Flight: CX 841
Depart: JFK 4 Aug 10:00a
Arrive: HKG 5 Aug 2:00p (~16 hours flying time)
Class of Service: First
Seat: 2A
Aircraft: 77W
Ticket Cost: 67,500 AAdvantage Miles + $33.80 taxes/fees
Ticket Retail Price: $17,033
With the 10:00am departure, I left my brother's flat in Williamsburg at 7am and took the J to Jamaica Center where I connected to the JFK Airtrain. I'll leave my thoughts about NYC's transit system for another post, but there has got to be a better way.
Anyway, I arrived at JFK T7 with plenty of time to spare, and walked directly to the First Class check-in area at the end of the terminal. I checked my bag through to Singapore so I wouldn't have any encumberances during my 12 hour stopover in Hong Kong. Upon check-in, the friendly agent handed me lounge invitations for New York and Hong Kong and directed me to the security checkpoint. The screener pointed me to the left side, reserved for premium passengers, and I was through within minutes. After an enjoyable stay at the BA First Lounge, I headed over to gate 5 just prior to boarding.
Upon reaching the aircraft I was greeted by a smiling group of crew members. Antoinette, one of the first class attendants, introduced herself and showed me to my seat. Cathay's First Class cabin holds only six seats, with two rows in a 1-1-1 configuration. The cabin is incredibly spacious, especially because there are no overhead bins; each suite includes its own storage locker. Immediately upon boarding, I was offered a glass of champagne and a salmon tartare amuse bouche. I cant't think of a better way to be welcomed aboard.
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| First class cabin |
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| Storage locker |
The seat itself is roomy and immensely comfortable. In addition to the recline functions, there is also a back massager built into the seat. The suite also features a large IFE screen, which I only used to view the airshow because I brought my own entertainment on my iPad.
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| IFE and seat controls |
Shortly after taking my seat, Antoinette came back to offer me a set of pajamas, a pair of Bose headphones, and an Aesop ammenity kit.
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| Amenity kit contents |
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| Cathay Pacific pajamas, slippers and eye shade |
The other first class attendant, Sandy, thereafter introduced herself and delivered the in-flight menu. At some point during all of this, my champagne glass was refilled without me having to ask.
Just before 10:00am, Captain Emerson announced an estimated flying time of 15 hours and 9 minutes, though we did end up being held in queue for a bit by ATC on approach to Hong Kong. When we pushed back on schedule at 10am, Mabel the In-flight Service Manager introduced herself and made me feel welcome. Although I've heard mixed reviews about the Hong Kong based crews, this one was warm, attentive, and clearly cared about what they were doing. I knew right away that this was going to be a great flight.
After a typically long JFK takeoff queue, we were airborne and on course with a northerly heading that would take us over the North Pole and then Siberia, Mongolia, and China before reaching HKG. About 20 minutes after wheels up, the crew began their service. Sandy placed some flowers in my suite, and I was served another glass of Krug along with a dish of warm cashews.
Sandy then took my lunch order, which included the caviar course, the smoked duck salad, mushroom consommé, and the Hong Kong style chicken curry. Sandy suggested that I also try the Chinese appetizers because I was ordering the Chinese main course. How could I say no? I also ordered the soufflé for dessert.
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| Bread basket and caviar course |
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| Wild mushroom consomme |
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| Smoked duck salad with raspberry vinaigrette |
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| Chinese cold plate; kelp, mussel, and spiny melon soup |
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| Hong Kong style chicken curry |
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| Anqi supreme ti guan yin |
The food tasted every bit as delicious as it looks. From the caviar to the dessert, everything was top notch. I was full by the time my main course arrived, but I powered through to finish it. I asked Antoinette to give me 15 minutes before bringing the dessert because I really needed a break.
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| Orange sweet curd suffle with dolce deleche ice cream |
Following the meal service, I asked Antoinette to make up my bed, and I retired to the lav to change into my pajamas. When I returned, my bed was ready and Antoinette took my clothes to hang them for me. The other four passengers (one seat was empty) had finished their meals before I did, so the cabin had already been darkened. It was definitely time for some sleep. I was able to doze for about 4 or 5 hours.
As we neared the northern coast of Siberia, I rang the call button to order a snack. I had the burger, which turned out to be a bacon cheeseburger, much to my delightful surprise. To drink, I ordered a Cathay Delight, which was so good that I'm going to have to figure out how to make it myself. Although it was a bit well done for my liking, I enjoyed the burger to the very last bite. I also followed it up with some vanilla ice cream and a cappuccino.
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| Bacon cheese burger |
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| Cathay Delight |
After the snack, I returned my seat to the bed position and took out my iPad to watch a movie. A little while later I was offered a free membership to the Marco Polo Club (usually $50), which I gladly accepted.
By the time the movie was over I was getting hungry again, so ordered a bowl of braised pork & noodle soup. It was on point.
I turned on another movie and the time started to fly by. Earlier in the flight, I had asked Sandy to bring my dinner about 90 minutes prior to landing. At noon sharp, she arrived at my seat with the fruit plate appetizer. Normally, plane fruit is not very good, but this was not your ordinary plane fruit. It was very fresh and flavorful. For the main course, I ordered the sea bass, whose excellent reputation proved to be well-deserved. The Sauvignon Blanc I paired it with was quite good. Sadly, I was so full by the time the green tea tiramisu arrived that I could only muster a few bites, but it was great as well. I finished off the dinner service with an obligatory cup of Hong Kong milk tea.
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| Sea bass with steamed vegetables and jasmine rice |
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| Green tea tiramisu |
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| Hong Kong milk tea |
Although it was a long flight, I was disappointed when Captain Emerson announced to the cabin crew that there were 30 more minutes to landing; I did not want this flight to end. If Cathay offered wifi onboard, I don't think there'd be any reason to leave. After some stunning views on approach, we were on the ground and I was on my way to the immigration hall and into Hong Kong.
I can't express how much I enjoyed my experience on this flight. I also can't imagine a better use of AAdvantage Miles, unless you're redeeming them for an Etihad First Class Apartment. If you've got 67,500 miles to burn and some free time, I highly recommend Cathay Pacific First Class.
Coming soon, I'll review my short stopover in Hong Kong, as well as the unbelievably awesome Cathay Pacific lounges.
