Review of Cathay Pacific flight Hong Kong → Ho Chi Minh City in Business

Hi everyone!

It has been a long time since my previous report on CX501 from NRT to HKG.
This report will continue on the next leg, CX799 from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh.

After got off from the previous flight CX501 and went through a simple security check, I still got about two hours before the next flight.
Of course it was time for CX lounge.
This time I opted for 'The Bridge' near gate 35.


Cathay Pacific The Bridge

The lounge was a little bit crowded, as 3~4pm is the departure peak hour for many flights to SE Asia and China. But I could still manage to find a place to seat down, and enjoy the tea time :)


Cathay Pacific The Bridge


Cathay Pacific The Bridge

Food selection provided was very decent, more than enough for afternoon tea. Hot selection including pizza, pie, Chinese dim-sum, and of course sandwich, salad and dessert were also available. You're unlikely to be disappointed by any one of the CX lounges in the Hong Kong Airport.



Of course if you just want to sit quietly, sitting zone is always here.


Sitting zone with charging port

Time for boarding.
Just a few step from The Bridge to gate 32, and the brand new CX A350-900 was in front of my eyes.


Cathay Pacific A350-900 (B-LRI)

After sneaked into the aircraft, frankly speaking the first glance didn't impress me too much. The business seat is more or less the same as the current long haul CX A330 config, with a larger touch screen and better cabin decoration. Just to clarify, I'm not blaming, but I'd say the current long haul product on CX A330 and B77W is very outstanding :)


My seat today, 18A


The seat is actually a little bit more spacious than A330, you can see the table near the window is larger (A330 one is in triangle and doesn't come with that little rectangular area).


Welcome screen


And welcome drink

A bit funny, the screen on remote control keep displaying CX279 to Paris, and The Eiffel Tower picture. But as long as the functionality was totally fine and worked well, I didn't mind at all :)


The mirror in the earphone compartment is a nice gadget.


Pilot-in-command gave the captain speaking, i was surprised that the pilot-in-command was a senior captain, and the co-pilot was actually a captain.

I was given the menu of today, as a 2.5hr short regional flight, the menu didn't come with cheese plate and chocolate selection.



The plane took off from runway 25L


A350 was really quiet, even quieter than B787.

As the flying time was quite short, catering was served once seat belt sign went off.
I opted for Thai green beef curry, a bit spicy for me but very delicious.


Love that CX serves Haagen-Dazs other than vanilla and chocolate.


Still about 40min to go.
Turned the seat into a bed and took a rest :)


Approaching Ho Chi Minh


Beautiful night view of Ho Chi Minh was catching my eyes


My flight landed at Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport at about 6:35pm local time.
SQ A333 was next to me


The immigration process and luggage claim were smooth.
Just want to say the luggage claim sign was not clear, I took a few minute to figure out my flight was assigned to which carousel

SGN Arrival floor

Here is a reminder for who are travelling to Ho Chi Minh, please be VERY CAREFUL on taking taxi!
DO NOT TAKE taxi other than 'Mai Linh' OR 'VINASUN'.
I was overcharged for about 4 times than it should be, by taking a taxi operated by 'Saigon Tourist'!
Also, don't believe staff wearing blue shirt, who seem to be airport staff.
I don't know whether they were genuine staff or not, but they will guide you to those taxi touts.

A street view of Ho Chi Minh