business class YVR-JFK: no hot food, poor attitude
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
business class YVR-JFK: no hot food, poor attitude
I haven't flown Cathay in a while, after my cousin got upset at them for not announcing the boarding call in Mandarin (flight from Hong Kong to Taipei)-that was quite a few years ago.
I took business class with them a few days ago, from Vancouver to JFK. I have to agree with the other people that the lounge is utterly unimpressive, more like an American lounge.
However, I was disappointed to find such horrible service. Apparently in Cathay's business class (I don't know if it just this short 5 hour segment) that one doesn't get to choose when one eats. They announced supper shortly after we left, but I went to sleep already. When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up. I don't think she has to worry about that. I won't be flying them in the future. Their business class is vastly inferior to ANA or SQ (unless this is just an anomaly).
I took business class with them a few days ago, from Vancouver to JFK. I have to agree with the other people that the lounge is utterly unimpressive, more like an American lounge.
However, I was disappointed to find such horrible service. Apparently in Cathay's business class (I don't know if it just this short 5 hour segment) that one doesn't get to choose when one eats. They announced supper shortly after we left, but I went to sleep already. When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up. I don't think she has to worry about that. I won't be flying them in the future. Their business class is vastly inferior to ANA or SQ (unless this is just an anomaly).
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 1,231
Wirelessly posted (Ipod: Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; U; CPU OS 6_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10A403 Safari/8536.25)
This isn't the norm, except you cannot dine on demand unlike first
This isn't the norm, except you cannot dine on demand unlike first
#3
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
Sorry to hear your experience but it is true that they could not reheat the food (for some food & hygiene regulatory reason I have been told). I think such policy applies on many other airlines too.
In your case if you missed the meal service then you basically left with nothing other than bread/snacks - which isn't very nice of course! The cabin crew was correct that CX business class don't have a la carte/meal any time service that's only in first class. I am not sure how bad was her attitude but this route YVR-JFK is operated by YVR based cabin crew. In my opinion outport crew (non HKG based) in general do not provide as good service as the HKG based one. Most of these crew grow up in YVR (or if LAX based ones they live in LA) so they have been adopting what you referred the 'American airlines' attitude. Having said that, I was in first class on my JFK-YVR-HKG last year and the service I had was good though definitely not as warm/personalised as other flights I took with the HKG based crew.
I think your experience is more like an one-off. What's your other option on this route? Air Canada? Or with a US carrier like UA. I seriously doubt any of these can compare to what CX had to offer overall (the flatbed seat, the IFE, etc).
In your case if you missed the meal service then you basically left with nothing other than bread/snacks - which isn't very nice of course! The cabin crew was correct that CX business class don't have a la carte/meal any time service that's only in first class. I am not sure how bad was her attitude but this route YVR-JFK is operated by YVR based cabin crew. In my opinion outport crew (non HKG based) in general do not provide as good service as the HKG based one. Most of these crew grow up in YVR (or if LAX based ones they live in LA) so they have been adopting what you referred the 'American airlines' attitude. Having said that, I was in first class on my JFK-YVR-HKG last year and the service I had was good though definitely not as warm/personalised as other flights I took with the HKG based crew.
I think your experience is more like an one-off. What's your other option on this route? Air Canada? Or with a US carrier like UA. I seriously doubt any of these can compare to what CX had to offer overall (the flatbed seat, the IFE, etc).
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: SQ *Gold
Posts: 871
I haven't flown Cathay in a while, after my cousin got upset at them for not announcing the boarding call in Mandarin (flight from Hong Kong to Taipei)-that was quite a few years ago.
I took business class with them a few days ago, from Vancouver to JFK. I have to agree with the other people that the lounge is utterly unimpressive, more like an American lounge.
However, I was disappointed to find such horrible service. Apparently in Cathay's business class (I don't know if it just this short 5 hour segment) that one doesn't get to choose when one eats. They announced supper shortly after we left, but I went to sleep already. When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up. I don't think she has to worry about that. I won't be flying them in the future. Their business class is vastly inferior to ANA or SQ (unless this is just an anomaly).
I took business class with them a few days ago, from Vancouver to JFK. I have to agree with the other people that the lounge is utterly unimpressive, more like an American lounge.
However, I was disappointed to find such horrible service. Apparently in Cathay's business class (I don't know if it just this short 5 hour segment) that one doesn't get to choose when one eats. They announced supper shortly after we left, but I went to sleep already. When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up. I don't think she has to worry about that. I won't be flying them in the future. Their business class is vastly inferior to ANA or SQ (unless this is just an anomaly).
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Yea, there aren't many options for Vancouver, though I do wonder what the new transcon on Delta would be like (I would have preferred Jetblue's mint service, but it is only from LA and SF currently. The crew spoke excellent English, like with an American accent.
The boycott was a semi boycott. My cousin did complain. His point was that you cannot not speak the language of the country you are flying to. Even airlines based in the US do that. I feel it is more a matter of pride, and how this Hong Kong based airline doesn't respect Taiwanese. Though of course they will speak Mandarin now because of all the Chinese travellers.
The boycott was a semi boycott. My cousin did complain. His point was that you cannot not speak the language of the country you are flying to. Even airlines based in the US do that. I feel it is more a matter of pride, and how this Hong Kong based airline doesn't respect Taiwanese. Though of course they will speak Mandarin now because of all the Chinese travellers.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 34
When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up.
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up.
"Attitude" could be very subjective.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Programs: BA GGL, FPC Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Amb
Posts: 3,372
To be honest, on this sector, all I want to do is put the bed flat, and sleep until I have to put it upright for landing.
That being said, dinner after a 2250 departure is too late, and my preference would be for them to cater with a hot breakfast before arrival in JFK.
That being said, dinner after a 2250 departure is too late, and my preference would be for them to cater with a hot breakfast before arrival in JFK.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I wonder what it means when you say I was clearly in the wrong. I should not have expectations that I can eat when I want? How am I supposed to know?
My issue is the attitude, like Leaccor's. Why is the customer wrong? I feel it is a game played by certain (losing) companies to blame the customer. When you have a monopoly they do well, but that is because they have no other options. Customers don't like that attitude and won't stick around later when there are options.
My issue is the attitude, like Leaccor's. Why is the customer wrong? I feel it is a game played by certain (losing) companies to blame the customer. When you have a monopoly they do well, but that is because they have no other options. Customers don't like that attitude and won't stick around later when there are options.
#11
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SEL, NYC & HKG
Programs: OZ*G_DMP, CX_MPC_DM, KE, AC, Hyatt Goldpass Platinum, Shagri-La GC Gold, SPG Plat 50
Posts: 3
I haven't flown Cathay in a while, after my cousin got upset at them for not announcing the boarding call in Mandarin (flight from Hong Kong to Taipei)-that was quite a few years ago.
I took business class with them a few days ago, from Vancouver to JFK. I have to agree with the other people that the lounge is utterly unimpressive, more like an American lounge.
However, I was disappointed to find such horrible service. Apparently in Cathay's business class (I don't know if it just this short 5 hour segment) that one doesn't get to choose when one eats. They announced supper shortly after we left, but I went to sleep already. When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up. I don't think she has to worry about that. I won't be flying them in the future. Their business class is vastly inferior to ANA or SQ (unless this is just an anomaly).
I took business class with them a few days ago, from Vancouver to JFK. I have to agree with the other people that the lounge is utterly unimpressive, more like an American lounge.
However, I was disappointed to find such horrible service. Apparently in Cathay's business class (I don't know if it just this short 5 hour segment) that one doesn't get to choose when one eats. They announced supper shortly after we left, but I went to sleep already. When I woke up the flight attendant said there was no more hot food. I don't get to eat when I want to eat (she said that is for first class).
What surprised me more was the attitude. She had an attitude that seems more relevant to someone on an American airline, where the customer is usually wrong, and the airline usually correct.
She later told me in the future I should request them not to warm my food up. I don't think she has to worry about that. I won't be flying them in the future. Their business class is vastly inferior to ANA or SQ (unless this is just an anomaly).
#12
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Don't know....
Programs: BA LTG, SQ TPPS, CX DMP, AA EXP, Bonvoy LTT, ALL PLT, Hilton DM
Posts: 4,008
I wonder what it means when you say I was clearly in the wrong. I should not have expectations that I can eat when I want? How am I supposed to know?
My issue is the attitude, like Leaccor's. Why is the customer wrong? I feel it is a game played by certain (losing) companies to blame the customer. When you have a monopoly they do well, but that is because they have no other options. Customers don't like that attitude and won't stick around later when there are options.
My issue is the attitude, like Leaccor's. Why is the customer wrong? I feel it is a game played by certain (losing) companies to blame the customer. When you have a monopoly they do well, but that is because they have no other options. Customers don't like that attitude and won't stick around later when there are options.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
ANA. I thought SQ did as well, but I do not remember if I asked for my meal different than standard
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Most carriers have some form of dine-on-demand in F and most carriers do not offer that in J. It is a service differentiator. Nonetheless, most FA's will try to acommodate if you ask. OP did not ask until it was too late.
All OP had to do was politely ask for his meal to be held and I'll bet that it would have been.
He's got no complaint and the next time he needs to fly YVR-JFK he should fly one of the other carriers which offers to create food safety issues through repeated heating & cooling. Perhaps he can then boycot that carrier for something legitimate, e.g., poisoning him.
All OP had to do was politely ask for his meal to be held and I'll bet that it would have been.
He's got no complaint and the next time he needs to fly YVR-JFK he should fly one of the other carriers which offers to create food safety issues through repeated heating & cooling. Perhaps he can then boycot that carrier for something legitimate, e.g., poisoning him.