Review of Cathay Pacific flight from New York to Vancouver in Business

Hi, everyone! Welcome to the Part 1 of the Summer 2018 travel series where I'll be flying to Vancouver for a mini-vacation! So, my parents had planned a trip to Vancouver sometime in June. I thought to myself that I could join them since I had nothing else better to do!
Since they were coming in from Hong Kong and I had a few things to take care of prior to departure, we came to the conclusion that I would meet them there a few days after them. I thought to myself that this would be yet another great trip since I've been wanting to explore Vancouver for years, and this was my first trip ever to Canada, so I was definitely quite excited!

Pre-flight

Since there were only a few direct flights from New York to Vancouver, it was rather difficult to decide which airline to fly with. After careful planning, I came to the decision that I would use my Asia Miles to get myself a redemption ticket on Cathay Pacific. After all, it's about time I put it to use! To sum it all up, booking flights for this trip was absolutely smooth, and I was quite excited to try out CX on a 5th freedom flight like this one to YVR.
Anyways, back to the flight. I knew for a fact that there was going to be tons of traffic leading to the airport, especially at peak hour. So, I ended up leading at around 5:30 PM which would give me a good time span to check-in, go through security, explore the terminal, and chill at the lounge.
Terminal 8 Departures exterior

Terminal 8 Departures interior

It was a bit crowded. However, I was not surprised since it was the start of the summer peak travel period.

Cathay Pacific check-in counters. As always, the process of checking-in took 5 minutes.

Heading towards security

Post-security

This time, security took quite a while as there was always the long line at the airport. I guess I was at there at a time where there were a lot of departing flights out of Terminal 8. Nevertheless, I made it out within 15 minutes.
The Big Apple

Airside

This amazes me every time!

I came to the airport at a time when all of the shops were open!

I even got a good opportunity to do some plane spotting!

American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, N724AN, which will serve as AA104 to LHR and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER right behind it, A7-BEP, preparing to depart for DOH as QR702

More airside pics

After my usual exploration of the terminal, I headed to the American Airlines Flagship lounge, where the elevators are located a few meters after security

Lounge invitation

Lounge entrance

FIDS

Shots of the Flagship lounge

I have reviewed this lounge previously on another report back in December 2017. The only difference was that during this visit, the lounge was extremely crowded. In fact, I couldn't even find a single available seat! (Link to my previous trip report can be found here)

So, I ended up going to the Admirals Club, located just next door

There were hardly any people, but it was definitely a peaceful place to relax before the flight. Also, it was a better selection in regards to food and drinks, especially with à la carte choices.

Shots of the Admirals Club

Bar area

Boarding pass

I have to admit, I felt quite comfortable with a small lounge like this!

After taking a look at the menu (which I completely forgot to take a picture of), I decided to get a light bite before the flight.
Ginger ale

My à la carte dish, flatbread margarita pizza

By around 9:00 PM, I decided to get ready to leave in order to board the plane since I knew it was going to be a long walk to the gate

The journey consisted of going through the usual walkaways and escalators

Plane to YVR & HKG: B-KPG

The underground tunnel with a lot of advertising for the new Incredibles 2 movie, which was something that I've been waiting for 14 years!

Heading towards gate 47

Gate 43-47 area

By the time I got to the gate, I eventually found out to my surprise that the flight was delayed due to the incoming aircraft arriving late. I initially thought it was going to be a 10-15 minute wait, but I was wrong. We ended up waiting at the gate for quite some time before the gate agents announced the new departure time, which was at 10:25 PM.

Since there was approximately an hour left, I ended up going back to the lounge!

It was a bit annoying to find out that our flight was delayed and we had to wait for a long time before boarding!

Heading back to the main concourse of the terminal

I ultimately went back to the Flagship Lounge, which was mostly empty at that point.

Portrait of the Empire State Building yet again

I guess most flights operating out of Terminal 8 have taken off already.

Some of the catering options, which I wasn't really a huge fan of

On the bright side, I could finally get my favourite seat facing the tarmac!

A small bottle of San Pellegrino

Shots of the Flagship lounge

I was there for about 15 minutes until the boarding call was made for our flight

Here we go again!

Heading towards gate 47

The boarding process was not that bad

Heading down the aerobridges

Some pre-flight information:
Date: 11 June 2018
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Flight Number: CX 889
Route: New York (JFK) - Vancouver (YVR)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Registration: B-KPG
Distance: 2443 miles
Scheduled Departure Time: 9:50 PM (delayed to 10:25 PM)
Actual Departure Time: 10:48 PM
Scheduled Arrival Time: 12:50 AM
Actual Arrival Time: 1:04 AM
Flight Time: 6 hrs
Departure Gate at JFK: 47
Arrival Gate at YVR: D65

Inflight

Main business class cabin

My seat, 22K, along with the inflight controls

View from my seat

The comfortable legroom in J!

Pre-departure beverage: Orange juice

This was my first 5th freedom flight on CX, and it honestly felt a little strange not flying directly to Hong Kong.
Flight info

It was quite a light load in business class

Settling into my seat!

As always, once boarding was complete, the captain came on with the rather quick pre-flight welcome along with an apology for the late departure due to the inbound flight being delayed. He did state that time was going to be made up by the time we arrived into Vancouver with the flight time of approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes.
Hot towel

Approximately 20 minutes later, we were cleared for pushback!

Views from pushback

Cabin lights were dimmed in preparation for takeoff

View during the taxi, with a slight view of the Manhattan skyline

After the many delays which lasted for more than an hour, we finally took off!
I'll be back soon, America!

After 15 minutes, the crew came around to distribute menus, water bottles, and amenity kits.

West Coast bound!

Surprisingly, I ended up chatting with the ISM since she noticed me taking photos earlier on. We ended up having a fun and interesting conversation about various topics ranging from Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong, and our never-ending interest in flying, even on such a short flight like this one to YVR!
Menu cover

Menu for today's flight

Drink selection

Time to discover the inflight entertainment!

To my shock, I was able to find episodes of The Big Bang Theory, which I ended up watching

Cabin views

Before I knew it, the crew came around to start the dinner service as well as taking drink orders.
Perrier, my standard drink!

I ultimately decided to skip the dinner service since I already ate at the lounge and I wasn't feeling too hungry in general.

Hot towel to conclude the dinner service

The cabin lights changed a couple of minutes later

I then thought this would be the perfect time to switch to the inflight map to find out our current location

Making it in good time over Michigan

I then resumed to watching The Big Bang Theory.
After a couple of episodes, I headed to the bathroom with the standard J sink (which was nothing special)

It wasn't long before I decided to call it a night while above Minnesota

A dark cabin, perfect for passengers to rest

Within less than 5 minutes, I set the seat in the fully flat position, lay the duvet all nicely spread out, and I was ready for bed!

I was able to get about 2.5 hours of sleep until the captain woke us up with his pre-arrival announcement saying that they are now starting the descent into Vancouver and we had 30 minutes till we landed. I thought to myself "Wow, this flight really flew by so fast!"

From my perspective, I found the time frame of this flight similar to flights going from Hong Kong to India, as they depart in the evening only to arrive past midnight.
Pre-arrival drink: Orange juice again! I think this is a new concept on CX, but I really don't know.

Suddenly, the seat belt sign came back on giving the indication that we had to prepare for landing, which didn't take long.
Approaching YVR

Final shots before landing

Time flies when you have fun!

Mood lighting in preparation for landing

The lights of Vancouver during the descent

We landed approximately 15 minutes behind of schedule at 1:04 AM due to the late departure. However, the taxi to the gate was quite short.
Mood lighting change yet again

Actual flight route

Docking at gate D65, next to a China Eastern Airlines Airbus A330-200, B-5926, which will serve as MU598 back to PVG

Post-flight

Most of us (including myself) got off in YVR whereas there were only a few passengers who were travelling onwards to HKG, and had to remain onboard. It was definitely going to be a long journey for them

Disembarking

Apparently, there were agents who were checking whether or not we were actually getting off in YVR

Arrival into YVR

Air Canada Boeing 787-900, C-FRSA, which will serve as AC44 to DEL

Right off the bat, I was amazed with the terminal! I've heard a lot about YVR prior to arrival, and it didn't disappoint me one bit!

Departure area viewed from arrivals

Heading towards immigration

An amazing fountain display!

Immigration took about 5 minutes, since it was a late arrival

Baggage claim area

As always, I was able to get my bag within 5 minutes

Making my way towards the arrival hall

By the time I got there, my parents spotted me within seconds, which eventually led to a short but well-lived reunion!

Arrival hall

We were able to get a cab since there was no line and we were on our way to our hotel where I was ready for a fun-filled vacation in Vancouver!!!