from 1996-2001 I flew multiple times a week and thought it was about the worst mode of travel with the least conisderation for customers and didn’t imagine that it would actually devolve from there, but it has. Truly embodying the “sucker born every minute” mentality of business with a clientele with no alternatives.
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Ayup.
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No food picture but a really clear night coming in over New York City. I can’t recall the last time I had this view.
I can even see my building.
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Beautiful! I never get tired of seeing the city from the air when landing.
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HONG KONG PART 2 - DAY 10
Enroute back to Toronto - Cathay Pacific HK airport lounge, seats and meals on board AirBus A350 - 1000, landing captured by night-vision cameras
With the blink of an eye, my month-long exhaustive food crawl of the Orient quickly comes to an end!
As an ex-Aeronautical Engineer, I specifically picked Cathay Pacific for my return trip home. This, to try out their new, highly raved, ’Quietest wide body airliner in the sky‘ - Airbus A350-1000.
Comparing this long haul flight with my other flights on EVA Air which uses Boeing 787-10 DreamLiner. As both are latest generation wide-body jets, however, IMO, the Dreamliner came out a clear winner. The GE engine was quieter, cabin air was much fresher and less dry, the electrochromic windows with a dimming gel layer instead of traditional physical shades was way more efficient and effective. Lastly, ambient cabin lighting was more cozy and relaxing.
Further comparison of the two airlines resulted in Cathay Pacific as being way overrated. Flat-bed seat was narrower and shorter than their peers. Cabin service was just so-so. The food was subpar by business class standard. Even the advanced, special ordered meal was a major disappointment! ( I pre-ordered an iconic Baked Hong Kong style Stuffed Crab Shell, which turned out to be truly BAD! However, Cathay had the gall to promote it on their website, citing this ‘horrendously crafted dish’ as the creation of a HK Michelin star restaurant - Duddell?! Are you kidding me?! Since when did chefs use thick, chewy pita bread instead of bread crumbs as a stuffed crab shell crust topping?! Aaahh!! As for the cream crabmeat stuffing? Canned Thai crab meat tasted better and more genuine…..and why was the stuffing so dry?! ).
Fortunately, a well prepared, bountiful, Western style full breakfast prior to landing, managed to partially rescue the disastrous food experience pertaining to the trip!
Wines offered were fairly typical. Selection of whites was less versatile than EVA’s selection. However, Cathay’s inclusion of a renowned, Oregon ‘Erith‘ Pinot Noir from the superb 2022 vintage was a pleasant surprise!
If other Trans-Pacific alternatives exist. In addition to EVA, do try choosing SIA, ANA or Korean Air instead!..They all offer way better food, wine and cabin service! Even our Air Canada delivers better…..’sometimes’, though their air stewardess can occasionally be scary!..pregnant or as old as my Mom! Ha!
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Interesting post! Pacific flights can be so long that the quality of the aircraft, and staff, are even more important. I really like the 787 and A380 the most for their quiet comfortable environment. I upgraded my last LAX to Narita flight on United to Polaris Class which seems to fit between traditional business class and first class. It has lay flat seats which is VERY important to me since i cannot sleep in a regular seat any more. It is a very comfortable lay flat bed and i am a big guy, 6’3" and around 215 pounds. But a single Polaris upgrade cost me almost half of my accumulated flight miles. The in flight meals were ok, not great. I went with the halibut and it was remarkably firm. Service was very personable.
My all time favorite flight ever was when EVA Air upgraded me to a business seat (2A) for a short flight. Loved the seat and the EVA staff! You can see forward down the runway from seat 2A because you are right at the front of the aircraft with the pilots sitting on the upper deck above you.
Here is a photo of United Polaris seats on a 787.
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I was dedicated to the UA mileage program ever since I started flying ex-SFO many years ago.
Finally passed the 1m miles mark early last year. Now Star Alliance Gold for life. Free agent now and free to fly the SA carrier of choice that offers me the best price and hard/soft product.
Lately, that’s been EVA Air. Better fares, courteous service and flies to where we want to go.
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I was most impressed with EVA using near brand new 787-10 for their short haul flight - Hong Kong to Taipei
EVA Business seats were fairly typical and OK. However, their serving of a Japanese Kaiseki meal from Osaka to Taipei was a pleasant, yummy surprise!
Lounge at Osaka Kansai Airport was mighty fine too!
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That’s really the best plane for us in the moment. Just had a flight from Europe to SFO and it is always great how quiet this plane can be
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Charles: That is on a plane???
Hee! Hee! Nope!!
Part of birthday meal with Rosy at Hong Kong ‘ 3* Tan’g Court ‘……no fillers, just pure crab meat, augmented with a touch of caramelized onions and uber-licious cream sauce, topped with fine crunchy/crispy bread crumb crust.
Frankly, not expecting much from Cathay, but at least NOT a slice of thick chewy pita bread as topping and dry, barely presence, tiny bits of crab meat?!
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