This was my first time ever in international first class, and something I had been looking forward to since I started collecting frequent flyer miles back in 2007. I was extremely grateful to have my first experience be on Cathay Pacific no less... to say I was excited would be a huge understatement!
Since Air Asia did not interline my checked baggage with Cathay Pacific, I had to go through immigrations to pick it up at the carousel. But with an almost 5-hour layover in BKK, I figured it would be nice to explore landside for a bit, recheck-in at the Cathay Pacific counter, and still have plenty of time to visit the lounges and relax. I visited Thailand in 2008, so I was relatively familiar with Suvarnabhumi Airport. Arrivals were on level 2, and you can take a very convenient inclined escalator (along with luggage carts) up to level 4 departures. In between, the level 3 mezzanine has a wide variety of restaurants and fast food joints catering to just about every taste.
Escalators from arrivals level 2 to departures level 4
Level 3 mezzanine
After about half an hour wandering around landside, I decided to check-in for my flight. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the Cathay Pacific counters, it was completely empty! I finally found an employee at the end of the row typing at a computer and asked her when check-in started for CX 712, to which she responded 3 hours before departure. That meant sitting on the benches for another hour or so listening to my iPod :(
Empty Cathay Pacific counters
As I approached the guard at the priority security line entrance, I swear he gave me the dirtiest look ever... I was kind of taken aback, and before I even got to him, he barked out "where is your priority line pass?!" Not saying a word, I handed him the pass and he proceeded to look intensely at it, flipping it back and forth, still with a scowl on his face. Not exactly sure what his problem was, but I'm guessing he suspected I was trying to sneak into the "special" line or something. After that, it was a breeze... security and customs literally took less than 5 minutes and I was airside.
There was a large sign immediately past customs that pointed you in the direction to all the different lounges at the airport. Unfortunately, the signage after that sort of disappeared and I wandered around Concourse G for awhile before I finally asked an employee and was directed down to Level 3 where all the lounges were. And yes, I did notice later on as I was going through my pictures that it actually does says "Airlines Lounge on 3rd Floor" on the original sign :)
Plenty of shopping and displays airside
Concourse G
Concourse D lounge entrance
Food and drink offerings
Concourse G lounge entrance
Identical food offerings as the Concourse D lounge
As the departure time got closer, it got a lot more crowded, and there were barely any seats left. Strangely, there was no announcement for the departing flight until extremely late, and most passengers had already left the lounge by then. When I got to the gate, they were doing last call and I was one of the last people on the plane.
Rushing to the gate
Boeing 747-400
Bangkok (BKK) - Hong Kong (HKG)
Monday July 18, 2011
Departure: 4:05 PM (scheduled) / 4:10 PM (actual)
Bangkok (BKK) - Hong Kong (HKG)
Monday July 18, 2011
Departure: 4:05 PM (scheduled) / 4:10 PM (actual)
Arrival: 7:55 PM (scheduled) / 7:47 PM (actual)
Duration: 2h 50m (scheduled) / 2h 37m (actual) Seat: 2K (First)
I had to smile a little when I boarded the plane and turned left for the first time ever. It really is a beautiful cabin, and extremely private. I took my seat at 2K and was greeted by name and offered a glass of Champagne Amour De Deutz Brut 2002, which I happily accepted. As I looked around, I started to realized it was a strange sensation to finally be sitting in the Cathay Pacific first class suite. I had read dozens of reviews over the past few years, so I was intimately familiar with every little detail surrounding me, yet everything was also new and exciting... I felt oddly conflicted.
Champagne Amour De Deutz Brut 2002
Views after takeoff
The plane started it's descent into Hong Kong, and I noticed it was already dark outside. Landing was perfectly smooth, and immediately after the seat belt lights had been turned off, the flight attendants drew the curtain between business class and allowed us to deplane first. Sadly, my first experience in international first class was quickly coming to an end. But I was hardly feeling down, since I had a number of lounge visits and a true international first class flight to San Francisco still ahead of me!
Goodbye 2K!
Cathay flight attendants are instructed to stay in the galley and not troll the cabin. Anytime you want something it's expected you press the call button and they are there in seconds. It's quite the opposite of US carriers that frown on pressing the call button. its a hard adjustment and confusing if you are not used to it but once you get used to it you'll find its actually a nicer way to fly.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely good to know Rebecca. I'm so used to getting the stink eye when I press the call button in the US that the negative connotations have been engrained in my mind. I'll keep your suggestions in mind next time I fly CX!
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