Date: June 30, 2001
Airline: Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight: CX 463
Origin: Taipei, Taiwan (TPE)
Destination: Hong Kong, China (HKG)
Aircraft: A330-300

This flight occured more than six months ago. Anyway, I was on a trip to Shanghai, and since there are no diplomatic ties between Taiwan and China, all passengers bound for the mainland are destined to transfer at Hong Kong or Macau. Since I needed a visa to enter China and could not obtain one in Taiwan, I would need to apply for one in Hong Kong. Consequently, I took the earliest flight to Hong Kong.

CX 463 was scheduled to depart Taipei at 7:00 AM. I arrived at the airport at around 5:45 AM and proceeded to the economy class check-in area. I gave the agent my American Airlines AAdvantage number. To my surprise, when I got my boarding pass, it was for business class. At that time, I was traveling with my mom, and she also received a business class boarding pass. We both believed that the airline had made a mistake on the printing.

Anyway, we proceeded to gate B6, and the flight commenced boarding around 6:30 AM. When my mom and I boarded the plane, we were directed to the business class section. It was a pleasant surprise for both for my mom and I.

The legroom for business class on the A330 is incredible for Cathay Pacific. It felt like flying on first class on many other airlines. Anyway, prior to departure, we were served a pre-flight drink. I chose mineral water, since I don't drink alcohol. Shortly, after take-off, I could smell the food being warmed-up in the galley.

Our menu for CX 463 that morning was:

Breakfast
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Orange Juice, Guava Juice or Soya Bean Milk
Fresh Seasonal Fruit

Omelette a la Reine, Grilled Chicken Sausage, Hashed Brown Potato and Broiled Tomato

or

Stir-fried Shanghai Noodles with Shredded Pork and Mushroom, Assorted Chinese Dim Sum

Croissant or Soft Roll, Served with Preserves and Butter

Teas - Ceylon, Camomile, Earl Grey, Jasmine, Japanese, Peppermint, Coffee

For a 1 hour and 45 minute flight, usually with no choice of entree in economy, I was quite satisfied. In addition, the flight attendants were extremely hospitable. The addressed each passenger by their name. In my case, that would be Mr. Chao.

StudioCX was also spectacular. I was able to choose from a variety of games, watch numerous programs, and listen to lots of music.

To my disappointment, the flight ended way too quickly. After breakfast and a few more rounds of beverages, we were descending into Hong Kong, "home of Cathay Pacific," as the purser called it.

My first Cathay Pacific flight in many years has been extremely satisfying. I understand that they serve three entrees on their economy class transpacific flights, as opposed to the two entree choices on many other carriers, such as China Airlines or EVA Air.

I highly recommend anyone to flight Cathay Pacific, even if it requires a connection. Connections are smooth and the service is superb. Also, the prices are actually way cheaper than non-stop flights. Cathay Pacific is also a member of the oneworld Alliance. So, I can also earn AAdvantage miles.

-Alex