Part 8 – Rectifying a bad mistake Cathay Pacific "Cirrus" Business Class, HKG-LAX


The Third Section of the trip reports covers Part 8 – 12 which are the first set of Mileage Runs, Jan 4 – 8
(HKG-LAX-BNA-LAX-DFW-MCI-ORD-LAX-DFW-OMA-DFW-ORD-BUF)

I originally booked 3 days of MRs in October since Southwest fares was matched by most other carriers and hence the 3 days MRs to BNA, MCI, OMA. I also built in 2 day time turns in MCI, OMA just to visit cities you might otherwise never visit in your lifetime.
The CX HKG-LAX leg was the reposition leg back to North America for the last term of college.


Jan 4, 2012 – Wednesday
CX 880 HKG – LAX 11:45pm-8:15pm (77W/J)

With an irregular connection at HKG today, I am part-time HKG based overall. Definitely felt odd to be connecting instead of heading home. This leg was for me to reposition back to North America and to LAX to start my original 3 day Mileage Run.

With a gate arrival at 25, a short walk back to the checkpoint near Gate 1, 10 mins and back airside and into the CX Wing where it will soon be renovated.

It was somewhat packed as expected due to the red-eye rush to Europe, Australia and to North America.

A cabana wait of 20 mins was needed and sadly this place is starting to get worn out but a March renovation hopefully will be nice.

With the food eating, shower, and some last minute emails, I was at the exclusive US security checkpoint for Gate 3/4 about 40 minutes out. Thankfully there is a premium lane for the secondary check and a similar fashion for the boarding process.
Being an early January flight, this flight was 100% packed.

For anyone needing a refresher why most people do not like the Old CX Business Class, it isn’t called the coffins or fishbone for nothing.
It’s too narrow to read newspaper, hard to see out of windows, couples can’t see each other, and the cloth material seems to worn out easily as well.

*5th flight, 10962 Miles flown this year
Cathay Pacific Airways 880
Hong Kong to Los Angeles
11:45pm – 8:15pm, 12 hr 30 min flight
Business Class, Seat 11A
Food – Dinner, Snack/Brunch
Equipment – Boeing 777-300ER “Cirrus” (6F/53J/238Y)



Despite not being on my usual Gate Lice behavior due to my lateness leaving the lounge, I was still lucky enough to get a photo of the Mini Cabin of the new Cirrus seats.

Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER “Cirrus” Business Class Cabin




Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER “Cirrus” Business Class Seat













Luckily I had boarded early, it had given me a lot of time to try out all the features of the new seat. I really liked the new storage area where you can store assortments in them, the shoe cabinet underneath the seat you’re on, the view, its actually pretty easy to see outside again. The huge side table is also good so you can put your drinks or snacks on without easily being knocked over and the storage area under the side table can also stored a lot of stuffs. Simply put, this new seat uses all the space rather nicely.

About a 5-7 min departure delay due to boarding delays, some rain and about a 20 min wait before takeoff, finally made our ways across the Pacific.

Flight time of 11 hours 35 mins to Los Angeles


The supper service started quickly as it was already 12:40am HKG time, CX operates a full and quick supper service for red-eye service

CX 880 Supper

Starter
Oven-dried cherry tomato salad, Italian X.O marinated prawns and citrus vinaigrette

Main Course
Sauteed beef with assorted mushroom in oyster sauce, steamed rice and jade melon with red medlar seeds and garlic

Braised duck leg a la Boulangere, sherry wine, soy and parsley

Cheese and Dessert
Bleu d’Auvergne, Red Leichester, Taleggio
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Chocolate and caramel mousse cake with vanilla sauce

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

Mushroom cream soup
Mesclun salad with poached salmon and citrues vinaigrette
Fresh berries
Chocolate and caramel mousse cake with vanilla sauce

The crew tends to serve all the light meals prior to doing the full service.




Part 8 Continues Below