Hong Kong International

I took a taxi from the Hyatt to the airport express station in Kowloon, as the shuttle was running behind schedule. At the station I wanted to check in, but all three counters of Cathay Pacific were busy and the passenger waiting there had a lot of luggage, which means the waiting time might be substantial. With a train already approaching, I decided to skip the in town check in facilities and check in at the airport.

The train ride was as usual fast and convenient. I had boarded at the rear of the train, which got me closer to the check in counters of Cathay Pacific, as the airline has its check in counters in the aisle B and C of terminal 1.

I checked it at the Business Class counters. With no one in front of me there was no wait. The agent had a problem as it seems my name in the passport did not match the name on the ticket, but it was quickly discovered that “Herr” was not a middle name but the German translation for “Mr”. The system did not catch it and it was sorted out by her quickly. I received my boarding pass and was given a map of the airport and also an invitation to use one of the lounges in the airport. The gate for my flight was not yet known.

Security was also not that busy and I could pass it quickly. There are no dedicated lines for passengers traveling in elite classes or holding elite status, which could be seen as a down, but usually Hong Kong is efficient and the waiting time never that long. Immigration was also only a quick stop and soon I entered the secure area

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Since I did not know where my flight would depart, I decided to start my lounge hopping at the “The Cabin” Loung”, which was in die middle between the main terminal with the “The Wing” Lounge and the concourse with the “The Pier” Lounge. This might mean I would have to skip one lounge, but the time was too short to fully enjoy (or try out) all lounge facilities and there should always be something for the next flight.

I used the Cathay Pacific Android App to get an impression what to expect and where it was exactly located. I had noticed the lounge from previous visits at Hong Kong but did not remember the exact gate number closest to the lounge. “The Cabin” is located next to gate 23 and downstairs, i.e. level 6. It is a long but somehow narrow lounge with an IT Area to the right and a buffet / restaurant part to the left followed by a bar and a working / relaxing to the left. All areas offer views towards the tarmac. I decided to sample the buffet and had a seat closer to the buffet before moving to the bar, where I enjoyed a glass of champagne and read in one of the magazines. After some time, the gate was announced, and since it was 41, the “The Pier would be my home for the next hour or so.

“The Pier” is located close to gates 62 – 66 and also downstairs but larger than “The Cabin”. There is a long bar at the one end and the noodle bar on the other end of the lounge. The lounge was not very busy and I tried a bowl of noodles before taking a seat and working on my laptop for some time.

Both lounges are nice and the quality of the food is good. In so far, I am looking forward to sample this lounge more often in the future as a British Airways Executive Club Silver Status means one can get into the Business Class section of each lounge even if flying in Economy Class.
A few minutes ahead of boarding time I left the lounge and walked over to the gate, where our Boeing 777-367ER with the registration B-KPT was waiting for our flight to London. B-KPT was delivered to Cathay Pacific as new flights on April 29, 2011 and also quite new. It is powered by two GE90-115B engines.
The development of the 777 began in the late 80. Initially Boeing was working on an extended and enlarged version of the 767, named 767-X, but the airlines were unimpressed with the efforts and thus Boeing decided to start a new design, the 777. It should address the most requests by the airlines, which were asking for wider fuselage, flexible interior configurations, reduced operating costs and shorthaul as well as longhaul operation. Eight airlines (All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, JAL, QANTAS and United) had a major role in the development which was a change as until this time most aircraft manufactures designed airplanes with minimal customer input. Launch customer for the 777 was United Airlines with 34 Boeing 777 powered by P&W engines. On April 9, 1994 the first 777 rolled out in Everett and the first flight of a Boeing 777 was on June 12, 1994. One year later, on May 15, 1995, United got the first Boeing 777. It received an ETOPS 180 rating for the PW4084 engines making it the first aircraft entering into service with an ETOPS 180 rating. After the production of the 777-200 was running, Boeing turned its attention to a stretched version, the 777-300 and long range derivatives trying to compete with the Airbus A340-500. So the Boeing 777-200 (ER) for Extended Range and 777-200 (LR) for Longer Range as well as the 777-300 (ER) were developed. The 777-200 LR has added fuel tanks which reduced the cargo capacity and thus the operating costs are higher. The 777-300ER is only available with General Electric GE90-115B1 engines with a thrus of 514 kN or 115,540 lbf.

But back to our flight. Boarding started ahead of time for families with children and those needing more time to board the aircraft. After a short wait and still ahead of announced boarding time, boarding started for passenger traveling in First and Business Class as well as Oneworld elites. A gate agent had already checked boarding pass against ID and marked the boarding pass and soon I was on my way to the plane.

17 October 2013
HKG – LHR
[Hong Kong International – London Heathrow]
CX 253 (Cathay Pacific); Boeing 777-300ER (B-KPT)
Gate 41
14:40 – 20:30 [effective 14:44 – 20:59]
Business Class
Seat 14 A

Two air bridges were attached to the plane and also the first one indicated first and business class Passengers, the second one would have been better, since the second door is also in the Business Class Cabin. But I wanted to get a glimpse of the first class seats and therefore used the first door though the second one would actually have been the better one. At the door I was friendly greeted and shown directions to my seat. I passed through first class, and I have to say the First Class Suites looked really nice, but I could at least look forward to a seat in the new business class, which was introduced not so long ago. A small section of two rows business class was between first class and the second door.

I stored my belongings in the overhead compartment and took everything I needed in the first minutes of flight out of my carry on. I have a few more or less bad habits if it comes to flying and thus means making me notices, taking pictures among other things. This is one of the reasons why I try to board as early as possible I want to take pictures without disturbing other passengers, mostly for privacy reason, but also to show the seat and not so much the passenger.

Pre Departure Drink

Cathay Delight
(kiwifruit based non-alcoholic drink with coconut juice and a touch of fresh mint)

While I did this, a flight attendant approached me and offered to hang my jacket. Soon later a pre departure drink was offered and it was water, orange juice, champagne and the Cathay Pacific signature drink Cathay Delight, which I choose. After all this was one of the reason to fly Cathay … The Champagne would have been a Billecart-Salmon Brut by the way …

Blanket and Pillow were already placed on the seat, the headphone places in the storage, which was opened so that one could see it. A paper band was attached indicating that the headphone was disinfected. A hot towel was offered while we were at the ground and the doors still open. The captain came over the microphone, introducing himself and the officers in the flight deck and informing us, that this flight would experience heavy headwinds making the journey slightly longer than scheduled and we might arrive an hour late into London Heathrow.

The amenity kits by agnes b. – different kits for male and female passengers – were offered on the ground.

The safety video was shown during push back and we taxied for the runway, where we had to wait with three planes ahead of use, among those a ANA Boeing 777 bound for Narita and a Vietnam Airlines Airbus A 321.

Finally it was our turn and our two powerful engines accelerated us to take off speed and we left the fragrant harbour, also known as Hong Kong.

Once in the air, the fasten seat belt signs were switched off and the cabin crew went to their stations. First fast track immigration cards for LHR  were offered followed by the printed menu five minutes later.

Time for a look in the menu and the wine list
(Click on the icon for the menu; opens new window)

Approximately 20 minutes later the first beverage service started and the tray table was laid with linen. One could choose from the beverages from the cart or get one of the signature cocktails prepared. It was served with a small bowl of nuts. I was delighted to get a glass of Champagen instead of another Cathay Delight cocktail.

Aperitif

assorted nuts
Billecart Salmon Brut Champagne

First Course

Smoked gavlax salmon with green and white asparagus

Main Course

Chicken teryaki with steamed Japanese rice and seasonal vegetables

Dessert

Fresh Seasonal fruit

Yuzu and milk chocolate mousse cake

Round about 20 minutes later the first course was served. Cathay Pacific uses a cart to serve it. It was served on a tray, which included cutlery, napkin and a plate for the rolls as well as an empty glass for water. Salt and pepper were missing and had to be requested. I decided to have a glass of the 2012 New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which was quite good, very refreshing.

I was addressed by name by one of the two flight attendants serving me. The service was done by cart with two flight attendants serving each aisle, while a fifth one was offering the bread basket. The selection available consisted of light and dark rolls and garlic bread.

The used dished were cleared individually, but the main course was served again using a cart, but in a different way than on most other airlines. The dishes were presented and already prepared to deliver right away, i.e. the plastic cover was detached. A flight attendant brought new dishes to the cart if they were heated and prepared in the galley so that they did not become cold too quickly. The advantage of doing it this way is one can get a look how the food looked like; the disadvantage the less often requested dished might become cold. But I think this might not so much of a problem, as the more frequently requested dishes were available more often on the cart and the less often requested not that often. It seems they had some knowledge which dish might be requested more often than others.

I went with the Teriyaki, which was not was I would have chosen from the printed menu, but it looked more appealing than my original selected lamb loin. Soon later a refill of my wine was also offered. Another second beverage service was done after the main dish was served and I accepted a refill of my half empty wine glass.

The dishes were cleared again individually and soon it was time for cheese and / or fruit. I passed on the cheese but had a selection of fresh fruit. The dessert followed with a coffee and tea service. I still had some wine left ad kept the glass as the remaining items from the meal service were collected. A bottle of water was later also offered.

Later in the flight the lights were dimmed, but one was not enforced to lower the sun shade. It was already dark outside and I am not sure, if this was not enforced as it was already dark outside and therefore did not make any big difference or if because it was a day flight.

Let me add some information about the configuration of the plane. The plane is equipped with 6 open suits in First Class in a staged layout. The lie flat seats are configured 1 – 1 – 1 and offer a seat pitch of 81 inch and a seat width of 36 inch. Business Class is configured 1 – 2 – 1 with a small first cabin of only two rows located between First Class and the second door and the big main cabin after the second door / galley. The seats in Business Class are also staggered and it is the same seats by manufacturer Sicma also used in variants by US Airways, Eva Airways among other airlines. The 53 seats offer a seat pitch of 81 inch and a seat width of 21 inch and could be converted into a full flat bed. Cathay Pacific has decided to use premium fabrics and used a slightly different design than the competitors. In terms of arrangement, the seat in the middle section could be tracked forward up to 11 inch independently of the recline. If the passenger on the opposite seat in the middle sections does this as well, you are able to see each other with the cocktail table between you.

Premium Economy has 34 seats and is only 4 to 5 rows following the Business Class. This cabin is configured 2 – 4 – 2 offering a seat pitch of 38 inch and a seat width of 19.5 inch. The 182 regular Economy seats have a seat pitch of 32 inch and seat width of 18.5 inch. Configuration is 3 – 3 – 3.
All cabins have the same Audio Video on Demand system offering 888 CDs and 100 movies / 500 TV shows and documentaries in different genres, 22 radio channels and 70 games. There are noise cancelling headsets available in Premium Economy, Business and First Class. The system could be operated by the unit or using the touch screen functionality. It worked quite well and was very stable. I had no difficulties.
First and Business have its own power outlets and USB Ports, while the first row of Premium Economy does not offer USB ports but all seats have power outlets. Regular Economy offers one outlet for every two seats and an USB port next to every screen – again with the exception of the first rows.

I used the power outlet at my seat, plugged in my laptop and started it as I decided not to sleep on this day flight and update my trip reports. The power outlet was working and before I started I went to see, what the inflight entertainment system was offering.
The flight was uneventful, but I was a bit surprised, that there was no beverage service throughout the flight and one had to walk to the galley to request a beverage. After six hours in flight I asked if the ice cream as snack was still available and as this was confirmed was asked about my choice as different variant were available. I also went with a coffee, which was brought to my seat soon later.

100 minutes ahead of estimated arrival time in London the lights were dimmed again and soon later a hot towel was offered. A couple of minutes later the tray tables were laid with linen and the dinner service started.

Time for a look in the menu and the wine list
(Click on the icon for the menu; opens new window)

First Course

Fresh Fruit

Main Course

Saffron fettucini with white wine cream sauce, portabello mushroom and tomato

Dessert

Green tea and red bean cake with vanilla sauce

The dishes were served the same way as during the first meal service. Again garlic bread and different types of rolls were offered. Olive Oil was also offered, but it was a combination with vinegar and more appropriate for a salad than to go with bread. I think this was just mixed up as they look very similar and even I noticed it quite late. Salt and pepper had again to be requested, as they were not on the tray table.

I was again addressed by name while the meal was served. I decided to go with tonic water and not again to have a white wine with the pasta. The pasta actually was quite good and tasted really good.

During the meal service, the captain came again over the intercom and updated us about our progress into London Heathrow. We were already passing Amsterdam and would arrive only 15 minutes late and be at our gate around 20:50. He announced the temperature in LHR with 12°C.

With 35 minutes to go, the crew began to prepare the cabin for the arrival, the items from the meal service were collected and we were asked to put our seat back in an upright position and switch off all electronic devices. The jackets were also returned and the flight became a bit bumpy during our approach. We flew over the city of London while making a few turns and finally touched down at 20:53 and taxied to our gate at terminal 3 next to another Cathay Pacific Boeing 777, where we arrived six minutes later. It was quite a bit to walk to reach immigration, where I made use of the fast track immigration channel, but the lines were not that long at the most counters.

The belt was about to start as I arrived there and my trolley was among the first to arrive. Unfortunately this does not help, as I missed my Hoppa by a couple of minutes and now hat to wait 25 minutes before the next would arrive. So I went to search for a Starbucks to get me a coffee …

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