Welcome to First Class

It was only a few months back that I was asking myself if I could remember the last time I flew First Class? Although it was many many years ago, I remembered one journey in particular very well. It was a flight between Brisbane and Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines. What I remember the most is the frozen vodka that preceded the caviar service, served on mother-of-pearl, with service equally as sublime and which was truly unforgettable. From time-to-time I remember back to that flight, funny enough a time when I was a college student frequently buying discount tickets to go home. In recent years, despite having Platinum status on one major Asia airline, Gold on another and lifetime Gold status with one of the world's major alliances, I have never been upgraded to First Class. That was until a recent flight on Cathay Pacific from Taipei to Tokyo.

I checked in as a Business Class passenger and at the gate was upgraded to First Class. As I was traveling alone there was no reason to decline the upgrade and as I boarded I noticed the plane had the new First Class configuration, a sort of private suite at the front of the plane - a self-contained cocoon of pure luxe. In addition to having ample space beside me, in front of me and everywhere around me, there was a decent sized closet for my bags and jacket and many compartments for things such as my passport, mobile phones, headset, books, magazines, a scary-sized monitor ... I could go on and on. 

I am sure no-one needs to be told the seat is fantastic and the entertainment system is phenomenal, but what's Cathay's story when it comes to food? It could very well just be me, but every Cathay flight I take seems to serve crap food. This flight in First Class was no different. Lots of highly-processed, gelatinous, cold, boring dishes which left me craving for a simple cup of hot instant noodles. When I travel in Economy Class I am happy if I get a meal. When I fly in Business Class I expect food on the level of a good restaurant. When I travel in First though (even when I'm not paying for it) I expect Michelin-star quality. Is that wrong? What do people who actually pay for First Class tickets expect?

In fairness, I am currently boycotting ANA's business class from Tokyo to Hong Kong because of the disgusting meals they serve on that sector through the end of May (Hong Kong to Tokyo meals are fine, however). I fly to Tokyo from time-to-time for work. I wrote ANA a letter to say I was disappointed with the food - how although I thought it reminded me of a good home-cooked meal made by a friend's mum, it wasn't the kind of thing I wanted to eat in Business Class at 42,000 feet! (Although bland edamame tofu burgers whose consistency is not dissimilar to cardboard is fun when you're on a health kick, it's not really a meal I look forward to) Oh, and please could I have another option instead of Harumi Kurihara's menu!? The response from ANA was a very polite "Thank you for your comment, we hope you enjoy our service in the future". For trips to Tokyo there are other options, but (back to the story at hand) living in the Cathay Pacific hub of Hong Kong, it's hard to avoid flying Cathay.

Bottom line: I have a love-hate relationship with flying and am therefore a picky customer. I am happy to fly any class of service provided it is semi-decent, it's just that when I think about how much a ticket costs nowadays and all the extra charges that are tagged on from luggage to ticket changes, you've got to ask yourself "Are you kidding me!?" Cathay Pacific has a fantastic new product in it's redesigned First Class, unfortunately regardless of which class you fly and whether it's a new configuration or not, Cathay's meals simply suck sour radishes! Flyer beware.

Specs

Airline: Cathay Pacific

Flight: CX450

Route:  TPE-NRT

Aircraft: 747-400

Class: Business Class (upgraded to First Class due to full flight)

Mileage Program: Marco Polo Club - Green Member

Recommendation: Great (suite) seat but BYO food