Cathay Pacific (2030 pictures & videos)

10/10

Chris Davies

United Kingdom (LHR) to Hong Kong (HKG), 04 Mar 2006

First Class

(Menu Card)
Dinner and breakfast - No sooner are you sitting down when an impeccably attired Flight Attendant welcomes you with pre-takeoff champagne and lobster medallions to set the mood. Fairly soon after takeoff, further cocktails are served and orders are taken for dinner. As always, the first thing served, from a trolley, is Caviar and Balik Salmon Delight. This consists of Caviar and Balik Salmon “Tsar Nicolaj” served with warm new potatoes and crème fraiche. This is followed by sweet corn chowder soup. Next a mixed salad with roasted beetroot, peppers and tomato with raspberry dressing. There is a choice of four main courses. I chose steamed Halibut with Soya Ginger and Spring Onion Sauce, steamed rice and stir-fried Pak Choy. Alternatives were: Braised Lamb Horopito with Wilted Spinach and Puglia Pasta; or Chicken Tangine with Apricot and Pistachio Cous Cous; or Mushroom filled Capelleti with Olive, Tomato Tapenade and Cream Sauce. After main course, a cheese board is offered together with a choice of three desserts. I chose the Vanilla Ice cream with Raspberries and Strawberries. Alternatives were: Rhubarb Tart with Fruit Coulis; or Sticky Walnut and Date Pudding with Custard Sauce. Finally, I chose tea and chocolate truffles before retiring. About two hours before landing in Hong Kong, refreshments and/or breakfasts are served. These consisted of the usual array of choices, although eggs were noticeably absent due to concerns about Avian Flu apparently. I chose fresh orange juice with fresh fruit consisting of wedges of pineapple, orange, mango, grapefruit, melon and apple. For main course, I chose Wontons and Pak Choy in Noodle Soup ­ more a snack than breakfast fare, but I was hungry. Finally, I reverted to form with croissants and cappuccino.

Champagne: Krug Grande Cuvee. White Wine: Puligny Montrachet Les Grandes Marches 2002; or Frankland River chardonnay 2002.

The menu is as delicious as it sounds and the whole dinner affair is served at just the right pace by friendly Flight Attendants who, although relaxed, remain service focussed at all times. In such a caring and relaxed atmosphere it is easy to drift off to several hours of blissful sleep in fully reclining seats that are the most comfortable 1st class beds I have ever experienced. Alternatively, the comprehensive VOD IFE system would keep insomniacs amongst us engrossed for hours. I noticed that unfortunately with the CX IFE it is not possible to plug in your own headphones, not in 1st class at least. That is a pity since I am never without my Bose noise cancelling headphones which are without equal, although CX’s do a pretty good job also. Flying Cathay is pure luxury from the moment after check-in, when, even in the comparatively humble surroundings of their Terminal 3 Heathrow 1st class lounge, you are treated as special guests with a range of tasty treats such as dim sum, fresh fruits, or finger sandwiches together with French champagne or other alcohol on tap. Boarding is announced so that you have just enough time to calmly walk to an uncrowded gate and board after everyone else is already seated.

Date added: 2008-05-21   //   Flight: 12:00   //   Aircraft: A340