watch the video review on youtube too!
Hey guys, before starting today's flight report, please also check out my flight reviews on YouTube as Marco Polo Club Flyer and my flying shots on my Instagram at cxka_ken!
YouTube (Marco Polo Club Flyer):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_bpEhIzqjh_x2hXdx390A
Instagram (cxka_ken):
https://www.instagram.com/cxka_ken/?hl=en
YouTube Vid for this flight:
Let's start the flight!
Although Cathay Pacific operates around 5 daily flights between Seoul Incheon and Hong Kong, the check-in counters are not always open. They only open 3 hours prior to each flight departure. CX only sends Boeing 777-300ER with First Class cabin to the capital of South Korea occasionally, and I was lucky enough to book onto this flight with First Class services. A First Class check-in counter was available for First Class passengers and Marco Polo Club Diamond members (= Oneworld emerald members). Check-in was efficient and smooth, and I got my boarding pass quickly without any check-in baggages.
Cathay used to have her own lounge here at Seoul, but it was closed down when Cathay moved out of the satellite terminal. As a intermediate measure, Cathay used the Airline Association Lounge, which was just a combination of a few meeting rooms with a small buffet area. I didn't take much photos here, but you may refer to the YouTube vid for more details!
The gate was just a stone's throw away from the lounge. As it was not yet time for boarding, I walked around the terminal for a bit longer. When I was back to the gate, boarding has already started and I boarded right away.
The Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabin has a total of 6 seats, arranged in a 1-1-1 layout. As greeted by the Senior Purser at the door, she told me that I was their only passenger in First Class today and I could own the whole cabin! She also asked for my welcome drink preference and I asked for a glass of their Signature Drink - Cathay Delight, which was served with a hot towel and a Bose headset. The Purser also handed me the lunch menu.
This may not be the most modern seat product in the industry, but after several refreshes, the seat is still in great condition and has a generous seat width.
Boarding was quick with the light load and the jet pushed back for the take-off.
Once in the air, the purser came with nuts and asked me if I would like some drinks. I asked for some jasmine tea with dry rose. This combination of drink was recommended by an Inflight Service Manager on another flight.
2019 was the year of Pig, and as Chinese New Year was approaching, I bought two pig dolls from Cathay and brought them onboard for photo taking. The red "laisee" envelopes were from the Cathay Lounge at Hong Kong. Are the pigs cute?
The Purser came and asked when I would like to eat. I told her that I would like to take some more photos first and asked her to do me a favour - if she could switch off the lights of the cabin.
Each seat is equipped with three signal lights -
the blue one is on when the electric socket is supplying electricity (charging your electric appliances)
the green one is on when the seat is in upright position (for take-off and landing)
the orange one is on when the call bell is on.
I deliberately asked the crew to turn off the cabin lights to take a clear shot of these three lights.
And soon, it was time to start the meal. First Class passengers can choose from an a la carte menu and dine whenever they want on Cathay. As this flight departed at noon time, lunch was served. The purser has taken my order before take-off and the meal was served right away when she knew I was ready.
There were two dishes for appetiser - a tomato orange soup, and a lobster salad. Personally, I am not a fan of tomatoes, so the soup tasted average to me. But for the lobster salad, I loved it and finished the whole dish.
For main course, I went for the Chinese option, which was a steamed halibut with egg fried rice and some vegetables (choy sum). The fish was tender and delicious, while the veggies were tasteless. I left most of the rice and veggies aside.
Flying out of Seoul, Cathay also offered this Korean dish - Bibimbap. The dish consisted of some Korean beef and vegetables, some seasonings (chilli sauce, sesame dressing, preserved vegetables) and a Korean steamed rice. By mixing all the things together, it is a delicious dish.
Stir and Mix!
After two main courses, I was too full for cheese. But as the Purser knew that I was an aviation fan, she asked me if I would like to take a photo of the cheese with the lovely marble plate. Of course, I didn't say no, and I love this pic! :)
Fruits - I am a mango lover!
And finally, desserts were served. There were two desserts - the strawberry tart and a coffee pudding with pop-corns. The former tasted fresh, but the latter was a bit too sweet for me.A
Lastly, I concluded the meal with a cup of cappuccino.
Loved the overall meal experience!
After the meal, I spent some time watching TV shows. As we were approaching Hong Kong, the manager came and thanked me for joining them on the flight. She offered to help me take a photo with the empty cabin.
A proof of being the only one in the cabin.
And finally we are back to Hong Kong!
Do you want to experience Cathay's First Class between Hong Kong and Seoul after my report? But bad news…. Most regional First Class services have been suspended since May 2019 due to operational reasons…. Cathay is now only operating First Class on flights between Hong Kong and Beijing and between Hong Kong and Tokyo Haneda for short flights. (First Class is still available on long flights like to London, New York, etc.) So, there are fewer chances for us to fly First Class on short flights in the future….
Thanks for joining me on this journey. Please give me a like if you liked it. Also, do not miss my YouTube channel and my IG account for flight review videos and travelling shots!
YouTube (Marco Polo Club Flyer): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_bpEhIzqjh_x2hXdx390A
Instagram (cxka_ken): https://www.instagram.com/cxka_ken/?hl=en
Chao for now!
