Trip, Pt 2: China Southern and Hainan Airlines (A321/A346)
Asia Trip, Pt 3: Malaysia Airlines, Hong Kong to Penang
Asia Trip, Pt 4: Qatar Airways Economy (HKG-DOH-LHR)
A weekend in Transylvania with Blue Air (LTN-SBZ)
Helsinki for the weekend on BA and KF
Easter in Ukraine with Austrian
UAE and Oman with BA and Air Arabia. Y & Y+
HKG-LHR-HKG Air New Zealand, Premium Economy and Economy
US Airways LGW-DCA-MSP-LGA-LGW
London Heathrow - Zurich - Venice on Swiss Business for the weekend
Chasing the Eclipse on China Eastern
Taiwan: EVA Air (HKG-TPE rtn), UNI Airways (TSA-HCN), Daily Air (TTT-KYD rtn)
UA HKG-SIN-HKG Y Class, SQ KUL-SIN C Class
Bangkok to Beijing, Egyptair Business Class
Air China Beijing to Harbin, B777 Economy outbound, A330 First Class return
Tiger Airways, Singapore to Darwin return
A selection of Chinese Domestics; China Eastern, Air China and Shenzhen Airlines
Hong Kong to London on Singapore Airlines (744/380/77W)
Qatar Airways Beijing-Doha-London Heathrow (A330/A340)
Air China First Class. Beijing-Guilin via Xi’an
Armenia with Austrian Airlines. LHR-VIE-EVN
Round Asia Trip. URC-HTN,OSS-FRU,ALA-URC-LHW-KMG-JHG-KMG-SYX,HAK-NKG-PEK-NRT-LHR,
Hainan Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Lucky Air, ANA, Economy and Business Class.
SAS and Lufthansa Business Class, LHR-OSL-FRA-FRA, B73G and B744

Gabriel,

Great report as usual with interesting pictures.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Kebabed and spiced broccoli

Interesting... almost as interesting as a dish that will be featured in one of my upcoming reports.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I caught the sleeper bus over to Shenzhen before hopping over the border.

How did it compare to the megabus?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Time for a look at the FIDS?

Quite a few cancelled on there it seems

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 1): How wonderful to be riding in the nose again!

Its definitely a good feeling. Had the privilege on a VS 744 many years back. Although unless I come into some serious money sometime soon, I doubt I'll get the privilege again, with the 744 seemingly dying out.

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 1): Complete with a card from the 2 F crew and purser

Nice touch.

[Edited 2012-10-28 12:26:27]

Lovely trip report as usual! I must say that your reports are probably some of my favourite ones to read. I like your writing style and attention to detail! Well done!

Looking forward reading the upcoming reports.

CX F to me still looks like one of the nicest F out there. Just the right mix of luxury mixed with functionality and elegance. Really a great design.

Excellent report again! A great way to experience CX wonderfull F class without having to take a long flight. And to be seated in seat 1 on the 747 sure is a great thing! And also thanks for the grand tour of HKG, a great looking airport!

Another great report, gabrielchew! It looks like you had a great time with Cathay.

I think its so classy how they have a little card that is presented to each passenger with all the crew members' names. Those are the little things that go a along way, and I imagine helps them keep their high F rankings.

Best,

Matthew

Thanks for all the comments!

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Great report as usual with interesting pictures.

Thanks James

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): How did it compare to the megabus?

Ha, they're both crap

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Its definitely a good feeling. Had the privilege on a VS 744 many years back. Although unless I come into some serious money sometime soon, I doubt I'll get the privilege again, with the 744 seemingly dying out.

Air miles?

Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 3): Nice touch.

Yes, it was

Quoting lax888 (Reply 4): Lovely trip report as usual! I must say that your reports are probably some of my favourite ones to read. I like your writing style and attention to detail! Well done!

Thank you

Quoting lax888 (Reply 4): CX F to me still looks like one of the nicest F out there. Just the right mix of luxury mixed with functionality and elegance. Really a great design.

Yes, it's a very nice product

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 5): Excellent report again!

Thanks Robert

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 5): A great way to experience CX wonderfull F class without having to take a long flight.

You make it sound like it would be a bad thing to go longhual!

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 5): And also thanks for the grand tour of HKG, a great looking airport!

HKG is lovely, great for photos too

Quoting roberts87 (Reply 5): And to be seated in seat 1 on the 747 sure is a great thing!

Yes, best seat in the house!

Quoting 767747 (Reply 6): Another great report, gabrielchew! It looks like you had a great time with Cathay.

Thanks Matthew, I did

Quoting 767747 (Reply 6): I think its so classy how they have a little card that is presented to each passenger with all the crew members' names. Those are the little things that go a along way, and I imagine helps them keep their high F rankings.

Yes, it's the little things that count

Hi Gabriel,

interesting report, CX's F Class looks excellent IMO.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): As nearly always, I took bus #15 up to the Peak…bit smoggy today

That doesn't look bad at all.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I’m quite disappointed to find that the pre-flight dining is just a buffet with a waiter service for drinks…no restaurant? To be fair to CX, the food is very nice, but this is not what I expect of a carrier like CX. CX are currently rejuvenating their F lounge in the main Wing complex. Hopefully when it reopens, it will be more First Classesque, as today’s offering are not really up to scratch.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I ask a waiter for a drinks list. He’s obviously stumped by the question as he looks very confused. I ask what champagnes he has on offer. “Um, only one”. Er, righty, I’ll go with whatever that is then! I hope the crew on the plane are more on the ball!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Sadly the bags took quite a while to appear. When the bags did start coming out, mine was #30 out….not what an F passenger expects! There were plenty of C tagged bags (and, gasp, non-priority bags) that came out first.

It seems you are very hard to please. Maybe you should try a private jet operator?  




PH

[Edited 2012-10-28 23:21:20]

Great report Gabriel. I am not sure if I would eat the abalone, but I am not the person tasting new things anyway. And you got into a good eating frenzy in the lounges at HKG, I liked that. ^^


F class on CX looks excellent. The CX F lounge on the other hand seemed to be disappointing to say it with caution...

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 8): interesting report, CX's F Class looks excellent IMO.

Thanks Udo

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 8): That doesn't look bad at all.

My camera is good at fading the smog!

Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 8): It seems you are very hard to please. Maybe you should try a private jet operator? Wink

I'm just a First Class passenger expecting First Class service - this is supposed to be one of the world's best F services. You need to manage expectations. When I fly FR and get a glass for free water, I'm delighted (not that this has ever happened). When I fly CX F I expect a choice of quality champagnes.

Hi Gabs,

Nice one again my friend. The only time I have ever set foot on board of a CX plane was in 2007, in Y class of course. But I was impressed as well, mostly by the friendliness and professional attitude of the crew. The A340 back then however was an old school lady.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Thankfully, I found a flight to suit my schedule.

Or thankfully you found a nice 1st class fare?

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): A and K are quite close for strangers.

Ha ha, didn't you act as a deterrent 

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The longer the delay the better

In this case: definitely!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Complete with a card from the 2 F crew and purser

Now that is really nice.

Sultanils

hey Gabriel,

Nice TR with countless of good pictures

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): On the way out, I pick up a paper timetable from the lounge desk…how many airlines still publish them? This is a nice old-style thick thing, full of maps, diagrams and times…wonderful!

agree, even some airports still do this like CDG i think

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Starter is fruit…maybe a little odd. I’d expect that more as a dessert.

The reason is that fruit contains simple sugars that require no digestion. Thus, they will not stay for a long time in the stomach. When i was kid, my mom always used to tell me " eat your fruits before your meal" LOL .

Thanks for sharing
Looking forward to reading next chapter

Hello Gabriel

Another great report, thanks for sharing! I really should head out east one day.
While the CX lounge does look rather average the cabin looks rather great.
The seat looks huge and the detail looks nice.
Fun to see the little card on the dinner service as well/

Greetings
Marc

Thanks for the replies!

Quoting sultanils (Reply 11): Nice one again my friend

Thanks Nils

Quoting sultanils (Reply 11): Or thankfully you found a nice 1st class fare?

Or I used some miles...  

Quoting sultanils (Reply 11): Now that is really nice.

Yes, was a nice touch

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 12): Nice TR with countless of good pictures

Thsnkd Leonard

Quoting eastafspot (Reply 12): The reason is that fruit contains simple sugars that require no digestion. Thus, they will not stay for a long time in the stomach. When i was kid, my mom always used to tell me " eat your fruits before your meal" LOL .

Interesting to know. I always fruit as a dessert rather than a starter

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 13): Another great report, thanks for sharing!

Thanks Marc

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 13): I really should head out east one day.

You should...plenty of nice places to visit

Quoting MSS658 (Reply 13): The seat looks huge and the detail looks nice.

Yes, nice a big

Hi gabrielchew !
nice work and all opus

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I love the T2 roof.

me too very elegant roof ... maybe to add a little color

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Those first 3 windows shall shortly be mine

hehehhe lucky you

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): A and K are quite close for strangers.

come on, you are already spoiled hehehhe

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Starter is fruit…maybe a little odd. I’d expect that more as a dessert

ah salad for a starter and fruit plate for dessert cutting measures are so brutal in up-scale cabins ehhehe especially in Asian companies ...
thanks stipica  

Quoting stipica (Reply 15): nice work and all opus

Thanks Stipica!

Quoting stipica (Reply 15): hehehhe lucky you

Yes, very lucky

Quoting stipica (Reply 15): ah salad for a starter and fruit plate for dessert cutting measures are so brutal in up-scale cabins ehhehe especially in Asian companies ...

I guess it was more to do with the flight timing than anything else. I guess there's caviar on the longer flights?

Hi Gabriel!

Thanks for another great report with wonderful pictures !

Very nice beach in Hong Kong but to hike 24 km seems a bit too much, at least for me. Scenery there is fantastic!

The seat in First on Cathay Pacific looks great and the meal looks fantastic, especially for such a short flight.

Very much looking forward to your next report in this series!

The777Man

Hi Gabriel,

Another great addition to your Asia trip series with many nice pictures!
Nice pictures of China, especially that beach looks so nice and peacefull, could sit there all day  
Although CXs F lounge doesn't sound/look all to great in the air they look fantastic! Shame it was such a short flight though  

Looking forward to the next part!

cheers,

Brendan

Hi Gabriel!

Another great read and pictures, thanks for sharing.

CX F looks very nice on the 747, can't say I'll be trying it myself anytime in the near future unfortunately  

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Kebabed and spiced broccoli – delicious

- Odd!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I decide to try out security and immigration in T2 rather than going back to T1…it doesn’t take long. You have to catch a shuttle to the main terminal. From there, I caught another shuttle to the end of the pier.

- I still prefer T1 immigration, I've found it quicker than going through T2.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): My big PTV…it’s hanging a bit low to one side

- Too heavy for it's bracket by the looks of it!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Starter is fruit…maybe a little odd. I’d expect that more as a dessert

- Agreed, never had fruit as a starter.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I opt for the Chinese option of abalone. I’ve seen this on menus thousands of times before in China, but never ordered it (it’s normally quite pricey)…I have no idea what it is, but decide to try it anyway.

- Sea snail, yuck!

Cheers

Mark

Hi gabrielchew,

Thanks for an excellent report- as I started reading I realised it's part of a series so I'll be definitely going back over the others for a look. I am traveling to Hong Kong at the end of the month, and will be doing a similar short-haul first class widebody flight on Emirates (first time in First). It was a tough call between the EK A380 and the Thai 744 (with A380 on the return sector) and your report has again shown why- I have never sat in the nose of a 744. Still hope to do it before they are wiped out.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Kebabed and spiced broccoli – delicious.

Is it just me or is broccoli coming back? It seems to be the main part of an increasing number of dishes now where I only know it as a necessary side to be swallowed quickly.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): With check in completed, and plenty of time before my flight, I head over to Terminal 2 to check out the Observation deck

A great preview into what I can expect in Hong Kong Airport- looks great.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Hopefully when it reopens, it will be more First Classesque, as today’s offering are not really up to scratch.

Couldn't agree more- obviously what you got was a huge step up from Y, but the step up to a first fare from business is a big leap and there needs to be a clear differentiation. I haven't really been able to justify first in the past for this reason- it's usually a big leap in fare for an extra course, and slightly wider seat that also converts into a bed. You can't rely on the business standard- you paid for F and should have a clear difference. Looking forward to seeing the difference when I fly F for the first time.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): On the way out, I pick up a paper timetable from the lounge desk…how many airlines still publish them? This is a nice old-style thick thing, full of maps, diagrams and times…wonderful!

Have a whole box of these at home from around 1999-2001, but it seems that most airlines cut them out after 9/11 as a cost saver (from memory this is when they disappeared). It's great to see them in circulation, but they are a little useless unless you're an aviation fan with it being much easier to look online at the most direct route. Meanwhile we tend to avoid the most direct options...

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Nearly dark now as we sidle onto the runway

Stunning view- I really want to try it.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Turns out that I’m the only one dining tonight…everyone else feels the desperate need to sleep on this short late-afternoon flight. (I guess if you’ve paid for a big bed, you might as well sleep in it).

In my books if you've paid for fine dining and wine you might as well eat it- what a waste to sleep! I don't think I've ever turned down a meal while flying to sleep, even when departing at 1am.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Complete with a card from the 2 F crew and purser

Thought for a moment that they had stuck a label over your name (misspelling maybe?) then realised that was your doing in the post-enhancement stage. Nice personal touch from Cathay- not something you would see on other airlines even in F.

Thanks again for a great report,

themit9

Thanks for all the comments!

Quoting The777Man (Reply 17): Thanks for another great report with wonderful pictures !

Thanks!

Quoting The777Man (Reply 17): Very nice beach in Hong Kong but to hike 24 km seems a bit too much, at least for me. Scenery there is fantastic!

It was rather long, but I needed to justify all the wating and drinking I've been doing!

Quoting The777Man (Reply 17): The seat in First on Cathay Pacific looks great and the meal looks fantastic, especially for such a short flight.

Yes, was a very nice flight

Quoting The777Man (Reply 17): Very much looking forward to your next report in this series!

Well it's out soon

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 18): Another great addition to your Asia trip series with many nice pictures!

Thanks Brendan

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 18): Nice pictures of China, especially that beach looks so nice and peacefull, could sit there all day

Shame I had to crry on walking!

Quoting adamspotter (Reply 18): Although CXs F lounge doesn't sound/look all to great in the air they look fantastic! Shame it was such a short flight though

Yes, a great but very short flight

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): Another great read and pictures, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for reading!

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): CX F looks very nice on the 747, can't say I'll be trying it myself anytime in the near future unfortunately

That's a shame. You'd like it I'm sure

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 19): - Sea snail, yuck!

Ooh, you should try it Mark...you might just like it!

Quoting themit9 (Reply 20): Thanks for an excellent report- as I started reading I realised it's part of a series so I'll be definitely going back over the others for a look

Please do!

Quoting themit9 (Reply 20): I have never sat in the nose of a 744. Still hope to do it before they are wiped out.

Do it! Such a great place to be

Quoting themit9 (Reply 20): Couldn't agree more- obviously what you got was a huge step up from Y, but the step up to a first fare from business is a big leap and there needs to be a clear differentiation. I haven't really been able to justify first in the past for this reason- it's usually a big leap in fare for an extra course, and slightly wider seat that also converts into a bed. You can't rely on the business standard- you paid for F and should have a clear difference. Looking forward to seeing the difference when I fly F for the first time.

I couldn't agree more. You need to see a clear difference to justify the price

Quoting themit9 (Reply 20): In my books if you've paid for fine dining and wine you might as well eat it- what a waste to sleep! I don't think I've ever turned down a meal while flying to sleep, even when departing at 1am.

I know, you have to eat, not sleep!

Quoting themit9 (Reply 20): Thanks again for a great report,

Thanks for reading!

Hello Gab!

Great report, and I'm glad I finally got around reading it!
Good to see that CX had a nice F product on even such a short flight, and that they impressed you more in the air than on the ground.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I love the T2 roof.

Indeed, it was a very nice terminal. Didn't look like much from the outside, but the inside it what matters anyway!  

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): The viewing deck has attracted a HK$15 charge since I was last here.

On my way back from TPE, on my layover in HKG, I visited the terrace, luckily i still had a valid Student Card from Sweden so I only had to pay 7.50.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): My seat…not bad!

That does look very nice and comfy.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): CX have quite an operation out of TPE, with some 4-5 regional destinations served (mostly Japan, possibly ICN too).

So that's why I saw all those CX birds at TPE! I was thinking "they can't all be going to HKG!".

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): My report covering my time in Taipei, and my Scootin’ flight down to Singapore will be out soon!

Will get around reading that one too, eventually!  

Martin

Quoting deltamartin (Reply 22): Great report, and I'm glad I finally got around reading it!

Thanks Martin, glad you liked it

Quoting deltamartin (Reply 22): Good to see that CX had a nice F product on even such a short flight, and that they impressed you more in the air than on the ground.

Yes, once they've sorted out the lounge, they'll be very 5*

Quoting deltamartin (Reply 22): On my way back from TPE, on my layover in HKG, I visited the terrace, luckily i still had a valid Student Card from Sweden so I only had to pay 7.50.

Better value!

Quoting deltamartin (Reply 22): So that's why I saw all those CX birds at TPE! I was thinking "they can't all be going to HKG!".

Yes, would have been a bit too much for TPE-HKG