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HKG-AKL. (I’ll write about the return trip later)
Date: December 2002
Flight:CX 107
Aircraft:Airbus A340-313X
Registration: B-HXA
While waiting for the 10-hour flight from Hong Kong to Auckland I got a chance to enjoy the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounge known as “The Pier”. I was able to relax and enjoy a good tuna sandwiches and some other light snacks. All flights to New Zealand leave at around 9pm local time (1pm GMT). After a delicious bites and relax, it was not time to board the flight. Being the peak season and summertime in New Zealand the flight was full. Looking out the window I was able to catch the registration of this very immaculate A340, it must have been washed recently. It wasn’t long before I was sitting in the cozy cabin of the A340 again heading for one of my two home countries. I had the window seat at seat 12K, my father sat next to me in the aisle seat at 12H. This was the first time I had gotten the chance to experience the new Cathay Business class and I could safely say, it was great! The traditional business class seats were replaced by elegant pod-style sleeper seats which were by far more comfortable. I found that everything I could possibly want for the 10 hours was with me. This was also the first time I got the chance to experience entertainment-on-demand.
Shortly after we pushed back from the gate to embark on our long journey South. The plane had been fueled, cargo loaded, doors closed, and pilots ready. Looking out the window I could see many other aircraft, mostly parked. Among them an EVA Air, two United’s, and more Cathay’s. While underway the flight safety presentation ran. For this flight, we’d be taking off on Runway 07R. Once there the pilots powered up for takeoff. I knew this would be a very long takeoff roll and I was right. It seemed to take forever to get airborne and we used up most of the runway. But then again, a fully loaded A340, what do you expect! After a long roll we finally rotated gently, slowly gaining altitude. The high pitch roar of the four CFM-56 engines at full-thrust weren’t powerful enough to give the A340 the runway performance of a 777 or DC-10. Because of this I was compelled to crack a few A340 jokes with my father. We always have these B777 vs. A340 wars just for the fun of it. Though I really like the A340, I always take the side of the B777. The view from my window was beautiful as we flew over the Tsing Ma Bridge with the city further ahead. Shortly after clearing the clouds the seatbelt sign was switched off and the in-flight entertainment system was switched on. I then took out the remote and relined my seat a little to enjoy the show. During the flight, I watched Friends, Austin Powers III, and Absolutely Fabulous. Dinner was served two hours into the flight. I enjoyed some delicious roast lamb with potatoes and some tea to drink. After dinner, the lights were dimmed and I was by then very sleepy. I reclined my seat further and got a good nights rest.
When I woke up, we were an hour north of Auckland. It’s amazing how a long-haul flight can just whiz by! Breakfast had already been served while I was sleeping. It was a clear day with the occasional scattered cloud as we descended into Auckland from the north. We’d be taking the regular route over the harbor before banking west over the southeastern suburbs Auckland for finals to the airport in the southwest. The America’s cup was running and I could see the sailboats outside Auckland Harbor. By now it was about midday. I could see the entire harbor, the yachts, the city, the Sky Tower, the Harbour Bridge, and the general area where family lived. We touched down smoothly at Auckland International. Out my window I could see Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai, and Malaysian B744s along with a United B772ER and of course the Air New Zealand 767s and 737s. I was surprised to see that none of their 747s were at home base at the time of my arrival.
We finally the aircraft via the second door where we went through the usual procedures of immigration, baggage collection, and who could forget, quarantine!
All in all, it was an excellent flight. Well done CX!!!
Date: December 2002
Flight:CX 107
Aircraft:Airbus A340-313X
Registration: B-HXA
While waiting for the 10-hour flight from Hong Kong to Auckland I got a chance to enjoy the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounge known as “The Pier”. I was able to relax and enjoy a good tuna sandwiches and some other light snacks. All flights to New Zealand leave at around 9pm local time (1pm GMT). After a delicious bites and relax, it was not time to board the flight. Being the peak season and summertime in New Zealand the flight was full. Looking out the window I was able to catch the registration of this very immaculate A340, it must have been washed recently. It wasn’t long before I was sitting in the cozy cabin of the A340 again heading for one of my two home countries. I had the window seat at seat 12K, my father sat next to me in the aisle seat at 12H. This was the first time I had gotten the chance to experience the new Cathay Business class and I could safely say, it was great! The traditional business class seats were replaced by elegant pod-style sleeper seats which were by far more comfortable. I found that everything I could possibly want for the 10 hours was with me. This was also the first time I got the chance to experience entertainment-on-demand.
Shortly after we pushed back from the gate to embark on our long journey South. The plane had been fueled, cargo loaded, doors closed, and pilots ready. Looking out the window I could see many other aircraft, mostly parked. Among them an EVA Air, two United’s, and more Cathay’s. While underway the flight safety presentation ran. For this flight, we’d be taking off on Runway 07R. Once there the pilots powered up for takeoff. I knew this would be a very long takeoff roll and I was right. It seemed to take forever to get airborne and we used up most of the runway. But then again, a fully loaded A340, what do you expect! After a long roll we finally rotated gently, slowly gaining altitude. The high pitch roar of the four CFM-56 engines at full-thrust weren’t powerful enough to give the A340 the runway performance of a 777 or DC-10. Because of this I was compelled to crack a few A340 jokes with my father. We always have these B777 vs. A340 wars just for the fun of it. Though I really like the A340, I always take the side of the B777. The view from my window was beautiful as we flew over the Tsing Ma Bridge with the city further ahead. Shortly after clearing the clouds the seatbelt sign was switched off and the in-flight entertainment system was switched on. I then took out the remote and relined my seat a little to enjoy the show. During the flight, I watched Friends, Austin Powers III, and Absolutely Fabulous. Dinner was served two hours into the flight. I enjoyed some delicious roast lamb with potatoes and some tea to drink. After dinner, the lights were dimmed and I was by then very sleepy. I reclined my seat further and got a good nights rest.
When I woke up, we were an hour north of Auckland. It’s amazing how a long-haul flight can just whiz by! Breakfast had already been served while I was sleeping. It was a clear day with the occasional scattered cloud as we descended into Auckland from the north. We’d be taking the regular route over the harbor before banking west over the southeastern suburbs Auckland for finals to the airport in the southwest. The America’s cup was running and I could see the sailboats outside Auckland Harbor. By now it was about midday. I could see the entire harbor, the yachts, the city, the Sky Tower, the Harbour Bridge, and the general area where family lived. We touched down smoothly at Auckland International. Out my window I could see Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai, and Malaysian B744s along with a United B772ER and of course the Air New Zealand 767s and 737s. I was surprised to see that none of their 747s were at home base at the time of my arrival.
We finally the aircraft via the second door where we went through the usual procedures of immigration, baggage collection, and who could forget, quarantine!
All in all, it was an excellent flight. Well done CX!!!
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