My adventure to Vancouver, Canada started on 2 flight sectors via Cathay Pacific, the first being on Economy from Singapore to Hong Kong, while the Hong Kong to Vancouver sector being on Cathay Pacific Business Class.
Being the most important trip of my life, there was simply too much for me to cover in a single post. Here, I would talk about my hop from Singapore to Hong Kong, as well as my Cathay Pacific lounge hopping at Hong Kong International Airport. I will continue my Hong Kong – Vancouver trip report in a future post.
I had looked forward to the flight, not only because I was on the trip of my lifetime to come to Vancouver for studies. It was also the first time I got to take Cathay Pacific’s International Business Class on a long haul flight, in their spanking new A350. I was all hyped up before the journey. Despite the fact that there were hiccups that caused me to postpone my trip (and the very fear that the situation at Hong Kong would take a turn for the worse that will cause me to be skip the Business Class experience totally), I was still looking forward to having it all unfold before me!
Trip Overview
SIN – HKG
Flight: CX714
Aircraft: B777-300 (B77Z/P)
Cabin Class: Economy
Seat: 64K
Seat Configuration: 3-4-3
Flight Time: 1.20am – 5.10am
(Delayed 40 mins for take off, but arrived 10 mins early)
Flight Duration: 3h 21m
Check In at Changi Airport Terminal 4
My journey started at Changi Airport Terminal 4. Since I would be staying in Canada for a year, I had packed my luggage to the brim. I was allowed to check in 2 pieces of luggage, each not weighing more than 32kg, as a Business Class passenger travelling to the Americas. However, the allowance was lower for my Singapore to Hong Kong sector, which was 30kg in total per passenger travelling on Economy Class.
Thankfully, the check in staff considered that my onward flight was on Business Class and applied that requirement for my SIN-HKG leg. I was all prepared to pay for the excess baggage!
My other concern was whether my baggage could be checked through from Singapore all the way to Canada. I had redeemed my Hong Kong to Vancouver sector fully with Asia Miles, while my Singapore to Hong Kong sector was full fare-paid. This meant that both tickets were not booked on the same reservation (i.e. do not have the same booking number), there was a high chance that the staff would treat them as separate flights. In the worse case scenario, I had to check out at Hong Kong International Airport, retrieve my luggage and then check in again. That would add another 2 hours minimally to my travel time!
Again, I was blessed that the check in staff recognised that my 2 separate tickets were for a single trip and assured me I only need to retrieve my baggage when I arrive at Vancouver.
Lastly, visitors to Canada are required to apply for an electronic visa, called ETA, prior to embarking on the flight. However, as I was going for studies, my “ETA” was in the form of a letter to the immigration officer in Vancouver, where I would receive my study permit on arrival. That resulted in some time spent explaining to the staff, who was nonetheless understanding of the situation.
Revisit SATS Blossom Lounge
I had been to SATS Blossom Lounge, open to Priority Pass members, at Changi Airport Terminal 4 on several occasions. My experience back then wasn’t so pleasant, as I had explained in my other blog.
To be honest, I didn’t really need to use the lounge that day. CX714 was a red-eye flight and I had enough time for dinner before check in. However, as a Priority Pass member, I do have free access to Priority Pass lounges twice a year. After this trip, I doubt I would have the chance to take flight again any time soon, so I thought I might as well utilise my privilege!
This time around, the lounge were bustling with activity. There was a number of flights departing around midnight. In fact, I heard quite a lot of Korean being thrown around, so I assumed they were mainly there to take the Korean Air flight KE646 to Incheon, Seoul.
Unlike my previous visit, the hot food section was ready. Choices include Fried Rice, Lo Han Vegetables, Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower Soup. Even the desserts were out in full display, from slabs of cakes to mouse and pudding.
I must say I did not miss out much. The rice was slightly undercooked and too “wet”, and the chicken was too tough. The cookie crumble mousse didn’t spark joy when I ate it, though it was the most decent of the food that I took.
There was also a fully stocked beverage bar, from where I helped myself to a… can of herbal tea, as I anticipated a long night to come. There was also a salad bar filled with an assortment of greens that looked vibrant and fresh.
Pardon me, I’m not exactly a vege-person, so I totally skipped that.
My favourite turned out to be the snacks / junk food bar. Despite feeling “heaty” from staying up past bedtime, I still helped myself to the Indonesian prawn crackers, nostalgic gem biscuits and assorted nuts. That being said, I was already full from dinner and from trying out the hot food, so I didn’t go for second rounds of the snacks.
Except for the gem biscuits.
I went for it again just before I left the lounge, because that was something from my childhood, and I doubt I will be able to enjoy it in the near future!
Waiting to Board at G18
Cathay Pacific now flies from Changi Airport Terminal 4, the unofficial budget airline terminal. All, but 4 of the aerobridge were catered for single aisle aircraft operated by budget airlines. For full service carriers like Cathay Pacific and Korea Air, their aerobridges are tucked away at the end of the terminal building, from G18 onwards. It allowed more space for the aircraft, but also made it feel more exclusive, since the passengers from budget carriers are unlikely to walk all the way to this part of the terminal.
The design of the terminal made the waiting area feel big and airy. In fact, in terms of how cavernous the waiting area was, T4 won the other older, established terminals hands down.
As G18 was at the corner of the building, there were also seats that faced the apron and offered a view of the Changi Airport Control Tower and the other terminal buildings. There were also in-seat power supply, though it was not available at every seat, so one has to arrive early to get some juice.
I’ve taken CX714 on few occasions and waited at G18. However, I observed that on every occasion, there was not enough seating for everyone taking the flight. Many of us ended up standing around or wandering off to G19 for seats.
Therefore, one has to be really early to score a seat at the waiting area (and to use the power supply), or just pack your time by shopping at the numerous stores in T4 until the very last minute.
Our queue formed up pretty early, despite the fact that the gate agents only allowed boarding via boarding groups. I really admire the staff for having to “chase” passengers who did not belong to the first boarding group away!
Start of Journey From Singapore to Hong Kong
I mentioned in my other blog about my Economy Class seating philosophy: Always choose a seat as far back as possible, especially if the destination airport is a world class one that doesn’t have long queues.
To me, there’s no point trying to sit at the front and try to be the first to alight. First, the First and Business Class passengers are going to be the first to alight. Secondly, there will be the long, awkward wait squeezed in the aisle with the other cattle class passengers. Thirdly, springing up immediately to retrieve your bags after the seat belt sign is off will only work if you are seated at the aisle.
CX714 was an overnight flight, so I preferred to take a window seat so I could have slightly more space (without having to shift whenever someone walks along the aisle). Moreover, while Hong Kong Airport is busy, they are not tardy – the queues are as long as those found in Kuala Lumpur International Airport or Bangkok Suvanabhumi Airport, but the queue moves 10x faster than the latter airports.
Usually, it takes about 10 minutes after the seat belt sign is turned off before the first row of the Economy Class could start to alight. From there, it was about another 5 minutes to clear the rest of the aircraft. I prefer to sit comfortably in my seat at the back to wait for the crowd to clear. Especially when there’s still a long journey to go, I thought I would save my energy.
Last, but not least, I get to board the plane earliest, albeit for the Economy Class.
My seat of the night was 64K, which was not so far back as I would usually have. Cathay Pacific’s B777-300 Economy Class usually have 71 rows. At the time of booking, I saw that the back rows were fully booked, leaving some pockets of space in between the last rows and the first row of the rear cabin. I reckoned those were blocked for tour groups.
True enough, the tour group appeared full of energy. They were made up of elderly who spoke at the top of their voices despite being in a small, enclosed space.
I was prepared for a long night. However, the elderly quietened down immediately after the lights were turned off for take off – they fell asleep for most part of the flight!
Whole Row = Comfort?
Not only did I get to enjoy peace throughout the night, after the cabin crew secured the aircraft doors, I found myself (delightfully) having the whole row to myself!
It was amazing, considering that the flight was almost full. In the rear cabin I was at, the only empty seats were the 2 beside me!
Having a whole row to myself meant a great deal to someone in Economy Class. I got to man spread as much as I wanted! It was, however, difficult to spread myself out across the 3 seats (i.e. lay across the seats), as I wanted to keep my seat belt on (LINK to seat belt safety).
I did, however, get to toss and turn as freely as I wanted, without worrying that I might kick my neighbour as I switched my legs.
Getting to enjoy the whole row was also one of the last “lottery” I have dreamt of striking. I mean, who in Economy doesn’t dream of this? The experience, though, let me realise that I’m really not suited for red eye flights in Economy Class. I just can’t get myself comfortable sleeping while seated!
Seats of Cathay Pacific Economy Class
Since it was a pretty new aircraft, the seat onboard was also modern. The Inflight Entertainment System on the seat back was updated with responsive and intuitive software, packed in a huge screen with good colours. The USB charging ports were right below the screen. I could also put my handphone (and other small items) on a mini tray just below the screen.
The meal table was also “double-fold” in order to create more space for the giant seat pocket – it had a main compartment where all the inflight magazines were found, and 2 smaller ones in front of it: good for small items like passports and night bags.
As an “L” size guy, I found the seat to be decently wide – I had sufficient space to place my personal bag beside me. The leg room was also amazing! However, I was told it suited me because of my short legs…
Inflight Meal – Night Snack for Red Eye
The total flight time was 3 and a half hours, which was very short considering passengers had to catch our sleep during this time. At the same time, the cheapskate inside me was also longing to be fed (it was my “benefits” lol).
Thankfully, the crew came down the aisle swiftly to distribute the supper for the night: Turkey sandwich with packed cake, Kit Kat, fruit salad and a packet drink packed into a neat snack (and sustainable) box! There was literally food for every preference! I felt that was a little heavy for night snacks, but on hindsight, I realised I could have kept the cake and Kit Kat for later… 😛
When the aircraft touched down, Hong Kong was still shrouded in darkness, so I could not take any videos of the arrival. Interestingly, many passengers were as chilled as I was to get off the plane. I half suspected it was because they were still in twilight zone like I did!
Look Out for the Next Part of My Journey from Singapore to Vancouver!
This was really a massive post! As such, I decided to leave the part about my onward journey from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada till next week (if I manage to edit it in time :P).
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Till then, sing while you can!
Editor’s Note: This article was first posted on Sing in Can blog in 2019. It is now re-posted with edits on Live.Life.Love as SiC has closed down.
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