Personally I prefer CX 505, as it's a nonstop and leaves later in the day, so that I can spend another half day in Tokyo...and I assume F dinner service would be something that is more worth looking forward to, compared to an F lunch/breakfast service?
But, out of the 2 confirmed choices now, 501 and 451...which one is better ? I think 451 is better in terms of departure time, we don't need to get up very early to catch the early flight, and maybe we can even have an hour or two to spare in the morning to do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping...but, other than this, I think 501 is good in terms of being nonstop, we will be able to have say 2-3 hours after the meal service, for rest or video ?
how's the meals on 451 vs. 501...I know that on 451, probably we will have 2 meals, one on NRT-TPE and one for TPE-HKG...but, is the quality similar ?
another point is...currently F on 501 is quite full, while that on 451 is relatively empty...so I assume we will get better service on 451...
other comments any of you might have on these 3 flights, in particular in F? thanks a lot !!
number_6
Dec 19, 03, 12:22 am
The NRT-HKG non-stop flights offer kaiseki meal service (though they will offer it to japanese pax first, regardless of your status, and may run out). Otherwise the western meal is identical on NRT-TPE (just no kaiseki offered). I've done it both ways and TPE is quite pleasant as the airport has a museum store (selling authorized replicas from the finest chinese art collection in the world), as well as a surprisingly good lounge. You do get a full meal TPE-HKG (but no caviar on these routes, as they are short-haul). If you don't mind the longer elapsed time, it is quite nice to go via TPE. Plus the 744 is a much nicer plane than the 333.
RTW4
Dec 19, 03, 6:34 am
I have taken the above flights. I really enjoy the Kaiseki meal from NRT -HKG. Try to get on the nonstop. It really is a fabulous experience, for such a "short" flight
nologic
Feb 10, 04, 11:07 am
Do they offer sleeper suits in F?
What is the western meal like NRT-TPE?
What about the wine and champagne?
Carfield
Feb 10, 04, 1:34 pm
Of course nonstop flights are nice in general, and I actually don't mind the F cabin of the A330-300s.
If time matters, I will pick CX 451, the service is pretty good... although no caviar and Kaiseki, you can still enjoy a fairly good meal. The stopover time at TPE may not allow you much time at the lounge, but there are nicer shops in TPE now...
CX 505 is a very popular flight, so it may not be that easy to get confirmed first class seats.
About sleeper suits and amenity kits, you don't get them on these flights, as NRT-HKG or NRT-TPE-HKG are intra-Asian and regional flights. You don't even get the duvet blankets...
Carfield
christep
Feb 10, 04, 6:00 pm
The wine in F is taken from the same selection regardless of long or short haul. So you will have Lynch Bages, vintage champagne (Kru or Deutz) and so on.
With the kaiseki meal they will also serve plum or apple wine whih omplements it well.
Don't get fazed by the Japaense menu - you don't have to choose things from it - if you select that meal then you get everything on the list http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
HKG_Flyer1
Feb 10, 04, 10:21 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
The NRT-HKG non-stop flights offer kaiseki meal service (though they will offer it to japanese pax first, regardless of your status, and may run out).</font>
Are you serious? I have taken these flights several times, always been offered the kaiseki option, and always accepted (and I'm caucasian).
nologic
Feb 11, 04, 5:20 am
How is China Airlines in First from TPE-NRT?
What is the food like?
How about wine/champagne?
christep
Feb 11, 04, 6:04 am
Er, I think you need to ask that question somewhere other than the Cathay Pacific forum! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
number_6
Feb 11, 04, 6:29 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by HKG_Flyer1:
Are you serious? I have taken these flights several times, always been offered the kaiseki option, and always accepted (and I'm caucasian).</font>Of course I am serious. They stock 4 kaiseki meals and will ask japanese passengers first (but they do it discretely). Twice I was not able to have a kaiseki meal because all had been taken. I find this perfectly reasonable, and the western meal is superb (better than average catering on this run, presumably due to the JL competition, though JL has stopped offering F to HKG post-SARS). Maybe CX has increased the number of meals boarded (I only count when it runs out, and the last time was pre-SARS).
HKG_Flyer1
Feb 11, 04, 7:02 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
Originally posted by HKG_Flyer1:
Are you serious? I have taken these flights several times, always been offered the kaiseki option, and always accepted (and I'm caucasian).</font>Of course I am serious. They stock 4 kaiseki meals and will ask japanese passengers first (but they do it discretely). Twice I was not able to have a kaiseki meal because all had been taken. I find this perfectly reasonable, and the western meal is superb (better than average catering on this run, presumably due to the JL competition, though JL has stopped offering F to HKG post-SARS). Maybe CX has increased the number of meals boarded (I only count when it runs out, and the last time was pre-SARS).
Interesting. Everytime I've flown that route, the load in F has been relatively light. Also, I frequently notice at least 1-2 of the ethnic Japanese ordering the western meal, so I guess I've been lucky enough to dodge that bullet.