Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong
After walking through the terminal you head down an escalator to the main gate boarding area. Once we arrived downstairs the first class cabin was boarding. It was a little strange as you board. There is a line of people on both sides of the pathway to the first class gate entrance. It looks and feels like you’re on display as you walk your way to the counter of the check-in gate agent. Once you’re through the entrance it is a short corridor to the jetway, and then through the jetway to the first door of the plane.
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Cathay Pacific 873
San Francisco (SFO) – Hong Kong (HKG)
Saturday, January 23rd 2016
Departure Time: 11:05pm
Arrival Time: 6:00am (+2)
Flight Time: 14hr55min
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 2K, International First Class
Entry to jetway
Jetway
Walking onto the Cathy Pacific’s Boeing 777 I was very excited. I had been reading about this product for years and now I was finally going to get to experience it. We were greeted by two sweet cabin flight attendants and escorted to our seats. Suzy was in 2K and I had 1A. Realizing that 1A was the more private of the 2 seats we exchanged seats which worked out great. Shortly after settling in one of the attendants came by with a ground starter (mango and Hamachi) and Krug Grande Cuvee Champaign. Both were wonderful. I little later and before pull back we were each brought a warm towel to refresh with.
The first class cabin on Cathay’s Pacific’s 777 has 6 seats in 2-rows in a 1-1-1 configuration. Seats 1A and 2A are the most privet because they face the back side of the partition separating the next 2 rows. The other 4 seats although open to one another, but are still fairly private by way of their orientation.
The seat itself, while not fully enclosed, is fantastic. The first thing you notice is just how big it is. I’m a big guy, and this seat had plenty of room. I would rate it at 1.5 Jimmy’s’. Included were a small head pillow and large lower back pillow. Directly to the right of the seat along the window was a nicely sized side desk with a small storage compartment that was large enough for phone, wallet and headphones. Behind the TV and on the entrance to the seat was a half-height closet that contained a hanger for a jacket and enough room for a small suitcase.
Suite 2K
Lots of room
Love the space
Across from the main seat is a seat belted ottoman. It also had its own small pillow and can be used by a traveling companion for conversations and/or enjoying meals together. The ottoman is some distance from the seat and isn’t used as a foot stool by normal height individuals. One nice thing about the ottoman, although a little cramped, is that once seated in it your right next to the third window in your compartment and you have excellent views of the world going by.
The ottoman
While we were seated and enjoying the starter and Krug the crew delivered pajamas, a “male travel kit”, and Bose headphones. A little later we also given hot towels and a dinner menu. The chief purser also came by to introduce herself and offered her assistance should we need anything. A little later the crew finished boarding the plane and we backed away from the gate. The captain came on and gave a rundown of the flight. He noted we were leaving the gate a little behind schedule, but felt our arrival would be on time. The crew cleaned up our starter plates and glasses and at 11:20pm we proceeded to the runway. I really enjoyed the exceptional ground treatment before even taking off.
Male amenity kit and Bose headphones
Items for the flight
Nice packaging
Pajamas
Suite closet
Towel service
Getting ready
We drifted up and out of the Bay Area and about 20 minutes after takeoff the seat belt sign was turned off and crew started to work around the cabin. Satomi came by and asked if I was ready to have dinner with Susan. I headed over to 1A and took a seat at the ottoman. Satomi proceeded to bring out and install a table extender that doubled the dinning surface. She offered drink service and warm nuts, and then set the table for our evening supper. I enjoyed more Krug and Suzy ordered club soda.
Evening Bay Area views
Champaign and nuts
Supper Menu
The main meal started with caviar and champagne service. The table was put together beautifully and the assortment of garnishes, silverware and an entire golden can of Calvisius Italian Caviar made the whole affair grand. Suzy doesn’t eat caviar so I helped out while Satomi keep the Krug flowing. Next we enjoyed a mushroom soup that followed by grilled scallop salad. The scallops were done just right and they tied in nicely the tomatoes in the salad. For the main I enjoyed filet with vegetables and potatoes gratin. The beef was tender and well flavored. After our mains we both enjoyed a desert. We really drew the affaire out, sipping port and then whisky for our finals.
Bread basket
Calvisius
The good stuff
Love the setting
Mushroom Soup
Scallops on the salad
Beef tonight
Wine promotion
Champaign
This was only my second international first class flight, so I don’t have a many to compare. Last year we did take Asiana First from Los Angles to Seoul, and the dinner service on that carrier was beautiful as well. One thing that stands out on the Cathay Pacific supper service is the large table and second ottoman seat. The seat was comfortable for entire meal (the Asiana seat has a video display behind it and isn’t as comfortable). Also with the compartment so large the table extension makes for an impressive setting.
Susan’s berries and cream were decadent
Enjoyed my chocolate cake
We loved our dinner together and we spent a little over 2 hours enjoying the event. Afterward we both changed into our pajamas and got ready for bed. In my post dinner mode, I forgot to snap a picture of the bed, but found this one from Cathay Pacific. I’ve read reviews were the writers rave about the Cathay Pacific bed, and they are not overrated. The beds are big and comfortable with a soft mattress placed down by the flight attendant for bed service.
The first class cabin on Cathay Pacific’s 777 has two bathrooms. One is larger than the other. They are both adequate for this plane and flight, but that is it adequate. They do not compare with the bathrooms found on other carriers, including Airbus 380s first class cabins.
Large lavatory sink
Smaller lavatory sink
I would rank the entertainment selection as good. The screen is adequate for a first class suite (Asiana’s was about twice the size) and the entertainment choices included movies, TV, music and games. The screen was locked down on the partition wall for takeoff and landing, but still visible. In flight it would swing out so that you could watch it for optimal viewing. I watched a couple TED talks before drifting off to sleep.
In flight entertainment
Breakfast menu
Satomi had arranged for breakfast together. About 3 and ½ hours out of Hong Kong Susan and I were offered the service. We were both hungry and ready. This time the meal would take place at my suite, 2K. Sandy served breakfast and it was again a wonderful experience. I had the traditional western styled mains and Suzy enjoyed dim sum.
The breakfast starts with juice/smoothie, fruit and yoghurt. With the western style choice your eggs are cooked to order and an assortment of protein and vegetables accompany the meal. The presentation of the large table and white table cloth is decadent considering your 35,000’ in the air.
Fruit with a bread basket
Eggs cooked to order
The breakfast was a really special moment. The cabin was quiet and dark as your still in the middle of the night. Most of the other passengers in first class were still retired and hadn’t woken yet. Sandy’s service was impeccable. She would check on us every so often and looked as if she enjoyed being so proficient at her job. We had our 3 windows open and the snow covered mountains of Japan were visible on a clear moonlit night.
Suzy and I talked about our lives together, our families and how lucky we were to be able to enjoy this moment. We were still wearing our pajamas and leisurely ate our food and sipped the coffee as the landscapes changed. As much as I enjoyed the caviar service at supper, this was the highpoint of the flight.
Small touches
Once breakfast was done we had another 2 hours of the flight left. I lazily cleaned up and got back into my day wear. I was able to watch the second half of Bridge of Spy’s with Tom Hanks and really enjoyed the movie. We finally started our final decent into Hong Kong and the approach and landing went without incident. As we taxied to our arrival gate the sky began to brighten in anticipation of sunrise.
Towards the end of our flight
Arrival into Hong Kong
In Summary:
Cathay Pacific First Class did not disappoint. Both Satomi and Sandy were terrific, and the hard product while not the most cutting edge on the market, is solid. The suite size is huge and you really feel the luxury of the 6-person cabin. The bed is very comfortable. The soft product on this flight was the best. All the meals and food service were excellent, in particular the caviar before dinner and the cooked to order breakfast service. This is my favorite way to Hong Kong from North America.