I know that CX 'new' Y, isn't all that new anymore, but I thought I might write a little about my first trip in it last week. Please forgive the poor writing- not to the standards of many of the excellent reports I have read here!~

I had some time off work last week, and saw a good price to SYD, so even though it wasn't a mileage earning fare (S class), I booked it.

I had preassigned exit row, aisle seating on all flights- booked with the excellent agent I know at CX Seoul.

WED 27AUGUST

Check-in, airport and lounge as usual in ICN, quick and easy. Not a good selection of food in the lounge, considering the time of the flight.

CX419, 54H- usual evening flight. Meal wasn't all that great, on this almost full flight- my first flight out of Seoul in economy in about 4 years- and the first without an upgrade in over 2!

CX101-54H again. This flight was almost empty- looked like about 50 people in Y. On first impression the new Y seat looked ok. The IFE was a big improvement. Leg room was excellent for me on the exit row, but didn't look all that good for those in a regular seat.

The service was excellent- the ISM came and spoke to me for a few minutes, offered me champagne from business class, and told the FA in my section to keep it topped. The meal wan't much, so I just picked at it, as I had eaten in the lounge.

Red wine from the front came back with the meal, and the service was excellent. When the FA found I would be back on their flight on the 30th, she said that they would ensure I had good service again!

The flight arrived on time, and I got off at 11am, and was on a train at Central station at 1145- and that was with checked luggage! I was pleased.

30AUGUST

CX101 54C
Checked in at 1240 for the flight, and had an excellent steak for lu8nch in the QF first class lounge. I have used the MEL lounge, and now the SYD one- I hope this is the direction that CX take their HKG lounges in the future.

I was greeted by name by the ISM when I entered the plane. She was shocked that I hadn't been upgraded (not as sad as I was I am sure!), and said that she would be down to see me during the flight.

All of the FA's greeted me by name, without seeing my boarding pass, and without a manifest in their hands, while boarding was taking place. I was discretly offered a business class amenities kit, along with some champagne. I was most impressed, and not so worried about missing the upgrade.

I didn't eat the meal, having just finished a steak, though I did have the refreshment before landing. A very full flight with only a couple of empty seats.

01SEPTEMBER

CX412 54C

I really don't like taking this midnight flight from HKG, as it is not long enough to sleep well, and the 5am arrival means I have to go straight to work....but, since I got the cheapest fare, I couldn't complain. I had a great day in HKG with friends and then headed to the airport after another excellent dinner at Thai Basil- does anyone else really love that place?

I checked in at the airport, using the First counters, as I had a bag I thought was really heavy (a few things from Australia I had left when movign to Korea this earlier in the year, along with HKG shopping). Thye baggage tag was issued without the bag even being weighed (I saw the CI agent enter 10kg as the weight-was I mistaken?)

I was greeted by the ISM shortly after boarding, and offered a drink, then went to sleep- missing any other service that may have been offered.

VERDICT

Considering that this was the first long haul economy class in years with any airline, I was pretty pleased overall. A lot of the things that were excellent came from my status being recognized by CX, and so shouldn't really color my view of the experience. The seat was quite uncomfortable for sleeping, and after about 4-5 hours it felt like the padding wasn't thick enough. The pillows were a little small as well.

I missed a lot of the meals, or only picked at them, due to the excellent food in the First class lounges. What I saw, or tasted was fine, though not excellent. I don't like the new offering of a plastic cup filled from a large bottle of soft drink in Y though, I would prefer to have my own can! How much weight would it save on a full flight?

I'll continue to fly with CX in Y for short regional flights, and hope for upgrades. I hope that this was the last experience of long haul Y for a long time though.!