Review of Cathay Dragon flight from Siem Reap to Hong Kong in Economy

INTRODUCTION

Hello FlightReporters
For an aviation geek like me summer means only one thing: flying
At the beginning of June my family and I started to discuss about a big trip in August
We evaluated many places in South East Asia and also India
Finally we find an Italian tour operator offering an interesting 14-day trip of Vietnam and Cambodia
The tour spaced between many places in Northern Vietnam (like Ha Noi and Ha Long bay), Central Vietnam (Hoi An and Hue), South Vietnam (Saigon and Mekong's delta) and Cambodia (Phnom Pehn and Angkor's temples)
To get there from Rome we would have fly with Cathay Pacific through Hong Kong
After some worries about Hong Kong's political situation we left on August 18th
Return planned for September 1st

at the airport

After this wonderful vacation it's time to come home
During our last days we visited Cambodia's capital Phnom Pehn and Angkor's temples
The latters are one of the best place I've seen in this travel and also in my lifetime

We spend the day visiting Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, featured in Tomb Raider's movie
Having a couple of hours before going to the airport we spent a good time relaxing in the hotel's pool
Around 17:20 we left our hotel in Siem Reap
The airport is located just five kilometers from the hotel
At 17:35 we arrived at Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport
Our flight was scheduled to be at 20:05

The airport terminal is designed to resemble a Pagoda
I really like these small-medium sized airports
They could be warmer and welcoming than big hubs

Our flight was reported to be on-time

Very nice check-in hall

There was a big queue at Cathay Dragon desks
Most of the passengers where European (a lot of Spanish), transferring at HKG

My boarding pass and Hong Kong transfer guide

After check-in we headed to the boarding area

Very nice courtyard with Buddha's statues
It was located on the way to the passport control and security checkpoint

Passport control hall was empty
Unfortunately the guy in front of me had some issues (I think) and I waited about 5 minutes
Bye Bye Cambodia

Immediately after there was the security checkpoint, which was done in a breeze
Differently from many airport the area is very nice

The checkpoint was followed by a duty free shop

Really like those columns shaped like the ones in Angkor's temples XD

The airport is equipped with just 8 bus gates
The departure lounge is full of interesting shops and food

Our gate, number 7
The flight would be the second to board

Time for spotting
Bangkok Airways A320

China Southern Airlines A319

VASCO (Vietnam Air Services Company) ATR-72

Our plane, Cathay Dragon A320

Ten minutes before boarding the gate was changed from 7 to 1
Fortunately the Terminal was small and we get there in no time

Gate 1 with people already queuing

I've never seen a boarding information screen showing aicraft type

THE FLIGHT

Boarding started on time at 19:25
We were bussed to our plane
VASCO ATR72 and Bangkok Airways going towards the runway

VietJet Air A320

Our bird for tonight's flight:
Cathay Dragon Airbus A320-200, B-HSK, delivered to Dragonair in March 2002 (17.6 years old) and than remained part of Cathay Dragon's fleet
It's equipped with 164 seats (C8-Y156)

Door shot

After giving the flight report form to the Purser I walked towards my seat, 41A
8-seat Business Class cabin

Economy class cabin
Differently from Cathay Dragon HKG-HAN it wasn't equipped with IFE

The view from my seat outside…

…and inside the cabin

Seat pitch was good

Doors were closed on time
I've never seen those overhead baggage bins on a A320

We stared taxi to the sole runway at REP
As in HUI the airport has no parallel taxiway

Goodbye Siem Reap

After take off light were lowered

40 minutes into the flight dinner was served

I chose beef with potatoes and steamed vegetables
It was accompanied by a fruit salad and Macadamia shortbreads
The beef was quite tasty and potatoes were well cooked

After dinner I spent some time relaxing and chatting with my groupmates
Cabin was prepared for landing at HKG

Hong Kong in sight

Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, opened in 2018
Like it's made of three bridges, one undersea tunnel and four artificial islands

At 23:35 we touched down at Hong Kong - Chep Lap Kok International Airport
Landing was a bit bumpy and in total darkness
North Satellite Concourse with Dragonair and Cathay Dragon planes

We were parked at a remote stand

All Nippon Airways Boeing 767 at the Main Terminal

Qatar Airways Boeing 777

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dream)Liner taxiing

Desembarking I took the flight report form from the Purser

Last view of our plane

While getting to the Main Terminal I spotted this A350
It was B-LXL, the plane which brought us to HKG for the inbound flight

Having just 1h05m before our flight to Rome we rush to the gate
I'll report the transfer in the next report

To be continued…