I've taken that flight frequently in the last 2 years, usually in coach. I can't say I like the food at all, and so I usually take along a small stash of cookies and fruit. I've found that most airports sell small packs of shortbread - sometimes even in duty-free or gift shops where you wouldn't expect to find snacks.

The main meal served after take-off on my flights has always been a piece of tough beef, or chewy fish with rice and an asian-style sauce. The salad is tolerable though the tomato is sometimes barely ripe, and tasteless.

The "snack" served in the middle of the flight doesn't appeal when I'm half asleep. On my flight it's been either a gray-colored burger or a turkey wrap, both both with a cheesy substance, heated inside a plastic wrapper until the cheese liquifies and the bready item has absorbed the water vapour from the meat. It is accompanied by a small carton of ice cream.

The least bad meal is the omelette served just before landing. Sometimes with cheese, sometimes with mushroom. Usually with home fries. There's also a fruit salad in that meal.

When returning from Hong Kong, you cannot take aboard bottled water purchased in the airport. It will be confiscated when your bags are searched on the jetway. You'll have to rely on the FAs serving water when you need it. You can take an empty bottle and fill it on board. That way you'll have it anytime you need it instead of buzzing for the FA.

I'm not an expert on in-flight catering but I really can't see why CO can't branch out a bit and offer something like chilli or spaghetti bolognaise which, unlike steak and fish, has a wider tolerance of cooking time and quality of ingredients while still being edible.

If choosing between D and F seats (both of which are centre-aisle seats), the F seat has an electronics box in the footwell area, reducing room for feet and baggage.