I arrived at T7 just shortly past 8:30. My first stop was the Cathay check-in desks to pick up a proper boarding pass printed on Cathay stock.
2014-04-09 08.35.47 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The line for security was short and quick. Because I refuse to subject myself to the MMS scanners, I opted-out and was attended to quickly unlike my previous experience here back in December. Getting real sick of this security theatre by the TSA.
Once that circus was over, I visited the BA F lounge, which I had previously reviewed. I don't have much to add from last time, other than the fact that the lounge is poorly lit, has tacky looking furniture and feels more like a cheap living room than an F lounge (though I understand the Concorde Room is where BA's F passengers go to, instead of this embarrassment of a lounge.)
I grabbed an espresso. As I sat down, an older German man asked if I would be willing to swap my seat for 2K as his wife was in 1A. I politely declined, as I tend to prefer sitting on the left side (and after wasting so much time calling in and securing the coveted 2A, I wasn't going to give it up that easy.) I figured that his wife could just swap with 1K anyways - but I did feel somewhat guilty afterwards.
2014-04-09 09.18.30 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Shortly after finishing my espresso the boarding call was made 40 minutes before departure.
2014-04-09 09.22.45 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
A huge line started to form at the gate, with economy passengers on the left and premium/MPC passengers on the left. The premium line moved slowly as people were sent back to the other line. One DYKWIA who I saw upgrading at the counter, just cut past through the entire line, much to the ire of the ground agent checking ID documents. All he said was "But I'm in First Class" and kept on walking. That DYKWIA was seated in Seat 2D.
2014-04-09 09.23.00-2 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The boarding jetway was getting crowded with what appeared to be federal agents doing random inspections (particularly, asking people if they were carrying $10,000 or more.) IMO, using a single jetway to board a full 77W was a terrible idea (but probably not Cathay's fault.)
Cathay Pacific Flight 841
New York JFK to Hong Kong
Boeing 777-300ER (77W)
April 10, 2014
Scheduled: 10:00-14:00+1
Actual: 10:24-13:21+1
Seat: 2A (First Class)
Load: 6/6
On showing my boarding pass, I was escorted to my seat, 2A. I was on one of the newer 77Ws that were delivered with the refreshed F.
2014-04-09 09.27.52 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-04-09 09.28.00 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
I've never had the chance to fly on the "old" F, but I think that scheme was classier and less sterile than this iteration with the muted grey chairs and black scheme (which looked plasticky.) Still, it looked like a great place to spend 16 hours.
2014-04-09 09.31.40 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The seat was wider than I had imagined. You could easily fit 2 of me into this seat and still have wiggle room.
2014-04-09 09.28.20 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The not-so-intuitive seat controls:
2014-04-09 09.29.32 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
As I was settling down, Sara and Alex had made their round of introductions and offered me a newspaper and a PDB. Strangely enough, they didn't seem to offer champagne as one of the PDBs (saying juice or water instead.) I figured it was too early to start drinking anyways, so I went for a glass of cranberry (or was it raspberry?) juice.
2014-04-09 09.32.29 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Followed by a amuse bouche of avocado with crab salad. It was tasty.
2014-04-09 09.32.22 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Once those were cleared away, Alex brought a bottle of Evian over, as well as pyjamas and an amenity kit.
The pyjamas by PYE were nice and soft. Though the top reminded of something Kim-Jong Un might wear.
2014-04-09 11.15.20 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The Ermenegildo Zegna amenity kit was just okay (the outer case was nothing special), though I did like the Aesop products inside (I ended up buying some on the ground after trying them here.)
2014-04-09 11.20.47 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The captain announced that our flight time was just going to a smidge over 15 hours, and that we would be heading in an easterly direction to get to HKG today. I guess that makes my trip an RTW now?
We pulled back from the gate on time, but this time, we had to contend with the congestion at JFK. We were on the ground waiting for a solid 30 minutes before we were cleared for takeoff.
(video to follow)
Next part: The F&B and service.