As my flight was not due to leave until late into the night I organised a late check out of my hotel. I spent the day sightseeing and shopping and the later part in the lounge at the Sheraton where I decided to stay to watch the light show that plays out every night.

After the show I decided it was time to make my, yet again, out to the HKG airport by combination of Airport Express bus to Kowloon and Train to HKG.

At Kowloon I used the in town check in facility and got myself moved up to row 4 which cannot be pre-assigned by non M&M members. Seat 4J was available and since this was a mostly night flight I decided to nab it rather than my window preference.

I was given a boarding pass and an invite to the CX J class lounge at the Wing.

On arrival at the airport I headed straight to the emigrations and security and was through and making my way down to the Wing in 2 minutes. Do these guys know how to run an airport or what?

It was very odd not turning left after exiting the security. As a OW Emerald I always have access to the F lounge at the Wing which has its own entrance just outside security. However as I was a guest on an LX flight I had to make my way downstairs to the J entrance to the lounge.

My invite was taken and I was directed upstairs to the J section of the Wing. I realised, on entering, just how long it had been since I had been to this section of the lounge. I had to do a little reconnaissance exercise to familiarize myself with the J lounge again.

I grabbed a glass of champagne and a snack and settled back to await my flight.

As usual for me I headed down to the gate way too early and ended up doubling back to do some shopping. After a couple of ties were procured I went back to the gate. Not long after this the CX uniformed staff commenced the boarding procedure.

I was one of the first people down the chute using the dedicated First / Business line.

Flight LX0139 HKG – ZRH Seat 4J
Departure time: 23:20
Aircraft: A340

On board I was welcomed by the crew and directed to my seat.
At the seat was a blanket, pillow and a different style of amenity kit to the one I got on the outbound flight. This one was a bag and not a zipped case. The headphones were in the pouch in front of the seat along with a coat hanger with 4J written on it.

I was offered pre-flight drinks of champagne, oj, water or apple juice. Papers were then offered and the menu cards given out.

Oh I almost forgot I heard that wondrous beep when my BP was read at the gate. But no op-up it just misread the card. Oh well I didn’t really expect it since I am sure there were lots of M&M people ahead of me in the queue if there were any op-ups being handed out this night.

We pushed back at 23:30 and the pedal was put to the metal at 23:37.

After the seat belt sign was switched off the FAs got into action and started to prepare for dinner. There was no pre-dinner drinks service and my table was laid out for the first course of the meal.

Late Night Supper

First Courses

Smoked salmon and vegetable terrine garnished with marinated peppers and zucchini

Carrot and lime soup with lemon leaves

Main Course

Beef fillet with red wine sauce accompanied by spring vegetables and roasted new potatoes
Or
Penne pasta in tomato sauce with olives, capers and broccoli

Cheese

Selection of cheeses

Dessert

A sweet dream

Swiss chocolates
Coffee and a selection of teas

The same two cart procedure was played out this time although my order had not been taken prior to the flight and I was asked which main I wanted at the time it was delivered.

The starter and cheese came on the tray and an offer of soup was made and accepted.

Freshly ground black pepper was again offered by the drinks FA as she passed through the cabin with her cart.

The drinks cart had the following along with juices etc.

Wine List

Champagne
Jacquart Brut Mosaique, Reims, France

White Wine
Schafiser AOC 2005, Caves Garnier SA, Switzerland

Chenin Blanc 2006, Villiera, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Red Wine
Vin du Pays des Trois-Lacs 2005, Caves Garnier SA, Switzerland

Chateau de Pic 2003, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, France

Pinotage 2004, DeWaal, Stellenbosch, South Africa

SWISS Discovery Wine

Port
Porto Niepoort Tawny, Portugal

The starter plates were cleared away before the main course was delivered from the cart.
I went for the beef again and was not disappointed. A second round of drinks and more rolls were offered at this point. The drinks FA had remembered I was on the white for the starter and took my glass away to give me my red in a clean glass.

The intriguingly named dessert was a fruit tart which was offered from a large tray. There was no offer of an implement to eat it with though which was most odd.
After devouring the tart and licking my fingers, I was offered coffee and a digestive.

As with the outbound the lights were dimmed as soon as the meal was over with and most passengers in the small forward demi-cabin in J went to sleep. I watched a movie for a while not wishing to sleep too soon into the flight. I was planning on going to work when I arrived back in London and thought sleeping later in the flight was the better option.

Eventually sleep came for me as well and I settled in for a few hours nap. Unfortunately there was a lot of FA traffic through to the F cabin through the night. Every time an FA breezed through the cabin the curtain dividing the sections would brush on my feet. It was most annoying and was frustrating my efforts to get some sleep.

Of course just when I was really ready to sleep others started to stir and the rattling of papers and personal lights started to flash on and off. Oh well – I will just have to fly F from now on.
About an hour and a half out of Zurich the lights came on and preparations were made for the breakfast service.

Breakfast

Fresh seasonal fruit

Selection of yoghurts

Tomato and zucchini omelette served with veal sausage and sautéed spinach
Or
Fried noodles with shredded pork, vegetables and soy sauce
Or you may prefer our cold selection:
Black forest ham accompanied by Gruyere cheese, gherkin and cherry tomato

Selection of breakfast breads served with butter and preserves

Coffee and a selection of teas

Yep, you guessed it the same two cart procedure for breakfast. After the fruit and yoghurt were devoured the mains came out. I went for the noodles which were very tasty.

We landed at a cold and wet Zurich on time at 06:15 and taxied to our gate.

I made my way back over to the A terminal and visited the LX lounge complex briefly and checked out my emails before making my way to the gate.

We were bussed out to the aircraft for the flight to LCY.

Flight LX0450 ZRH – LCY Seat 4F
Departure time: 07:15
Aircraft: Avro RJ100

I noticed that when I got my BP in HKG that it was an F which would be on the three side of the 2-3 aircraft. To my surprise when I boarded it was an old BA fitted out aircraft which were 3-2 so I lucked out after all.
The plane was filled to the gills with all seats in the J section taken including the middle seat of the 3 side.

We took off a little late and headed out of cloudy Zurich and on our way to cloudy London.

A light continental style breakfast was offered on this flight including rolls and plenty of juice, tea and coffee.

We had a minor incident on the flight when one of the FAs upended a drink on some poor business traveller messing up his suit. I bet he was pleased! He did take it well and there were no temper tantrums.

We landed at LCY around 08:00 near to two other flights and immigrations had a tail back but moved quite quickly and I was soon making my way upstairs to the DLR to retrace my steps back to my office and another week of drudgery.

Well I hope you enjoyed this little foray into madness. In two days time I will be back in the lap of luxury heading to my home town of Melbourne on QF in First.

I look forward to that which much anticipation. As any of you who read my RTW TR my QF flight left a lasting impression on me and I am hoping my next 4 long haul flights on QF in F will be equally as exhilarating.

Happy flying to you all.

Pictures from HKG-LCY