Jun 23, 2012

CX 470 - Cathay Pacific (HKG - TPE)

Date:  25th April 2012
Airlines:  Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight:  CX 470
Route:  HKG - TPE (Hong Kong - Taipei)
Aircraft type:  Boeing 747-400
Registration:  B-HUG




Continuing on the second part of the journey after arriving from Tokyo, B-HUG operating as CX470 would fly me from Hong Kong to Taipei.


Upon check-in staff's comment about The Pier is the only lounge which is not shared with Business Class, I opted for it until later I learnt the renewed "Wing" would have been a better choice.


Thanks to the delay of the flight that I had 2 extra hours in the lounge, and I could truly enjoy the time being there.


Unfortunately The Pier was simply disappointing, 5-star decor with 2-star quality food and 3-star service level. Food at buffet bar often went empty before refilling (therefore please forgive the poor presentation of food in the photos :) ), waiters never notice I have finished my drink and offer refill, collect my unfinished dish without first asking, and had along collected the fork without giving me back one. No information about noodle offering until asked, he dropped the chopstick onto the table from midair, and did not position the bowl of noodle to right in front of me after collecting my empty dish, more like tea-cafeteria quality service in downtown Hong Kong. Staff at bar had casual chats and laughed among themselves in front of me which was in fact no big deal but very unprofessional. 


Concerning the food, I believe those offering in Plaza Premium Lounge would have quality and taste easily surpassed that of the majority offered at The Pier. Even the renowned noodle from the noodle bar was not anything special or outstanding. Probably smoked salmon, white chocolate, and the Haagen Dazs Cream n' Cookies were the only things that I would give a thumb up.


Shower required queuing, and soap/shampoo dispenser does not function well.


Hub to Hub comparison, SQ Silver Kris Lounge Business Class section's quality is way ahead of The Pier's First Class section.


For the flight, I was of ultimate pleasure to be the only one in the F cabin, Ms. Honey from Thailand and Ms. Tomoko from Japan served the whole cabin (i.e. serve me only). Had some chat before departure and Honey was very excited and keen to introduce me the "new-P-E-Y", or new Premium Economy seats which was available on the aircraft of the day. Upon her suggestion I stayed behind after everyone disembarked to take some photos of the new PEY seats.


As I was the only one in the F cabin, surely all 3 choices of main course had been prepared for me only, and I believed under normal circumstances two of them would go straight into garbage (I suppose there's almost no time for HKG-TPE flight for the cabin crew to consume the unchosen choices themselves). Therefore I requested that all 3 main courses be prepared so I could take photographs of them. Probably it was an unusual request, that even Tomoko the Japanese cabin crew could not resist to take photos by her iPhone as well. I must thank both Honey and Tomoko for their extra effort in accommodating my request.


For the 1 hour 18 minute flight I had been busying and rushed to take photographs of everything in complete freedom. The flight however took longer than usual as it circled over Taipei due to weather.


To conclude, apart from the lounge experience at The Pier, it would have been another perfect flight.


First Class check in area, where somebody will take care of your suitcases


The Pier

Selections of newspapers and magazines











Tan Tan Noodle















Cathay Pacific Signature Drink - Red Sunset

Flight delayed for 1 hour and 50 minutes

B-HUG

Welcome drink - apple juice




Mood Lighting

Amber for call light, green for seat in takeoff/landing position, blue for EmPower in use


Starter

Fresh seasonal fruit



Cathay Pacific Signature Drink - Cathay Delight




Main Course

Roasted lamb rack with jus, pencil potatoes and peperonata

Salt & Pepper




Main Course

Braised prawn in bean curd skin with Chinese ham and bamboo shoot,

steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried broccoli


Main Course

Wild mushrooms and rocotta cheese agnolotti
with wild mushroom sauce and chopped parsley

Dessert

Chocolate charlotte with raspberry coulis

White and brown sugar

Circling over Taipei

Last mood lighting

The new Premium Economy seats



No comments:

Post a Comment