Greetings Flight-Report Community. Thanks for stopping by and having a look at this report, the fifth in the series.
For this report series I will be sharing a delightful and frivolous RTW journey that is highlighted by my first trips on Emirates and Japan Airlines. Spoiler alert: I was positively floored by both experiences.
Here's an image of the entire route courtesy of Great Circle Mapper (gcmap.com)
I had a 4 hour layover to enjoy the sumptuous lounge offerings available to a CX First Class passenger and enjoy I did.
My first stop was The Wing.
It was my first ever visit and I was excited to see a Cabana in person. There was no wait at this afternoon time so I was promptly shown to the room.
Wow, what a space! Far larger then my hotel room in Tokyo, for sure.
I enjoyed a nice shower from this amazing rain forest shower.
Separate toilet facilities.
Totally refreshed and stunned by the quality of the lounge so far I decided to avail myself of some of the food offerings. There is a dim but comfortable dining room.
The menu was as follows. Not as extensive as The Pier.
There is also a buffet with a great selection of warm and cold items. From the buffet I started with:
From the menu I selected the beef cheek. It was a little disappointing. This cut prepared braised should be melt in your mouth tender and this serving was not. The Moet rose champagne and the Chateau La Bourguette 2007 were very nice and topped up upon request rather than proactively.
After picking at the beef dish I walked around the lounge a bit.
I came to the conclusion that outside of the Cabana the Pier is my preferred lounge for dining and relaxing. The flight to HND was leaving from a gate just adjacent to The Pier…so off I went.
This was my second visit to this lounge and I'm still blown away with how lovely and soothing the environment is.
In the interest of science I decided to have a look at the dining room and compare to The Wing.
I couldn't pass up the fragrant chicken. I didn't really know what this would be but it turned out to be very delicious.
I sat at the bar for another glass of the Moet Rose and snapped a shot of the drinks menu.
I also meandered to the relaxation rooms. Who wouldn't want to relax in the shadow of this beauty?
Soon enough it was time to leave this beautiful space. I didn't know it at the time but I would be returning in a month.
I will confess that one of the motivation of this absurd routing was the chance to ride on the CX 747 for the first…and probably last time. My fingers were crossed that upon arrival at the gate I would in fact see a 747 and not an equipment swap. I was not disappointed (as I was a month later by TG in PEK…boo TG equipment swaps).
This was the queue for the First/Business boarding. Not very premium.
Eventually I did make it on board and was treated to this lovely cabin. There's something romantic about the nose of the 747.
I selected 3K.
The way the seats are staggered 3K is relatively private.
Champagne was promptly offered and accepted. The warmth and smiles of the crew indicated that this was going to be a lovely flight and it proved correct.
The menus were distributed and read as follows. I like the contemporary bamboo board vs. the leather bound portfolio of some first class menus.
The wine promotion was of the Pessac-Leognan.
This is the reason I prefer to be further back in the 747 cabin. Many prefer 1A or 1K.
As we pushed back and began taxi orders for the meal were taken. There were 5/9 for the load in First.
It was a long drive to the departure runway but I was no hurry.
Takeoff roll underway with a view of many North American carriers planes in at HAECO.
Once we were up towards cruise I paid a visit to the lav. Gotta love dual windows.
Up above the clouds beverages were offered.
I opted for the Japanese Kaiseki style dinner. The canapes started the parade of beautiful food along with the welcome note from the crew. The flavors, colors, and textures here were all so assertive: abalone, various roe, fish jelly…oh my. I was very pleased.
Next up was the tuna, scallop, and salmon. I also accepted the offer of plum liqueur that paired whit this dish.
The egg curd.
Some Sake please.
Finally the main with all of the accompaniments. As beautiful to taste as to behold.
I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty and flavors on offer in this meal. I was probably not in my right mind when I accepted the offer of some cheese for dessert.
After dessert I requested the MaCallan 17 and was served with pralines.
This elaborate meal took in excess of half of the flying time to Tokyo. After dinner the cabin lights were dimmed and I just basked in the ambiance of the cabin, the excellent meal, and exceptional service.
A feeling of sadness overcame when it was announced that we were about to land. Soon I was in the terminal at HND. There was a monster line at the immigration check.
Immigration and customs took the better part of an hour. I headed into town via the monorail. I so appreciate the attitude the authorities have toward airplane spotters/photographers in Japan. Come to think of it I appreciate most things about Japan!
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Verdict
Cathay Pacific
8.1/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering8.0
Cathay Pacific The Wing - First Class Section
8.5/10
Comfort8.5
Meal/catering8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Services8.5
Hong Kong - HKG
7.2/10
Efficiency5.0
Access8.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0
Tokyo - HND
7.4/10
Efficiency4.0
Access8.5
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5
Conclusion
This leg of the journey held up to all of my lofty expectations.
The Cathay Pacific lounges in Hong Kong are world class. The Pier being my proffered option.
The 747 did not disappoint. Although they fit 9 seats in the nose it does not feel crowded. The seats are enormous. I did not use the bed this time. The large closet at each seat is perfect for the 22 roll aboard and a jacket.
The crew was fantastic. Fun and friendly yet all service movements were done with precision and grace.
The meal was bountiful and visually stunning. I really enjoyed the journey it offered.
CX Studio is fantastic in terms of selection. The resolution on the monitors isn't exceptional.
I can't imagine a better way to travel between Hong Kong and Tokyo. Thank you Cathay Pacific.
Thank you for reading along. Please come back for the NRT-ORD leg in JAL First. Happy flying.
1 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Thanks for sharing the great report! This has got to be my dream flight - Japanese Kaiseki style dinner on the best first class seat in the most beautiful aircraft with one of the best airlines. I hope to be able to fly on one of those before CX retires them.
I hope you get a chance to fly the CX 747, it's a real treat. At just over 3 hours flying time, CX542 is too short, but it's the only option left in the system.
That's why The Queen of th Skies if my favourite plane, especially with Cathay Pacific.
The First class cabin is so cosy in the nose of the place and the lavatories are so wide. I love the two windows and find it fun.
My goodness, the japanese menu looks so tempting. Good thing you liked it because last time I've tasted it, I found it too fishy and couldn't finish all the dishes. BTW, I don't see any spot of Waguy beef.
Too bad the flight to Tokyo is that short because that's definitely and experience I'd like to do again.
Hello Indianocean and thank you for reading and commenting.
That's why The Queen of th Skies if my favourite plane, especially with Cathay Pacific. -Here, here! I second that.
Good thing you liked it because last time I've tasted it, I found it too fishy and couldn't finish all the dishes. -I didn't manage to finish all the dishes but I certainly got a taste of each.
BTW, I don't see any spot of Waguy beef. -There's a small dish served with the main that consists of Japanese Wagyu beef roll.
Too bad the flight to Tokyo is that short... -I concur, longer would be better.
Wow, what an amazing report. Cathay Pacific's First Class has always looked so amazing. From the amazing attention to detail, including the note from the crew, to the food presentation. It all looks incredible.
Greetings 757Fan and thank you for the kind comments.
From the amazing attention to detail, including the note from the crew, to the food presentation. -CX first seems to be a consistent product. Mind you I've done a whopping 4 segments with them, so I'm no expert, but it has always lived up to expectation.
Another great report from this trip! The shower suites were impressive. Are they geared specifically toward showers or could you take a nap in there if you had a long layover? The CX first class product speaks for itself, huge seats and great service.
Hi Nick and thanks for reading a leaving a comment.
Are they geared specifically toward showers or could you take a nap in there if you had a long layover? -Yes, the couch/daybed could be used for such. I was not informed of a time limit. I also forgot to mention the cool clothes pressing feature where you put your trousers and shirt in a cabinet, ring a bell, and they open it form the other side and return your clothes crisp and pressed.
The Cabana is the main attraction of The Wing, along with the Champagne bar perhaps. Aside from that, I think the Pier is generally better.
This was the queue for the First/Business boarding. Not very premium. - Yeah, I don't get why the Premium lines are always so long in HKG. Are all the pas really F/J and Elite or are the lines just not being monitored properly. I think there may be some of the latter.
There's something romantic about the nose of the 747. -Yes there is, and the cabin looks beautiful! The 1-1-1 configuration is certainly spacious, and great if you're travelling alone, but not ideal for a couple.
I like the explanation and history of the wine region in the menu. That's a really cool feature!
A feeling of sadness overcame when it was announced that we were about to land. - Too short! I totally get that feeling!
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I hope you get a chance to fly the CX 747, it's a real treat. At just over 3 hours flying time, CX542 is too short, but it's the only option left in the system.
Thanks again and happy flying.
The First class cabin is so cosy in the nose of the place and the lavatories are so wide. I love the two windows and find it fun.
My goodness, the japanese menu looks so tempting. Good thing you liked it because last time I've tasted it, I found it too fishy and couldn't finish all the dishes. BTW, I don't see any spot of Waguy beef.
Too bad the flight to Tokyo is that short because that's definitely and experience I'd like to do again.
Thank you for sharing.
That's why The Queen of th Skies if my favourite plane, especially with Cathay Pacific.
-Here, here! I second that.
Good thing you liked it because last time I've tasted it, I found it too fishy and couldn't finish all the dishes.
-I didn't manage to finish all the dishes but I certainly got a taste of each.
BTW, I don't see any spot of Waguy beef.
-There's a small dish served with the main that consists of Japanese Wagyu beef roll.
Too bad the flight to Tokyo is that short...
-I concur, longer would be better.
Thanks again and happy flying.
Thanks for sharing!
From the amazing attention to detail, including the note from the crew, to the food presentation.
-CX first seems to be a consistent product. Mind you I've done a whopping 4 segments with them, so I'm no expert, but it has always lived up to expectation.
Thanks again and happy flying.
Are they geared specifically toward showers or could you take a nap in there if you had a long layover?
-Yes, the couch/daybed could be used for such. I was not informed of a time limit. I also forgot to mention the cool clothes pressing feature where you put your trousers and shirt in a cabinet, ring a bell, and they open it form the other side and return your clothes crisp and pressed.
Thanks again and happy flying.
The Cabana is the main attraction of The Wing, along with the Champagne bar perhaps. Aside from that, I think the Pier is generally better.
This was the queue for the First/Business boarding. Not very premium.
- Yeah, I don't get why the Premium lines are always so long in HKG. Are all the pas really F/J and Elite or are the lines just not being monitored properly. I think there may be some of the latter.
There's something romantic about the nose of the 747.
-Yes there is, and the cabin looks beautiful! The 1-1-1 configuration is certainly spacious, and great if you're travelling alone, but not ideal for a couple.
I like the explanation and history of the wine region in the menu. That's a really cool feature!
A feeling of sadness overcame when it was announced that we were about to land.
- Too short! I totally get that feeling!
Let's see if the JL F will top this!
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