I have my first-ever trip to Asia (actually, a brief run to see the area and pick up miles) coming up next week. I'll be starting out by flying SFO-HKG in first, already assigned 1D. Does anyone have experience with Cathay first class? Does this route typically feature sleeper seats? Anything to know about row 1?

Onward travel is in first with CX to BKK, then in business (no first service) to SIN. I was told that intra-Asian travel does not permit seat selection in advance of the day of travel, even in paid first class. Is this always true with CX?

I have no problem traveling through Africa, Europe and the Americas, but Asia has always terrified me. It seems almost impossibly exotic, and I have had nightmares about being stranded and not understood. I posted in another section that I am frantically trying to find a good hotel in HKG, BKK and SIN, preferably one where English is spoken or understood. I'd appreciate any advice anyone has about lodging or even things to see/do in those cities with just 48 hours in each.

Any other tips about flying on CX are also very welcome. Thanks!

Horizons



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~ Friends don't let friends fly coach ~

Yes, it is in front of row two. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Someone will probably give you a certain answer, but as far as I know, all the trans-pacifics (with the possible exception of some YYZ flights) are on aircraft configured with the sleeper seats. Given that the SFO route was one of the first to get the new J, I would be shocked if they didn't have them. Cathay first is nice, and you will enjoy the flight.

No. I have always been able to get reserved seats.

Wow. Just calm yourself a little. It is a different country, not a different species. In Hong Kong, everything is in English and Chinese with the exception of some very local restaurants and noodle shops, where I revert to pointing. Not a problem, efficient, and easy to travel in. I haven't been to Singapore, but I would presume it's about the same from everything that I hear. Bangkok, there is a thriving tourist industry, so a lot of English is spoken. But because it is spoken because of tourism, just be a little cautious of anyone who comes up to you and speaks English. The people are very friendly in general, though, and I think it is reasonably easy to go there. One thing to prepare yourself for is that Bangkok is a major invasion on all of your senses.



Can't really help you there, unless you are looking for cheap digs. But from your posts, spend a little more and I think you will feel more comfortable.



Have fun, be nice and polite to them, and they will take good care of you. Enjoy the Wing.

If you could, you should get one of the window seats on the Airbus.... much better than the middle seats, plus you get a ledge to put your stuff on...

For accommodations, check the myriad of online booking sites specializing in hotels in Asia . I have used www.asiatravel.com many times in the past with good experience. Also check www.planetholiday.com for comparison shopping.

Asia is generally a tourist-friendly destination, more so for the places you're visiting (HKG, SIN, BKK). English is widely spoken almost everywhere with Singapore having the most fluency followed by Hong Kong and Bangkok in that order.

This route usually have sleepers, though I did have an old Airbus on SFO-HKG in Janaury, which does not feature sleepers in F. If you can give us the date you are flying, we can check.

I've never had trouble getting a seat assignment for intra-Asia flights with CX. JUst yesterday, they asked which seat I would like for my weekend trips to HKG, without my asking for it.

I don't speak local languages but I've never had any trouble at all in all these cities you mentioned. Almost everyone speaks English in SIN. Less in HKG and much less in BKK but that is in relative terms.

Thanks for all the good advice here. I'm cautiously looking forward to the trip.

I bought my ticket through American Airlines, and they're the ones who told me that only transpacific seats could be booked. But the posts above encouraged me to call Cathay directly, and a very pleasant agent was only too pleased to reserve seats for all my segments.

She also mentioned that the plane next week is configured 1-2-1 in First, with just two rows. All 8 window seats are taken, but the agent today sent a message to the airport requesting one if someone changes their mind.

I also just noticed that CX and AA are running some bonus mile promotions, so I registered today.

As for the language issue, my partner speaks passable Thai but unfortunately is at a work conference in Auckland. I'm going to buy one of those "pointing" dictionaries at Rand McNally to help get by. I have heard that English usage has declined noticeably in HK in just 4 years, but is rapidly taking hold in Shanghai (maybe next trip!). My parents have friends in Singapore who have invited me to dinner, so I'm less nervous about going there.

Just curious: does Cathay have a strong relationship to Canada? Their recorded message directs people to visit cathay.ca, a Canadian site, and the agent who helped me had a charming Canadian accent.

Horizons




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~ Friends don't let friends fly coach ~

Most telephone agents for CX in N. America are in Vancouver. A few are in Menlo Park, CA and they mostly concentrate on internet bookings.

You should have absolutely no problem with language in Singapore. Almost everyone speaks fluent English. Other than taxi drivers, most people you will encounter in HKG speak passable English. (However, about 50% of them start the conversation with the phrase, "Copy watch, mister?" )

There are scads of excellent hotels in SIN and HKG, as well as BKK. The major chains (Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, etc.) all have properties in these cities plus there are some outstanding 5* properties in each city, if you want to pay the tariff. All the hotel staff you will encounter at these properties, from chambermaids to concierges, speak English, most fluently.

Don't sweat travelling to Asia. It is mostly populated by friendly, helpful beautiful people. And to top it off you are flying F on CX, one of the two best transpacific carriers, the other being SQ.

This must have sleeper seats! But 8 window seats?

Yes, English is very widely spoken in Singapore and a little less so in HK. I have not been to Bangkok.

However if you intend to do some duty free shopping, especially in HK, stay away from the tourist areas, the main one in HK being Nathan Rd. There you will get ripped off for sure, no matter how charming or proficient in English the salesperson may be. As an example, film there is almost twice as much what you will pay for it else where, and I was almost conned into buying a fake / 2nd watch were it not for my very observent friend who is fluent in Cantonese.

Singapore is not so bad but try to stay away from the electronics shops on Orchard Rd, especially Lucky Plaza. One shop tried to sell me a mobile phone with a non genuine battery which was of course claimed to be genuine when I raised the issue.

Have a good trip.

Do they run any 747's on the SFO-HKG route? Because I too find it strange to imagine an A340 with 8 window seats.

Be aware that they still substituting the old A340's for some SFO runs.

I caught one of these as my first CX F experience last week. ITN still showed it as the new equipment up to and including the morning of the flight.



[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited 03-12-2002).]

Oops, you're right. She said there were only 8 seats in all of First, 4 being window seats and 4 in two pairs in the middle.

This also helps explain why, when I have tried to get award seats in CX First to HKG, there is never any availability.

Horizons



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~ Friends don't let friends fly coach ~

Hmmmm.

In Asia, please note that people:
1) Do not live in huts
2) Do not wear grass skirts
3) Speak more English than most Americans
4) Is a lot cleaner than Switzerland
5) Is not a Third World country
6) Do eat foods that you might consider strange. But try it anyway.

ExMo,
I agree with most of your post, though I can't help but disagree with the above-mentioned quote and find it to be somewhat degrading. People who speak proper "passable" English in HKG don't sell fake watches for a living, maybe you just had a bad experience yourself. Plus, if you're looking for copy watches, I'd say that you would find more of them in Bangkok for sure!