JNB-HKG CX first class

As a continuation of a previous report, I am now reporting on my JNB-HKG trip report. This leg of the trip was flown on a RTW trip in order to get my Qantas Platinum requalification. I had a brief 5 hour layover in JNB from my flight from LHR on BA. Upon arrival in JNB, I was able to walk outside customs and go to the SUN INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL where BA has an arrivals lounge. Excellent facilities including showers and a marvelous buffet breakfast including eggs, ham, sausage, beabns, breads, fruits and yogurts. There were two internet terminals which were very slow. But since I had four hours until my flight to JNB I had plenty of time.

CATHAY PACIFIC flight 748 First Class Airbus 340 Seat 1K

After the Sun Intercontinental, I checked into the first class section of the CX section and was given a pass to the BA lounge. The BA lounge has been described in the past. It is a fair lounge with SLOW internet access, small sandwiches and of course the open bar. The lounge was quite crowded as our flight was sold out in all three classes of service.

BOARDING
Arrived at gate 5 and saw our CX plane waiting. Boarding was extremely orderly, and I was escorted to my seat 1K. There are two rows of first class in the CX A-340. All eight seats were filled. A flight attendant appeared at my seat withing two minutes . An apertif was offered with a scallop appetizer. Excellent. I then quickly looked at the STUDIO CX selections. For thoses of you not familiar with the CX entertainment system, there is an incredible selection of movies and TV programs as well as a great audio selection ALL on DEMAND. I think it is one of CATHAYS great assets.

MENU
LUNCH

Caviar and Balik Delight
Oestria Caviar
and
Balik Salmon "Tsar Nicolaj" served with creme fraiche and warm potatoes

SOUP
Provencale Capsicum, Garlic and Eggplant served with Croutons

SALAD
Mixed Lettuce with Bacon, Artichoke Heart, Feta Cheese and Pinenuts served with Raspberry and Shallot Dressing


MAIN COURSE
Barbecued Pork with Steamed Rice and Chinese Vegetables

Grilled Butterfish with Tomato and Basil Concasse with Mushroom Risotto and Grilled Vegetables

Pan-fried Ostrich Steak with Oyster Mushrooms on Apricot Onion Compote with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Braised Red Cabbage

Tortellini filled with Spinach, Ricotta and Herb Cream Sauce


CHEESE BOARD


DESSERT SELECTION
Tropical Fruit Salad
Apple and Rum Pudding with Raisin
Raspberry Ice Cream with choice of toppings


BREAD BASKET


TEA, COFFEE and PRALINES

BREAKFAST
JUICE SELECTIONS

APPETIZER
Fresh Seasonal Fruits


YOGURT SELECTIONS

CEREALS


MAIN COURSES
Eggs- Freshly Scrambled, Fried or Boiled

Stir-Fried Chicken with Black Mushroom and Egg Noodles

ACCOMPANIMENTS
Grilled Back Bacon, Pan-Fried Beef Sausage, Hash Brown Potatoes, Grilled Tomatoes and Button Mushrooms

PASTRIES
TEA and Coffee

REFRESHMENTS Available any time

NOODLE SOUP
Noodles in Soup wit Shredded Beef and Prawn

MUSHROOM PIZZA

TEA

As you could tell the menu is sensational

Flying time was 12 hours. The bed on CX first class is sensational. Most of us in FIRST slept after lunch and a movie. It is amazing how fabulous these seats are for relaxing, sleeping and eating...
UNTIL NEXT TIME.....

Until next time...I loved this mouth watering report...I am drinking coffee right now...however, I should have opened a bottle of good bubbly to re-read this...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MELE KALIKIMAKA...

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Patrick A. Inouye, LMT
volunteer trip reports moderator

Very nice report. I am shocked that the CX flight was full. Does CX have an arrivals lounge at HKG?

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YAS+

Can you also post the wine list? Thanks.

CX doesn't have an Arrivals Lounge at HKG, though onward connecting passengers in F and J, and oneworld Emeral and Sapphires, can use The Wing or The Pier. Thanks for the report, I shall be flying that route next month when, I believe CX reinstates their 747s which will boost capacity at this time of year.

I did this flight in Feb... lovely service on both segments HKG-JNB-HKG, in fact I found the service to be better on these flights than from HKG-LAX which seems to get some less interested crews.

Shareholder, I flew JNB-HKG yesterday. CX is using a 747 on the route now. It is the older 747, which does not have the entertainment on demand. It has a tape library. Otherwise, the service and equipment was comparable to our HKG-JNB flight today. There were only four of us on the JNB-HKG flight, and the attendants raced thru serving us the meal! I've never had a multi-course meal so fast.

looking forward to my CX F FRA-HKG tomorrow!

Looking forward to my HKG-JNB trip tomorrow in F. Thanks for the heads up on the BA arrivals lounge in JNB. I have 4 hrs. before my trip to CPT. Hopefully they'll find a newer 747 for the flight to JNB though.

Since you are arriving on CX, I am not sure that you are entitled to use the BA arrivals lounge. Certainly, we weren't invited to do so when we arrived three weeks ago.

However, BA has opened a very nice domestic lounge where you can wait prior to your CPT flight (assuming you are taking the BA flight to CPT). They have a shower, 3 high speed internet terminals, a small array of food, and a lot of comfortable seats.

For those connecting to SA in biz, the domestic SA lounge at JNB is pretty good as well... They have showers and everything else you would expect.

Well I walked over to the former BA arrivals lounge in the Interconti (Its now called the Premier Lounge) and they welcomed me with open arms when I presented my CX F Classs boarding pass. The showers were great and the food was delicious as well.