You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
11 Nov 11	CX 889	1A	777-300ER
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
First Class	88428	English	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Hello and welcome to this special and unique "fifth freedom" flight that took at the end of 2011.

These type of flights are defined as flights that are operated between two countries that are different from the home country of the airline operating them. in the past I have cherished these flights and they provided me the opportunity to try more "exotic" airlines. Some of the ones that I remember were JFK-YUL on AT and SFO-YVR on PR. Unfortunately during the time that I took those flights I was not much of a trip reporter and i didn't have enough photo material to create these reports. There were other "fifth freedom" flights that I wished that I could have flown on like LAX-NRT on now defunct RG, IAH-MEX on AF, SFO-YVR on QF and LAX-LHR on NZ.

For 32,500 miles to fly F on a world class carrier, this has to be the best deal for a North American award. CX proved to be a superlative experience. By far the most comfortable F seat in my limited experience in this cabin (previous F intl experiences were on LX, LH and UA at the time.).

I checked in at the BA club with a CX designated agent and she issues me a boarding pass with seat 1A. I'm in for a treat. She then describes the lounge set up to me and invites me to go to the F lounge and take a pre-flight supper if I desire.

I opt to take a shower first and she directs me to the showers.

Nice Elemis toiletries inside and love the shower with different settings just like the ones at the BA lounges @ LHR.

After a refreshing shower I head to the BA F lounge. The lounge is divided into different sections. Some areas are really crowded. Overall nice setting and pretty spacious. I decide to go to the F dining area for some real food. Attendant asks for boarding pass upon entering and welcomes me.

There is a buffet arrangement with plenty of choices. Good quantity but quality is compromised a bit.

I nibble on a few dishes and finish off with cheese crackers grapes and a glass of port. I then explore the small F lounge inside the club which is to the left side of the reception entrance.

First one to board and there were already 3-4 FA's by the door to greet passengers. Purser saw my boarding pass and gave it to a FA who escorted me to my seat. She introduced herself and offered to hang my coat then asks if I want champagne or any other beverage. Made some small talk and then excused herself.

Betsy returns with a set of pajamas from Shanghai Tang printed menus and new amenity kit by Ermenegildo Zegna. She asks for my clothing size and then hands me a set of pajamas size L. I've read on previous posts that pajamas were on request only for this segment but in my experience they were given to me automatically.

Door closed and after take off FA's started cabin service. Very little announcements from the cockpit. There were 3 FA's working the F cabin with only 2 passengers including myself. A thick hot towel is provided on a tray.

To start I had an Oriental Breeze (a sour plum tea and cranberry juice based drink with honey fresh lemon juice and a hint of rose water.) served with warm nuts. It was replenished a second time diligently. I browsed through the menu trying to decide what to sample.

I chose the foie gras and smoked duck for appetizer and then the Chinese set. Surprised at the small portion of foie gras but it tasted good. Presentation was very nice and you can tell that some thought and effort have been put into it.

Chinese set (Quail with Chinese yam soup Marinated gluten with dried mushroom & Stir fried seafood in X.O. sauce served with jasmine rice stir fried pak choy black mushroom and carrot flower). X.O. sauce is a dried seafood based sauce that includes scallops dried fish and shrimps cooked with chili peppers onions and garlic.

Stir fried seaffod in X.O. sauce and accompaniments. The meal was fine but I could have ordered this from any decent Cantonese restaurant in the city. I should have ordered the Western meal instead which was Grilled double bone lamb chop with rosemary jus polenta roulade and grilled zucchini. :(

Double nougat mousse cake with raspberry coulis.

After the meal service another hot towel was brought and then I walked around the cabin. Service was very discreet and from time to time you could see FA peeking through the closed curtain. If you make eye contact she will immediately come by your seat and inquire if you need anything. Never heard slamming of carts or any noise from the galley. Purser and other 2 FA's advised me that if I needed to sleep they would gladly make the bed for me.

WC with nice sink in F.

Studio CX entertainment system was phenomenal offering 100 movies over 350 TV shows 888 CD's 22 radio channels and 70 video games.

========== NewYork JFK (JFK) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 8/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 9/10

========== British Airways First Lounge ==========

Staff Service: 9/10

Entertainment: 8/10

Business Center: /10

Food: 8/10

Lounge Design: 9/10

Spa and Bathroom: 9/10

Wifi: 10/10

========== Cathay Pacific - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 10/10

Crew: 9/10

Entertainment: 10/10

On-time performance: 10/10

Appetizer: 8/10

Starter: 0/10

Main Meal: 9/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 10/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 0/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Vancouver Intl Arpt (YVR) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 10/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

Summary:

Undoubtedly this was the best way to fly on a transcontinental flight within North America and I was glad to fly with a top world carrier. Everything about this flight pretty much met my expectations. The only minor flaw was the absence of pralines which were mentioned on the menu but never offered

13 Comments

Casper — May 05,2020

It's what I call travelling in style for this small hop. Thanks Adan for this review.
Reply

jetsetpanda — May 05,2020

Hi Casper,

Definitely worth every single mile or penny spent.
GG_007 — May 05,2020

Thanks for sharing this TR

Nice 5th freedom flight

"take a pre-flight supper"
You didn't publish the menu

On board a comfortable seat

It's very generous from CX to offer pajamas on this leg

"Surprised at the small portion of foie gras"
Was it a hot foie gras poêlé ?
It looks weird to be a terrine

" I should have ordered the Western meal instead "
You didn't have enough time to ask for ???

"The only minor flaw was the absence of pralines which were mentioned on the menu but never offered"
You were too shy to ask for !
Next time please let me fly with yo ;)

See you soon
Reply

jetsetpanda — May 05,2020

Salut GG,

"You didn't publish the menu"
- Perhaps because I didn't find the choices too appealing. ;)

"It's very generous from CX to offer pajamas on this leg"
- Nobody else did for a flight within North America.

"Was it a hot foie gras poêlé ?"
- I think it was and served warm if I remember correctly. Not a terrine for sure.

"You didn't have enough time to ask for ???"
- Asking for an extra meal past midnight would be gluttony. :P Besides I thought it would be proper to have a Chinese meal flying on CX.

"Next time please let me fly with yo ;)"
- With the amount of trips that you take I should be the one asking to fly with you instead. I am only a shadow compared to the number of reports that you have. ;)

A plus tard.
Thomas — May 05,2020

The best way to cross interstate, sort of :)
Thanks Adan for this review, always a delight in First :) !
Reply

jetsetpanda — May 05,2020

Hi Thomas,

Not bad for a transcon within North America. :P
AAFlyer — May 05,2020

Seeing Gilbert's reports and then yours, it looks like you were on extensive diet !!! A great report. Many thanks adan.
Reply

jetsetpanda — May 05,2020

Hi AAFlyer,

I'm just an "amuse bouche" compared to Gilbert's reports. :P Glad you enjoyed it.

GG_007 — May 05,2020

He is a panda, I'm a bear : we're not playing in the same league ;)
Emile — May 06,2020

Thanks Adan, The money was well spent for such a great product.
Reply

jetsetpanda — May 07,2020

Hi Emile,

No regrets. ;)
Capoune — May 07,2020

Hello Adan,

What a nice way to fly through North America!!
Thank you for sharing with us.

Take care my friend
Reply

jetsetpanda — May 07,2020

Salut Seb,

Perhaps it was the best way to fly within North America. ;) Sadly no more.

Bye my friend.