May 22, 2012

CX 543 - Cathay Pacific (HND - HKG)

Date:  25th April 2012
Airlines:  Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight:  CX 543
Route:  HND-HKG (Tokyo Haneda - Hong Kong)
Aircraft type:  Boeing 747-400
Registration:  B-HUE

Losing my virginity on flying in First Class (hereafter referred as "F"), I had high expectation for my first F flight CX543 from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong.

Unfortunately it began with disappointment during check-in as I was notified the aircraft had been changed to B747-400, while I had been expecting a much newer B777-300ER. However all other aspects later have made up for this. View from the nose section in particular had made the experience unique.

JAL First Class Lounge was excellent, as can be seen from the photo.

Aircraft operating for the day's flight was B-HUE. Legroom was longer than my legs and seat wider than my waist. The pillow was particularly soft and comfortable that I wanted to buy one home.

Kaiseki meal was chosen mostly for its appearance for photograph and for its uniqueness of only available on Japan flights. However for the taste of the meal, like most of other traditional Japanese food, are not appealing to non-Japanese tongues.

The flight was turbulent until the seatbelt sign was turned on ironically. Miso soup couldn't help spilling everywhere, and I had to take multiple photos for all shots just in case some went blurry.

Linda and particularly Martin who served the F cabin were very nice and friendly, and probably because I was also very nice and friendly :) , I was given a questionnaire and a comment form to fill in.

Their new design of playing card was also much appreciated as finally there are aircraft image on the card, which I have long awaited.

To conclude, the experience was pleasant and nothing except aircraft change fell short of my expectation. The aircraft change turned out might have been a blessing in disguise since during the final approach I could have a glance of a "slight front-view" during the landing into Runway 25R of Hong Kong.



First Class check-in at Haneda 













Sausage Egg Bacon Potato 

Spicy Cod Roe Japanese Omelet Grilled Sebastes Kyoto-style


From The Bakery 



Seasonal Fruits 

Potage of Cabbage Japanese Daifuku Dessert 

B-HUE



Welcome Drink








Mixed Nuts Cathay Delight







Japanese Meal
Cathay Pacific is pleased to offer a seasonal Japanese meal,
in traditional Kaiseki style, as an alternative choice 

Sushi
Assorted Sushi 






Appetizer
Grilled sea bream with egg, trout with turnip, grilled squid with seaweed,
simmered prawn, lily bulb, marinated salmon roe
served with Chinese quince wine with soda 





Braised Dish with Clear Soup
Braised bamboo shoot and wakame seaweed, braised sea bream roe, boiled
nabana green in bonito-flavour soy sauce
Prawn covered with Yoshino-kudzu starch 



Main Course
Side Dish
Mixed vegetables with sesame dressing, grilled conger eel, salmon roe

Noodle 
Green tea soba noodles, mountain vegetables, egg julienne

Grilled Dish 
Grilled Spanish mackerel (Saikyou-yaki style) 
Grilled chicken with leek and miso sauce 

Rice served with assorted pickles and miso soup












Hong Kong style milk tea 

Made in Japan
Fruit
Fresh seasonal fruit 




Pralines 

Nice shiny cutlery 

Mood lighting
Writing Kit   Post Card   Poker Card

May 21, 2012

CX 401 - Cathay Pacific (TPE - HKG)

Date:  28th April 2012
Airlines:  Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight:  CX 401
Class:  Business - Qantas Frequent Flyer Redemption
Route:  TPE-HKG (Taipei - Hong Kong)
Aircraft type:  Boeing 777-300ER
Registration:  B-KQA


It had been a pleasant surprise that insufficient points with my Qantas Frequent Flyer for first class would end up put be on this latest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft which does not equip with First class cabin. B-KQA was in its 11th day of service when I flew on it.


For the trip, it began with checking in at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 which is now under way of renovation project. CX Lounge was indeed small in size compared with the number of passengers the airline handle each day on this golden route. Food was not appealing but in terms of taste quality (not value or presentation), they surpass that of The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong, which now ranks at the bottom of my list. Taiwan style beef noodle is recommended but it would be nothing if you have already tasted some great ones in Taipei downtown.


Flight was turbulent shortly after takeoff but seems this new aircraft have soothen all the bumps to some extent that I didn't recall hearing any screaming when it came close to weightlessness momentarily.
Flight Attendent from Taiwan and Japan were very outstanding, sweet smiles , pleasant and polite attitudes, while the ISM was indeed disappointing for her coolness.


Basically the crew rushed through the service in this less than 1.5 hour flight. Although it is a brand new aircraft on its 11th day of service, the experience was worse than my previous journey onboard a 16th day of service 9V-SWT (77W) of Singapore Airlines, primarily due to soap water stains in the toilet had not been cleaned, it is particularly obvious on the shiny mirror-like metal surface. And I was after the ISM for the toilet so I supposed she would have done at least some cleaning and wiping after her use, which was not the case.


The Arrival lounge was near empty at the time of arrival, after 9pm at night. I had Japanese Bento betting it would have the best presentation for photography. Shower was great with the water pressure, but the faulty soap/shampoo dispensor is again the object which ruined the shower experience. Service was very good in The Arrival, which is quite a contrast with The Pier.






























Pager which illuminates when your noodle order is ready


Taiwan Beef Noodle


Noodle with Pork and Peanut Sauce


Fried Rice Noodle with Taiwan Stewed Pork












I have no idea why this Premium Economy Class Seat
introduction is in my seat pocket






Hong Kong is now zero degrees celsius?!


Illuminated Keyboard


Choices for main course




Starter
Romaine lettuce salad with grilled chicken and peach,
Caesar dressing


Main Course
Pan-fried garoupa with white wine sauce, sweet potato
gratin and grilled zucchini with shimeji mushrooms

Dessert
Mango mousse cake


































Japanese Bento
Deep-fried Shrimp cutlet, Sushi rice roll, pickled radish and miso soup