Jimgotkp

Personally I think your writing is great. I enjoyed your TR from start to finish!

time2go1st

Francis I've been enjoying your report, however many of the pics don't seem to load properly, I can only view a sliver of most of them and that's from 2 different computers and connections so don't think the problem is at my end, and not sure how you could fix it; but maybe that explains the low response level lately, this is a very visual-motivated crowd here! Anyhow keep up the good work...

Short hair Francis

Damn, I'll take a look into that. If you click on it, can it load up on a different window? Is anyone else having pic trouble?

I'll try to get the next part done soon.

time2go1st

Much better now, not sure how you did it but I can see all but a couple of the pics -- and very handsome they are too! Looking forward to the rest of it, thanks again.

Short hair Francis

I haven't done anything, I think the problem is that I posted too many photos on this thread to the point that it can't load all the pics unless you have a very fast connection. I'm getting the problem that you were talking about at school.

zcat18

Not much to add--just my compliments on a quite enjoyable report. ^

Short hair Francis

Part 5 – HKG Lounge Hop and stop in PEK.

Since I’m part time based in HKG, I never personally have connected here. Talk about Asian efficiency, I got to from gate 28 to the Wing in 7-10 minutes. First of all, off to the Cabanas for a nice refreshing shower

Cathay Pacific “The Wing” First Class Section





The Cabanas


Shower



Bathtub


The Library


After the shower, I went and add some additional breakfast, onto fb for some pics and status changes. I enquired about the possibility of guesting an additional guest as both me and my parents were flying J. The staff at the Wing noted my request and jogged it down for future staff so I can bring them in easier.

Then I went off to the JL Sakura Lounge, not the best lounge around but being where I was in College, I was simply dying for some Japanese bites. JL has one counter serving western/Chinese food while the other counter has Japanese food.

Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge




My helpings in the lounge, some instant udon and sushi


As I was running a little short on time, I bypass the Pier and went to both the Qantas First and Business Class Lounges instead.
I went to the First Class lounge, but they were close to closing at 10am so all I did was grab a few pics, some bites and a water bottle and downstairs to the Business Class lounge. QF served both western and Chinese breakfast.

Qantas First Class Lounge





Down the elevators into the Qantas Business Class lounge, attendant was surprised at seeing me but let me in anyway. The staff was cleaning up after the early morning departure. Having no desire to eat seeing my parents were coming soon, I used the I-Macs to surf the internet and soon went back near the entrance of the Wing for my parents.

Qantas Business Class Lounge





Finally my parents got here, all of us head into the Haven as they haven’t had any breakfast. As we were about to leave, apparently our plane was delayed inbound from PEK due to military exercises in Mainland China. After a 30 min delay, we head to the gate for our departure.

Part 5 Continues below

Short hair Francis

Dragonair Airbus 330-300


KA 908
Hong Kong – Beijing Capital
11:55am – 3:20pm, 3 hr 25 min flight
Business Class, Seat 12C
Food – Lunch
Aircraft – Airbus 330-300

J Seat across the aisle


After having the door closed, the Chinese once again restricted the airspace once again so we were forced to see at the gate for another 40 mins. Soon after, we took off towards the north and the service began.

KA 908 Lunch

Appetizer
Prosciutto and Fresh Figs
Persian Feta, Ligurian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Main Course
Stir-Fried Diced Beef with Sliced Garlic on Steamed Rice
Or
Daily Special (Wednesday)
Sichuan Chicken on Brassica Rice and Chinese Vegetable
Or
Garlic Prawn
Saffron Risotto with Chive Oil

Cheese and Crackers

Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream

Bread Basket

Tea and Coffee

Appetizer - Prosciutto and Fresh Figs with Persian Feta, Ligurian Extra Virgin Olive Oil


Main Course - Garlic Prawn on Saffron Risotto with Chive Oil


The Risotto was very tasty, one of the best J meals I have had in awhile. KA had 3 different flavors of ice cream and I also had a cup of green tea to end the service.

After landing, we headed out to the taxi line. Ouch long lines and heavy traffic at rush hour, it ended up taking 1 hr 15 mins to get to the hotel.

During the 3 day stay in Beijing, we ended up going to a decent amount of attractions.

Tiananmen Square


Forbidden City


Wangfujing Pedestrian Mall


Who wants Scorpions


National Stadium “Bird’s Nest”


National Aquatic Center “Water Cube”


Great Wall of China at Badoling

Looks more like a freeway full of people, it was packed being around a National Holiday


Temple of Heaven


Circular Mound Alter


Old Summer Palace



After a solid 3 days of activities, I bid good bye to my parents in the hotel room as my departure was at 8:25am while their departures were at 5:00pm which was originally supposed to suit the schedule of Americans Beijing to Chicago O’Hare flight.


If anyone is having a lot of photo loading, please let me know and I'll either ask the mods for advice or put the alternate link up. Additionally you can also clink the pics for the photos should it not load up.

SFO777

Great report and photos, all coming thru completely now.
I agree with your comment on the plastic ice cream and yogurt containers. Bizarre. I can't imagine SQ would do anything like that. Other than that, CX looks great and I'm looking forward to our first CX experience (SFO-HKG-BKK) in January. Which two seats would you recommend for a couple? Currently thinking 1A and 2A?
Great pics of China, so those tourist bureau shots of an empty Great Wall aren't really true.
Is that mom and dad in the lower right corner of the last pic?

Short hair Francis

SFO777, If your to really ask me about CX F, I've done 1D and 2K now on the 77W. I say avoid 1D at all cost, it's the middle and the light seems to be an annoyance.
As to which 2 seats, hmm, I say it depends on these 3 items.
1) 1A and 2A have the console on the left side, if either you or the Mrs. have a strong preference to reach for things on the right side.
2) 1A and 2A is more private seeing you have one side of the cabin all to yourself but there seems to be more FA activity on that side
3) If you love to take pics as much as I do, then the D&K side is easier since you'll need to cheat a bit from the D side to get the best angle.

So I say either pick 1A/2A or 2D/2K, either way, you won't be able to see each other from different seats, the privacy is that good. I'll try to explain it better next week in SFO.


I think the only time the Wall will have no people is when China closes the wall down for other leaders of the world
And no, those 2 are not my parents. My parents aren't that old anyway and I won't put my parents' pics here on FT or even FB for that matter. It's important to have privacy in this day and age.

Thunderroad

Great trip report and photos, and great prep for my wife and me as we'll be flying SFO-HKG in F later this summer. Thanks!

ung1

Only saw the pics, but great stuff ^

Short hair Francis

Part 6 – Going back home, JL J/AA F PEK-NRT-DFW

May 2, 2010 – Sunday

JL 860 PEK-NRT 8:25am - 12:55pm (763/J)
AA 60 NRT-DFW 6:05pm – 3:35pm (772/F)

Beijing Capital International Airport, Terminal 3


After taking a cab to PEK which took about 30 min, thank you Sunday morning traffic on the ring roads. Check-in was smooth as I had no wait in the F check-in line. Little questioning by Chinese Immigration and I first headed to the Cathay Pacific PEK lounge.

Cathay Pacific PEK lounge




After surfing the internet for a little more than 10 mins, I bid good-bye to the Cathay lounge and head to then Air China First Class lounge which JAL contracts to use.

Air China PEK First Class Lounge






My helping in the lounge


I personally found the breakfast being served to be very weak, limited choices with the congee tasting more like water than anything else. I didn’t try to use the lounge theatre or the sleeping chambers. After another 30 mins, I made my way down to gate for the JAL flight to Tokyo Narita.

Japan Airlines Boeing 767-300




JL 860
Beijing Capital – Tokyo Narita
8:25am – 12:55pm, 3 hr 30 min flight
Business Class, Seat 4C
Food – Breakfast
Aircraft – Boeing 767-300

Japan Airlines Boeing 767-300 Business Class Seat


My first impression of JL was that I hated Japan’s rule about no electronics on the ground. This was especially apparent to me as the most junior FA(#3) was not treating me very well while treating the older Japanese traveller behind me quite well. She didn’t ask him to turn off his cell and gave him a way better service than me. That being said, the purser served my section was excellent, very attentive care on her part despite the recent money troubles by JL.

The JL J seat also known as JAL Skyluxe seat was more than adequate for a 3hr flight although I probably would avoid it for any flight more than 6 hrs. The 4 levers on the seat remind me AA transcon J seat, enterainment was average in my opinion.

JL 860 Breakfast

Western Meal
Orange Juice
Fresh Fruit

Main Dish
Plain Omelette with Bacon
Fresh Salad
Coffee/Chinese Tea

Japanese Meal
Kobachi Dish
Braised Soybean with Seaweed
Fresh Fruit

Yakimono Dish
Baked Salmon with Miso Sauce
Rolled Omelette

Dainomono Dish
Japanese Egg Congee with Chopped Scallop
Japanese Pickles and Miso Soup

Soon after the meal, I played a bit of mahjong on the inflight enterainment system and descent commenced shortly after that as we flew by Mount Fuji.

After bidding good-bye to the JL crew, I made my way to the transit security and ticket counter. One of the people on our flight was escorted by a Concierge Key agent, apparently many of us were inconvinced by the Chicago O’Hare to Beijing flight cancellations. We had 5 people including myself in JL J that were on the AA F NRT-DFW later on. As suggested by others on FT, I headed to the Japan Airlines First Class lounge.

Japan Airlines NRT First Class Lounge
Entrance


Bar and Food Area



Sitting Area




Massage Chairs


Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Showers



My helpings in the lounge, delicious Japanese Beef Curry


Yay, personal massages

Took this photo as my massage was done, wow, I could get used to this life.



American Airlines Boeing 777-200




AA 60
Tokyo Narita – Dallas Ft. Worth
6:05pm – 3:35pm, 11 hr 30 min flight
First Class, Seat 3J
Food – Dinner, Snack/Brunch
Aircraft – Boeing 777-200

I originally got 2G on this flight until I saw there were openings on 3J. So I ended up sitting there as I prefer aisle/window seats when available.

American Airlines Boeing 777-200 First Class Seat “Flagship Suite”



Lie Flat Position

The amenity pack was a little bit light on items but I still appreciated the slippers and especially the QC 15s that American provides on its IFS and AFS service

“On” American Airlines Entertainment System


Despite “On” being AVOD, I found the movie options to be average except I’m not a movie person on a flight. It’s music selection is very minimal so I resorted to using my computer and trusty DC adapter for my entertainment for this flight. Like many other flights leaving Japan, the flight had a bit of turbulence at the start of the flight. Soon the meal service began.

AA 60 Dinner

To Start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Roasted edamame, garlic and spinach hummus with pita chips

Appetizer
Smoked Salmon and tarragon shrimp
Accompanied by capers, red onions and sour cream

Salad Cart
Fresh Seasonal Greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, daikon radish and carrots,
offered with pickled ginger vinaigrette or olive oil and balsamic Vinegar

Herbed Roasted Chicken Breast

Bread Basket
Assorted Gourmet Breads

Main Course
Roasted Chicken Provencal
Roasted breast of chicken accented by Provencal Sauce, asparagus and chateau carrots, served with saffron souscous

Beef Fillet with Madeira Sauce
Grilled Tenderloin of beef in a Madeira sauce, accompanied by seasonal vegetables and roasted new potatoes

Black Cod Miso Yaki
Miso marinated black cod served with teriyaki sauce, assorted sautéed vegetables and steamed rice

Shrimp Noddle Bowl
Shrimp with oyster sauce, sautéed peppers, shiitake mushrooms and boky choy served over noodles

Dion Upon Request
Dessert
Ice Cream Sundae
Vanilla ice Cream with a choice of hot fudge, butterscotch or seasonal berry toppings, whipped cream and pecans

Fruit and Cheese
A selection of seasonal fruit and fine cheeses

Grand Marnier fruit Salad


To Start - Warm Mixed Nuts and Roasted edamame, garlic and spinach hummus with pita chips


Appetizer - Smoked Salmon and tarragon shrimp accompanied by capers, red onions and sour cream


Salad Cart


A shout to my fellow FTer, El Chiflero for phoning up AA for me to set up the Japanese Meal for the flight.

Japanese Meal
Appetizer Tray

Kobachi Dish
Yuba Tofu, salmon roe and crabmeat with shiso flower, wasabi and soy sauce with bonito stock

Hassun Dish
Grilled bamboo shoot with fuki miso, grileed mugwort wheat gluten on skewers coated with dengaku miso, fish paste with small shrimp, boiled prawn and simmered rolled kelp with beef

Western Dish
Marinated Sea Bream with kinome miso, orange segments, wasabina leaf, pickled cherry blossom and dill



Main Tray
Simmer Dish
Steamed sea bream wrapped with pickled cherry blossom leaf offered with sweet potato, cherry blossom wheat gluten, boiled field horsetail, nabana leaf and wasabi starch sauce

Entree
Grilled Spanish Mackerel saikyo-yaki style, fried taro on a skewer with sweet soy sauce, braised konjack with taro, komatuna leaf and carrot

Accompanied with steamed rice

Soup
Miso soup with tofu and deep-fried bean curd



Dessert - Ice Cream Sundae with a light helping of butterscotch and chocolate sauce


Soon after the meal, the FAs handed out water bottles and I went to sleep for about 4 hours. Hmm, I’m hungry, how about some snacks. This is where AA is rather weak I feel, in the snacks and the 2nd meal in particular.

AA 60 Mid-Flight Snack
Edo-Style Mini Bento box
Vinegared rice wrapped in bean curd skin, rolled sushi and seasonal Japanese Pickles

Light Sandwich
Roast Chicken and white cheddar cheese sandwich served with grapes and Mango Soyjoy Bar



I only went with the mini bento box and another sundae as we were only about 1 ½ hrs from the 2nd meal, back to compile more pictures from the trip and soon the 2nd meal started

AA 60 Snack/Brunch
Main Course
Tahitian Crabmeat Soup
Crabmeat and steamed taro potatoes simmered in a creamy chicken broth with spinach and onions

Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken accompanied by a pasta salad with sun-dried tomato dressing

I went with the teriyaki chicken as it was more filling the other option.


Soon after that, the flight started its descent into the Dallas Ft. Worth area and soon we’re at the ground at D23.

What I feel about AA International First? It is a 2nd tier product which is fine if you know what your going to get with it.
I love the Bose QC 15 headphones they hand out despite they get collected quite early near the end of the flight. The First meal is fine but the mid flight snack and second meal in particular could definitely use some improvements. The seat itself was pretty good, not the most private of seat, in fact I had a problem with it being full flat because of the headrest position so I kind of lounge slept my way during the flight. All in all, a solid product if AA is the only player on your route, I won’t advise buying a full fare F for it by any means but if a cheap I or D fare is possible and you have extra EVIPs sitting around, definitely not a bad way to use them.

Hope you enjoy this trip report, I’ll be going off to my F/J RTW trip starting next week. I still haven’t decided if I’m going to write a trip report on that yet so write more comments so I’m more motivated

olafman

Great report. I really enjoyed reading it.

We're starting a RTW trip next month but in J. Your pictures made me regret not booking F.

Keep up the good writing!