Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - HKG-LHR Day Flight 15:00

Hello CX folk,

On a LHR-HKG-LHR, I'm considering using CX (J) rather than BA due to the 15:00 day flight (can squeeze in an extra meeting - quite a useful time for this new (?) flight). Have not taken CX in J since the new seats got introduced. Nor have I flown the CX LHR day flight. What should I expect?

Service: As good as it was in 2001 (comparison was night flight admittedly)? Meal after take-off and then ignored for 10 hours?
Points & miles: for BA Silver, what do I lose over BA?
Shutters Down: for how long (I hate that on day flights)?
New Seats (on the LHR-HKG leg - for sleeping - are they a major improvement?)
Lounges - same as BA, I suppose? Or AA at LHR?
Check-in - how lenient are CX on arrival at check-in?- or, how, early can I use in town check-in and then how late can I leave Kowloon?
Ambience on the A340?

Many thanks

I took this flight in F in August 2002, so my information is somewhat dated. I did a report on it, though, if you want to do a search under my name, it is covered in the one titled "An Around the World Story."

The main meal was served after takeoff and, in F, was branded a 'late lunch," which was essentially the same as every other main meal. I would think the same would hold true for J class. There is a second meal, coded as "supper" in F and on-demand snacks throughout the flight. It was light for almost the whole flight and shades were down from after lunch until sunset (in August, this occurred as we were overflying Scandanavia).

Seats will be the new J seats, which are flat seats, but on an angle.

On CX, you'll hardly ever be ignored. FAs will come around regularly seeing to your needs. I haven't travelled this route on a day flight, but have on another route - FAs will come around offering water, drinks, snacks, noodles, etc... You'll probably get a light mean before landing too.

The 'new' seats (they aren't really new now) are much better for sleeping. Just don't put it into the flat position, it'll turn into a slide - unless you can sleep standing up of course.

In terms of shutters, I don't think they really care unless the sun is on such an angle that goes straight into the cabin.

You'll be using the AA lounge at LHR. It's OK, nothing special, but nothing bad... The CX lounges in HKG are better of course.

On the A340, for some reason, I always seem to find more foot traffic than on the 747...

...Service: As good as it was in 2001 (comparison was night flight admittedly)? Meal after take-off and then ignored for 10 hours?
Points & miles: for BA Silver, what do I lose over BA?
Shutters Down: for how long (I hate that on day flights)?
New Seats (on the LHR-HKG leg - for sleeping - are they a major improvement?)
Lounges - same as BA, I suppose? Or AA at LHR?
Check-in - how lenient are CX on arrival at check-in?- or, how, early can I use in town check-in and then how late can I leave Kowloon?
Ambience on the A340?

Many thanks

Service: Better than BA. Way better. Food portions are larger. Better selections of Chinese selection especially ex-HKG when CX is offering special dishes prepared by chefs from Spring Moon of Peninsula Hotel.

Points: You don't get your 25% loyalty bonus for flying CX. Miles you still get as per a Business Class ticket.

Shutters down: You probably need to if you want to view STUDIO CX. There are many features available, or CD selections.. WAAAAY better than what BA has to offer in terms of Inflight Entertainment.

Lounges: Ex-LHR, AA's AAdmirals lounge I'm afraid. Ex-HKG, you get to use either the WING or the PIER. Waay Better than BA's in terms of food offerings.

You can check in at Kowloon or HK stations.. on the day of departure.. so you may check in early.. and go and do your thing.. as you already have the boarding pass already.. you can just go to the airport as per usual.. 20 minutes prior to departure.. at the gate.

thanks for this, everyone (sorry reply is late- have been on holiday). Have booked CX. Looking forward to it.

Four words to conclude this post:

You will love CX! ^