Cathay Pacific First, Korean A380 First, a 72 hour hall pass & the RGN mistake fare
Nov 6, 2012, 6:38 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: HKG YYZ
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Posts: 523
Nov 6, 2012, 8:14 pm
#33
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Showtime!
While our three FAs provided outstanding service overall, it just wasn't quite as polished and as "on" as some of our other CX flights. Believe it was an SFO-based crew if that makes a difference.
The caviar and salad is always a winner, especially with Krug.
CX regulars will notice a glaring omission from the set up.
Yup. No hand written welcome and thank you note. First time I haven't received one.
I love mushrooms and mushroom soup, and this version was excellent. And more Krug.
On the other hand, the mesclun salad with grilled shrimp and balsamic vinegar was not very good. The dressing was dreadful.
Another glass of Krug. The Vincent Girardin Puligny was nice although it would have been better if it hadn't just been opened.
Interesting turbulence show with the wine!
The steamed lobster with ginger scallion and imperial soy sauce is always good, although the presentation and taste was not quite as good as previous occasions.
Excellent cheese plate, accompanied by the Ramos Pinto Quinto 10 year Tawny
The chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis was delicious.
And pralines to finish part one.
The usual mid flight wontons in noodle soup.
While our three FAs provided outstanding service overall, it just wasn't quite as polished and as "on" as some of our other CX flights. Believe it was an SFO-based crew if that makes a difference.
The caviar and salad is always a winner, especially with Krug.
CX regulars will notice a glaring omission from the set up.
Yup. No hand written welcome and thank you note. First time I haven't received one.
I love mushrooms and mushroom soup, and this version was excellent. And more Krug.
On the other hand, the mesclun salad with grilled shrimp and balsamic vinegar was not very good. The dressing was dreadful.
Another glass of Krug. The Vincent Girardin Puligny was nice although it would have been better if it hadn't just been opened.
Interesting turbulence show with the wine!
The steamed lobster with ginger scallion and imperial soy sauce is always good, although the presentation and taste was not quite as good as previous occasions.
Excellent cheese plate, accompanied by the Ramos Pinto Quinto 10 year Tawny
The chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis was delicious.
And pralines to finish part one.
The usual mid flight wontons in noodle soup.
Nov 6, 2012, 8:15 pm
#34
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Dinner service began about two and half hours out, with the usual fruit plate.
Still no hand-written note.
The grilled kurobuta pork chop with red wine jus was outstanding.
The Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz was OK. Nothing special like QF.
More dessert of course. The mango and white chocolate cake and raspberry sauce was very good.
Our 14+ hours passed pretty quickly as I watched three movies and 4 (rerun) episodes of my favorite TV show Suits... all of which was probably way too much on the old 747 Studio CX version. Didn't realize how much I missed the 77W system.
Overall another very good CX flight. I do love CX and, next to SQ, it's my favorite airline. But I know how good it can be, and it just wasn't 100% tonight.
Still no hand-written note.
The grilled kurobuta pork chop with red wine jus was outstanding.
The Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz was OK. Nothing special like QF.
More dessert of course. The mango and white chocolate cake and raspberry sauce was very good.
Our 14+ hours passed pretty quickly as I watched three movies and 4 (rerun) episodes of my favorite TV show Suits... all of which was probably way too much on the old 747 Studio CX version. Didn't realize how much I missed the 77W system.
Overall another very good CX flight. I do love CX and, next to SQ, it's my favorite airline. But I know how good it can be, and it just wasn't 100% tonight.
Nov 6, 2012, 8:56 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
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Posts: 238
[QUOTE=SFO777;19637437]CX 879
SFO-HKG
747-400
November 4, 2012
11:50A-6:50P +1 (sked)
12:30P-6:50P +1 (actual)
Departed 9/9
Seats 2K
A timely report. Will be in your exact same seat in about a week. Hopefully does not go out 9/9. Only showing 2/9 so far. Can't wait to read the rest.
SFO-HKG
747-400
November 4, 2012
11:50A-6:50P +1 (sked)
12:30P-6:50P +1 (actual)
Departed 9/9
Seats 2K
A timely report. Will be in your exact same seat in about a week. Hopefully does not go out 9/9. Only showing 2/9 so far. Can't wait to read the rest.
Nov 6, 2012, 9:42 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,498
[QUOTE=Goosh;19638564]I've got the same exact seat this weekend! Guess you're not on my flight. :-P
Nov 7, 2012, 12:24 pm
#40
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Arrived on time back at LAX this morning and waiting at 44J for my AE flight to DEN. I'll try to catch up and finish his off by the end of the weekend. But a short preview.
After the disappointing BKK-ICN KE regional F flight, I was worried about how long-haul KE would compare with CX. I must say I was absolutely blown away by my 11 hours in near charter like conditions. It was most attentive and flawless in flight service in recent memory. Based on this one experience, I would personally rank KE in the same in flight league as CX/SQ league.
Thanks Love_to_Travels. You will so enjoy.
Thank our b-kph. Glad to hear she's nice!
With only 9, even a full cabin is still a great experience.
[QUOTE=iceman77_7;19638861]
Good choice. 2K is the perfect westbound choic for theh solo pax.
I'm really I went and spend a few hours sightseeing. People are very friendly and prices are reasonable. Other tha the cell phone, it's almost like turning backth clock 30-40 years,
Don't know about that one but thanks for th high praise. Glad you're enjoying
Thanks very much Texas Tea!
After the disappointing BKK-ICN KE regional F flight, I was worried about how long-haul KE would compare with CX. I must say I was absolutely blown away by my 11 hours in near charter like conditions. It was most attentive and flawless in flight service in recent memory. Based on this one experience, I would personally rank KE in the same in flight league as CX/SQ league.
Thanks Love_to_Travels. You will so enjoy.
[QUOTE=iceman77_7;19638861]
Thanks very much Texas Tea!
Nov 7, 2012, 3:32 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SEA, JFK, BKK
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, AF, BA, KE, SQ, CX, DL, TG
Posts: 309
agree
After the disappointing BKK-ICN KE regional F flight, I was worried about how long-haul KE would compare with CX. I must say I was absolutely blown away by my 11 hours in near charter like conditions. It was most attentive and flawless in flight service in recent memory. Based on this one experience, I would personally rank KE in the same in flight league as CX/SQ league.
Nov 7, 2012, 4:54 pm
#42
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Yes!... I did this 3 weeks before you and thought the same! I meant after I did many of EK, EY, CX, BA, LH, TG (and soon SQ OZ JL NH QF) in F, I have to say that KE A380 F experience was up there! maybe was just my flight? but it was flawless too.... very attentive... oh but the lounge at ICN was another story, it was more like J lounge.
Nov 7, 2012, 5:58 pm
#43
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Thank you for this marvellous recap of your Cathay experience with fantastic photos! I look forward to seeing your KE First photos, but even more I look forward to reclaiming a seat up in the nose of Cathay's 747. Maybe next year.
After I'd heard that the RGN fare would not be honored, I never bothered to check back on its thread even though I continued to see a lot of activity on it. I remembered the discussions of that $20.00 r/t on BA (of which I bought two tickets) going on long after it had ended and figured there was a similar situation with this fare. Alas... I was wrong...
Glad things worked out for you though, especially as we get another excellent trip report out of it. Thanks! ^^
After I'd heard that the RGN fare would not be honored, I never bothered to check back on its thread even though I continued to see a lot of activity on it. I remembered the discussions of that $20.00 r/t on BA (of which I bought two tickets) going on long after it had ended and figured there was a similar situation with this fare. Alas... I was wrong...
Glad things worked out for you though, especially as we get another excellent trip report out of it. Thanks! ^^
Nov 7, 2012, 8:04 pm
#44
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With an on time arrival, was able to spend a couple hours with Short hair Francis. Thanks Francis for making the trek out to HKG.
CX 709
HKG-BKK
A330-300
November 5, 2012
10:00P-11:50P (sked and actual)
Seat 15H
Since CX does not typically offer 3 class service to BKK, had to settle for J on this two and a half hour flight. Dated but comfortable product. Excellent and attentive service throughout.
Billecart as the regional "house" champagne. ^
The Thai Yellow Curry was very good.
FAs distributed Premium Lane C&I passes. But most pax didn't know what they meant and/or never made it to the Premium area, as the lines were pretty non existent when I got there.
With a midnight arrival and an early return the next morning, I was looking for a conveniently located hotel. The Novotel is very close and only a 5 minute (underground) walk. But caution: The walkway is not marked... also apparently not open after midnight. I suppose that's because it uses the train access and the train does not operate after midnight. There is also a shuttle bus that operates every fifteen minutes 24/7. It departs from Door 4 (far right as you exit baggage claim) and will get you to the hotel in about 3 minutes. There is a Novotel transfer desk at Door 4.
CX 709
HKG-BKK
A330-300
November 5, 2012
10:00P-11:50P (sked and actual)
Seat 15H
Since CX does not typically offer 3 class service to BKK, had to settle for J on this two and a half hour flight. Dated but comfortable product. Excellent and attentive service throughout.
Billecart as the regional "house" champagne. ^
The Thai Yellow Curry was very good.
FAs distributed Premium Lane C&I passes. But most pax didn't know what they meant and/or never made it to the Premium area, as the lines were pretty non existent when I got there.
With a midnight arrival and an early return the next morning, I was looking for a conveniently located hotel. The Novotel is very close and only a 5 minute (underground) walk. But caution: The walkway is not marked... also apparently not open after midnight. I suppose that's because it uses the train access and the train does not operate after midnight. There is also a shuttle bus that operates every fifteen minutes 24/7. It departs from Door 4 (far right as you exit baggage claim) and will get you to the hotel in about 3 minutes. There is a Novotel transfer desk at Door 4.
Last edited by SFO777; Nov 8, 2012 at 9:57 am
Nov 7, 2012, 8:10 pm
#45
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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Posts: 21,602
Thank you for this marvellous recap of your Cathay experience with fantastic photos! I look forward to seeing your KE First photos, but even more I look forward to reclaiming a seat up in the nose of Cathay's 747. Maybe next year.
After I'd heard that the RGN fare would not be honored, I never bothered to check back on its thread even though I continued to see a lot of activity on it. I remembered the discussions of that $20.00 r/t on BA (of which I bought two tickets) going on long after it had ended and figured there was a similar situation with this fare. Alas... I was wrong...
Glad things worked out for you though, especially as we get another excellent trip report out of it. Thanks! ^^
After I'd heard that the RGN fare would not be honored, I never bothered to check back on its thread even though I continued to see a lot of activity on it. I remembered the discussions of that $20.00 r/t on BA (of which I bought two tickets) going on long after it had ended and figured there was a similar situation with this fare. Alas... I was wrong...
Glad things worked out for you though, especially as we get another excellent trip report out of it. Thanks! ^^
Yeah, what a roller coaster on the RGN mistake fare deals. I'm glad I pulled the trigger and made the trip.
The bonus was spectacular KE First. Will try to get those pics up ASAP.