TRIP REPORT - CATHAY PACIFIC (CX) BUSINESS CLASS HKG->SIN

BACKGROUND

This is the second leg of the trip from Taiwan. Including a 3 hour stopover at HKG in order to sample a few of CX's legendary lounges.

LOUNGES

CX has some of the best lounges in the industry and they are ALL present in Hong Kong. Unlike other carriers, CX entitles each lounge by a different name such as "The Pier" or "The Wing." Additionally, each lounge has a unique design and food offerings.

 The inside of the lounge was simply awesome.. There is no other way to describe it. The food offerings ranged from Dim Sum to western choices. Additionally, the noodle bar was a really great spot to get some home made Hong Kong Style Noodles

The full Italian Style Esspresso Bar was filled with amazing treats as well!!!

DEPARTURE

CX has recently been refitting their planes with the new regional business class seat. I had read some reviews on it and must say that they did a great job with the seat. While it is not a full flat seat the recline was great and the seat was very comfortable! There was plenty of personal space to work and eat. The touchscreen was very clear and lightyears better than that on their 747.

INFLIGHT SERVICE

Even though the flight was only a little over 3 hours to Singapore, a full and extensive meal service was offered. The service literally took almost the entire flight beginning with a delicious pre departure beverage served in glassware and ending with some tasty ice cream. Each time the attendants passed by with another food offering we were addressed by name and with a smile. Refills of drinks were made constantly and a Hong Kong Style Milk Tea was of course presented.

IMPRESSIONS

CX again lived up to my expectations in every way. The service was stellar and the meals were solid. Although the seat was not a lie flat, I thought the overall presentation and experience in CXs regional business was a great bargain and made the flying experience that much more enjoyable!

TRIP REPORT - CATHAY PACIFIC (CX) BUSINESS CLASS TPE->HKG

BACKGROUND

As part of a recent trip to Asia, I decided to take advantage of some of CXs great business fares from Taipei to Singapore with a connection in Hong Kong. I've always wanted to sample CXs legendary service and have a chance to visit their renowned lounges at HKG.

                                                            Our 747 on arrival at HKG


DEPARTURE/LOUNGE

Taipei (TPE) is generally a terrible airport in my opinion. And for a major city in Asia, I would put it as one of the worst.  Check in for our flight was quick and painless, and security was similar.  I was directed to CXs lounge which is airside, but close to the departure gate. While the lounge had some decent offerings, it looked tired and dark and in much need of an update. A TOTAL contrast to CXs lounges at HKG which, are some of the best I have ever visited.

After enjoying some Beef Noodle soup, I continued to walk over to the departure gate which was pretty close by. The 747 was already there, fueled, catered and ready to take us to HKG!

Boarding was quickly and efficiently done by generally pleasant found staff. Luckily our flight to HKG today would be on one of CXs soon to be retired 747. CX has been generally using 777s for their long hauls with a much newer and nicer business and first class product. They are usin g these older 747s for regional intraasia flights nowadays.

J class (Business) load was very light on this early am departure. Upon boarding, my friend and I presented our boarding passes and were brightfully told that we were the ONLY two passengers to be seated in the upper deck that day. The purser introduced herself as "Susan" and cheekily told us to be "nice to the girls up there." I couldn't be more excited.

As we took our seats, we were addressed by last name and offered pre-departure champagne and newspapers. Service was extremely attentive and friendly as I sat back and relaxed for our 1 hour 20 min flight over the water to HKG.

IN FLIGHT

Service on CX is legendary as compared to US carriers and this flight did not disappoint. With the insane lack of load on this flight we literally had a ratio of 1:1 and the service was stellar. Despite the short flight time we were still presented with menus and served a full breakfast.

I chose the fried rice and chicken and its accompaniments which were all very tasty. The meal was presented about 20 min after takeoff and refills or anything were quickly and happily provided. I finished everything off with an amazingly delicious and signature CX Hong Kong Style Milk Tea.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Obviously this was an extremely sort segment and in order to get a full taste of the CX experience one would have to fly on a long haul route. However, for the great price, it was an awesome way to experience the way Business class should be done. Great job CX!

TRIP REPORT - ALITALIA BUSINESS CLASS EXPERIENCE- AZ 621 LAX-FCO 9/18/14

Background

Because of Delta's upcoming 2015 mileage program changes I have been trying to rack up as many miles before January 1. Fortunaltly for me, Alitalia had a recent major discount for their business class product from LAX-FCO-BCN for about $1300 and change. What a great way to experience one of the supposed best J-class products in skyteam and rack up a great amount of miles and Medallion Qualfying Miles!


Aiport

LAX has to be one of the worst major airports in the US and until recently was a nightmare to fly on any long haul international flights. With the recent renovations at the Bradley Terminal (TBIT), I have to say I am so impressed and really look forward to each time I get to visit.  Alitalia along with all of the non DELTA joint venture airlines (KLM,AIRFRANCE) have moved from the nasty trenches of terminal 2, to TBIT.

CHECK IN

I arrived at LAX about 2.5 hours prior to our afternoon departure in order to enjoy the new Korean Air lounge at TBIT. Check in was brisk, and efficient, but no Sky Priority line was provided. This was odd because AF across the way had well marked SP lanes.

LOUNGE (KOREAN AIR)

Security is one thing TBIT has a major issue with and it took about 30 minutes of god-awful shuffling and madness to get though. Once in, however, you are welcomed into the new gorgeous Villaraigosa Pavilion, with HUGE LED wall screens that mesmerize.

The KE lounge is great with beautiful outdoor patio and a decent selection of snacks. I took a quick shower in the beautiful marble bathroom and had several (4) glasses of jack on the rocks. This was a bit of a disappointment as just a few months before, the lounge provided Johnny Walker Black as the self serve whiskey option.

BOARDING/DEPARTURE

This is one area that I knew would be a disaster as I had read other reviews on the subject. Unlike KE, who manages to board an A380 efficiently in about 30 minutes, AZ cannot and I repeat CANNOT manage to organize a 777.

As soon as boarding commenced, people were shuffling all around in disarray without any regulation or designation. Once the unruly mob of coach passengers had been boarded, we pushed back quickly and within a short taxi arrived at runway 24L for takeoff for our quick 11:38 hours flight across the United States and Atlantic Ocean. Our route would take us past Vegas then NE towards Chicago. We would begin out Atlantic crossing in Maine, then make landfall in France towards the Italian peninsula.

SEAT

Since AZ redesigned their seats on all long haul flights within the past several years, they have really been able to achieve one of the most comfortable in the SKYTEAM network. Their 777 aircraft is arranged in a great 1-2-1 configuration which allows all passengers aisle access and 180 degree lie flat seating. The bulkhead window seats offer an especially large amount of privacy and really give the pod effect and feel to the passenger. I found the seat extremely comfortable and the lush Italian leather a welcome sight and feel.

MEAL SERVICE

Based on previous reviews, and all of the awards AZ has received for meal service, I was excited beyond belief to start eating. AZ really sets the bar high for business class with hand plating each course in front of your eyes, giving the meal an elegant and individualized feel. Pre-departure beverage began with a  choice of AZ's signature and delicious blood orange (arancia rossa) or prosecco. I chose both!

Shortly after take off, your table is beautifully set with linens and china giving the true feel of an Italian Restaurant. Menus are passed out and full of extensive choices. As any good Italian meal begins, an antipasti is served, followed by a selection of two pastas (again chose both) and mains (chose both). Dessert was simple and delicious. Limoncello and sweet wine provided to wash it all down. All the food was solid, especially the antipaste and pasta dishes, which were perfectly prepared  and plated. After dinner, an in-flight self service bar was set up (not pictured). The bar included some Italian beers, juices, water and soda, along with some treats. About 6 hours into flight time, this bar was completely obliterated by the apparently ravenous J-class passengers. And when I say obliterated, I mean literally nothing was left!

While the first meal service on AZ was great, the second, was less than inspiring. They provided an "Italian breakfast", which essentially included bread, more bread, an extra side of bread and some fruit. How they don't offer another hot meal on a flight of over 11 hours is beyond me. Even Delta, would offer some type of heated breakfast sandwich in Economy on a flight of this length. FAIL.

FLIGHT CREW/SERVICE

Where Alitalia really excels is their fabulous seat and main meal service. This however, is eclipsed by their less than stellar flight crews. I'm not sure if it is a lack of English proficiency, or just a general lack of pride and care in providing the highest level of service to their best customers. On both my outbound and inbound flights the crew were generally disinterested, curt, and invisible. Unlike the majority of my J class experiences (on DELTA, AF, and Korean), where crews in my experience have made me feel welcome, the Alitalia crew generally seemed to be burdened by the passengers of the flight. The crew did provide what you wanted when asked, but they HAD to be asked....for more wine, water, bread... pretty much anything that would normally be taken care of by a good crew.


OVERALL

Generally, the flight was great. And for the price even better. Despite the flight crews, I would fly AZ again, for their great food, and seat!