An irregular series
Prologue: Cathay Pacific, part of the Swire Group, has been flying between Hong Kong (our photo shows a CX Boeing 747 at the new international airport) since the start of the eighties setting standards of cabin service that other airlines have found difficult to emulate. It now operates three times daily in a scheduled time of around 12 hours outbound from Heathrow and up to 13 hours for the return leg providing either a 747 or A340 depending on the time of day, each three class. Cathay, whose premium class load factors are currently exceptionally high, says that as things stand they have no intention of introducing an upgraded economy section. ”It just complicates matters,” according to Tony Tyler chief operating officer. Unlike its Oneworld partners Cathay use Heathrow T3, and plans to stay in the central area terminal in spite of the T5 opening in 2008. This way the airline competes head on with Virgin Atlantic rather than its BA associate. On a Sunday morning T3 was positively heaving, but seemed to work pretty well. The not inconsiderable sums that BAA have spent on the terminal, and continue to spend, are really paying off. All that is needed now is to roof over the road access. Check in by CX was very quick indeed, perhaps 30 seconds in the dedicated business class area. The new Cathay lounge in T3 airside is based on the award winning Hong Kong ”Wing” concept and is very good and relaxing with all the facilities that one has come to expect of the better airlines. One of its great advantages is its location just off the main shopping emporium. No messing about having to go through security again. At Hong Kong the Airport Express metro runs right into the airport and the luggage trolleys are lined up for each train arrival ” impressive. There are check-ins at both Central and Kowloon stations. On offer is a free hotel bus service to and from both stations. At the airport ”The Wing” first and business class lounge is dominated by the Long Bar and there are dining facilities for those who want to eat before getting into the air. Two of the daily London flights depart within 30 minutes of each other around midnight.
The Flight: Outbound was on an Airbus A340-300. Regular business class passengers tend to go for the upper deck of the big Boeing, just 26 seats or thereabouts 2 + 2 and a less busy atmosphere than the larger main deck cabin. With the Cathay Airbus there are 30 ”J” class seats in total, 2 + 2 + 2, but here the airline has been very clever in dividing the area into two with the galley in the middle. This gives for a pair of really intimate cabins, one with 12 seats and the other 18. From an investment and operational point of view the cost is the same but it is far more attractive than a single cabin with all the business class passengers together. Coupled with a pale interior and Cathay green seats, a mood of relaxation is created. The carrier”s reputation as one of the world”s leading airlines in terms of service has been won over years of offering a really top quality product. Nothing changes in that respect. But Cathay has been busy in updating what is on offer and making its own innovations. The new flat bed seats, complete with vanity dividers, seem to have been designed by someone who has actually flown. This is not always the case. The storable passenger table on the Airbus has a circular cut-out designed to accommodate those with larger stomachs. Brilliant. In these days of gluttony essential. Whilst the A340 cannot compete with the 747 or 777 in terms of storage space, the seats themselves have neat little cubby-holes under the centre armrests. Besides the fine new seats, perhaps with the control flexibility overdone (too many buttons to press) a major feature of the aircraft is video on demand. The TV is in a fixed mounting rather that one that folds down. You can stop the film whenever you like, rewind, or even rush forward if you are beginning to think that the ”plane will have landed before the finale. With most airlines the business class meal service over the last few years has improved dramatically both in quality and presentation with Cathay one of the airlines leading the way. Cocktails and savouries straight after take off when the neat amenity bags are offered. Cream cheese on a crusted bread, and smoked duck. The cabin staff serve passengers individually in each row before retreating to the galley for more dishes. It looks right and guarantees hot food. There is an appetizer, four choices for the main course (including a vegetarian offering), cheeseboard, fresh fruits and desert. Coffee and liqueurs of course. The quality wine selection comes with a very descriptive menu.
The Epilogue: At Heathrow business class can use the fast track facility, but it is hardly necessary with an arrival at 0530. It”s not difficult to be on the road by 0600 and home in west London within an hour of landing. At Hong Kong Cathay has the best apron positions for disembarking passengers. You are very quickly through to baggage collection and landside. The Airport Express (left) is opposite the meeting and greeting area and credit cards are taken. No need even to change currency. You can make the most of ”The Wing” facilities if you want to refresh yourself before launching out into what is once again a real boomtown.
http://www.cathaypacific.com