thaia345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 21768 times:
Reason For Trip
This time I had a 2 day conference in New York, however, does not make sense to spend 2 days in NYC and flying all the way from Jakarta, so decided to spend an extra day and a half on either side of the conference, plus the wife also decided to join me.
Date: 19 Feb 2012
Route: Jakarta (CGK) - Hong Kong (HKG)
Flight: Garuda GA860
ETD: 0950 (0943)
ETA: 1550 (1532)
Seat: 1A (Executive Class)
Aircraft: A330-200
Flight time: 4hs19mins
Registration: PK-GPL
1st Flight: 26 Nov 2010
Preflight
Another torrential downpour in Jakarta, luckily being a Sunday, we did not take too long to get to the airport. Once check in and other formalities were completed we just relaxed in the lounge till boarding was called.
Inflight
Onboard PK-GPL again. I seem to fly her the most amongst all the other A332. Loads are fairly light in both J and Y.
Cabin Views
Inflight Menu
IFE
Meal Time
Date: 20 Feb 2012
Route: Hong Kong (HKG) - New York (JFK)
Flight: Cathay Pacific CX830
ETD: 0935 (0930)
ETA: 1210 (1140)
Seat: 1K (First Class)
Aircraft: B777-300ER
Flight time: 14hr42mins
Registration: B-KPQ
1st Flight: 25 March 2010
Preflight
After another nice overnighter at the W HongKong, its off to HKIA and we arrived with more than 2hrs to spare.
CX Premium Class Check In Area
Check in took no less than 2mins and after clearing security and passport control we had breakfast at the Wing First Class Lounge before spending rest of our time walking around the shops.
Breakfast @ F Lounge The Wing
The Wing Lounge
Some quick spotting
Really Love the easy layout of HKIA
When we got to the gate boarding was immediate.
Our bird taking us all the way to JFK
Inflight
Before long I am in the serene surrounds of my suite.
Pushback, taxi and take off
Video of Take Off http://youtu.be/5PstEQlfQX8
FA's were polite as usual and personally introducing themselves. Most cabins are about 90% full. In F 5/6 seats are filled up. After that is just getting myself ready for the long 15hr flight ahead.
Inflight Menu
Lunch Time !
Flying over Japan
Getting my seat made into a bed
After lunch was served, I just watched my ipad for a while being drifting into sleep for about 5 hrs. After that decided to have another meal.
And then back to sleep again. I finally really woke up about 1.5hrs before landing.
Great sceneries on the approach to JFK
A great flight with CX and definitely looking forward to the return leg on Saturday. When the doors of the aircraft opened, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we were the first aircraft to arrive this afternnon in JFK T7, which means, virtually no queues for immigration and within 15 minutes of landing, I was already curbside.
The next day, I chartered the same heli to take us to Ny State to Stewart Airport. Which is the closest airport to Woodbury Common Outlets. For the wife, shopping was the highlight, but for me, it was landing and taking off from the little county airport.
Back to NYC
Date: 25 Feb 2012
Route: New York (JFK) - Hong Kong (HKG)
Flight: Cathay Pacific CX841
ETD: 0910 (0906)
ETA: 1420+1 (1351)
Seat: 1K (First Class)
Aircraft: B777-300ER
Flight time: 15hrs 19mins
Registration: B-KPC
1st Flight: 25 Oct 2007
Preflight
After a great 5 day stay in NYC, its now time to start the long journey home. Arrived at JFK T7 with plenty of time to spare. Both check in and TSA formalities were completed in less than 15mins.
Love this little vending machine!
United getting ready for her cross continent flight
Once we were airside we browsed the shops before spending our time in the BA First lounge which CX uses.
Boarding was called 45 mins before ETD. B-KPC is operating our flight to HKG today.
Inflight
Really nice feeling to be back in the confines of CX F. I am really starting to also love the B773ER as an ultra long haul bird.
Inflight Menu
Amenity Kit
Inflight Mags and moving map
Pushback, taxi and take off
Flight out of JFK looks pretty much full in all classes, seems with double daily flights CX is making good returns from their JFK flights.
Video of take off http://youtu.be/vGZWg-nfVcw
This particular aircraft also has the new J cabin and yes, its a vast improvement versus the old herringbone design. I think its up there together with SQ's J class offering. Flight itself was uneventful except for strong turbulence on the climb out of JFK. After take off, I had some brunch and watched some shows on my iPad and on the IFE.
Bed made up ready for me to doze off
Managed to get some staggered sleep along the way, most of them being 2 hr naps, watching some IFE and back to nap again.
2nd meal before descend into HKG, and this meal, is actually our main meal
Spotted between meal courses
The crew were fantastic throughout the flight and soon enough we were on final descend. Looking forward to my next flight with CX F to Milan in 4 weeks time.
Date: 26 Feb 2012
Route: Hong Kong (HKG) - Jakarta (CGK)
Flight: Garuda GA863
ETD: 1650
ETA: 2050
Seat: 1K (Executive Class)
Aircraft: A330-200
Flight time:
Registration:PK-GPN
1st Flight: 10 Oct 2011
After landing, we had approximately 2 hours before our next flight back to CGK with GA, so its just off through immigration, baggage pick up and check in again. All completed in a matter of 40mins
Our ride to CGK
This bird has the revised J seats which is also a lot more comfortable
AY getting ready for her hop to HEL
Meal Time
Thanks for reading guys, my next trips are:
31 March – CX F to Milan
31 May – GA J and DJ J to SYD & BNE
mxp From Italy, joined Aug 2003, 389 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 20986 times:
Hey
another wonderful TR thank for sharing
CX seens to have a very good product in first dream one day i can afford first. For now sometimes i afford business.
Ironically i spotted B-KPQ yesterday in MXP while doing my weekly spotting session (the photo is on my aviation.net)
Wait for u here in Milan if u have time to meet us
Just write me
Alberto
malioil From Bahrain, joined Jun 2010, 98 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 20764 times:
Once again, what a wonderful trip report- one of the things that I love about a.net is that you get to see flying, from the budget airlines, and now, very much thanks to you, to the highest echelons of aviation, with private aircraft and First Class, so thank you!
CX looks like to offer a solid F product with a great enough distinction from J to make it worth a while.
Looks like a fantastic helitrip, got past all of that iffy New York traffic ! I recognize the heliport, did a helitour out of there last year, no charter though.
Again, an entertaining, enlightening read so thank you very much !
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1750 posts, RR: 26 Reply 4, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 19779 times:
Thanks for sharing!
It looks like you had some really nice flights as usual. How lucky you are to travel the world in F or J on so many different airlines! CX F looks fabulous; from the seat to the cabin, to the amazing looking menu and food!
Last time I passed through JFK, I saw the CX 777-300ER lifting off - I loved watching those wings flex as it banked away from JFK. What a beautiful aircraft.
jetblue777 From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 1427 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 19560 times:
Great trip report, it looks like CX's F product and service is one of the best out there (not a surprise) and GA seems to have an excellent J-product too. Catering looks superb, your pics made me hungry as well!
Brilliant photos of NYC as well, you can even spot my high school (near the CitiBank building in Queens)
Quoting thaia345 (Thread starter): double daily flights CX is making good returns from their JFK flights.
IIRC, CX has 4 daily flights, including the one via YVR. Plus with no direct competition, they are indeed making a lot of $$$
triple7man From Thailand, joined May 2005, 681 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 18717 times:
Cathay Pacific is about the best airline I've flown with. Although my flights have only been in economy class, it rivals the first class service of many other airlines. I have flown AA in first class many times both trans Atlantic and trans Pacific and their service is always very good in premium class. But the only Asian airline I've flown on in premium class is on Japan Airlines, when I got upgraded to business class between Bangkok and Tokyo Narita because economy was oversold.
thaia345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 7, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 18197 times:
Quoting mljones99 (Reply 1): One of the most popular/desirable colors we sell.
Interesting, my wife's a Rubis I think :p usually i am the one that gets the bags from her on my frequent stopovers to CDG and my second stop is usually the Rodeo store in LA. PM me where you are located ..who knows I will drop by one day
Quoting mxp (Reply 2): Ironically i spotted B-KPQ yesterday in MXP while doing my weekly spotting session (the photo is on my aviation.net)
Wait for u here in Milan if u have time to meet us
Will definitely try to organise a meet for some coffee in MXP. Will stay at the Park Hyatt and of course flying with CX again to MXP. My flight out th enext day is from LIN to MAD connecitng to LPA all with IB
Quoting malioil (Reply 3): to the highest echelons of aviation, with private aircraft and First Class, so thank you!
Quoting malioil (Reply 3): I recognize the heliport, did a helitour out of there last year, no charter though.
Hi Mohamed.....thanks again for reading and great to see you enjoy my TR's ....
Quoting 767747 (Reply 4): How lucky you are to travel the world in F or J on so many different airlines! CX F looks fabulous; from the seat to the cabin, to the amazing looking menu and food!
Hi Matthew, Thank you again for reading my TR. I know I am one of the lucky few that can fly premium, and trust me I do not take it for granted ....appreciate everytime I am up front near the nose of the aircraft, but that even gives me more determination to work even harder....who knows, one day i can afford a biz jet ..thats my goal in life
Quoting jetblue777 (Reply 5): Brilliant photos of NYC as well, you can even spot my high school (near the CitiBank building in Queens)
Awesome! ....theres really nothing comparable to see greater NY from the air
Quoting jetblue777 (Reply 5): IIRC, CX has 4 daily flights, including the one via YVR. Plus with no direct competition, they are indeed making a lot of $$$
Thanks for the update....wow, so 4 flights a day !....i think they are the only Asian carrier with 4 flights to the NYC area on a daily basis
Quoting triple7man (Reply 6): Cathay Pacific is about the best airline I've flown with.
Thai744 From Australia, joined Jun 2004, 249 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 17651 times:
A wonderful trip report! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Why did you have to go through immigration in HKG on the way home? Weren't you merely in transit?
As wonderful as the CX F product looks, I couldn't help but spare a thought for the poor souls up the back in Y in one of the "notorious" shell-seats. 15 hours in one of those would be enough to drive anyone insane! 9 hours between SYD and HKG and vv a few times has nearly done me in, and I won't fly CX Y class again until they disappear.
Lovely to see how the premium products are for those who rarely get to fly them, and it's great to hear that you don't take it for granted.
Looking forward to the report when you go to Milan.
Quoting thaia345 (Thread starter): After landing, we had approximately 2 hours before our next flight back to CGK with GA, so its just off through immigration, baggage pick up and check in again. All completed in a matter of 40mins
Could CX not check you through? How come you didn't fly CX down to CGK?
flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days ago) and read 16694 times:
Quoting thaia345 (Reply 7): I know I am one of the lucky few that can fly premium, and trust me I do not take it for granted ....appreciate everytime I am up front near the nose of the aircraft
I always enjoy reading your reports and you can sense this very sentiment portrayed in your reports here. A very professional person riding up front without all the "Oohs and Aahs of look at me riding up in front", A real breath of fresh air to read these great report of yours, compared to some of the childish banter by some on here riding up front...sheesh!!
Nice that you had a heli ride from the airport to NYC....now that must have made you feel like Mr. Trump himself.
thaia345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 11, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 16233 times:
Quoting Thai744 (Reply 8): Why did you have to go through immigration in HKG on the way home? Weren't you merely in transit?
I used Asia Miles to claim a companion F ticket for my wife, so mileage wise, its better value just to claim a HKG-JFK-HKg ticket and then purchase a CGK-HKG-CGK ticket in J
An attendant will take the bags from you and tag it and put it in through the J check 10 metres away
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 9): Could CX not check you through? How come you didn't fly CX down to CGK?
Like i mentioned above, i used asia miles for my wifes ticket so i aso ended buying my tix ex-HKG. to buy a return CGK0-HKg ticket costs about 2300USD with CX while 1100USD in Ga J . so GA it is !
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 10): A real breath of fresh air to read these great report of yours, compared to some of the childish banter by some on here riding up front...sheesh!!
Actually there are plenty of moments I have seen people up front behaving like they are king of the world, and trust me, there are times i have might mentioned a few lines to them. Not to point fingers, but those people I see up front are usually travelling on company budgets. As for me, although its also on my company budget, it is after all a family run business, and i definitely appreciate the value of hard work and hard earned $$$. And there is no right for passengers wither in Y or F to treat FA's like their personal slaves
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 10): Nice that you had a heli ride from the airport to NYC....now that must have made you feel like Mr. Trump himself.
Actually it did ....as I also stayed at the Trump Soho ahhahahahaha......
thaia345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 13, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 15839 times:
Quoting icanfly (Reply 12): United's B777-200ER flight from HKG to EWR, as they're a Star Alliance partner of your beloved Thai Airways?
Actually not hehehe...I always try to fly on Asian carriers due to the fact of higher levels of cabin service. And since I am also about to achieve the top tier of CX's Marco Polo Club, I think this year I will fly more on CX than TG since I have already achieved Platinum status on TG.
By the way, I am flying back home to Oz in June, but have a short business trip to the East coast before back home to Perth for some R and R. Usually its QF but this time i am flying DJ from Mel to PER, wanna try out their premium product on the A332. I believe its far superior than QF's. Looking forward to that.
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 14, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days ago) and read 15267 times:
Hi
Great trip report, thanks for sharing!
Nice to see the heli ride to NYC, quite a few airlines do it. However, yet to see any (or almost any) Trip reports in here about it. CX looks great as well. The seats did look a bit well-used on your GA plane (see seat control panel)
EL-AL From Israel, joined Oct 2001, 1123 posts, RR: 5 Reply 15, posted (1 year 2 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 15057 times:
Hello Thaia345,
Thank you for another well written FCL report.
I must say that while CX product looks great, I was not very impressed from meals, entree doesn't look like something expected from CX first but more like cheap restaurant in Kowloon.
I was in Woodbury too, with car naturally - and after 12 hours there it was very difficult to close the trunk!
Thx for shearing,
Jonathan
"In our country, those who do not believe in miracles are irrational" - David Ben Gurion.
thaia345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 16, posted (1 year 2 months 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 14847 times:
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 14): The seats did look a bit well-used on your GA plane (see seat control panel)
Hi Marc, Yes, they are pretty worn, sometimes GA still needs to pay attention to the little details
Quoting EL-AL (Reply 15): I was in Woodbury too, with car naturally - and after 12 hours there it was very difficult to close the trunk!
Hi Jon, we were in Woodbury for 4 hours, and trust me, it was already a challenge to get everything into that little Bell 407. Can't imagine if I were there for 12! haahhaha
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4917 posts, RR: 55 Reply 17, posted (1 year 2 months 1 day ago) and read 13301 times:
Quoting mljones99 (Reply 1): Your wife has a nice Birkin. One of the most popular/desirable colors we sell.
= Haha. That is the first thing I noticed about the report .
Thanks again for another top report on the top airlines. I think you are the undoubted leader on A.Net on premium reports. Now, I think you should shake it up and fly Ryanair and report back to us!
Saludos,
A.
PS: Ryanair is one of the companies I admire tremendously ...
thaia345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 18, posted (1 year 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 12553 times:
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 17): Now, I think you should shake it up and fly Ryanair and report back to us!
Hi Alex! ....Believe it not I have flown Ryanair many times before, but thats been ages when they were just starting up and flying B732's! ......most recent low cost that I have been own is Air Berlin, which I flown on about 3 years back .....but will definitley give a though to trying out Ryanair sometimes soon too !
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A real breath of fresh air to read these great report of yours, compared to some of the childish banter by some on here riding up front...sheesh!!
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