- Introduction
- The Renaissance Saigon
- Cathay First Class
- InterContinental Hong Kong
- Cathay First Class Lounge
- Park Hyatt Tokyo
For starters, the specific flight we took from Hong Kong to Tokyo is normally done on a smaller plane without a first class. I however, found and booked an exception: the same route on a Boeing 747-400. The flight holds something like 280 economy, 50 business and 9 first class. On this flight we were the only two in the first class cabin. We saw only each other and the two staff members during the flight. Two of us, two staff, one cabin.
Cathay is continually rated one of the nicest first class cabins in the world and the best part is their suites are consistently available on partner awards. I used British Airways Avios this time but it could be booked with most OneWorld partners (like AA). Their suites are more than spacious. In my wife’s suite I could sit in the seat across from her or even sit next to her as each seat it 36 inches wide and comes with an automan that serves as a smaller guest seat as well. Near the end of the meal (after some turbulence was over) we could dine together in her suite.
Kudos to the staff as they were incredible. Great hosts and fun to talk to. When the flight landed we both wished the flight was actually longer! Careful what you wish for, right?
We were tucked away in the first two suites, 1A & 1k, in the nose of the plane.
Peeking into my wife’s suite.
This kind of shows how much space is in each suite. Unless you’re over 6 feet tall, your feet cant touch the other seat/automan in upright. But I would lock up the TV that extends into the automan space so that we could sit and talk.
Each suite has 3 windows (except 4D which is an island on its own).
I didn’t realize just how adventurous I was being by ordering the Japanese dinner (hint), but I ate a lot of raw finish that flight. Also, Carrie could only eat her appetizer and one of her entrees. Surprisingly, I couldn’t continue with dessert, just too much food.
A great flight. I wonder though if a first class is a waste of a lie-flat bed if it’s not an overnight, but it was my last chance to fly Cathay this trip and it was quite an experience.
