Flying Cathay Pacific

Jean Photo by Peter Morton

Peter Photo by Jean Morton

The news regarding Philippine Airlines’ plan of resuming service to Europe, beginning 4 November 2013, reminded me of our flight to the Philippines via Cathay Pacific.

Due to the long flight we decided to opt for Business class.  It was really good from Heathrow to Hong kong.  At Heathrow there was a lounge that you can chill at whilst waiting for the flight to be called. At the lounge a buffet breakfast/brunch was served.  Eat as much as you like and drink as much as you like as well, for free.  There were magazines and computers as well.  It was really good.  And when the flight was ready to go, it was announced and we were led first on the plane together with the first class passengers.  Before we could even sit down, we were given a glass of champagne and drink as much as you like – we like!!!

It was therefore quite a shock when we got to Hong kong. It was actually stressful, the flight for the Philippines was ready to leave and we were still trying to make our way to the departure lounge because our flight from Heathrow was slightly delayed.  When we finally boarded, we found the business class nothing but ordinary, perhaps just a little bit of leg room, nothing special. We also found out that Peter and I were seating on separate isles.  I went mental.  I started on a half scream and berated a couple of stewardesses brandishing our airline tickets showing our adjacent seat numbers to their vacant faces!  They apologised profusely and they let us seat together while a Filipina lady vacated one of our supposed seats.  She was probably a friend of theirs!

They then gave my husband a glass of champagne and forgot to give me one.  Of course I did not let them get away with that.  I screamed again.  A nice Chinese stewardess gave me the champagne and an orange juice as well.  When I calmed down, she gave me a survey to complete.  What a stupid thing to do knowing that I was not having the best of time.  I supposed I got to keep the Cathay Pacific pen.  LOL

The return was not much better.  Peter was so ill.  And I was so tired.  We just both wanted to die.  Then we got home and everything was ok.

Despite our experience, we can’t fly economy on such a long journey, so we will probably have to do this again in a couple of years time, hopefully with Philippine Airlines (PAL)