Kiwi Flyer

Qantas
Business Class menu
Sydney to Tokyo Narita
December 2011

Supper

Our extensive Rockpool designed menu allows you to enjoy a completely personalised dining experience. You can choose the full menu after take-off, or if you prefer to dine later simply complete the Dine-later card for collection by your Flight Attendant.

Main Courses

Potato Gnocchi with Braised Italian Vegetables, Pesto and Parmesan Cheese *

Pan Fried Blye Eye with Spiced Eggplant, Gai Lan and Ginger Glaze

Chicken with Dashi, Mirin and Daikon served with Steamed Rice

Lamb, Pea and Mint Pot Pie

Green Leaf Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

Dessert

Seasonal cheese hand-selected by Calendar Cheese Company served with accompaniments

Nice Cream Strawberry and Mascarpone Ice Cream with Berry Compote

Sliced Fresh Fruit

Chocolates

Valrhona Chocolates

* healthier option


Refreshment

Enjoy a range of snacks and drinks at any time throughout your flight. Your Flight Attendant will be pleased to prepare your selection or simply snack from our inflight bar.

Whole Seasonal Fruit

Roasted Almond and Cognac Biscuits

Valrhona Chocolate Bars


Breakfast

To assist in maximising your rest, a pre-ordered Breakfast is available. Simply complete the Breakfast order card for collection by your Flight Attendant.

Orange Juice
Apple Juice
Mango Energiser Drink

Fruit Salad
with Yoghurt

Toast
Croissant
Plum Danish

Brookfarm Toasted Muesli
with Full Cream Milk
with Low Fat Milk

Hot Selection

Scrambled Eggs on Toasted Sourdough with Grilled Bacon, Pan Fried Mushrooms and Chorizo Braised Beans

Orange and Hazelnut Pancakes with Glazed Peaches and Mascorpone Cream

or

Japanese Breakfast

Miso Soup

Beef Tataki with Salted Cucumber and Wakame

Teriyaki Eel, Steamed Rice, Lotus Root and Okra

Pickled Plums and Cabbage


Beverages

Champagne

Your Flight Attendant will advise whether today's menu features Billecart-Salmon Brut or Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve

Australia Wine

Wine from Australia is renowned around the globe for its intensity of flavour and fine fruit characteristics.
For your enjoyment we have a selection of these wines onboard. Your Flight Attendant will be pleased to advise you of today's selection.

Aperitifs

Bloody Mary
Campari and Soda
Gin and Tonic
Vodka and Ginger Beer

Spirits

Bacardi White Rum, Puerto Rico
Bundaberg Dark Rum, Australia
Chivas Regal 12 yo Scotch Whisky, Scotland
Plymouth The Smooth English Gin, London
The Glenlivet 12 yo Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
Wild Turkey 86.8 Bourbon, Kentucky
Wyborowa Polish Vodka, Poland

Beers

James Squire Golden Ale
Heineken
Victoria Bitter
Hahn Premium Light
Asahi Super Dry *
Tsingtao +

Sake *

Ozeki - served chilled

Dessert & Fortified Wine

Australian dessert and fortified wine is available for your enjoyment.

Liqueurs

Baileys Irish Cream
Cointreau

Cognac

Martell VSOP

* on flights to and from Japan
+ on flights to and from China

Juice Bar

Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Spicy Tomato Juice
Tomato Juice

Non Alcoholic

Appletiser Sparkling Apple Juice
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Coca-Cola
Coke Zero
Lemonade
Lemon Squash
Sparkling Mineral Water
Still Mineral Water
Soda Water
Tonic Water
Ginger Ale

Hot Beverages

Fix coffee
High grade Rainforest Alliance, 100% Arabica Coffee

Bodum
Decaffeinated

Dilmah tea
Experience the flavour of these fine Ceylon teas.

English Breakfast
Earl Grey
Peppermint
Chamomile
Jasmine Green

Vittoria Chocochino Hot Chocolate
Italian style drinking chocolate



Dine-Later

To assist in providing you with a flexible dining experience, a pre-ordered menu is available if you wish to dine later. Simply complete this card and hand to your Flight Attendant.

I would like to nominate a time to dine, approximately _____ hours after take-off

I will advise later when I am ready to dine

Side Salad

Green Leaf Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

Main Courses

Potato Gnocchi with Braised Italian Vegetables, Pesto and Parmesan Cheese

Pan Fried Blue Eye with Spiced Eggplant, Gai Lan and Ginger Glaze *

Chicken with Dashi, Mirin and Daikon served with Steamed Rice

Lamb, Pea and Mint Pot Pie

Dessert

Seasonal cheese hand-selected by Calendar Cheese Company served with accompaniments

Nice Cream Strawberry and Mascarpone Ice Cream with Berry Compote

Sliced Fresh Fruit

Chocolates

Valrhona Chocolates


* healthier option

If I am sleeping, please do not wake me to dine.


Breakfast

Simply complete this card and hand to your Flight Attendant to pre-order Breakfast.

Orange Juice

Apple Juice

Mango Energiser Drink

Fruit Salad

with Yoghurt

Brookfarm Toasted Muesli

with Full Cream Milk

with Low Fat Milk

Toast

Croissant

Plum Danish

Strawberry Jam

Honey

Orange Marmalade

Vegemite

Hot Selection

Scrambled Eggs on Toasted Sourdough with Grilled Bacon, Pan Fried Mushrooms and Chorizo Braised Beans

Orange and Hazelnut Pancakes with Glazed Peaches and Mascarpone Cream

Japanese Breakfast


Served with your choice of hot and cold beverages.

Hot Beverages

Fix Coffee
Bodum

Decaffeinated

Dilmah Tea
English Breakfast

Early Grey

Chamomile

Jasmine Green

Peppermint

Milk
Full Cream Milk

Low Fat Milk

Sugar
Sugar

Low Calorie Sweetener

Hot Chocolate

Hot and cold beverages are available at any time during your flight.

Express Breakfast

Plum Danish served with your choice of a hot beverage.


If I am sleeping, please do not wake me to dine.




Qantas
Business Class menu
Inflight Guide to Wine
Ninth Edition (late 2011)

2007 Alkoomi Jarrah Shiraz, Frankland River
2009 Ashton Hills Vineyard Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills
2007 Audrey Wilkinson The Lake Shiraz, Hunter Valley
2008 & 2010 Belnaves Chardonnay, Coonawarra
2008 & 2010 Best's Great Western Bin 1 Shiraz, Grampians
2006 Cape Metelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
2010 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz, Hilltops
2010 Dalrymple Sauvignon Blanc, Tasmania
2008 De Bortoli Yarra Valley Reserve Release Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2007 Domaine Chandon Shiraz, Heathcote
2002 Evans & Tate The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
2009 Freycinet Vineyard Chardonnay, Tasmania
2005 Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale
2008 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2009 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
2009 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2009 & 2010 Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz, Barossa Valley
2011 Grosset Rockwood Riesling, Clare Valley
2009 Grosset Springvale Riesling, Clare Valley
2006 & 2008 Heathcote Estate Shiraz, Heathcote
2010 Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
2007 Houghton CW Ferguson Cabernet Malbec, Great Southern
2010 Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc, Western Australia
2010 Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir, Tasmania
2007 Juniper Estate Margaret River Shiraz, Margaret River
2009 Ladies Who Shoot their Lunch Shiraz, Strathbogie Ranges
2010 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc, Margaret River
2008 Leo Buring Leopold Riesling, Tamar Valley
2006 Mac Forbes Hugh Cabernet, Yarra Valley
2008 MadFish Gold Turtle Chardonnay, Western Australia
2010 & 2011 Mesh Riesling, Eden Valley
2010 Moss Wood Amy's, Margaret River
2007 & 2008 Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz, Grampians
2009 Oakridge Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2010 Oakridge Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
2009 Paxton The Vale Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale
2009 Pepper Tree Venus Block Reserve Chardonnay, Orange
2008 Petaluma Coonawarra, Coonawarra
2010 Pierro LTC Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Margaret River
2008 Pirie Estate Pinot Noir, Tasmania
2010 Printhie Mountain Range Sauvignon Blanc, Orange
2010 Punt Road Napoleone Vineyards Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2010 Red Claw Sauvignon Blanc, Mornington Peninsula
2009 Salomon Estate Fleurieu Peninsula Syrah Viognier, Fleurieu Peninsula
2011 SC Pannell Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills
2009 Shadowfax Chardonnay, Victoria
2011 Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills
2010 Sidewood Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills
2009 St Hallett Moppa Hills Obst Vinyeard Shiraz, Barossa
2007 St Hallet Old Block Shiraz, Barossa
2008 Tarra Warra Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2008 The Lane Vineyard Block 3 Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills
2009 The Lane Vineyard Single Vineyard Shiraz Viognier, Adelaide Hills
2009 Thomas Wines Sweetwater Shiraz, Hunter Valley
2008 Toolangi Estate Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
2005 Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Margaret River
2008 Wantirna Estate Lily Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
2009 Woodlands Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River
2009 Xanadu Chardonnay, Margaret River
2008 Yabby Lake Vineyard Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula
2008 Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula

Champagne & Sparkling Wines

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut, Mareuil-sur-Ay, France
NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Reims, France
NV Croser Sparkling Wine, Adelaide Hills
1999 & 2000 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blancs de Blancs, Reims, France
2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose, Reims, France

New Zealand Wines

2010 Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
2011 Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
2008 Gibbston Valley Gold River Pinot Noir, Central Otago
2010 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
2009 Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir, Marlborough
2009 John Forrest Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
2008 Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir, Martinborough
2009 Mud House Swan Pinot Noir, Central Otago
2010 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
2010 Spy Valley Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Sweet and Fortified

Baileys of Glenrowan Founder Series Liqueur Muscat, Rutherglen
2008 & 2009 Cookoothama Botrytis Semillon, Riverina
2007 & 2008 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon, Riverina
Grant Burge 20 Year Old Tawny, Barossa Valley
2010 Grove Estate Late Harvest Viognier, Hilltops
Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Muscat, Rutherglen
Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Liqueur Tokay, Rutherglen
2009 & 2010 Mount Horricks Cordon Cut Riesling, Clare Valley
Penfolds Grandfather Tawny, Barossa
2010 Scarborough Late Harvest Semillon, Hunter Valley
Seppeltsfield Para Grand Tawny, Barossa Valley

Kiwi Flyer

TOKYO NARITA transit

I wasn't in any particular hurry to disembark for I knew the lounge would not be open for well over an hour. So I walked slowly to transit security, which was fairly quiet as expected. Then roamed the corridors to reawaken my legs while waiting for the lounge to open. The far end gates (65 & 66) were closed off for a domestic departure at this time.

I timed my walk to pass by the lounge entrance at 0731 and so entered the first class lounge just after it opened. A quick shower and then to catch up on messages and news on the computer. I was absorbed and lost track of time and only realised well after boarding had commenced that it was time to go (boarding calls in the lounge are limited to flights which depart from the satellite terminal).

Kiwi Flyer

TOKYO NARITA to SINGAPORE (NRT-SIN) on Japan Airlines 767-300 in business

The end of the pier was a hive of activity, but mostly because a Beijing flight was boarding at gate 65 which shares the gate area with our gate - 66. I was the last to board.

The business cabin was full except for the seat next to me. Shell seats but designed for regional routes. There wasn't enough width at the shoulders for me (hard barrier between seats) so I spent the flight leaning out to the aisle.

No pre-departure drink offered, but I was invited to select newspapers and magazines. After take off a dry hot towel, and menu handed out. A drink with nibbles.

I dozed through a movie, awaking for lunch. Another drink and hot towel to start the meal service. As usual I had the Japanese meal - I love these on ex-Japan flights. I dozed through another movie and the snack service late in the flight.

The tiny origami crane in the bathroom was a nice touch.

We were due to arrive 30 minutes early but we looped around a bit before landing and so ended up being a few minutes late. We pulled into a gate near the end of D pier after a short taxi.

Kiwi Flyer

Japan Airlines
Business Class menu
Tokyo Narita to Singapore
December 2011

Western Menu

Casual Dining

Appetizer Box

Assorted Natural Cheese with Fig & Nut
Truffle Flan with Consomme Jelly
Smoked Tuna Tartare
Coppa Ham & Macaroni Salad
Pancetta Raw Ham with Cipollina & Ripe Olive
Foie Gras & Fig Compote Gateau Style
Colorful Vegetable Pickles
Sauteed Squid, Shrimp & "Eringi" Mushroom with Aioli Sauce

Main Dish

Japanese Beef Hamburger Steak with Japanese Pepper Flavored "Teriyaki" Sauce
accompanied by Gratin Dauphinoise

Fresh Salad

Bread of Maison Kayser
"Hokkaido" Butter

or

Steamed Rice
We are pleased to offer freshly steamed Koshihikari rice.

Praline Opera Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream with Strawberry Sauce


Contemporary French

Hors d'Oeuvre

Foie Gras & Fig Compote Gateau Style with Balsamico Sauce
Marinated Fresh Vegetables
Sauteed Squid, Shrimp & "Eringi" Mushroom with Aioli Sauce

Main Dish

Grilled Tenderloin of "Wagyu" Beef with Mushroom Herb Demi-glace Sauce
You can enjoy the steak with sauce & pure salt.

Fresh Salad

Bread of Maison Kayser
"Hokkaido" Butter

or

Steamed Rice
We are pleased to offer freshly steamed Koshihikari rice.

Praline Opera Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream with Strawberry Sauce


Japanese Menu

The local specialties using an abundant home made foods feature Kumamoto prefecture.

Syokado Box

Miso-marinated Tofu with Sauteed Garlic Chive
Simmered Prawn, Deep-fried Lotus Root with Miso Mustard, Rolled Green Onion
Braised "Wagyu" Beef with Sweet Soy Starch Sauce
Deep-simmered Vegetables
Burdock Salad, Grilled Marbled Rockfish, Miso Flavor
Japanese Pickles

Dainomono

Grilled Spanish Mackerel "Saikyo Miso" Flavor

Steamed Rice, Miso Soup
We are pleased to offer freshly steamed Koshihikari rice.

Praline Opera Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream with Strawberry Sauce


Snack

Prior to Arrival

Japanese Delicacies "Onigiri"

Sandwiches

JAL Original snack noodle

Ramen de Sky
Udon de Sky
Soba de Sky

We are pleased to offer you such noodles as above at anytime. Please contact your cabin attendant.



Wine

Champagne

Champagne Delamotte Brut, France

White Wine

Chanson Vire-Clesse 2009 or 2010, France

Redwood Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2009 or 2010, USA

Red Wine

Sirius Rouge 2008 or 2009, France

Blue Moon Wines Silver Peak Zinfandel 2005 or 2006, USA

Louis Jadot Bourgogne Rouge Couvent de Jacobins 2008 or 2009, France


JAL Cafe Lines

Coffee of the Month

Bourbon Parra


Beverage

Aperitif & Cocktail

Sherry
Campari
Plum Wine
Martini
Bloody Mary

Whisky

Suntory The Hakushu 12 years (Single Malt)
Suntory The Yamazaki 12 years (Single Malt)
Chivas Regal
Jack Daniel's Black

Spirit

Bombay Sapphire Gin
Absolut Vodka

Brandy & Liqueur

Cognac Remy Martin VSOP
Cointreau
Baileys Irish Cream

Beer

Japanese Shochu

Japanese Shochu "Gokoo"
Japanese Shocku "Jinkoo"

Sake

Mikotsuru
Reisen

Soft Drink

JAL Original Drink "Sky Time Shikuwasa Citrus"
Coca-Cola
Sprite
Ginger Ale
Oolong Blended Tea
Cold Green Tea
Juice (Orange, Apple, Tomato, Grapefruit)
Herb Tea
Sparkling Mineral Water

Kiwi Flyer

SINGAPORE transit

My connection time was not short, but with the following transit being quick I wanted to grab a shower, and this means a bit of walking to get to and from the Qantas lounge. So I rushed to transfer desk to pick up a couple more boarding passes and a useless lounge invitation card. A quick powerwalk to the Qantas lounge where I was welcomed back and advised no boarding call for my flight.

I played shower roulette - the showers in the lounge are in demand when the London flights are passing through, and I'd seen 2 Qantas aircraft parked at gates as we'd taxied in. Luck went my way and a shower was free.

Once refreshed I had a quick drink and went to do a bit of work on the computers. Of the 6 computers only 3 were working - the others had expired software licence that monitors usage and blocks dodgy sites which meant no internet.

I timed my exit from the lounge so as to arrive at the gate near the end of D pier about 12 minutes before departure to hopefully minimise time queuing.

Seat 2A

Nobody - but nobody - transcripts menus and beverage lists with the thoroughness that you do, Kiwi Flyer. I just wanted to say that your hard work is certainly appreciated, as are your many chronicles on premium class air travel. This one sounds like a great way to close out the year. Have a great trip! ^^

Kiwi Flyer

Thanks Seat 2A. I have a bit more time before boarding the next flight so should have another instalment or two up shortly.

Kiwi Flyer

SINGAPORE to HONG KONG (SIN-HKG) on Cathay Pacific A330-300 in business

Despite my timing there was a lengthy queue at security - with several family groups carrying multiple bags of duty free liquids allocated across the entire family, even the youngsters. The line was moving fairly fast though and boarding commenced moments later.

The business cabin was almost empty tonight with just 2 other passengers. Before departure there were drinks (& refills), newspapers offered, menu handed out. Despite completing boarding almost on time, we sat at the gate for a while and pushed back late.

The seats are comfy regional type cradle seats. IFE is non-avod, which took me by surprise. I didn't think major airlines still had looped IFE.

Another drink and hot nuts before the meal service. I was given a survey to complete - amazing how often I get these on lightly loaded flights when service is fantastic but rarely on the full to the brim flights with less than stellar service. I watched a movie and dozed.

We landed late, just after midnight. This means a rush to get the things done in transit that I'd like to do. As we taxied into the gate we passed a Korean Air A380 which appeared to be readying for a redeye flight back to Seoul.

Kiwi Flyer

Cathay Pacific
Business Class menu
Singapore to Hong Kong
December 2011

Dinner

Starters

Smoked salmon with chive creme fraiche, capers, red onion and asparagus

Seasonal salad with oriental dressing

Main Courses

Braised chicken and dried scallops with steamed rice, choy sum and carrots

Grilled lamb noisette with black pepper sauce, pearl cous cous, carrots and sugar snap peas

Laksa with prawns and fish cake

Cheese and Dessert

Cheese selection

Fresh seasonal fruit

Lemon meringue pie with raspberry coulis

Tea and Coffee

Pralines



Drink List

Juices

orange, apple, tomato

Soft Drinks

Coke Zero, Coke, Coke Light, Sprite, Perrier water
tonic water, soda water and ginger ale
Coke Zero is now available on selected flights

Coffees

freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and caffe latte
regular or decaffeinated

Teas

Hong Kong style milk tea
Ceylon, Japanese, jasmine
organic selection : camomile, earl grey and peppermint

Hot Chocolate




Wine List

Champagne

Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne
The house of Billecart-Salmon, founded in 1818, is one of the few to remain family owned. The grapes of this cuvee come from the very best vineyards in Marne. The aromas are of ripe pears with a delicate touch of cut hay. It offers fine freshness with an elegant fruity flavour, leaving a clean fresh taste in the mouth.

White Wines

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009
The Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009 exhibits a vibrant personality with a scent of white flowers that mingle seductively with a peach and pear. Subtle chalkiness underlies the luscious ripe peach flavours with notes of citrus fruits. It is delicious with white meats and cheeses.

Mount Riley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has distinct aromas of crushed herb, capsicum and citrus fruits. It is well balanced with intense flavours of lime juice, gooseberry and fresh herb. The finish is long and citrusy. It is a great aperitif and also complements very well with pastas, salads and light meats.

Red Wines

Tyrell's Wines Hunter Valley Brokenback Shiraz 2007
The 2007 Brokenback Shiraz has a deep purple red colour, with aromas of ripe berry fruits and subtle savoury spice. On the palate, plush sweet fruits are interlaced with spice, cedar and hints of mint. This award winning classic Australian Hunter Valley Shiraz matches very well with roasted red meat.

Chateau Taffard de Blaignan Medoc 2009
This Bordeaux wine is produced in Medoc from 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It presents a beautifully extracted plumply fruited palate, supported by a fine structure through to a generous finish, with a reminiscence of ripe fruit aromas. It matches very well with red meat dishes.

Port

Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2006
This wine is sourced from the same vineyards that in exceptional years produce Dow's renowned Vintage Ports. It is aged solely in oak casks and bottled 5 to 6 years after the harvest. It is a full rich Port with spicy fruit flavours and an elegant aromatic nose, well rounded on the palate and has the traditional Dow's drier finish. This makes it one of the finest Late Bottled Vintage Ports available.

Aperitifs and Cocktails

Gin
Rum
Vodka
Martini Rosso
Martini Extra Dry
Campari
Sweet and Dry Sherry
Bloody Mary
Screwdriver

Whiskies

Chivas Regal 12 Years Old
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Jack Daniel's
Canadian Club

Cognac

Hine "Rare and Delicate" Fine Champagne

Liqueures

Drambuie
Cointreau
Bailey's Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Signature Drinks

Cathay Delight
A kiwifruit based non-alcoholic drink with coconut juice and a touch of fresh mint.

Pacific Sunrise
A refreshing combination of champagne and Drambuie with the zest of orange and lemon.

Kiwi Flyer

HONG KONG transit

E1 security was closed but luckily E2 security remained open. No queue at this hour and a short walk up to The Wing F lounge. Before I'm even seated I'm offered a drink of bubbles, and it seems I barely have to take a decent sip and there is an offer of a refill.

I don't really have any time but quickly bang out some emails, visit the bathroom and rush out to the gate some 20 minutes after boarding commenced.

obscure2k

So happy to see you posting another terrific Trip Report. I have missed reading them. Welcome back, Kiwi Flyer
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Kiwi Flyer

HONG KONG to VANCOUVER (HKG-YVR) on Cathay Pacific 777-300ER in business

I was paged as I approached the gate and sure enough was last to board.

This was my first flight with Cathay Pacific's new(ish) business class. My previous longhaul flights on Cathay Pacific had their herringbone seats imitating the Virgin Atlantic (and Air New Zealand) seats, which I'd found to be much worse than the originals.

I like these newer seats. They are like British Airways older first seats, but with a bit less space and more enclosed. Angled towards the windows, they have lots of privacy. There are several cubby spaces, but none are allowed to be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. I found the nook where the headset is stored behind a latching door to be a good spot to put small loose items and also the bottle of water. The table is reasonable sized, although smaller than NZ business class for example. However, this is made up for with the generous sized shelf. Legroom was great and width too. Seat was comfy in upright or horizontal, and reclines flat while seated. The aisle-side armrest was a bit off as angled wrongly for best comfort and had to be down for takeoff and landing. The pillow was small and useless, not large enough or enough padding to provide any head or neck support.

So while the seat isn't perfect, it is one of the best business class seats I've ever had the privilege of flying on.

The amenity kit was already on the shelf when I arrived. In the few minutes before pushback there was time for a drink with refill, menu handed out, hot towel, and offered newspapers (again). Magazines stored in a pocket on the bulkhead, but very poor selection.

I tried doing the timezone math to work out when and how much sleep I should be getting to orient myself to the appropriate times for my ultimate destination. I was too tired to figure it out so opted for my usual strategy of getting a bit of sleep in each flight. After take-off I had some more drinks to help. Hot nuts offered.

A water bottle was handed out, and another hot towel before the first meal service. I fell asleep watching a movie and woke a few hours later, still quite some distance from Vancouver. While I was still feeling tired my body wasn't co-operating with sleep, so I had some more drinks to help it out. I fell asleep during another movie.

The sleep wasn't deep and so I gave up when the flight attendants prepared for the second meal with another hot towel and another drink.

We'd had good tailwinds and arrived about 30 minutes early.

Kiwi Flyer

Cathay Pacific
Business Class menu
Hong Kong to Vancouver
December 2011

Supper

Starter

Roasted chicken breast with mixed vegetable salad with raspberry vinaigrette

Main Courses

Stir-fried prawns with morel mushrooms, steamed jasmine rice with ginger julienne

Roast rack of lamb, bean and lentils, curry carrot sauce

Cheese and Dessert

Shropshire Blue, Tilsit Royalp, Camembert Le Pere

Fresh seasonal fruit

Lemon meringue pie with strawberry sauce in chocolate cup

Tea and Coffee

Pralines



Light Meal

If you would like to have a lighter meal before resting, or later in the flight, we have prepared a menu for you.

Leek and chicken soup

Mesclun salad with roasted lamb loin, asparagus, feta cheese, cherry tomato and raspberry vinaigrette

Fresh berries

Lemon meringue pie with raspberry



Snacks

Crispy jumbo chicken wing with blue cheese dressing

Braised beef shank in clear noodle soup

Ice cream


Brunch

Starters

Orange or apple juice

Pink guava smoothie

Fresh seasonal fruit

Fruit yoghurt

Assorted cereals

Main Courses

Omelette with pan-fried pork sausage, back bacon, oven roasted potatoes and braised bean ragout

Dim sum with chilli sauce
Pork siu mai with scallop, shrimp fun gor, chive and pork dumpling, bean curd roll with vegetables

Apple pancake with chicken sausage, vine ripened tomato and button mushrooms

Bread Basket

Assorted breakfast bread served with preserves, honey and butter

Tea and Coffee




Drink List

Juices

orange, apple, tomato

Soft Drinks

Coke Zero, Coke, Coke Light, Sprite, Perrier water
tonic water, soda water and ginger ale
Coke Zero is now available on selected flights

Coffees

freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and caffe latte
regular or decaffeinated

Teas

Hong Kong style milk tea
Ceylon, Japanese, jasmine
organic selection : camomile, earl grey and peppermint

Hot Chocolate




Wine List

Champagne

Champagne Deutz, Brut Classic
This award winning champagne features lovely aromas and flavours of pear and citrus fruit. Layered with toasted hazelnut, honey and sweet vanilla notes, the wine is balanced by refreshing acidity with a long lingering finish. It is a perfect aperitif and goes well with delicate dishes.

White Wines

Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2008
The Chardonnay grapes for this wine were carefully selected from the cooler regions of the Alexander Valley, California. The aromas of tropical fruit, baked apple notes and undertones of butterscotch and toast on the nose follow through beautifully to the palate. The crisp finish makes it a perfect match for a wide variety of cuisines.

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009
The Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009 exhibits a vibrant personality with a scent of white flowers that mingle seductively with a peach and pear. Subtle chalkiness underlies the luscious ripe peach flavours with notes of citrus fruits. It is delicious with white meats and cheeses.

Red Wines

Estancia Pasa Robles Meritage Reserve 2007
Estancia's vineyards are located in the acclaimed appelation of Paso Robles, California. The 2007 Meritage is a rich and complex wine. It offers intense flavours of black cherries, framed by dusty tannins providing an elegant and lingering finish. This wine would perfectly complement any beef or lamb dish.

Chateau de Maison Neuve Montagne Saint-Emilion 2009
Chateau de Maison Neuve has been a family-owned estate for several generations. The 2009 vintage is a deep purple colour, full bodied and elegant with a complex bouquet. It is rich in black fruits flavours, complemented by a dense structure. It goes very well with red meat or braised dishes.

Port

Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2006
This wine is sourced from the same vineyards that in exceptional years produce Dow's renowned Vintage Ports. It is aged solely in oak casks and bottled 5 to 6 years after the harvest. It is a full rich Port with spicy fruit flavours and an elegant aromatic nose, well rounded on the palate and has the traditional Dow's drier finish. This makes it one of the finest Late Bottled Vintage Ports available.

Aperitifs and Cocktails

Gin
Rum
Vodka
Martini Rosso
Martini Extra Dry
Campari
Sweet and Dry Sherry
Bloody Mary
Screwdriver

Whiskies

Chivas Regal 12 Years Old
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Jack Daniel's
Canadian Club

Cognac

Hine "Rare and Delicate" Fine Champagne

Liqueures

Drambuie
Cointreau
Bailey's Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Signature Drinks

Cathay Delight
A kiwifruit based non-alcoholic drink with coconut juice and a touch of fresh mint.

Pacific Sunrise
A refreshing combination of champagne and Drambuie with the zest of orange and lemon.

Kiwi Flyer

VANCOUVER transit

The first winter weather test of the trip was passed - a comfy 5C and dry tonight.

Transit passengers go directly to the holding pen aka goldfish bowl. Tonight there weren't many of us, perhaps 15? There were far more Vancouver-originating passengers waiting just outside the gate looking in. Every few minutes one or more would try to open the locked doors and trigger the alarms. At least it helps to keep one awake but after a while it got annoying.

With so few people we had plenty of space to spread out and also wander back and forth to stretch and unkink our bodies.

After about an hour the cabin crew and pilots came through and boarded. Some 30 minutes later transit passengers were boarded before the gate was opened to the rest of the passengers.

Kiwi Flyer

VANCOUVER to NEW YORK JFK (YVR-JFK) on Cathay Pacific 777-300ER in business

Another amenity kit handed out, another hot towel & water bottle. More drinks.

The small forward business cabin remained full - all passengers flying right through. Whereas through the curtain I could see first class was half full at best, and the second larger business cabin behind us also was not very full.

We sat at the gate for quite a while because the estimated flight time was short and apparently immigration doesn't open at JFK T7 until 0600. Just before pushback a new menu and the US customs form were handed out.

Eventually we were on our way and try as I might I could only doze. The flight dragged on in a blur of half watched, half-listened to with eyes shut, movies; interspersed with micronaps. A few drinks and then a meal before landing.

Nice views of New York city lights as we descended, did a 270 degree turn and landed. Our taxi was short and we pulled up to the gate just before 0600.