Long Haul Business Class for under $2K (Long Post)

[casinoclub]

I use BA to search Oneworld availability, then call AA or US Air with the specific flight numbers.  There have been incidents of "phantom availability," but it generally works for me.

 

I meant where the Point Pro's web site?

[Luv2Phuket]

I meant where the Point Pro's web site?

 

DOH!  Sorry about that....

 

http://www.pointspros.com/

Edited August 1, 2014 by footypjman

[bgtp]

PointPros was able to find a pretty decent itinerary on Delta and Korean Air! I am rolling with that while it is there. Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated!

 

That's great! Scoring a RT biz ticket to BKK for 140K Skymiles is no easy task, so it was probably worth the money to use the pros. Enjoy!

[wackyjacky]

I've only had full flat in J on Ana (except around 10 years ago) & I used up my US Air miles to fly the 787 out of SJC too. If you get stuck on old metal it might not be the greatest I guess. I think Ana's food & service are superior to CX. I'd drag my ass all the way down to San Jose anytime to fly the 787, but alas all my * Alliance miles are gone. You feel so much better on arrival due to the humidity. In Biz, OZ and Eva are on a par with CX.

[Little Evil]

Pickings have indeed been slim recently. I've been looking for Aug & Sept with no luck on a complete trip. That includes using my own BA searches, Point Pros and one of their competitors. It finally dawned on my that I should expand my search for airports within a few states. Was able to score CX-F through Points Pros, with the one caveat of having to take a short 1 hr $90 flight one state over before hitting the CX longhaul. Used Amex points for that shorthaul, so all in all it was $190 US Airways fee, of which $75 was for rush booking fee due to the proximity of my departure (this month). That $75 isn't normally put on fares when booked months out, but I can't really complain because I scored an award. I don't know why I never thought to do that before regarding expanding my point of origination. In any case, CX and others do open up more availability a couple weeks out, so if you're flexible or desperate, you may find new openings in the 11th hour. And for any points program naysayers out there--I priced out this itinerary on Cathay's website. This trip would have cost nearly $28k USD if purchased outright. lol. I love the miles game!

 

FPJM: Any pro tips on CX-F? I believe you mentioned that you had the chance to sample their service before. Anything I should look for on the menu or service-wise?

[casinoclub]

I've just flown CX-F, it's pretty nice.  I don't think I go out of my way to look for specific service.  It was comfortable.

[Little Evil]

I've just flown CX-F, it's pretty nice.  I don't think I go out of my way to look for specific service.  It was comfortable.

 

Wow. Just "pretty nice"? I suppose it is still just a plane, but I really had my expectations up since CX always seems to be in the top 3 for world's best first class product (hard and soft). Were there any special menu items that stood out to order? I'm going to get my Kurg-on at the very least. Haven't flown first in a long time. Always go business, so I'm just looking to get the most out of the experience. Only downside to my itinerary are slightly tight connections, so I don't know if I'll even get to check out some of the lounges either. At the very least, I hope to check out their BKK lounge before leaving. I don't suppose they have massage areas like the Thai first class, do they?

[casinoclub]

Wow. Just "pretty nice"? I suppose it is still just a plane, but I really had my expectations up since CX always seems to be in the top 3 for world's best first class product (hard and soft). Were there any special menu items that stood out to order? I'm going to get my Kurg-on at the very least. Haven't flown first in a long time. Always go business, so I'm just looking to get the most out of the experience. Only downside to my itinerary are slightly tight connections, so I don't know if I'll even get to check out some of the lounges either. At the very least, I hope to check out their BKK lounge before leaving. I don't suppose they have massage areas like the Thai first class, do they?

 

Well, I don't want to over hype it. :-) 

 

I couldn't possibly eat everything from the menu and they kept me well stuff the entire trip.  TBH, I think I ate too much.  I had to skip 1 meal. :-)

 

I am not a big wine person, so I stuck to baily on rocks the whole way.

 

I've some pictures from last week, so let me sort those out and post it here or PM you.

 

My personal preference... I like the soft/hard ware on Thai Air for FC better.  Don't get me wrong, they are both excellent, but I like the feel of Thai air better.  Why?  At Thai air, they make you feel like royalty.  CX they make you feel like VIP.

 

I'll illustrate the difference between Thai FC and CX FC.

 

Airport

--------

Thai has special first class check in.  And you have people escorting you almost the whole way.  Premium lane, premium security check in.  And 1 on 1 seated check in.

 

Done my FC check in with CX in BKK, so can't compare.  Just normal check in like Economy except shorter line.

 

 

Lounge

----------

Lounge at BKK are HUGE and have private "living rooms".  You can sit anywhere and there are cook to order food and you can eat anywhere.  When asking about the gate, the guy walked me out of lounge and point me to the direction.  The staff to customer ratio is close to 2:1 if not 1 to 1.

 

 

Lounge at HKG are open air and relatively huge.  But it's similar to many business lounge I go to.  Eating is done at dinning area.  Good selection.  The staff to customer ratio is pretty large, had to look a bit to find the staff.

 

 

Aircraft

----------

Thai: I had a suite with privacy door.  So the entire cube is closed.  The chair is a massage chair.  And lay flat.

 

CX: chair is similar to the business but much bigger.  I don't like the taper end for the feet (much much more narrow at foot then at head area.  I think the foot area is about 1/3 the size of the head area.  THis makes it not so comfortable when you sleep on your side, there's no place for feet to go.

 

Service

----------

Thai:  As with Thai custom, the staff never talked to you with their head above your head.  You'll notice that's what they do with Thai royalty.  And so when the staff talks to you, they literally sit on the ground to talk to you.  Odd, but makes you feel like royalty if you know what I mean.

 

CX:  Very professional in a 5 star Four Seasons / Ritz Carlton kind of way.  Very polite.  Very friendly.  So you are made to feel like a VIP.

 

 

Food

-------

I think this is a draw here, but I think CX may have a bit more variety (even if most not my likely.  a bit too exotic).

 

 

I'll see if I can get some pictures sorted and post.

Edited August 6, 2014 by casinoclub

[Little Evil]

Well, I don't want to over hype it. :-) 

 

I couldn't possibly eat everything from the menu and they kept me well stuff the entire trip.  TBH, I think I ate too much.  I had to skip 1 meal. :-)

 

I am not a big wine person, so I stuck to baily on rocks the whole way.

 

I've some pictures from last week, so let me sort those out and post it here or PM you.

 

My personal preference... I like the soft/hard ware on Thai Air for FC better.  Don't get me wrong, they are both excellent, but I like the feel of Thai air better.  Why?  At Thai air, they make you feel like royalty.  CX they make you feel like VIP.

 

I'll illustrate the difference between Thai FC and CX FC.

 

Airport

--------

Thai has special first class check in.  And you have people escorting you almost the whole way.  Premium lane, premium security check in.  And 1 on 1 seated check in.

 

Done my FC check in with CX in BKK, so can't compare.  Just normal check in like Economy except shorter line.

 

 

Lounge

----------

Lounge at BKK are HUGE and have private "living rooms".  You can sit anywhere and there are cook to order food and you can eat anywhere.  When asking about the gate, the guy walked me out of lounge and point me to the direction.  The staff to customer ratio is close to 2:1 if not 1 to 1.

 

 

Lounge at HKG are open air and relatively huge.  But it's similar to many business lounge I go to.  Eating is done at dinning area.  Good selection.  The staff to customer ratio is pretty large, had to look a bit to find the staff.

 

 

Aircraft

----------

Thai: I had a suite with privacy door.  So the entire cube is closed.  The chair is a massage chair.  And lay flat.

 

CX: chair is similar to the business but much bigger.  I don't like the taper end for the feet (much much more narrow at foot then at head area.  I think the foot area is about 1/3 the size of the head area.  THis makes it not so comfortable when you sleep on your side, there's no place for feet to go.

 

Service

----------

Thai:  As with Thai custom, the staff never talked to you with their head above your head.  You'll notice that's what they do with Thai royalty.  And so when the staff talks to you, they literally sit on the ground to talk to you.  Odd, but makes you feel like royalty if you know what I mean.

 

CX:  Very professional in a 5 star Four Seasons / Ritz Carlton kind of way.  Very polite.  Very friendly.  So you are made to feel like a VIP.

 

 

Food

-------

I think this is a draw here, but I think CX may have a bit more variety (even if most not my likely.  a bit too exotic).

 

 

I'll see if I can get some pictures sorted and post.

 

 

Great write up! Getting me psyched to get wheels up, and that's just the plane ride let alone going back to Patts. I think you're right about the door suites beating out most reverse herringbone seating. I would have liked to have tried Thai again. Was kind of disappointed last time with Thai, but that was because I had the older business with the 170* seats. Even the United Business First leg I had was better than the older Thai business (Royal Silk?). I suppose Thai goes all out for first class because they know that just means someone of sufficient means is coming into their country and could be a great longterm investor. Thai air is the Marquee carrier for Thailand, after all. They also get a bit of an advantage at swampy, being the flag carrying airline and all, so I'm sure airport space and amenity rules are bent a bit in their favor.

 

Next on my list to try, airline wise, is Emirates First Suites, Lufthansa First (with the separate bed and seat), and if I hit the lottery, Etihad "The Residence".

[sneradog]

I agree with most of casinoclub's write-up. The only thing I would beg to differ on is the quality of the food-I think it is much better on CX. Everytime I have flown on Thai F, my biggest disappointment was the quality of the food. On CX the grub can be quite tasty. If you will be served breakfast on your F light, you can ask them to make eggs for you from scratch- one of the best airplane breakfasts I have ever had. I personally prefer CX F over TG F, I feel that overll it is just a more polished and more consistent product (although I cannot argue that the Thai BKK ground experience is significantly superior).

I had no problems with the CX F seat-I am 5 feet 11 inches and had no problem sleeping in any position of my choosing. Make sure to ask the crew to make the bed for you before you go to sleep-ideally while you are in the bathroom changing into your PJs.

I agree that you are stuffed mercilessly with food on those long-haul  F flights- I feel that they should have  a wheelchair at the destination airport so that you can be wheeled off the plane.

FInally, the CX lounge at BKK is a very average business-class lounge-no dedicated first class facility there. I was in that lounge and came away unimpressed. I heard the QF lounge at BKK (to which you should have access) is better , but I have not been myself.

[Little Evil]

I agree with most of casinoclub's write-up. The only thing I would beg to differ on is the quality of the food-I think it is much better on CX. Everytime I have flown on Thai F, my biggest disappointment was the quality of the food. On CX the grub can be quite tasty. If you will be served breakfast on your F light, you can ask them to make eggs for you from scratch- one of the best airplane breakfasts I have ever had. I personally prefer CX F over TG F, I feel that overll it is just a more polished and more consistent product (although I cannot argue that the Thai BKK ground experience is significantly superior).

I had no problems with the CX F seat-I am 5 feet 11 inches and had no problem sleeping in any position of my choosing. Make sure to ask the crew to make the bed for you before you go to sleep-ideally while you are in the bathroom changing into your PJs.

I agree that you are stuffed mercilessly with food on those long-haul  F flights- I feel that they should have  a wheelchair at the destination airport so that you can be wheeled off the plane.

FInally, the CX lounge at BKK is a very average business-class lounge-no dedicated first class facility there. I was in that lounge and came away unimpressed. I heard the QF lounge at BKK (to which you should have access) is better , but I have not been myself.

 

 

Nice tip about the eggs and QF lounge. Those are the things I was hoping to hear from people with CX experience. Being a longtime Star Alliance guy, I have no prior experience with One World airlines outside of a few shorthaul flights I've made out of pocket over the years (meaning no F/J). This is kind of new waters for me with One World. So far I'm a bit concerned about award space, but I hope that relaxes in the months to come.

 

I'm short, so I don't think I'll have an issue with the seat, but I do get what Casinoclub is saying. Suite style seats give you full bench footrests, which end up being the lower section of the bed. I was kind of hoping my Amex Plat and Priority Pass would get me into Thai first class Lounge, but for the record they only offer something called the "Louis' Tavern CIP First Class". Not sure what that is, but I'll probably just stick with QF or whatever CX gets me. 

[Luv2Phuket]

I think casinoclub's breakdown is thorough and dead on.  Thai's first class service at BKK is unparalleled, but I don't think it's the same at other airports.

 

On my lone Thai first class flight, I was on a much older plane, but it did have the doors that close, giving you more privacy; however, the Cathay seat is the widest and most comfortable I can recall.  I can see CC's point about the narrowing where your feet are.

 

I'm not a champagne or a cavier guy, so that perk is wasted on me -- I turn it down!  If you like either, I think they have some nice offerings.

 

One thing I do not like about Cathay (business and first) is the inability to select your meal ahead of the flight, but the food always tends to be excellent.  I typically go for the beef options, and have had no complaints.  One of the two "standout" food times for me was the crab cakes (available anytime as a snack -- just takes about 15 min to heat them up, and the flight attendant told me to order as many as I wanted).  Like CC, I ate WAAAAAY too much on the flight...unlike CC, I didn't skip a meal!  55555

 

I'm also a big fan of Chinese egg tarts (although I prefer the Portuguese version sold in Macau).  I think they're offered as a snack only on flights coming from Hong Kong.

 

The first class lounge in Hong Kong has showers, and the shower "cabanas" are pretty damn sweet -- if I'm flying Cathay first from LAX to BKK, I pack something to change into and build in a little bit of a layover so I can grab a shower there before the final leg from BKK-HKG.

 

BTW, going back to the subject of this thread, the 100% bonus on US Air miles bought from 30,000-50,000 appears to be back (thru Aug. 22).

 

Here are some photos from my last flight (HKG-LAX) to get you a little revved up....bear with me...there are quite a few!

 

 - these give a nice view of how WIDE the seat is, CC's point about the area where your feet go, and how sweet the "bed" is when the flight attendant makes it up for you (I ask her to do it when I go to change -- the free jammies are pretty sweet (I now have 3 or 4 pairs!), but I usually just throw on a t shirt and sweat pant (or shorts)

 

 

 

 

 - here are "excerpts" of the menus from my HKG-LAX flight. It left at around 1:30 p.m., so we had lunch, then breakfast

 

 

 

I was disappointed, as I planned to try the sea bass, but they were out.  Ended up having the steak, which was good

 

 

 - the pistachio cake thing was pretty damn good!

 

 

 - my breakfast -- again, this was cooked ON A PLANE!

 

 

 - the egg tart from the snack menu on that flight

 

 

 - while not offered on that flight, here is a photo of the EXCELLENT crab cakes from a prior flight - if I had it to do all over again, I would've skipped the meal and added a few more of these!

 

 

 

Hope they helped!

 

 

 

 

[casinoclub]

sneardog is right.  CX has "much better" food.  From my perspective, they both have steak and lobster and are both cook very well (steaks are actually the way I like them, pink inside).  And that's kind of the bar for me.  CX has caviar and bilik salmon TG does not.  So that's how I look at it. 

 

And yes, when I get off at LAX, I felt a bit way over stuff ( my own fault).

 

 

CX FC menu & food

Edited August 6, 2014 by casinoclub

[Little Evil]

Great pics (is that girl naked?) and details. I'm going to be Robin Leach up in that plane, so no champagne or caviar will be wasted. They'll probably run out before the end of the leg. 

 

Your post did bring up a question though, do you mean "something to change into" as in alternate street clothes or something to change into on the plane. I thought they gave you PJ's. 

[casinoclub]

TG FC food (this is the only picture I can find)

 

 

[casinoclub]

I was stuff all the way from BKK lounge, BKK to HKG flight, then on HKG lounge, then HGK to LAX flight.  Kidding me?  if I eat anymore, I would just barf and really had to skip a few things.

 

 

The CX lounge at BKK is very disappointing (but I wish I had known I can go to QF lounge).  Put it this way, there's no bathroom inside the CX lounge in BKK.

 

Between CX FC Wing lounge at HKG and TG FC lounge at BKK, I would still pick TG FC lounge at BKK.  So HKG is pretty gigantic airport.  My departing flight was at Gate 3 which the CX FX & Biz lounge is right next to.  So I walked up to the "ground floor" Wing entrance.  The lady tells me "The FC lounge is else where, you need to go up".  So I am left to find my own way up a floor which was not easy (I've been to HKG airport plenty of times as I travel to China often as well). 

 

In BKK, they would have escorted me all the way to the lounge and hand me over to the lounge attendant (which they did).

 

I don't need to be escorted, but it's nice. What can I say?  FWP (First World Problem).

 

Event at NRT with ANA.  They had 2 ladies waiting for me at the gate as I got off plane and escorted me through the NRT airport (which again is HUGE).  They took me all the way to the transit counter and until I go through the transit security check point.  That was their sole job.  Make sure I get to transit counter for ANA.  Love it. :-)  Two Japanese cuties. :-)

 

Asiana at ICN, not so much.  Took me a while to find the transit counter and they are spread out everywhere and different airline at different counter.

 

 

TG FC at BKK is something special.  It really is, both inbound and oubound.  On the Inbound, I was escorted (1:1 ratio) all the way from plane to handing my luggage over to the taxi driver that pick me up.  I just need to hold my own passport.

Edited August 6, 2014 by casinoclub

[Luv2Phuket]

I HAD photos of one of the shower cabanas in Hong Kong, but I cannot find them now (I GOTTA get my "travel porn" more organized!)

 

This is probably better, though -- a nice review (with photos) of the Hong Kong cabanas from about 2 months ago:

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2014/5/6/33422/60625/travel/Inside+a+First+Class+Cabana+at+Cathay+Pacific's+'The+Wing'+Hong+Kong+Airport+Lounge

[casinoclub]

Great pics (is that girl naked?) and details. I'm going to be Robin Leach up in that plane, so no champagne or caviar will be wasted. They'll probably run out before the end of the leg. 

 

Your post did bring up a question though, do you mean "something to change into" as in alternate street clothes or something to change into on the plane. I thought they gave you PJ's. 

 

Both CX and TG provide you with PJ that you can change into. :-)

 

I never did ask if they'll help me change into. :-)  I mean, why not?  When I go massage, the girls help me shower and wash me off. :-)

[casinoclub]

Ooop the Cabana looks nice.  No wonder they were all booked when I was there.  Could just soak there for 30 minutes or so before heading out. :-)

[casinoclub]

CX FC Seat

 

 

[Luv2Phuket]

Great pics (is that girl naked?) and details. I'm going to be Robin Leach up in that plane, so no champagne or caviar will be wasted. They'll probably run out before the end of the leg. 

 

Your post did bring up a question though, do you mean "something to change into" as in alternate street clothes or something to change into on the plane. I thought they gave you PJ's. 

 

I didn't mention that they have BGs in first class?!?  55555

 

They DO give you pjs -- quite nice, actually.  I usually fly in shorts and a t-shirt, but keep a long sleeve t shirt and pair of sweatpants in my travel bag in case the flight is freezing cold.  I have used the pjs on one flight.  I'm a big guy (6'2"; 240), so they're little small, but still fit well enough that I use them at my place in winter.  On my next flight in CX first, I think I'll opt for the pjs and leave my sweats at home!

 

I was stuff all the way from BKK lounge, BKK to HKG flight, then on HKG lounge, then HGK to LAX flight.  Kidding me?  if I eat anymore, I would just barf and really had to skip a few things.

 

 

The CX lounge at BKK is very disappointing (but I wish I had known I can go to QF lounge).  Put it this way, there's no bathroom inside the CX lounge in BKK.

 

Between CX FC Wing lounge at HKG and TG FC lounge at BKK, I would still pick TG FC lounge at BKK.  So HKG is pretty gigantic airport.  My departing flight was at Gate 3 which the CX FX & Biz lounge is right next to.  So I walked up to the "ground floor" Wing entrance.  The lady tells me "The FC lounge is else where, you need to go up".  So I am left to find my own way up a floor which was not easy (I've been to HKG airport plenty of times as I travel to China often as well). 

 

In BKK, they would have escorted me all the way to the lounge and hand me over to the lounge attendant (which they did).

 

I don't need to be escorted, but it's nice. What can I say?  FWP (First World Problem).

 

Event at NRT with ANA.  They had 2 ladies waiting for me at the gate as I got off plane and escorted me through the NRT airport (which again is HUGE).  They took me all the way to the transit counter and until I go through the transit security check point.  That was their sole job.  Make sure I get to transit counter for ANA.  Love it. :-)  Two Japanese cuties. :-)

 

Asiana at ICN, not so much.  Took me a while to find the transit counter and they are spread out everywhere and different airline at different counter.

 

 

TG FC at BKK is something special.  It really is, both inbound and oubound.  On the Inbound, I was escorted (1:1 ratio) all the way from plane to handing my luggage over to the taxi driver that pick me up.  I just need to hold my own passport.

 

I had the EXACT same issue at HKG last month!  It REALLY pissed me off -- they gave almost no directions whatsoever, and was wandering around that massive airport trying to figure out where they were trying to send me.  Basically, I walked about 15-20 minutes to GET UPSTAIRS from where I was when I started!

 

I think the elevator is being repaired or there are some kind of renovations underway.  Regardless, I don't want to sound TOO spoiled, but I was shocked by the absolute lack of customer service from Cathay in that situation.  

 

Plus, when I got to the first class section, the food options were much worse than my prior trip (maybe it was a timing issue).

 

I have NEVER experienced anything like the service at the Thai first class counter at BKK -- like you say, escorted EVERYWHERE, and the food in the lounge was unreal!  I felt like a freakin' visiting dignitary

[casinoclub]

TG FC Seat  (Both side equally wide), and I don't have the chair end picture (w/o me) but trust me, it's good. :-)

 

 

 

 

[Laid Back Larry]

I have flown 1st class with Thai Airways in Asia but from what I have seen it seems they don't have have 1st class on all flights out of Europe, only business.

I have not checked which destinations actually have, but Scandinavia has not.

Strange though, the money should be there but it's not in the culture I think.

 

Last year i experienced a TG flight with old seat config on BC, no bed. When I flew out in July (still here) they had installed new seat cubicles with 100% recline into bed. I am a small size guy but even I found the cubicles a bit narrow.

The flight was out of Oslo and decidedly had no 1st class. I have previously observed the same from Copehagen, whereas in my days living in London, they had 1st class and I would expect them to have as other airlines have.

[Little Evil]

I didn't mention that they have BGs in first class?!?  55555

 

They DO give you pjs -- quite nice, actually.  I usually fly in shorts and a t-shirt, but keep a long sleeve t shirt and pair of sweatpants in my travel bag in case the flight is freezing cold.  I have used the pjs on one flight.  I'm a big guy (6'2"; 240), so they're little small, but still fit well enough that I use them at my place in winter.  On my next flight in CX first, I think I'll opt for the pjs and leave my sweats at home!

 

 

I had the EXACT same issue at HKG last month!  It REALLY pissed me off -- they gave almost no directions whatsoever, and was wandering around that massive airport trying to figure out where they were trying to send me.  Basically, I walked about 15-20 minutes to GET UPSTAIRS from where I was when I started!

 

I think the elevator is being repaired or there are some kind of renovations underway.  Regardless, I don't want to sound TOO spoiled, but I was shocked by the absolute lack of customer service from Cathay in that situation.  

 

Plus, when I got to the first class section, the food options were much worse than my prior trip (maybe it was a timing issue).

 

I have NEVER experienced anything like the service at the Thai first class counter at BKK -- like you say, escorted EVERYWHERE, and the food in the lounge was unreal!  I felt like a freakin' visiting dignitary

 

Holy crap. Are they just sending people through the ringer for fun at HKG? First off, my transfer was to gate 3 as well and I had arrived at a gate in the 40's, meaning I got a nice tour of THE ENTIRE AIRPORT to get to the transfer gate. The airport is indeed massive too. It's a rather cruel joke, as the gate numbers count down so you think gate #3 should be getting close, but then they start counting up from 1. The Cathay ground crew could barely speak English. They put some sort of sticker on my shirt.

 

Me: "What is this for?"

Cathay: "So they know you"

Me: "Who will know me?"

Cathay: "They will know you"

Me: "Who?"

Cathay: "Yes"

Cathay: "Do you know where transfer is?"

Me: "No, where?"

Cathay: "Gate 3"

Me: "Yes, I know gate 3, but where is gate 3"

Cathay: "At gate 3"

Me: !*&%@#!*&%#!@

 

My arriving plane was late from a suspected ground crew issue at departure, so I had to basically run the entire way with little knowledge of where I was going. Cathay's FC experience was otherwise flawless other than the HKG ground crew, which is crazy because HKG is their home airport. I would have liked to have had the 2hrs 50 min that I booked between flights to have experienced their HKG lounge. This was further exasperated by the fact that my FC ticket meant nothing through the security checkpoint and I was also stopped right at the gate for a luggage check. I arrived at my seat sweating and aggravated, the exact opposite of why I booked a long layover and why I was flying first. Cathay gets an A+ in the air, but a F- on the ground.

 

As for BKK: Don't even bother with the Cathay lounge at the G wing. Tiny, limited food, and no bathrooms. Seriously? I understand maybe not having showers, but no toilet? I was actually pleasantly surprised by the Louis' Tavern CIP. Much larger and classier than the tiny Cathay lounge. Bigger spread of food too. While I didn't personally check, I think they had in-house bathrooms.

[Luv2Phuket]

Holy crap. Are they just sending people through the ringer for fun at HKG? First off, my transfer was to gate 3 as well and I had arrived at a gate in the 40's, meaning I got a nice tour of THE ENTIRE AIRPORT to get to the transfer gate. The airport is indeed massive too. It's a rather cruel joke, as the gate numbers count down so you think gate #3 should be getting close, but then they start counting up from 1. The Cathay ground crew could barely speak English. They put some sort of sticker on my shirt.

 

Me: "What is this for?"

Cathay: "So they know you"

Me: "Who will know me?"

Cathay: "They will know you"

Me: "Who?"

Cathay: "Yes"

Cathay: "Do you know where transfer is?"

Me: "No, where?"

Cathay: "Gate 3"

Me: "Yes, I know gate 3, but where is gate 3"

Cathay: "At gate 3"

Me: !*&%@#!*&%#!@

 

My arriving plane was late from a suspected ground crew issue at departure, so I had to basically run the entire way with little knowledge of where I was going. Cathay's FC experience was otherwise flawless other than the HKG ground crew, which is crazy because HKG is their home airport. I would have liked to have had the 2hrs 50 min that I booked between flights to have experienced their HKG lounge. This was further exasperated by the fact that my FC ticket meant nothing through the security checkpoint and I was also stopped right at the gate for a luggage check. I arrived at my seat sweating and aggravated, the exact opposite of why I booked a long layover and why I was flying first. Cathay gets an A+ in the air, but a F- on the ground.

 

As for BKK: Don't even bother with the Cathay lounge at the G wing. Tiny, limited food, and no bathrooms. Seriously? I understand maybe not having showers, but no toilet? I was actually pleasantly surprised by the Louis' Tavern CIP. Much larger and classier than the tiny Cathay lounge. Bigger spread of food too. While I didn't personally check, I think they had in-house bathrooms.

 

If you're flying Cathay first class out of Bangkok (as I am in February), are there any other lounge options made available by the ticket?