Cathay Pacific first class

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  • Anonymous
    Guest

    icenspice
    Participant

    What to expect?

    It’s not often you will encounter me in First but hey life is too short.

    And transit facilities at HKG for a regional connection?

    Much as gracias


    LuganoPirate
    Participant

    I’m also keen to know as I want to try them between HKG and SIN. I think the last time I flew CX was in the 80’s.


    ETHANZRH
    Participant

    Hi

    They do not pick you up at gate – you have to make your way through transit (security check) and then you can use the lounge (The Wing if you come in as First Class pax) – there is no “regional” or “international” as all flights from hong kong are international.

    ps. there is no fast track at transit screening …

    but anyway their onboard product is fantastic and worth everything.

    the airport works very well and their first lounge is very average in my opinion given they recently upgraded it.

    it’s an open lounge = noisy


    ghlotus
    Participant

    Yes…. the awful logjam at Hong Kong airport is the security line between arrival and transfer areas. Arriving at 6am as a CX First Class passenger, you will still likely stand behind 400 Chinese tourists and Filipino workers to get through security, severely cutting into your lounge/transit time. VERY annoying!

    If your connection is tight, you must grab a CX staff who WILL escort you through the “crew” lane.

    CX has tried to make a fast track security line, but HK airport refuses to allow them. Not a completely happy relationship between CX and HKIA. Not cosy, like SQ and Changi. Sad for CX, because otherwise their service is quite outstanding.


    CathayLoyalist2
    Participant

    Any transit point at any airport can be a bit of a lottery depending on when you arrive. I transit through Chep Lap Kok frequently and generally it is fine. You will find all available x-ray machines open when it is busy and yes there will be those crunch times. That said there are four transit areas and depending on which gate you arrive at you might want to walk back to the transit point by gate 65 as that is usually less busy. That said it also depends on the gate for your onward flight.CX has four lounges so if you are coming off along haul flight the walk may do you good. The walk from the 40’s and 60’s gates to the more popular Wing by gates 1-4 is about 10 mins then again I walk quickly. Transit E1/E2 are generally busier. .W2 pretty good


    EruditeSheep
    Participant

    We had the fortune of travelling F-class on CX in December 2013 from LHR to HKG. Like ETHANZRH I can confirm that the onboard experience is excellent in all respects. The only shortfall for us UK-based individuals was the poor lounge at LHR – only slightly better than a cheap cafeteria. We left and hunted down the BA lounge in T3, which we were able to use, although on entry we were greeted by comments that normally they only allow QF passengers to use it at that time of night. (We did gain access though!)

    The return flight to the UK on CX was in C-class which IMHO offered an experience almost as good as F-class.

    Regarding transit at HKG, I think CX could take a lesson from Thai at BKK who meet F-class passengers at the gate, drive them to the security screening area, personally escort them through and then take them directly to the F-class lounge, which in BKK is really one of the best I have experienced.


    icenspice
    Participant

    Thanks everyone.

    All being well, first leg tomorrow to Zurich.

    Have a great weekend


    icenspice
    Participant

    Touched down at HKG at 06:50. Transit had a long queue but was swift. Had time to visit a couple of the CX lounges.

    Now somewhere in the suburbs of Taipei Lol

    Zurich Airport rules IMO!


    IanFromHKG
    Participant

    EruditeSheep – 02/04/2015 12:58 GMT : The only shortfall for us UK-based individuals was the poor lounge at LHR – only slightly better than a cheap cafeteria. We left and hunted down the BA lounge in T3, which we were able to use, although on entry we were greeted by comments that normally they only allow QF passengers to use it at that time of night. (We did gain access though!) … Regarding transit at HKG, I think CX could take a lesson from Thai at BKK who meet F-class passengers at the gate, drive them to the security screening area, personally escort them through and then take them directly to the F-class lounge, which in BKK is really one of the best I have experienced.

    To your first point, it sounds as though the BA staff need a bit more training in oneworld access rules, which permit premium and status pax to enter any oneworld-operated lounge of the relevant class. I too prefer the BA F lounge at T3 to the CX F lounge, but have been fortunate enough only to have to argue once about access rules. They do seem a bit grudging sometimes, though, I agree!

    To your second point – I think you are missing the point that HKG is much better laid out, and more efficiently run, than BKK, where the amount of walking required for connections always seems to be measured in miles rather than hundreds of yards. The last time we transited in BKK we had to walk three-quarters of the length of the airport building to the appropriate transfer desk, and then half the length back again. More than half an hour of walking. Given that, I entirely understand why TG use buggies. And while it would be nice to have that at HKG, it honesly just isn’t necessary.


    Senator
    Participant

    I’ve done CX First once between LHR-HKG on the B77W. I think it was last February. A superb on-board experience, with some minor issues. The CX F lounge at LHR was ok, but nothing special.

    I did four sectors last week in CX Business:
    SIN-BKK and BKK-HKG on the A330-300 with the long-haul Cirrus Seat
    HKG-TPE-HKG on the B777-300 with the next regional seat

    Great experience, and the Wing F section is superb IMHO. Food offer exceptional

    The rest of the airport experience does leave me short changed..


    icenspice
    Participant

    The route from Zurich resumed only a matter of days ago for the first time since 2001, I think. It’s a daily service, also on a 77W.

    The Aspire lounge at ZRH was more than adequate for a brief visit.

    The service was outstanding – personal without being overbearing. I was seated in 2A, and the sense of privacy and space was remarkable compared to BA F. I loved the little flip-top compartment on my left-hand side in which I emptied the contents of my pockets.

    The Caviar and Krug Grande Cuvée was out of this world, as was the Cream of Jerusalem artichoke. The Hong Kong style curry chicken less so.

    Apart from that, what can I say? I don’t know how old the aircraft is but it was definitely not just out of the factory. I found the interior a bit drab.

    Oh well, will be a long time before I have the privilege again…if at all.

    I flew back from Taipei via Guangzhou and Changsha to FRA in China Southern Economy. That, as they say, is another story!!!


    IstanbulWarrior
    Participant

    CX A380?


    AnthonyDunn
    Participant

    Whatever, don’t overlook the noodle bar in the Wing… And great views over the apron.


    ghlotus
    Participant

    THE WING is nice, but THE CABIN (CX lounge near gate 23) has a wonderful salad bar and fresh juice bar that the other lounges lack. Fresh grilled sandwiches too. No view, but better food and drinks!

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