Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - BC in 747 to HKG and Long layover in HKG

I am traveling for a first time in a 747 using Cathay Pacific :confused: and I need help on choosing the proper BC seat. I heard that the Upper Deck is better, is that true?

Also I have a long layover in HKG airport, about 7 hours between flights, my final destination is PEN, any recommendations? Lounge? go to the City for few hours?

Thanks in advance for the help! ;)

www.seatguru.com

Cheers.

Perhaps you'll get a more informed reply on the CX board...

And the seat question will be answered at http://seatguru.com

I am traveling for a first time in a 747 using Cathay Pacific :confused: and I need help on choosing the proper BC seat. I heard that the Upper Deck is better, is that true?

Also I have a long layover in HKG airport, about 7 hours between flights, my final destination is PEN, any recommendations? Lounge? go to the City for few hours?

Thanks in advance for the help! ;)

Cathay is great especially in J class. I like to sit in the upper deck because its different and interesting, but all the J seats and service are the same.

With 7 hour you definitely have time to go to the city. The train connection is really simple. There are 2 CX lounges as well that are amoung the best of any airline in the world.

Have fun on CX! i am sure after this trip for you to go back to AA will be extrememly difficult! You will wonder why they call those MD80 F Class? When even Cx's Y Class is miles better.

Any questions on CX I suggest you post on the CX Board.

CX 747s are nice. Unless they have finished upgrading the business class cabin in them, however, their A340's are better. Don't know if you have a choice. The CX HKG lounges are certainly the best I've ever been in.

Buy an octopus card in the airport (there is a circular desk close to the exit out of the arrival area to the trains/buses) that will allow you to travel without having to buy separate tickets. Airport express train is the best bet. Same day return on the airport express is 50% off. Get off at Kowloon station, explore Nathan Street, go up to the flower market and the adjacent bird market on the north side (walkable from the subway running up and down Nathan Street), get some suggestions for restaurants in online guides and take a ferry trip to Wanchai and back just to get a view of the skyline. That should be sufficient for your layover.

CX 747s are nice. Unless they have finished upgrading the business class cabin in them, however, their A340's are better. All CX long haul aircraft (B747 and A340) have had the new business class for several months now. No worries there.

Hong Kong has its own forum here where you can find lots of recommendations for what to do on visits of various lengths.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=436

When you board your flight PEn you will wonder why you did not book a longer layover in HKG. It is an awesome city. In addition to the other suggestions on here go to the observatory and look at the HKG skyline across the harbor. Take a star ferry to victoria for HK$2.20 (30 cents US) for 20 mins and enjoy one of the best ferries rides in the world

Also CX is an incredible airline, possibly the best in the world and overtaking SQ, believe it or not..

I prefer the upperdeck as you have less fellow pax and thus a more relaxing environment. :D

Seats 86 A/C are the best J seats on CX 747s in the upper deck IME. All CX 747s have been reconfigured with the new Business class seats. Be sure to visit the Wing loung in HKG, which I prefer to the Pier Lounge. With a 7 hour layover, definately venture into HKG. I second the idea of the airport express to Nathan Road. Kowloon is one those spots you need to see to believe.

i had 86 H and 81 H. Both are comfortable. but 86 H is the best

Have fun on CX! i am sure after this trip for you to go back to AA will be extrememly difficult! You will wonder why they call those MD80 F Class? When even Cx's Y Class is miles better.

Any questions on CX I suggest you post on the CX Board.


Ok, maybe I'm little dense, but please explain how a 32" seat pitch is more comfortable than 38" seat pitch :confused:

I realize it's not a fair comparison, but since you brought it up.............


or does it fall under the same category as "all CX lounges are better than FL?" :rolleyes:

Actually since you started this BS again:

1) on the MD80 the pich in F Class (not counting the first row) is by NO way = 38 inch!
2) Any PTV or IFE on the MD80?
3) Any meals in F Class for flights < 1 Hour?
4) Attitude of FAs
5) Safety Record
6) General sense of space in the cabin.

Also for the Lounge comparison:

Does any AA AC provide:

1) Food??? (Edible ones?)
2) Complimentary drinks (incl alcohol)
3) Nice amenities
4) Helpful Staff
5) General Sense of Relaxation and not just an extension of the boarind gate?

I know not ALL CX lounge is good, but the ones they operate are far more superior than any AC

Actually since you started this BS again:

1) on the MD80 the pich in F Class (not counting the first row) is by NO way = 38 inch!
2) Any PTV or IFE on the MD80?
3) Any meals in F Class for flights < 1 Hour?
4) Attitude of FAs
5) Safety Record
6) General sense of space in the cabin.

Also for the Lounge comparison:

Does any AA AC provide:

1) Food??? (Edible ones?)
2) Complimentary drinks (incl alcohol)
3) Nice amenities
4) Helpful Staff
5) General Sense of Relaxation and not just an extension of the boarind gate?

I know not ALL CX lounge is good, but the ones they operate are far more superior than any AC

I don't want to defend AA, but newcx12345, you're getting out of line here....there is no need to raise your blood pressure over this. Especially here on the CX board. Try stating your comments above over at the AA board, and you will tarred and feathered and chased out of town!

1. Yes. AA does not have good seat pitch. The seat pitch is tight.. and really cannot compare that with CX's economy class as we are comparing like apples and oranges. The F cushion is much wider, and hence the leg room is yes smaller. But AA is after all running a domestic product with free upgrades to its top tier members.

2.& 3. I have no comment on.

4. Attitude of AA flight attendants? I've been on most AA flights, and though some may be a tad older than what we see on CX flights, most have been very professional and courteous.

5. SAFETY RECORD???? I'm mum about this one. AA has a good safety record. Bear in mind that AA has a fleet almost 10 times that of CX's!

6. Yes. Being on a small aircraft is confining, but there is nothing you can do. CX did at one time also operate 707s... so there.

AA clubs like all US airline clubs are run like paid memberships. Anyway can enter. The Flagship Lounge are a bit more luxurious... and perhaps, when you, newcx12345, have the opportunity to try it one day, you'll see that this is quite nice and has all of the above offerings that you're complaining that the regular lounges don't have.

To set the record straight and, as Guy Betsy said, not to defend AA, an individual who has actually has sufficient experience on AA would know that:

Many AA lounges outside the US (such as the Paris or London Admiral's Clubs) offer free and unlimited alcohol.


Flagship lounges in the US offer food.


AA arrivals lounges--which are not plentiful but, unlike a certain HK-based airline at least are operated--offer showers, breakfast, and clothes-pressing service to premium flyers.

AA clubs like all US airline clubs are run like paid memberships. Anyway can enter. The Flagship Lounge are a bit more luxurious... and perhaps, when you, newcx12345, have the opportunity to try it one day, you'll see that this is quite nice and has all of the above offerings that you're complaining that the regular lounges don't have.

Actually I have being to the FL in LAX> The only food available = those STALE BAGELS!
Where is the Noodle Bar?

"AA arrivals lounges--which are not plentiful but, unlike a certain HK-based airline at least are operated--offer showers, breakfast, and clothes-pressing service to premium flyers."

I do Admit CX is a bit WEAK here. But especially in HKG many people prefer to go straight home or goto the Hotel, hence CX never really implemented this (But I do agree they should).
however the only reason AA has the Arrivals Lounge (in LHR and CDG) is because they are competeing with UA and BA on these Routes where they both have arrivals lounge.

If flying in First Class, upon arrival are you allowed to use the Cabanas? What time do they open? Our flight arrives at 5:40am.

If flying in First Class, upon arrival are you allowed to use the Cabanas? What time do they open? Our flight arrives at 5:40am.

If you are arriving off a long-haul First Class flight and connecting to a Business Class flight then you are entitled to use the F lounges at HKG (straight from the mouth of a CX supervisor in HKG). Your lounge invitation issued at your origin will say "Cathay Pacific First Class lounge" on it.

The Wing, AFAIK, opens at 6am. The Cabanas are in the Wing. Ergo, the Cabanas should also open at 6am.

It will be interesting to see if CX change their opening hours given the new SYD flight gets in at 5 am, which is the earliest arrival of the lot, beating the US flights in by a good half hour or so.