Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago
After a good night’s rest, we prepared for our day at the Pier followed by Cathay Pacific first class flight home. After checking out from the hotel we proceeded out to the Airport and followed the signage to Terminal 1. Cathay Pacific has dedicated podiums for first class and we were processed quickly with boarding passes in hand.
The Setup: Unforeseen Events
Introduction: Planning for Thailand
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge SFO
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong
Review: The Pier, Hong Kong International Airport
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Hong Kong To Phuket
Review: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Deluxe Seaview Suite
Boat Transfer & Check-in: The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai – Ocean View Pool Villa Suite
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort
Day Trip: National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago
Final Thoughts & Monkey Business – Santhiya Koh Yao Yai
Review: Thai Royal Orchid Lounge – Phuket
Review: Lux Pay In Lounge – Phuket
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Phuket To Hong Kong
Review: Regal Airport Hotel – Superior Room
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago
Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Chicago
Review: American Airlines Domestic First Class – Chicago To San Francisco
Cathay Pacific 806
Hong Kong (HKG) – Chicago (ORD)
Tuesday February 2nd, 2016
Departure Time: 11:50am
Arrival Time: 12:25pm
Flight Time: 13hr35min
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 2A, International First Class
Walking to check-in
Hong Kong International does not have dedicated security and immigration lines for first class, and all passengers use the same ques. Immigration again proceeded smoothly in about 15 minutes we were walking through the terminal on our way to The Pier Lounge. I have already reviewed the lounge earlier which you can read here. I will say the Baked Eggs were as good the second time as they were the first.
Baked eggs again!
Susan’s Asian breakfast
Our flight was departing from gate 4 which was on the other side of the terminal. We gave ourselves 20 minutes to get there and upon arriving they had just started boarding the first class section. The agent scanned our boarding pass and checked our passports and we walked through the jetway, entering into the first door onto the plane.
Happy Chinese New Year
Love the main terminal in Honk Kong
Section down to gate 4
First class boarding
Jetway in
First class / business entry
We entered through the first door and the flight attendant greeted us and escorted us to our suites. I had 2A and Susan had 2K (we both like having a windows). Again starters were brought out with tuna and mango ceviche with small crackers. Oh, and more Krug Champagne as well. 😉 Afterward we were given a small warm towel to clean up with. The ground service was excellent again.
Giddy up
Little touches
Our first Cathay Pacific flight was with a San Francisco based crew and Satomi and Sandy really spoiled us. This crew was Hong Kong based and I don’t know it’s a cultural or language difference, but they were much more reserved in their interaction with Susan and I. I wouldn’t say it was less attentive or professional, but there wasn’t the friendly banter we had enjoyed on U.S. based flight.
Lunch menus were passed out and after before takeoff they had come by to see what selection we wanted for lunch. There was a small delay and about 40 minutes after boarding the cabin crew prepared for push back. Our time on the tarmac also took a little long, around 30 minutes, and at 12:30 flight CX806 took off. Taking off during the daytime I was able to enjoy plane’s camera which is mounted underneath the aircraft.
Time screen
Pajamas, Bose headphones and the male amenity kit were handed out
Menu Intro
Aperitifs
Lunch menu
Breakfast
Beverages
During the pre-departure ground service and takeoff process I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with the great seat and overall suite in Cathay Pacific First Class. The seat is just huge with plenty of room to move around and situate yourself for a long flight. Apparently the airline has used this design for some time and with the exception of needing covering updates every so often, the seat has held up remarkably well. For this flight I was 2A, which is on the very private left side (facing forward) of the cabin. In addition to the great seat there is a long desk on the window side of the suite that extends for all 3 windows of seating area.
Love this seat
Heading out
China Eastern
Outside camera
Safety video
It wasn’t long after takeoff that the flight crew started to prep the cabin for meal service. We started service with warm nuts and some club soda, and then shortly followed with taking our lunch orders. Susan was having the beef and I went for the prawns. Lunch started with the caviar and Krug service. It just doesn’t get old. Susan again offered up her caviar (yes I accepted). Lunch service started.
Wine promotion
Region
Champagne and whites
More whites
Reds
More Reds
The salad starter was very good and my prawns were delicious. The service from the crew was good and professional, but not the same as our outbound flight. On this flight we didn’t receive any love notes from our crew like we did on the SFO-HKG flight. Maybe it was a language barrier because their command of English was ok (but better than my Chinese) or maybe a cultural inhabitation. I’m not sure. All through lunch I enjoyed Krug and paired wines with my meal. For desert Susan had the berries and cream and I enjoyed the almond pear tart (yum to both!). The berries and cream looked wonderful and decadent on the white tablecloth. Afterward we enjoyed tea service with pralines and another warm towel to freshen up.
Warm nuts and water before
Salad to start lunch
Shrimp was delicious
Susan had the filet
Dessert
Finishing lunch with tea service
The views during lunch service
Afterward we changed into pajamas and relaxed for the evening as the sun started to set. I enjoyed watching a Hong Kong movie “It’s already tomorrow in Hong Kong” and few more Ted Talks before I fell asleep for the evening.
Later that evening the gentlemen one suite over snored the loudest I’ve ever heard on a flight. I mean the planes are pretty noisy to begin with and I was also wearing ear plugs and I usually do not hear anything – except this evening. This guy was really sawing some logs (which Jimmy can be guilty of as well). I was actually a little jealous of how deep asleep he was. Susan also noticed the racket he was making.
Sunsets while heading into nightfall
Eventually I fell asleep and was able to get about 5 hours’ rest. I woke up with about 3 hours of the flight left. Susan and I had our breakfast together and our service was more of the same, very professional and perfunctory, but not much engagement from the first class cabin crew. The eggs were cooked to order and again the meal was beautiful. We took about 90 minutes to enjoy our breakfast and afterward we changed out of pajamas and prepared to land in Chicago. As we started our initial decent and approach the weather was stormy and somewhat rough.
Breakfast setting
The turbulence was heavy at times and precipitation was collecting on the windows. And then something I’ve never experience before on a flight happened. A load crash sounded throughout the plane and the entire cabin shuddered and shook. I was in a little bit of disbelieve, and wondered if the plane had been struck by lightning. I’ve read it’s actually a common occurrence and that modern jetliners are designed to be able to withstand such strikes. As I looked out the window and the heavy clouded conditions I saw a bright flash and the same event happened again. The entire plane shook again and it sounded like all the luggage had crashed to the floor. The sound was actually the thunder from the lighting strike. “Wow” I thought, this is something.
Heavy cloud cover coming into Chicago
Overview of ORD
The turbulence continued to be consistently heavy. About 5 minutes after the second strike the caption calmly came on the plane’s PA system and explained that if anyone was wondering, “yes the plane has been struck by lightning, twice.” He also explained that the pane was designed to handle lighting strikes and everything was ok. I usually don’t get to excited when flying. What can you do to change anything? You really need to put your trust in the pilot and his/her desire for self-preservation. Even so, it was a relief when he let everyone know what was going on and that we were fine.
After a little more and turbulence and circling we made our decent into the Chicago area and landed at the Chicago International Airport. The airport was dealing with the weather and ensuing congestion issues. By the time we exited the gate we had missed the planned arrival time by 40 minutes. Considering everything, it was to be expected. Out connection wasn’t for another 4 hours so we had plenty of time.
In Summary:
Cathay Pacific First Class is a delightful product. The big suites, comfortable bed, outstanding food and service, and privacy of the first class cabin make for a VERY luxurious way to travel the long haul flight that is North America to Hong Kong and back. It’s also worth noting that a cabin crew can really add to the enjoyment of the trip, and we noticed that between our 2 flights. Everything considered, we both hope to be able to enjoy this near perfect product again.