Greetings Flight Report community and welcome to the second installment of the "Great Swiss First Coup" series. Please feel free to visit the LAX-HKG segment for more detail on how our own Rewardflying contributor worked his magic and tuned Swiss F from a dream into a reality.
I intentionally passed up a shorter connection to enjoy a long layover at HKG. The Cathay Pacific first lounges are excellent and I always enjoy a leisurely stay to take full advantage of the facilities. After a long T-Pac crossing I like to start with the Cabanas inside The Wing First Class Lounge. It's a fantastic private room where you can have a bath, shower, nap or work. Even have your garments steamed to remove wrinkles.
First task it to put my name on the list for a cabana.
I have a look around The Wing, starting with the Champagne bar.
Don't mind if I do…
The Wing offers a variety of seating.
The lounge is open air and overlooks gate areas.
In addition tot he full service restaurant there is a self service area too.
Enter text here…
The buzzer alerted me to an available cabana and I topped up the Deutz and headed off. View in from the door.
Looking back at entrance
Rainfall shower.
En suite loo.
Closet with bathrobe and slippers.
Why not a hot bath? Bubbly on bubbles. Too much?
I had a very relaxing and refreshing stay in the cabana and attempted to stay within the 90 minute time request.
I prefer the dining options in The Pier vs. The Wing but I decided to give the Haven another look since I was right there. I was seated immediately and presented he fairly limited menu. In fairness there is a substantial buffet in the restaurant to supplement.
I opted for the South Indian fish curry. It was perfectly fine and I appreciated the small portion.
the pier first class lounge
I made the walk over to The Pier to enjoy the dining and facilities.
The more extensive dining menu at The Pier.
I started with the marinated century egg. This was a phenomenal dish. Gorgeous presentation and packed with flavor.
I followed up with a dish in the complete opposite direction, the hamburger. It was also quite nice.
I took a rest in one of the nap rooms with my remaining time before boarding, Can't beat the views!
It's late morning at home so I'm not feeling all that out of sorts, even though it's 1am local time. The opportunistic sleeping has kept me going. The problem of the 1:45 departure time is that The Pier closes at 12:30. This would normally be only a ~30 min gap between lounge closing and boarding time.
CX659 HKG-SIN
I meander off to the gate at 12:30 as I'm sure the staff there would like to wrap up the day and go home. Arrival at the gate and there is no sign of boarding and a delay has been posted. I ask at the counter if any of the CX lounges are open at this hour and the answer is The Wing. The walk tot he wing and back would not be possible before the expected boarding time so I ruled that out. For fun I hit the Priority Pass app. and found a lounge by gate 40, a 2 min. walk. I thought it would be fun to check out a new lounge, it was operated 2 hours, so I popped over. It was a rough scene there. The only seating available was on hard metal chairs, the seat cushions had been taken by the hoards of folks making beds and sleeping on the floor. I took a spin around the place and decided the gate was a more comfortable arrangement. It seems like a decent lounge when not being used as a refugee camp.
The flight boarded after an approximately 35 minute delay and I as welcomed aboard by Elizabeth, the IFSM, a dynamic and fantastic flight attendant. I made my way to seat 19A. I prefer the smaller J cabin when given a choice and I think the bulkhead seat is a bit more spacious with increased privacy.
This was a dated A330 with the resolution on the IFE telling the tale. Still I find it to be an very good J seat for sleeping and lounging.
Pre flight beverages are passed and I opt for the Champagne and water. I ask about the other colorful drink on the tray and the FA says it's called the Oriental Breeze and she implored me to try it. I've seen it on the menu for years and never tried it. Rather refreshing concoction and I thanked her for introducing me to new flavors.
We pushed back at 2:19 LT.
Enter text here…
Captain Colin Davis, an Aussie (what are the odds), turned off the fasten seatbelt sign I ventured off to the lav
The cabin was kept dark for those who wished to rest.
Menus were offered to those that were awake.
This ever-vigilant flight reporter was going to see what this service was all about so I pulled out the headphones and looked for something to watch while the service was commencing.
The supper was a single tray affair and I opted for a gin tonic as my cocktail. I had a bite of everything it it was all perfectly fine. The berries with orange zest and rose syrup are always a tasty treat.
The late harvest wine and some cheese to finish. Service throughout the meal was excellent, perhaps aided by the fact that many went straight to sleep.
I also got comfortable and nodded off for a couple of hours. I awoke as we began our approach to Changi.
Tourism Bonus: 24 hours in singapore, Yum!
Bonus : Click here display hide
I arrived at T4 and with proof of my reservation for the T1 Aerotel I was able to take the airside transfer bus. After a shower and a good sleep I made my way into the city and checked into the Conrad before noon. I've had good luck getting suite upgrades on 1 night statys and today was the same. Even an early check in.
It's a low floor but very spacious for the price of a base room.
Exec. lounge for coffee.
To Chinatown for some brunch.
Laksa love.
Long queue for the kway teow but it moved quickly.
Enter text here…
Stay hydrated.
I was fascinated by the Changi Jewel structure and decided to go back to the airport that night to see the waterfall at night. The whole complex is rather captivating.
To Newton on the way home for a late dinner.
Satay and chicken wings, so very satisfying.
See more
Verdict
Cathay Pacific
8.0/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Meal/catering7.5
Cathay Pacific The Wing - First Class Section
8.5/10
Comfort9.0
Meal/catering8.0
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Services9.0
Hong Kong - HKG
8.5/10
Efficiency8.0
Access9.0
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5
Singapore - SIN
9.1/10
Efficiency9.0
Access9.0
Services9.5
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
The Ground Service: N/A, transit passenger.
The Lounge: The Wing with the cabana and the Pier with a variety of amenities are both exceptional. I look forward to visiting.
The Cabin: The Cirrus seat is still an excellent design with a good blend of space and privacy. The IFE screen could use a refresh.
The Crew: Excellent enthusiastic service from the crew. I was particularly impressed with how kind and patient they were with an elderly Bangladeshi couple across the aisle. The couple needed a lot of help and could not communicate very well. The FAs went above and beyond to take very good care of them.
The Food and Beverage: The meal was fine for a short overnight flight. The chicken I tried was labeled as Szechuanese but I don't think it had much of the characteristics of food from that region. Still perfectly fine.
Overall: A quality regional CX J experience after a fantastic tour of the CX F lounges. Thank you for reading.
8 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
What an awful schedule to travel, Christian. I never got the reason why Cathay keeps this flight leaving HKG late in the night and arriving in SIN very early in the morning
At least, you had plenty of time to enjoy The Wing First and The Pier First. The Cabanas are fantastic. No foot massage at the Pier First? Unless it was too late
Greetings Indianocean and thank you for the feedback, it has bee a while and it's nice to see your name pop up!
What an awful schedule to travel, Christian.
-I don't find it that bad when combined with travel originating from the US west coast. In fact I prefer it to the SQ11 schedule (LAX-NRT-SIN) that arrives in SIN at 3:00. The long break in HKG was of my own choosing but I find it enjoyable.
No foot massage at the Pier First? Unless it was too late
-As you suspected, I was too late. By the time I made it over to The Pier, the remaining slots had been spoken for.
I intentionally passed up a shorter connection to enjoy a long layover at HKG.
Can't blame you! I often do the same thing! Those are some good lounges Oh the Wing Cabanas...truly luxurious and relaxing!
That east-bound red-eye schedule, though, yikes. The true definition of a red-eye!
Good thing this flight had a Cirrus J cabin, unlike the 777 with regional J I had on the same route a few years ago.
I didn't know you could get through security at T4 by showing reservations for the T1 Aerotel, good to know! I stayed at the Aerotel too, last time I passed through SIN, but at that time, CX was still in T1.
Awesome foodie bonus of Singapore and great views from the Conrad lounge--beautiful suite as well! It's funny because I just finally got to watch Crazy Rich Asians on a plane the other day haha. So now I was to go to Asia. I used to go several times a year, but now it's been too long since I've been!
That east-bound red-eye schedule, though, yikes. The true definition of a red-eye!
-I feel like I'm traveling west when leaving LAX and heading to SIN. Is it considered east bound? I like the schedule as a natural sleep time (more or less) occurs on the TPAC and then you are at normal awake time when in HKG. Of course crossing that many time zones and enjoying that much Champagne is going to take a toll! ;)
I didn't know you could get through security at T4 by showing reservations for the T1 Aerotel, good to know!
-I didn't either and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to get into T1 to use the room I had paid for. I was relieved when the staff who manned the bus gate didn't hesitate after seeing my reservation on my phone.
It's funny because I just finally got to watch Crazy Rich Asians on a plane the other day haha. So now I was to go to Asia.
-I believe the hawker scenes were shot at Newton Food Centre. Once you are exposed to the flavors of the region it's hard to go without.
Flight-Report is a free website hosting more than 500 000 pictures and 17 000 reviews, without ads, this website can't exist. We understand that ads can be annoying, this is why we only display a maximum of 2 non-invasive ads per page.
To continue using Flight-Report, we invite you to add Flight-Report to your blocker's "white list".
5 Comments
I never got the reason why Cathay keeps this flight leaving HKG late in the night and arriving in SIN very early in the morning
At least, you had plenty of time to enjoy The Wing First and The Pier First.
The Cabanas are fantastic.
No foot massage at the Pier First? Unless it was too late
Thank you for sharing.
-I don't find it that bad when combined with travel originating from the US west coast. In fact I prefer it to the SQ11 schedule (LAX-NRT-SIN) that arrives in SIN at 3:00. The long break in HKG was of my own choosing but I find it enjoyable.
-As you suspected, I was too late. By the time I made it over to The Pier, the remaining slots had been spoken for.
Thanks again for stopping by and happy flying.
Can't blame you! I often do the same thing! Those are some good lounges
Oh the Wing Cabanas...truly luxurious and relaxing!
That east-bound red-eye schedule, though, yikes. The true definition of a red-eye!
Good thing this flight had a Cirrus J cabin, unlike the 777 with regional J I had on the same route a few years ago.
I didn't know you could get through security at T4 by showing reservations for the T1 Aerotel, good to know! I stayed at the Aerotel too, last time I passed through SIN, but at that time, CX was still in T1.
Awesome foodie bonus of Singapore and great views from the Conrad lounge--beautiful suite as well! It's funny because I just finally got to watch Crazy Rich Asians on a plane the other day haha. So now I was to go to Asia. I used to go several times a year, but now it's been too long since I've been!
Thanks for a fantastic report as always!
-I feel like I'm traveling west when leaving LAX and heading to SIN. Is it considered east bound? I like the schedule as a natural sleep time (more or less) occurs on the TPAC and then you are at normal awake time when in HKG. Of course crossing that many time zones and enjoying that much Champagne is going to take a toll! ;)
-I didn't either and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to get into T1 to use the room I had paid for. I was relieved when the staff who manned the bus gate didn't hesitate after seeing my reservation on my phone.
-I believe the hawker scenes were shot at Newton Food Centre. Once you are exposed to the flavors of the region it's hard to go without.
Thanks again Kevin and happy flying.
Login to post a comment.