September 2
SGF-DFW
AA3610
SF304B
Seat 8A

Flying from SGF to DFW is always something less than great, due to the fact that AA only uses their Eagle flights and all but 1 or 2 are on Saab 340 or ATR aircraft instead of their ERJ's. The flight was on time and uneventful. Can't expect too much from a commuter flight anyway. It is disappointing that US carriers don't seem to stack up to their European counterparts when it comes to service on commuter flights. Almost always a meal in Europe and we get stuck with snack mix (if we're lucky).

DFW-SFO
AA367
767-300
Seat 3D (F class)

The flight left right on schedule. I love flying on this plane because in F class you can have the middle seat, which is all alone with an aisle on either side. Kind of like sitting in your living room recliner, but on a 767. This plane was equipped with the new fully flat seats in F class and they are very nice (but not as good as the Flagship Suite on the 777). Shortly after take-off the flight attendants came around to take drink and main course orders. The drinks were delivered with the usual bowl of heated mixed nuts. Later, the salad tray was brought out and we were offered vinagarette or caesar dressing. For the main course, I chose the teriyaki baked salmon which came with rice and vegetables. It was excellent. Desert was a choice of cheeses and fruit or an ice cream sundae, which I gladly chose. I was surprised that even though this was an international aircraft, with F, J and Y, there were no PTV's at all.

September 3
SFO-HKG
CX873
A340-300
Seat 14D (J Class)

Boarding commenced at approximately 12:10am for our 12:45am departure to Hong Kong. I took my seat in the last row of the forward J class cabin, an aisle seat in the center section. Just before departure, I noticed that the aisle and window on the right side were unoccupied, so I moved. Not much to look at while crossing the Pacific on a 14 hour and 50 minute flight that doesn't sea sunlight until the last 20 minutes. Anyway, you still have the moonlight and can see any other traffic that may be out there. One side note, I noticed that on more than one occasion, the pilot turned on the landing lights, which I found out later from a CX pilot, was most lilkey either to get a better look at any clouds we may have been skimming or to give a "hello, I'm out here" to an oncoming aircraft.

I will have to say that the J class service aboard Cathay Pacific was better than any I had ever experienced before (and I've flown a LOT in J and F). The flight attendants called me by name, and not only by looking at a passenger list, but even when I just passed through the galley mid flight looking for a snack.

The food service was outstanding. We were offered several meal choices, all delivered on a trolley so we could choose. The food was then put on the plate and served. I chose the stir fried seafood with rice and vegetables. It was excellent. Midflight, I wandered into the galley and asked for something "salty". One of the flight attendants had actually taken left over garlic bread from the dinner service and made homemade pizzas. They were quite good. Breakfast was served about 2 hours prior to arrival at CLK and were offered 3 full courses, including a fruit tray, then cereal and finally the main course. They offered an omelet with hash brown potatoes, sausage and baked tomato, or Dim Sum, a traditional chinese breakfast, which I chose. All was great.

The J class seats are quite comfortable, however they have no electric motors at all. F on this flight was also 2-2-2 and really seemed no different, except for greater recline and pitch. There were only 2 passengers in F.

We arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule and I took the airport express to Hong Kong station. Had a great time (the little time I had) in Hong Kong and want to go back to spend more time there.

September 5
HKG-DXB (via BAH)
CX731
777-200
Seat 14A (J class)

Check in at CLK was very smoot as I had used CX's telephone check for passengers with only hand luggage, therefore I only needed to quickly collect my awaiting boarding pass at the special counter and I was then on my way to the CX "Wing", their lounge at CLK. The Wing is very large and has at least 2 full service bars and a complete chinese noodle restaraunt. Everything is no charge to guests. The food offered there puts the Admirals' Clubs to shame. I am currently in the Admiral's Club at DFW terminal A, which is one of AA's pride and joy club locations, and there are some cookies and inflight bags of peanuts and pretzels on offer. Wow!

The flight departed about 20 minutes behind schedule and no reason was given. We took off and started our trek out over southern China, Burma, India and Pakistan. The flight was 7 hours and 51 minutes to Bahrain. The service was very good on the flight as well. CX 777 planes are only J and Y class and every single seat was taken. Dinner was served in much the same fashion as the previous flight, however the food, while still on the trolley and visible for your selection, was already on the plates. I chose the grilled prawns and egg fried rice. Again, it was delicious. I missed the second dinner service as I was chatting with the captain and wasn't hungry at all. By the way, the crew for this flight was outstanding. Not only in their professional service, but in a personal way as well.

We descended into Bahrain for a smooth landing. I got off the plane during the 1 hour stop-over and milled around the duty free shops. We took off for the short flight back to Dubai right on schedule.

I was amazed at the amount of people arriving into Dubai at 11:00pm. Here in the states, most people simply said, "Where?" when I mentioned I was going to Dubai, but it's obvious that the Europeans and Asians are privy to this little secret already. I was very impressed with Dubai. A little too hot (110°F in the afternoons), but the beach was great and the hotel was awesome. I would hightly recommend the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. There is not a bad room in the place and the view from every room is spectacular.

September 9
DXB-HKG
CX730
777-200
Seat 14A (J class)

The flight back to CLK was the same as the inboud, but in reverse, with the same stop in Bahrain. At BAH, we picked up the very same crew that had flown my flight in from CLK. It was an overnight flight and I slept most of the way. Dinner was equally good as the other meals I had enjoyed on CX and I chose the lamb. It was served with salad and vegetable. Was a little tough, but still very good. Breakfast was slightly disappointing as it consisted only of fruit, cereal and breads (nothing hot), but was still very good and presented very nicely.

I forgot to mention that between BAH and DXB, both ways we were served a light snack of a sandwich and fruit, even though the flight was only about 45 minutes.

Upon arrival, I went back to the "Wing" and waited for my connecting flight to LAX.

September 8
HKG-LAX
CX 882
747-400
Seat 86A (J class)

The flight was running about 2 hours behind schedule due to a late arrival of the aircraft from MNL. We boarded quickly when the plane was ready and I took my seat on the upper deck. I was lucky enough to get the window seat just behind the center door on the upper deck, so the next seat in front of me was nearly 8 feet away. First class can't even beat that pitch, but they do have the fully flat seats down there.

The meal service started shortly after takeoff and we were offered a bowl of almonds followed by an appetizer plate, served at your seat from a trolley. Next was the salad plate, followed by the main course. I chose the beef tenderloin with tomato sauce. True to form, it was great. Dessert was a choice of cheese and fruits followed by ice cream.

Even though the flight was 13 hours and 40 minutes, it passed quickly. I watched 1 movie and played several games on the PTV and was fascinated by the view of the of the two Rolls Royce engines from the upper deck windows.

About 2-1/2 hours prior to landing, we were served another meal. I chose the pork wrapped in sticky rice and potatoes, with the usual salad. I had to bypass dessert.

We landed about 2 hours late, but I was still able to just make my connection. The crew was very appologetic about the delay and came to each passenger individually that had connecting flights to assure us that we would be met upon arrival by CX staff to handle any misconnections. As I said, I made connection, but CX had already booked me in F on the following flight, just in case.

September 8
LAX-DFW
AA 2462
757-200
Seat 4F (F class)

The captain informed us that this 757 was brand new from the factory, however it looked the same to me as the other countless 757's I've been on with AA.

We departed right on schedule, towards the west and quickly made a turn back to the east. The ride was smooth most of the way, with only an occasion bump. Dinner was a bowl of heated mixed nuts, followed by salad and a choice of pasta, chicken or sea bass. I had the chicken and it was excellent. Dessert was a fruit tray or a sundae. I was so full that I passed on dessert, but was wishing I was hungry because I love their hot fundge sundaes with butterscotch.

About 45 minutes out of DFW the captain notified us that there would be a thunderstorm off to our left and he said the lightening show was one of the most spectactular he had ever seen as a pilot. It was incredible the amount of lightening that was being produced. Even though it seemed we were just barely avoiding the storm, the flight was smooth as glass.

There was no way to make from HKG to SGF via LAX all in one day on CX / AA since AA doesn't operate their 10:30pm flight from DFW to SGF on Saturday nights, so I had to overnight here near the airport. It is possible via YVR, however AA was sold out on the YVR-DFW sector.

September 9
DFW-SGF
AA??
Saab 340 or ATR, not sure yet...

I arrived at DFW for my flight #3881 to SGF to find out the flight number had been changed to 3781. No big deal since the times had remained the same. Problem was that AA had somehow canceled my reservation for the last leg of my trip. They were able to get me back on the flight, which turns out was already oversold, so I immediately got on the volunteer list and was given a $300 travel voucher and $30 meal voucher to take the next available flight. Not bad wages. Anyway, I'm still waiting for that flight to depart. Should be 3567 for which I already have a boarding pass, but it's looking good for another volunteer list.... Considering it's just an American Eagle flight, I don't suppose there will be much to report, so I'll end it here.

Overall, the trip was outstanding. My hat is off to CX and their service. This was my first trip with CX and everything was great.

Hope you enjoyed the report.