Hong Kong to Sydney (QF metal but CX lounges)

[NSun]

I went to Hong Kong and Xiamen for a few days earlier in July. I booked Premium Economy with QF and applied for an upgrade on the way back - being overnight it was the natural choice. I knew first hand how wonderful it was to snag a First Suite and was able to do once my upgrade was confirmed at T-54. I arrived from Xiamen at 5pm on Cathay Dragon. I had to get to the Main Terminal and did by a bus across the tarmac. It took 10 minutes, we were held up by other aircraft - including this Finnair A350.


Once I got to the terminal (and through transit security) I had about 2 hours of lounge-hopping before my flight. I headed straight to the Wing First Class lounge. I stopped by 2 days earlier (on the way to Xiamen) and was able to secure a Cabana immediately. So either the difficulty I'd heard about getting one of these was fake news or I was just having a lucky day. I had only been minted as a Platinum in April and never visited either of the Cathay First lounges before this trip.


A glass of champagne went down well...


As if one showerhead wasn't enough...

Yes I did try having all three on at once!
I then went to have dinner at the restaurant.


Having had the Beef Cheek 2 days ago I decided to go with the pork neck. It tasted much better than it looked. I also drank Port but did not get a photo of the glass on this occasion. I did have a full dining experience in the Pier which I will get to.


I then went to see our inbound aircraft for QF128. VH-OQK. It is Qantas' 2nd youngest A380 having entered service in 2011. It had only been repainted 6 weeks prior. This is the 6th QF A380 I'd flown on (having been on VH-OQB, C, D (twice), G (twice) and I before) although the first that had been repainted.

The A380 as an aircraft model may be over 10 years old yet there were at least 4 other people at the gate (which was number 23) recording its arrival. Yes, its still that majestic.

However it had gotten in 40 minutes late so I suspected we'd be delayed. I headed back to the Qantas Hong Kong lounge. I spent several months as a Gold prior to reaching Platinum (which I only got due to a 'status run' I did in February immediately following QF's DSCs offer). While a Gold I'd rarely bother to visit Cathay's other lounges. I loved the BBQ pork and still did this time around.



I also like the signature coughtail ('Chi Chi') which is made up of of pineapple and rum.



To be continued...

 

[NSun]

There is also a buffet. But if you sit in a certain area, there are other made to order plates available. I did not try one but here was the menu.

I then remembered I hadn't been to HKG since 'The Deck' opened and could access it by walking out the other end of the Qantas lounge. I only stayed for a minute because I saw on the monitors the confirmation boarding would be 40 minutes late.

So... I raced off to the Pier.

I went straight to the dining room and decided to go straight to dessert.



I had ice cream...


...and the flagship mocktail 'Cathay Delight'.

2 days earlier I had a full dining experience.

Here is the full menu (its more extensive than the Wing).

When I visited 2 days ago I had the beef cheek.

I did not bother asking for a massage. I figured, having waited 2 and a half hours for one last time, I had no hope of getting one unless my flight was delayed far more significantly than it already was. I did however check out the Day Suites. Obviously by now it was dark but I included photos from 2 days earlier when the view was better. It should be noted this room is totally sound proof and there is no 'wake up' service so unless you have a lot of time, be careful about having some shut eye.

 

[NSun]

Most of the time you will have some company on the other side. 2 days ago I'd had a Lufthansa A380 (an airline we never see down in Australasia).

Although this night there was an Emirates A380. I tried to take photos but they did not come out so well. Anyway...I raced back to Gate 23 where everyone was lined up for boarding but boarding had not begun. There is yet another liquid check at the gate so it took 10 minutes to board.
Now, Qantas do not sell First Class suites as First Class on this route. They just treat it like part of Business Class and let their high-tier members sit there. I snagged this (the last seat) as soon as my upgrade was processed.



You still get the Business class menu, amenity kit. You won't get First class lounge access (unless you're Oneworld Emerald) nor the proper first class bedding (you just get the business class blanket - no mattress, but honestly there's no need for it down here, the seat is comfortable enough without it).

The only disadvantage is that all the Economy passengers walk past you (unlike in other ports such as Sydney where there First passengers have their own entrance). Even in Sydney, SYD-HKG A380 flights generally use Gate 10 or 24 which requires First passengers to use the economy door or use the upper deck entrance and walk downstairs. It was awkward having over 300 people walk past me but better sitting there than still waiting in the queue outside.

The flight was uneventful as I went straight to sleep and managed 6 hours. In the morning I had a 'strawberry and guava energiser' and a yoghurt/muesli mix.

Nevertheless, it was a great flight that left me tempted to try this cabin when it is First class - although as long as I hold Platinum it won't be as exclusive because I'll have First lounge access already.

 

[craven morehead]

Nice work !!

 

[kermatu]

Not a bad way to travel, hey? Thanks for posting.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Thanks for posting - looks like it was a good trip with plenty of lounge time!