Flight Review: CX 837 (YVR-HKG)

Flight CX 837, YVR-HKG, economy, 58H, 23 June 2012.  This was one of the most pleasant CX flight I've ever been on, especially with the crew in my section.  Aside from cabin comfort, flight attendants (FAs) are the ones that really make a difference in travelling experience.  Regardless of how much training they received, great smiles, polite manners, and proactive services, cannot be maintained by most FAs throughout the flight - this is just human nature that we get frustrated and impatient after the 50th time saying, "sir, would you like chicken, beef, or pasta ... oh I'm sorry, we do not have pork."     


I've always praised Cathay Pacific's (CX) inflight meals.  Since my first flight, I've enjoyed and am excited for inflight meals.  If you compare inflight meals to a restaurant, then I believe we are on a totally different channel.  Think of all the complicated preparation, heating, and safety processes that are involved; we should really appreciate those airlines that still try their very best to provide economy passengers with a complimentary three-course meal, which usually includes three choices of hot entrees (Business and First get comp meals anyways).  


This "period's" CX 837 menu is surprising good (I used the term "period" as they do alter once in a while)!  For lunch, I've selected "baked salmon with white wine butter sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli".  First course came with "prawns with light curry mayo vegetable salad".  A very interesting and "delightful" sauce with fresh tasting prawns!  The entree was just a slight disappointment as the salmon was over-cooked.  But yes, it's been shipped and heated for preservation, and so over-cooked can be excused!  The sauce and mashed potatoes were great!  As a well-known selection on CX's flights, Haagen Dazs ice cream was simply great as dessert!  


Dinner was what I really need to praise as it was the highlight of the entire flight!  "Beef with peppercorn sauce, parsley potatoes, carrots and spinach."  The beef was extremely tender and tasty, considering it's an inflight meal.  The entire combination of the entree was top-notched!  The cake was ordinary, but it was still very nice to have a piece of cake! 


With CX's new introduction of Premium Economy, I am excited to experience the new service on my return flight.  I am very much looking forward to the "enhanced entree" and new cabin experience!  Now, I am aware that Premium Economy has been offered by various airlines and it was first introduced more than ten years ago - why so excited?  I'm excited and glad that this service is finally introduced on Cathay's fleet.  In fact, according to it's description and promotion, it should be more prestige than other "regular" Premium Economies.  


Stay tune for my next inflight review on Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy Cabin!  

CX 837 Inflight Menu (23 June 2012)

 

   

Where's My A380?

Everytime when Airbus delivers to carriers their first A380, a hope arises that I will see "my" A380's commercial service to YVR.  The hopes never come true but I'm still waiting and my hope is still out there ...

2007, Singapore Airlines, first A380 delivery customer - oh wait, Singapore no longer flies to YVR.  2008, Emirates, with the largest A380 order - wait a second, Emirates is having a dispute with our government on flying rights to Canada.  2009, Air France, perhaps Air France KLM will decide to fly Air France's A380 for the regular KLM services to YVR?  Nope, not going to happen - I'm thinking too much!  2010, Lufthansa, my glorious Lufthansa with regular daily FRA-YVR services.  Oh wait another second, daily flights using A340-300, and A340-600 for high seasons - chances of using its 526 configurated A380 is pretty slim.  2011, China Southern and Korean Air, well one thing for sure is that we have lots of Asian flights.  However, China Southern did commence services to YVR but only 3 times a week using the 772s.  Again, not too wise to fly a 506 seats configurated A380 over.  Korean Air, yes, regular daily flights!  Right, 772s, once a day, probably won't be replacing the 250-ish seat 772s with the 407 seats configurated A380s.  However, during summer, the Korean 744s do come once in a while.  Well, I guess I can go on and on and there still won't be any chance of bringing over the A380 ...

But to keep my hope going, I figured that BA will be receiving its first A380 in 2013 (expected), and BA does daily flights to YVR using 744s.  During summer season, BA flies twice daily flights using 744s from Tuesdays to Thursdays, and Saturdays to Sundays, in addition to the regular daily flights on all other days.  The problem is, Virgin recently commenced the LHR-YVR route, and even though it flies only four times a week using A343s, BA's market share will somehow be affected. 

Other potential hopes include Asiana and Skymark, where both will receive A380s in 2014 and both expressed interest in flying to YVR.  The rapidly expanding Hong Kong Airlines will also be receiving A380s in 2015, which it could be possible to compete with CX's existing HKG-YVR twice daily services.  Emirates, if the long dispute with our government will ever be resolved, could fly an A380 over.  Virgin Atlantic will also be receiving A380s in 2015, but it depends on how much market share it can gain.  Or perhaps, Virgin can consider adding other routes to YVR.

In terms of which carrier I wish to see, I will have to favour Lufthansa, Air France and Emirates, which I believe their liveries fit very well on the A380.  Already with daily scheduled flights, Lufthansa could possibly bring the 748i over, which first entered commercial service (FRA-IAD) earlier this month as a launch customer.  But, I still want my A380 ...  

A380 First Flight to YVR - Route Proving Flight Test - 26 November 2006
(Photo by my friend Michael)

A380 Second Flight to YVR - Flight Testing - 16 October 2007

     

   

The Great British Carrier - Virgin Atlantic

Some of you may have witnessed the inaugural flight of Virgin Atlantic to YVR just two weeks ago on 24 June 2012.  Onboard were VIPs including the fun and loving President Richard Branson and other regular passengers.  The Vancouver Airport Authority welcomed the special flight and a whole new business and economic opportunity by arranging a Vancouver spirit team of internal staff in Canucks jersey and hockey sticks, forming an imaginery red carpet as the VIPs deplaned the A330-300 aircraft.  The A340s will be used as future regular commercial flights.  

The media and BC Premiere Kristy Clark were also arranged on an airside by the West De-icing Pad, where the aircraft parked.  With the special welcome arrangement, passengers were transported on YVR's new CoBuses back to the terminal.  Future flights will make use of the airport's gates and jet bridges.  It was sure an excited day as the airport shifted away from the traditional water splash greeting.  
 
Speaking of creativity and innovation, to me, this is thinking outside the box.  I cannot say this is the first airport that has ever done it as I've not seen all the first flight welcome ceremonies in the world, but adding both our local and national hockey spirit, and matching it with the fun loving man Richard was definitely an unexpectedly great choice!  
 
New routes keep rolling on, and let's see what happens when Sichuan Airlines make its inaugural flight to YVR on 22 June 2012.  As a more traditional Chinese carrier, how much creativity can be applied?  Well, I believe that the traditional ways may still retain its philosophy even with a new creative taste - only with the right amount of creativeness that is ... 

VS095 - A330-300 Touched Down on 26R

Special Welcoming on West De-icing Pad
(LOOK, KLM 773ER in speicial "ASIA" livery too!)

Airport Authority Staff in Canucks Jersey forming a welcome lane.
Media on speicla platform near left wing.