SethLevy

CX 827
YYZ-HKG
Toronto-Hong Kong

First Impressions: We arrived at Toronto’s International Airport at 9:10 am for our 10:40 flight to Hong Kong (CX 827). There were lots of folks checking in for this flight, with at least 40 people waiting in the coach line, 4 in Business and no one at the First line, although the single First check-in agent was assisting another passenger. Apparently this First passenger had some issue with his ticket so the agent left to attend to his issue, leaving us waiting in line. The 2 Business class agents were likewise busy, finally after waiting 20 minutes, one of the Business Class agents called us over to check-in. Check-in took another 10 minutes, as the agent fumbled her way through the check-in process. I was extremely surprised this long (30 minutes) delay to check-in as a First passenger. Not the best start to the trip.

Boarding: We were given invitations to the British Airways Business Class Lounge. The lounge was packed and almost standing room only. No announcement was made in the lounge, but the clerk did personally come around to some (but not all) of the passengers to advise them that the flight was ready for boarding. Out of the lounge to the gate, which was extremely close to the lounge, there was no waiting to board using the First and Business class lane, but with only one door, there was a long back-up on the jet bridge. In a mere 5 minutes we were onboard and escorted to our seats (mine was 1K). The 4 other passengers had already boarded. The 2 First Class FAs were male (Richard and Oliver) and they were very friendly. We were offered a drink and we gladly accepted Krug, which was chilled and hit the spot, just before departure.

The Seat: On our way into the First cabin, we of course went past the new J seats in the mini-J cabin. I remain shocked by the lack of personal space and heard (in the mini section alone) two passengers complaining about width of seats and the need for more space. The F seats are in a 1-1-1 configuration and are some of the largest in the sky. I actually thought they were too big with a lot of wasted space until I discovered that there is a second arm rest which folds down. I like this extra armrest.

The Flight: This was the unusual Cathay First long-haul flight, however the food offerings were not the best and the Western meals were of very poor quality. The Chinese meals were very good. A couple of things to note however was the beer was warm, the soup not creamy and cold and the beef was like rubber. Te menu is as follows:

Lunch

Caviar, Smoked Salmon and Champagne
Caviar and Balik salmon “Tsar Nicolaj” with Krug Grande Cuvee

Starters

Seafood Chowder

Mesclun salad with smoked duck, pine nuts, kalamata olives and lemon herb vinaigrette

Main Courses

Grilled beef tenderloin with cognac cream sauce, garlic red skin mash potatoes and your carrots, turnip and zucchini

Mushroom ravioli with tomato parmesan and Alfred sauce

Chinese Favorites

Double boiled chicken with young coconut soup

Cold plate – marinated cucumber

Stir-fried lobster with ginger and spring onion

Or

Double stir-fried pork with bean curd and sween bean paste ^

Served with stir-fried choy sum, carrots and mushrooms ^
Steamed rice

Cheese and Desert

Mini Oka, Goat Cheese, Cheddar and Cambozola

Fresh seasonal berries with citrus syrup

Crème brulee

Chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and berry coulis

Black sesame dessert

Tea and Coffee

Pralines and Cookies

Snacks

Roast Duck in noodle soup

Crab Cakes with tartar sauce and rocket

Baked barbecue\ed pork bun

Hot pot rice with minced pork patty and mushrooms served with chicken broth

Ice cream

Refreshment

Starters

Fresh seasonal fruit

Main Courses

Chicken with black bean sauce steamed riche and stir-fried kalian

Roast rack of lamb with sun dried tomato herb crust, soft parmesan polenta and roasted vegetables

Abalone and Chinese mushroom congee accompaniment with spring onion pancake

Desert

Pecan pie with mascarpone and glazed orange peel

Tea and Coffee

Pralines and Cookies


Arrival: We left on time and arrive on time in Hong Kong.

Verdict: Typical Cathay long-haul flight. However, cost-cuttings are very evident and food quality has deteriorated. The new F seat product is outstanding (however there is some wasted space). The new J product is cramped and simply a disaster. For paid travel, I go with CO, UA, NW, SQ or AA in J because their seats are simply better for me. For award travel, if I can snag F on CX, I take otherwise I will not burn miles for the new J product.

travelinmanS

Thanks for the report. I guess to each their own as I go out of my way to select Cathay for their new business class, I love the seat and the privacy. I only wish they would put them on the MEL flights!

frankyguy

I would also go out of my way to fly the new CX J Class - particularly on long haul overnight flights. I've never understood the complaints - it's flat and provides complete privacy and those are the two things that were lacking in the old CX J Class.

Genius1

Thanks for the informative trip report. ^

The British Airways lounge in Toronto has two sides - Galleries First (oneworld first class) and Galleries Club (oneworld business class). Didn't you use the Galleries First side of the lounge?