TRIP REPORT: CX715 Hong Kong to Singapore Changi (BUSINESS CLASS) – Taking the long way to Singapore

CX715 Hong Kong International Airport to Singapore Changi Terminal 4 (BUSINESS CLASS)
Taking the long way (and back) to Singapore

Time to see how Cathay Pacific does in this short segment between two of Asia’s powerhouse cities. Does the Cirrus Seat still stand up well? 

In this adventure

• I needed a break
• 02:40 on the coach? Nothing changes, with Heathrow Terminal 5 and British Airways South Lounge
• BA776 London Heathrow to Stockholm Arlanda (Club Europe)
• An afternoon in Stockholm featuring ABBA The Museum 
• Off to Stockholm Bromma, AY840 Stockholm Bromma to Helsinki Vantaa with NoRRA (Economy Class)
• A Rapid Helsinki Transit and The Finnair Lounge
• AY099 Helsinki Vantaa to Hong Kong International with Finnair (Business Class)
• Transiting Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Lounge
• CX715 (AY5855) Hong Kong International to Singapore Changi Terminal 4 with Cathay Pacific (Business Class)
• Into Singapore, IBIS Budget Crystal
• The Mercure Hotel, Bugis
• Boating around the Singapore River
• Exploring Hawker Markets and random fooding around Singapore
• The Best Camera is the One You Have With You – Exploring The Gardens by the Bay
• Up to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark…
• …and the fallout of a stolen and returned iPhone
• Back to Changi Airport the Pokemon Centre at the Jewel and Terminal 4
• 3K513 (AY6379) Singapore Changi to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (Jetstar Asia Economy Class)
• One night in Bangkok and the Avagard Capsule Hotel, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi
• An early morning at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and The Miracle Lounge, D Pier
• AY142 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Helsinki Vantaa with Finnair in Business Class
• Out of Vantaa Airport and into Helsinki… and a little beyond
• Holiday Inn, Helsinki Airport
• Early morning at Helsinki Vantaa Airport and The Finnair Schengen Lounge
• AY841 Helsinki Vantaa to Stockholm Bromma with NoRRA (Economy Class)
• The slow return to Arlanda Airport (with a military band)
• D84459 Stockholm Arlanda to London Gatwick with Norweigan Air Shuttle
• How to get home… coach or train?
• Sometimes, Simple Isn’t Needed… Or Wanted

CX715 Hong Kong International to Singapore Changi Terminal 4 (Business Class)
Sold as Finnair AY5855
Cathay Pacific, Airbus A350-900
Seat 16A, Business Class 

I headed down the jet bridges, turning for the business class jet bridge. Now, that’s a nice thing to have – a jet bridge practically for myself.

I was welcomed aboard the Airbus A350-900 and headed down to row 16 – forgetting I was in the first section of the aircraft (as Cathay Pacific reserves its very low seat numbers for its first-class cabin – which this aircraft doesn’t have.

Finding my seat, this aircraft is equipped with the Safran Cirrus seat. It’s got reasonable privacy on it, with it being able to convert into a full flatbed. – a little unneeded on this short segment, but appreciated nonetheless.

 

At the seat was a blanket, and menu, with the headphones in the vanity case – this is also where the power and USB-A outlets live.

In front was a screen, customised to Cathay Pacific’s needs.

With all my junk in the overhead bin, I settled into what was a few years ago a top-of-the-line seat.

The Cirrus seat in the past had the reputation of sometimes rocking a bit. Thankfully, age has seemed to help these seats settle down and be a lot more stable. That’s a good thing to see.

Pre-flight drinks were served. I’m not being original on my drinks at all.

The rest of the cabin fittout was very A350 – with the electronic overhead displays. Cathay Pacific chose to keep all the overhead bins on this aircraft too.

 

 

With the aircraft loaded, it pushed back a little late. But then came the Cathay Pacific safety video. And I’m going to admit, I’ve slept through a lot of the recent safety video releases – as there are a lot of them that are getting very gimmicky (sometimes I miss the days of a video presented in an aircraft).

Cathay Pacific chose a video that is a little gimmick, but showed off Hong Kong, whilst showing the safety elements off in an efficient manner… even if it goes on for six minutes (with dual languages… it’s expected).

It was little things, like the neon signs and the use of Hong Kong scenery.

With the video done, our aircraft began its taxi around Hong Kong International Airport.

Eventually, the A350 found a runway. With ease, the aircraft took to the sky.

As the aircraft headed into climb and cruise, the crew began the hot towel service. And this is going to sound odd, but these weren’t the cheap single-use towels, but proper thick towels.

 

It’s just a little thing, but it feels a bit more quality, rather than some of the hand towels that are near enough single-use.

Orders for food were taken too.

Pre-ordered drinks arrived, with me selecting one of the Cathay Pacific signature drinks – a Pacific Sunrise. And yes, it was lonely and ginny too.

Your tastes may vary. This was served with some hot nuts. A lovely addition to the air.

Whilst I was waiting for the meal service, I explored the IFE system. Exploring the system, there’s a mixture of movies and TV Series. I browsed a bit until I hit a classic – Green Wing.

Shows like Green Wing, The IT Crowd and even The Office, I’ve always viewed as Documentaries with Comedy – rather than just comedy. There are little things that strike far too close to home to not have more than a sliver of truth that is something that has happened in the real world.

Investigating a little further – this aircraft had inflight connectivity installed. Therefore, like a moth to the flame, I fired up the browser on my phone to work out what was what.

Whilst I could hit the front page and all the wonderful sales pitches, once registered to the internet… nothing happened. No bandwidth, no connectivity…. No nothing.

I tried to restart the device to connect but to no avail.

Sigh.

Back to Green Wing, it was, surreal and as hard-hitting as usual.

The diner service came along soon enough – with a starter of a seared scallop salad.

This was served with a choice of bread. Of course, Cathy Pacific is one of those rare airlines that serve Garlic Bread at 35,000ft It would have been rude of me not to. This was served with a side salad (so a salad with a salad…)

For the main, I chose one of the meals – which was one of the featured items from Duddells. This being braised pork and rice. The pork was not too tough and braised well, whilst the rice was well-flavoured.

Although having the chilli oil pack on top was helpful – spice is always welcome in the air, as how the tongue perceives food when in elevated altitudes changes.

To wrap up, the crew conducted a trolley service for dessert –  with cheese and ice cream being offered. I’m no fan of cheese – so I wussed out and stuck with ice cream. The airline has chosen to offer Haagen Dazs Ice Cream.

I would take the lactose-based punishment later.

I spent the rest of the flight taking it easy – there wasn’t much else to do other than fly the 3 hours to Singapore. I put the seat into a relaxed mode (as a bed mode wasn’t needed to be honest – I had spent too long asleep on the previous segment).

I did need to go to the small room. Thankfully the toilet on this Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 has a window in it. Because people are really going to watch you in the sky, whilst at night.

The short journey to Singapore however, was short. With the run taking around 3 hours between the two cities. Soon enough, the lights came up for landing, with seats put back into position.

With that, the crew settled for landing, and I looked out into the black inky skies for life – not that the camera did a great job of capturing it.

Nearing 

The Cathy Pacific Airbus A350-900 landed with ease.

With the aircraft firmly on the ground, the Airbus A350 began its taxi around Singapore Changi. The airline doesn’t use the traditional main terminal block, rather Cathay Pacific was one of the first customers of Terminal 4. This terminal was built on the site of the previous Budget Terminal.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350

The Singapore Airlines “Albino” Star Alliance Boeing 777

Full of majesty and majesticness, the China Eastern Airbus A330 stands out in the evening…. looking like it’s ready to have its tail pain stripped off and sent back to a lessor. Sorry China Eastern. Try a little harder, please. 

Over the ECP

Two big Asian powerhouses at rest.

I thanked the crew and headed off into the wonder of Singapore

Overall

The crew did great service aboard, and I remember the warmth of Cathay Pacific.

And dare I say, much improved catering than before. Sometimes, these big partnerships can pay off, as long as they deliver for the customer.

As for the Cirrus seat, compared to some of its competitors – it’s starting to show its age. Whilst it does have some privacy (which those in business class love), it feels a step behind as we look to the Vista and Visa seats that Safran now sells – as well as competitors from CollinsAerospacee and Thomspn Aeroseating.

It was interesting to note that this was a regional final configuration – but a long-hauling haul config that heads to other big cities – including London.

Cathay Pacific has teased its next-generation seats, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the airline is planning for its passengers. I look forward to seeing them in the future.

Next

It’s time to enter Singapore, as well as my first night stop for Singapore – the Ibis Budget Crystal in Geylang.

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