The staffs told me that it was a big hassle to get permits to do any form of big celebration at HKG. So Cathay and most airline don't do anything big unless it is a very important inaugural. The Riyadh inaugural was big because Hong Kong government was involved.

For Munich airport, it is a key win for them to finally get Cathay flying here, so they put on a nice ceremony. The Munich airport authority has been persuading Cathay in flying to Munich for a long time, and during my lounge time, I saw the Munich airport team showing the CX team the facilities. A number of CX ground staffs told me that the facilities were not that great but did not have many choices, especially Terminal Two is strictly for Lufthansa and Star Alliance. However, the Munich Airport authority promises them that the new terminal one extension will be ready by next summer. They just install the last air bridge. The current space will all become Schengen, and then the new extension will serve non-Schengen flights. It will feature a more spacious experience for passengers and new lounge for non-Schengen international flights. The CX team would be given a special tour of the new terminal extension the day after the inaugural.

Munich catering is so-so and the food is the same as Milan and Frankfurt. But according to Adrian, the service was a bit slower than normal on the inaugural flight because the catering team at Munich did not put the items at the right place. It was understandable. For those of us who fly plenty of inaugural flights, it is sort of expected. The crews did the best out of the circumstances. It was good to get an experienced team of crews on these inaugural flights.

Cathay's food these days continue to be underwhelming but I was able to prebook my main course before the flight. I will say the standard is the same as ex-Frankfurt. I stick with European dishes and have zero expectations so I am okay with the food.

Carfield