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510 reviews
Hello, this is Ken from Hong Kong, and I'm glad to e-meet you all here.
Cathay Pacific decided to cut down its First Class network in 2019 by removing First Class on most regional routes (except Beijing China, and Tokyo Haneda Japan). At the same time, they decided to refresh and upgrade the First Class service offerings on long haul flights. However, as covid-19 spread from China into Hong Kong in early 2020, Cathay Pacific suspended all First Class service. It was only until early December 2022 when Cathay Pacific decided to resume First Class on its prime HKG > LHR Route.
In today’s flight review, we would be savoring the 14-hour air travel experience onboard Cathay Pacific First Class from Hong Kong to London Heathrow on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2022.
As of March 2023, Cathay Pacific First Class is now available on selected flights between Hong Kong and London, Paris, Tokyo Haneda. By the end of this month, selected flights between Hong Kong and Los Angeles will also feature First Class service.
I do Flight Reviews on YouTube, and I did spend lots of time to edit and perfect it. So I would really appreciate if you could watch it, leave me a like and some comments, and subscribe to my channel! It's just more detailed than typing the whole experience out.
Also check out my Instagram cxka_ken for more travelling shots!
https://www.instagram.com/cxka_ken/?hl=en
Travelling in First Class, I was invited to use the First Class Podium Check in located in Aisle B of the Hong Kong International Airport. I carried 4 big bags with me travelling on the Airport Express, and checked 3 bags in. As a Cathay Gold / oneworld sapphire member travelling in First Class, I was entitled to check in a total of 4 bags. The check in was super efficient and I was given a boarding pass, a lounge invitation and an invitation to use the Courtesy Channel facility (a.k.a. Fast Track).
I visited The Wing First Class Lounge, which is located right next to border control. I went straight to the restaurant as I've already been here several times before. As I wanted to save up some quota for the inflight meal I was sure I would be having later, I only ordered a Broken Meringue dessert from the Christmas Special Menu.
It was not long later when a lounge attendant in Cathay Pacific uniform came by and presented me with a platter of dessert items (last pic in the gallery). She said they were some pre-congratulation treats for me as Cathay knew that I would be obtaining my Cathay Diamond (oneworld Emerald) status after this flight to London. What a nice gesture!
I then decided to make my way to The Pier Business Class Lounge, which was the only other lounge that was open back in December 2022. The Lounge Attendant, Michelle, chased me all the way from The Wing to The Pier to hand me a bunch of gifts. I was really surprised! Check out my YouTube Flight Review to find out more about our conversation and the story behind Michelle and I.
Thank you so much to Cathay Pacific for pampering me on this special occasion as I reached the Diamond status.
YouTube Flight Review: https://youtu.be/3pfCMC9KtcA
I was also served glasses of champagne and some nuts.
Soon, it was time to head to the gate as boarding would commence shortly. I had a short 5-minute walk from The Pier lounge to gate 35, where I met the Boeing 777-300ER flying me to London Heathrow tonight.
As I stepped onboard the aircraft, I was surprised to find that the Inflight Service Manager at the door did not offer to escort me to my seat. The sad fact is that manpower shortage is a issue Cathay Pacific is facing these days, so probably they needed somebody to man the door and therefore the Manager did not escort me to my seat. But still, she greeted me with an "Enjoy, Mr. Wong" as I walked down the aisle.
It was not long later (just a minute or so) when the Purser who was taking care of First Class came to me and offered me a drink. I of course opted for a glass of Krug 2004 champagne to kick start this miraculous journey.
The champagne came with a welcome tray that included a small cup of sparkling tea and a hot towel, served alongside some mixed nuts and a male Bamford amenity kit.
To celebrate the return of First Class, Cathay Pacific generously offered a celebratory limited-time cellar and dining menu for First Class passengers in December 2022. The cellar selection included Krug 2004, Lynch Bages 2000 and Blanc de Lynch Bages 2018. Definitely a surprise find onboard!
Supper began shortly after take off. It started with a glass of Cathay Delight (Cathay's signature drink) and an amuse bouche, followed by the signature caviar and champagne service. I opted for the Chinese meal option, which was delicious. The free flow of the vintage wines made me feel tipsy rather quickly. And I decided to skip dessert and head to bed directly.
The crew made the bed for me as I was ready to sleep. It was a new service introduced in 2019 - passengers got to choose a pillow from the pillow menu. I chose the firmest pillow available. While the crew was making the bed for me, I changed into the PYE sleep suit provided.
After a solid 4-hour sleep, I woke up, and decided to pick some gourmet items from the All Day menu. I tried the claypot rice, the crispy prawns and a Chinese almond-based dessert. Everything was nice, although the crispy prawns were disappointedly, but perhaps not surprisingly, not crispy at all.
Oh yes, before the snacks, the captain came by to my seat and had a short chat with me. You can find our conversation on my YouTube Flight Review.
After another 4-hour sleep, we were approaching London Heathrow, and I was awoke to Breakfast. Breakfast was relatively simple, and it started with a fresh fruit platter, followed by two freshly cooked fried eggs and an abalone and chicken congee. Everything tasted delicious.
Right before landing, the Inflight Service Manager came to me and gifted me a Christmas Card on behalf of the entire team. She also had a short chat with me as we were descending into London. A can of Jing-branded tea leaves was also gifted from Cathay.
The service onboard this flight was marvellous, and I would like to sincerely thank Cathay Pacific for recognising my loyalty and preparing so much surprise for me!
Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 17 avis concernant 3 compagnies sur la ligne Hong Kong (HKG) → London (LHR).
La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Cathay Pacific avec 8.4/10.
La durée moyenne des vols est de 12 heures et 45 minutes.
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3 Comments
Wow, that's great personal attention!
Is The Pier First Class lounge closed? That would be a shame as it was such a nice lounge.
Everything on board looks impeccable, from the seats to the food and beverage selection to the service. A true First class experience. And with 14h between HKG and London, a nice long flight time to enjoy it all.
Thanks for sharing!
That's impressive service, and for even the lounge agents to know that you'd be hitting OW Emerald on the flight as well.
That is an incredible wine offering. Usually we've come to expect top notch champagne, but the 2000 Lynch Bages is a very pleasant surprise.
What was available on the pillow menu? Do you have a picture or a list of the offerings?
Another fantastic personal touch! Was the tea leaves gift to congratulate you for OW Emerald, a Christmas gift, or to celebrate the return of first class?
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