tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47800634299574558422024-03-19T17:31:21.978+08:00Philippine Flight NetworkPhilippine Flight Network is the leading source of airline and aviation news in the Philippines. Explore our website to discover Philippine travel destinations, hotel reviews, attractions, airline news, restaurant experiences and much more! Darryl Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119078114702463359noreply@blogger.comBlogger1134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-1984919589950989122023-07-18T22:43:00.002+08:002023-07-18T22:44:26.920+08:00United Airlines to fly San Francisco-Manila from October 2023<p style="text-align: justify;">United Airlines is set to open nonstop flights from San Francisco to Manila starting October 29 2023. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/United_Airlines%2C_N2138U%2C_Boeing_777-322_ER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="267" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/United_Airlines%2C_N2138U%2C_Boeing_777-322_ER.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">United Airlines 777-300ER<br />Image source: Wikimedia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The new service is scheduled to be daily with the outbound flight (UA191) from San Francisco departing at 12.35 am local time and arriving at Manila the following day at 6.35 am. The inbound flight (UA190) departs at 9.55 am and touches down in San Francisco at 7.20 am. These flights are now bookable on <a href="http://United.com">United.com</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The flights will use United's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This features 60 United signature Polaris (business class) seats, 24 premium economy class seats, and 266 regular economy class seats. Fares start at approximately US$1,500 (£1,138).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">With this new service, United becomes the first US carrier to offer nonstop flights between the Philippines and the US mainland. As San Francisco is a United Airlines hub, the flight gives easier access to passengers from the Philippines to more flights on United's network. Likewise the San Francisco Bay Area is known to house one of the largest Filipino communities in the US. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Currently, United flies between Manila and Guam as well as between Manila and Palau several times a week. In addition, Philippine Airlines operates nonstop flights year-round between Manila and San Francisco, as well as to other US cities such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, and New York. </p>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-58883950436181446562023-06-22T13:25:00.003+08:002023-06-22T13:32:01.241+08:00Emirates Expands Recycling Initiatives with Closed Loop SystemDubai based Emirates has unveiled a new closed loop recycling system, which will see millions of onboard items recycled at a local facility and remade into Emirates meal service products. The decision marks the United Nations World Environment Day, where the theme has been to #BeatPlasticPollution.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXi60WYgb8ao1Tqs063kudAxJJ1R9so31w-csaKz-36YKkjBqdlRwc6jBX4RPZa8xjYGobNlph_1nZtblvSiKCSxSTpZuY-nWj-HMz08KBdsJGnxS82O-R9RoliPw-gSOzy6JUX9jfWMSTp862ZCxpnlf56h9eABodSF3GOC3P0xA1RXUzhp05qjYXYdO/s1650/c1920_microsoftteams-image36.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1650" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXi60WYgb8ao1Tqs063kudAxJJ1R9so31w-csaKz-36YKkjBqdlRwc6jBX4RPZa8xjYGobNlph_1nZtblvSiKCSxSTpZuY-nWj-HMz08KBdsJGnxS82O-R9RoliPw-gSOzy6JUX9jfWMSTp862ZCxpnlf56h9eABodSF3GOC3P0xA1RXUzhp05qjYXYdO/w400-h243/c1920_microsoftteams-image36.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-unveils-new-closed-loop-recycling-initiative-to-reduce-plastic/">Emirates</a></td></tr></tbody></table>à</div><div>Beginning this month, new recycled utensils will be brought on board that have been made from discarded onboard items such as bowls, plastic trays, snack, and casserole dishes. The initiative reflects a shift toward a circular economy, where items are reduced, reused, and recycled.</div><div><br />After each flight, millions of old and damaged meal service items from the Economy and Premium Economy Class cabins will be collected after flights. The items will be washed and inspected for damage before being transported to a recycling facility in Dubai, which will ground the discarded materials, re-process and manufacture them into new bowls, trays, and dishes, that will later be deployed to Emirates Flight Catering for use on board future flights.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh5lbfTyTDZNoMriaMlbsmtiJrOvJ3p87yivOQoMnR2mi1bZd48sWBFB-6pbsQ_M0exFhlsPHnnqZUF4e7MXXV4ClHxeLujBJF_TF1vmKvKMwJsncIYAGF2zsSW0zK5xZrjytizGdEIbsi10NY3AbXCKPFKC7XTHG8-N00qm1XaSWqx-k5ieuLH8pc1NC/s1724/1920_p-4327-day2-a380-15c-talent-100648-v3-rgb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1724" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh5lbfTyTDZNoMriaMlbsmtiJrOvJ3p87yivOQoMnR2mi1bZd48sWBFB-6pbsQ_M0exFhlsPHnnqZUF4e7MXXV4ClHxeLujBJF_TF1vmKvKMwJsncIYAGF2zsSW0zK5xZrjytizGdEIbsi10NY3AbXCKPFKC7XTHG8-N00qm1XaSWqx-k5ieuLH8pc1NC/w400-h279/1920_p-4327-day2-a380-15c-talent-100648-v3-rgb.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-unveils-new-closed-loop-recycling-initiative-to-reduce-plastic/">Emirates</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />The new initiative is being undertaken in partnership with deSter FZE UAE, a leading supplier in serviceware for the aviation industry. Their expertise in closed loop manufacturing will assist Emirates in reusing plastic materials that have reached the end of their life cycle and would typically be discarded into landfills. All of the new in-flight serviceware will contain approximately 25% reused materials. The proportion is expected to increase over time.<br /><br />In addition to closed loop recycling, Emirates has diverted more than 150 million single-use plastic items from the landfill on an annual basis by replacing retail bags, coffee stirrers, and plastic straws with paper and wooden substitutes. Passengers in Economy and Premium Economy are already using soft blankets that have been manufactured from 28 recycled plastic bottles. All of these initiatives remain in line with Emirates` commitment to consuming responsibly.<br /><br />Emirates made history six years ago when it showcased a 'drywash' technique, which it uses on its fleet of more than 250 aircraft. As suggested by the name, little to no water is used in the cleaning of the aircraft, as demonstrated in the YouTube video below, titled "How to wash an A380 without water." This technique is in contrast to traditional methods of aircraft cleaning that use thousands of liters of water per wash.<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div><span face="HelveticaNeue , Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FwPBXg8X66I" width="320" youtube-src-id="FwPBXg8X66I"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Darryl Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119078114702463359noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-31134831906282020312023-06-18T23:43:00.008+08:002023-06-19T22:36:02.639+08:00Canada allows visa-free access to some Filipinos<p style="text-align: justify;">For most Filipinos, travelling to any Western country or country with a complete set of four seasons will require a visa, even for tourist purposes. Getting a visa can be a time-consuming, expensive, and nerve-wracking process. They know they need to gather evidence to demonstrate they are responsible and self-sustaining travellers. However one country is going to make travelling simpler for the Philippines.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Effective June 6 2023, Canada is going to include the Philippines in its electronic travel authority (eTA) programme. This means certain Filipinos can travel to Canada without having to secure a traditional Canadian visa. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Vancouver_Airport_Inside.jpg?20080604150758" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="504" height="373" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Vancouver_Airport_Inside.jpg?20080604150758" width="504" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vancouver International Airport<br />Image source: Iqbal Sikander/Wikimedia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">However Filipino travellers must meet several requirements to use the scheme. They must have held a Canadian visa issued within past 10 years or currently hold a valid non-immigrant US visa (e.g. B1/B2, F1 student visa, H1B work visa). They must also plan to enter canada by air transport. These are in addition to the usual admissibility requirements all travellers must meet at the border (e.g. no criminal record, no intention to take up paid income or long-term study). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">US lawful permanent residents (also known as "green card" holders) are already granted visa-free access to Canada for short-term visits under separate legislation.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In addition to the Philippines, travellers from these countries who meet the said requirements may avail of the scheme:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>Antigua and Barbuda</li><li>Argentina</li><li>Costa Rica</li><li>Morocco</li><li>Panama</li><li>St. Kitts and Nevis</li><li>St. Lucia</li><li>St. Vincent and the Grenadines</li><li>Seychelles</li><li>Thailand</li><li>Trinidad and Tobago</li><li>Uruguay </li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Travellers can check their eligibility and/or apply for an eTA by visiting <a href="http://Canada.ca/eTA">Canada.ca/eTA</a>. <span style="text-align: justify;">The application fee for an eTA is C$7 and must be paid via a credit/debit card online (US$5.30, £4.13, €4.85). The approval takes minutes and must be secured before travel. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>This scheme means Filipinos who hold a non-immigrant US visa can travel anywhere in North America (e.g. US, Canada, Mexico). Mexico has a similar policy of allowing visa-free access to Filipinos who currently hold a US visa.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser remarks “This exciting development means that more individuals from around the world can now embark on unforgettable adventures, explore our diverse landscapes, reunite with family and friends, and immerse themselves in our vibrant culture without the hurdle of visa requirements. This expansion not only enhances convenience for travellers, it will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Philippine Airlines flies nonstop to Vancouver daily and Toronto twice a week. Additionally, Filipinos can connect via Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo to travel to Canada.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/06/eligible-travellers-from-13more-countries-now-qualify-for-visa-free-travel-to-canada.html">Canada's Government website</a></span></p>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-79614563673935810182023-06-16T12:48:00.002+08:002023-06-16T16:41:57.102+08:00Singapore Airlines Flight Review: Manila to Singapore (78X) <p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>This is the first in a series of five flight reviews involving Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. The trip spans May 26 to June 3, taking the author across three Southeast Asian destinations: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok (then back to Singapore and later Manila). </i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Video version here:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RsXmXD0wty8" width="320" youtube-src-id="RsXmXD0wty8"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>BACKGROUND</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Since a pandemic was declared over COVID-19, the only overseas trip I made was <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2021/11/korean-air-flight-review-london-to.html">flying back home from the UK to the Philippines in November 2021</a>. So this is effectively my first overseas holiday in over three years. For the most part, the procedures and protocols were as straightforward as before the pandemic. No need for a costly RT-PCR or even a rapid antigen test. Even a proof of vaccination need not be shown. Although one difference is that in lieu of paper landing or departure cards, you have to do it online, preferably before arriving at the airport.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Having saved up enough money, I decided to travel to Singapore and fly there using Singapore Airlines' (SIA) business class product. I paid with a mixture of cash and miles (US$865 and over 7,700 miles). Given SIA's hard product and reputation for expensive business class tickets, I thought there would be no other better time to try it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>PREPARATIONS</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Before the 48-hour check-in window, I logged on to singaporeair.com to select my meals in advance. For this flight, I settled on the omlette option although the beef brisket option also seemed attractive. There was no "book the cook service" as this was a flight into Singapore.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Book the cook has a wider selection than the three-choice menu provided in-flight but you need to order your meal 24+ hours in advance, and be flying premium economy class or higher on a flight departing Singapore.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As I mentioned, there are no more paper landing or departure cards. But Philippine and Singaporean authorities open the registration at slightly different times. E-travel, run by Philippine authorities, invites passengers to sign in 72 hours before their flight. One gets a QR code at the end of the process to present to Philippine passport control. Singapore's platform opens two days before the flight. Once we entered the relevant information there, they would email a confirmation which we would later refer to.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Print out these QR codes and confirmations for easier presentation. They are usually easier that way than searching on your phone.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One thing that is unique to the Philippines is payment of travel tax, also known as TIEZA. This is payable either at the airport or online. We paid our taxes online to save ourselves the hassles of queuing and taking cash out.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Pay your travel tax online. This is useful if you don't want to use cash and wish to save time at the airport.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>CHECK-IN AND SECURITY</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the day of the day of our trip, we arrived at 04.30. The x-ray machines at the entrance of the gates were gone. It was slightly later than I hoped for (my fault though) but it did not matter because the desks would not yet open for another 10 minutes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jS-R72KimBkordzbyZb6kDvVbViM5n03gpWIirysZLjWFyE9H2AZm7R1_S3LydabJuSW-wzZBWrCcp-8msI8A7nOjVHxxtCU4Xb4Qo99B4GZFqo9kTcS_dL3j1YDwiv7WiwEOQwHudbKYJ7zal3t8d_u6YzIadQrXFSeQdBSzgepNv09-1w96LF-/s4032/IMG_0483.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jS-R72KimBkordzbyZb6kDvVbViM5n03gpWIirysZLjWFyE9H2AZm7R1_S3LydabJuSW-wzZBWrCcp-8msI8A7nOjVHxxtCU4Xb4Qo99B4GZFqo9kTcS_dL3j1YDwiv7WiwEOQwHudbKYJ7zal3t8d_u6YzIadQrXFSeQdBSzgepNv09-1w96LF-/w400-h225/IMG_0483.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDLuYHOrdSep7wZveVNSxQ8dmhRlvEVQt9oMwT2qwWGFrKNDp4zdpQZ-egV4fD-wDTFMsoLn_NqhE9P5Ngr96wWX-fYbX5NFrP3A0W739JfRioeJJi5S-ZtRI27CHPB_SQzuSHdsxRSAmFtf1zSEXHZ3LJ4PQDe010NoGXcrZhVdrsP-BMBBiJBXg/s4032/IMG_0488.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDLuYHOrdSep7wZveVNSxQ8dmhRlvEVQt9oMwT2qwWGFrKNDp4zdpQZ-egV4fD-wDTFMsoLn_NqhE9P5Ngr96wWX-fYbX5NFrP3A0W739JfRioeJJi5S-ZtRI27CHPB_SQzuSHdsxRSAmFtf1zSEXHZ3LJ4PQDe010NoGXcrZhVdrsP-BMBBiJBXg/w400-h225/IMG_0488.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW8le-KF0Uuj90EUvYuGjIs41OYwxVLZg7PPF_QJVC7rO_PxIiMCcpGwDDau1Hy75GtxHKDaz5DEysCr3aqW7ZAHTG5_kylyGvDuisRLiosZPjqY9ak8Aooci1pMxStsF6xpy9pStEWBQCbK_rKMivwZ-MD6zbqXrKzeHTAymuqgVfzeCKMrXn7ld/s4032/IMG_0490.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW8le-KF0Uuj90EUvYuGjIs41OYwxVLZg7PPF_QJVC7rO_PxIiMCcpGwDDau1Hy75GtxHKDaz5DEysCr3aqW7ZAHTG5_kylyGvDuisRLiosZPjqY9ak8Aooci1pMxStsF6xpy9pStEWBQCbK_rKMivwZ-MD6zbqXrKzeHTAymuqgVfzeCKMrXn7ld/w400-h225/IMG_0490.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The staff initially directed me to the longer economy class lane but when I clarified I was travelling in business class, I was sent to the latter lane.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The agent who assisted me was pretty courteous. She confirmed all the details. In no time I got my boarding card. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I would then spend the next 45 minutes queuing at security (both passport control and the x-ray). I was nervous because of horror stories involving passport control officers offloading Filipinos. But when it was my turn to present myself, it went smoothly. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: If you are a first-time traveller and are travelling to a country which does not require a visa for Filipinos, that may be a problem for you with passport control officers. Be sure to secure evidence of your ties in the Philippines. Showing stable employment, financial, and property ownership will help you overcome any issues with officers. </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As I was carrying my water bottle, my worry turned to disposing the liquids. Of course I could drink them. Given efforts to encourage sustainability, water bottles are permitted past airport security as long as they are emptied out before you reach the checkpoint.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although the wait to finish the x-ray check with was about 15 minutes, it went uneventful. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT1t4m07aLUX4m0uEttX8H8JCtGdS-touO7dRN3lO3X4mMujXcUolkyK-4wd5LuDTpHua0P5YscvxXVC7k2gaXHeI-rraKK78p0JRe0rXYtcCE445jWvfC1ylE1RQ_vVLTej0UVzqoi0EyKSSi1ZcQ6JMjbNSTGlr1EnbLspyX5nvsT5Akj69Lxor/s4032/IMG_0492.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT1t4m07aLUX4m0uEttX8H8JCtGdS-touO7dRN3lO3X4mMujXcUolkyK-4wd5LuDTpHua0P5YscvxXVC7k2gaXHeI-rraKK78p0JRe0rXYtcCE445jWvfC1ylE1RQ_vVLTej0UVzqoi0EyKSSi1ZcQ6JMjbNSTGlr1EnbLspyX5nvsT5Akj69Lxor/w400-h225/IMG_0492.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEth2ZyJAlqVAUmzjmAaSoN_hZApIujSzJz8eQBviG_H9ZfNRaZadQdTI3lJY2v_5drEwG9lzw16HMzu0DiPL0e5io6Hd3GNSepGrvzmvNWBwyf_dSXC2FIi8Z65iDQmFlguj3nhMDT1X40gN_QTALHA2x5vA8QHmwghjCxPtBOW_LkDZPyEg8ww4P/s4032/IMG_0494.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEth2ZyJAlqVAUmzjmAaSoN_hZApIujSzJz8eQBviG_H9ZfNRaZadQdTI3lJY2v_5drEwG9lzw16HMzu0DiPL0e5io6Hd3GNSepGrvzmvNWBwyf_dSXC2FIi8Z65iDQmFlguj3nhMDT1X40gN_QTALHA2x5vA8QHmwghjCxPtBOW_LkDZPyEg8ww4P/w400-h225/IMG_0494.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0GbwzNsc9yGhJdSlWjW71Gu4i_ZziK9uwVfyNfASz6kmP3u2Zp9DIPDhAFU2wcEsEhsYkhp3T_c_2maciCwhzzeSDatf67mZce9SxYNjkpJ2LrX0NoRmUJo2xcmS-7XeAUY0NmSLN2ejwgDKLv3yum3-EfhP9co-I6udOzRDNU2ZmQQucBCv6zoW/s4032/IMG_0496.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0GbwzNsc9yGhJdSlWjW71Gu4i_ZziK9uwVfyNfASz6kmP3u2Zp9DIPDhAFU2wcEsEhsYkhp3T_c_2maciCwhzzeSDatf67mZce9SxYNjkpJ2LrX0NoRmUJo2xcmS-7XeAUY0NmSLN2ejwgDKLv3yum3-EfhP9co-I6udOzRDNU2ZmQQucBCv6zoW/w400-h225/IMG_0496.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I just walked around the airside portion to see if anything has changed. I used the opportunity to take quick photos of the aeroplanes at the gate. There were planes by ANA, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Cebu Pacific (A330 neo of all planes), and Singapore Airlines. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJq-T6iayVCH-JuWu8qmWbEq7u167E287t9l5i2rnHOZbJnDKefSc1CToXRUdXNQ_yI_sj28talf0e1PmoPQW6PlgCBI-UI472ENjYHRGeJ5Pic4kcAkm6tFi110ggNaMErHMAdgPp1juAQ6pl3hsAvcUErTQAK8m4PsGKSyrOPVpka1AR_G1WL16/s640/IMG_0498%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJq-T6iayVCH-JuWu8qmWbEq7u167E287t9l5i2rnHOZbJnDKefSc1CToXRUdXNQ_yI_sj28talf0e1PmoPQW6PlgCBI-UI472ENjYHRGeJ5Pic4kcAkm6tFi110ggNaMErHMAdgPp1juAQ6pl3hsAvcUErTQAK8m4PsGKSyrOPVpka1AR_G1WL16/w400-h225/IMG_0498%20(1).jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ANA Boeing 787 on the tarmac</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LOUNGE ACCESS</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This would mark the first time I would use SIA's lounge. The interiors were nice, calming and inviting. It was not really flashy or gimmicky. And it is smaller than the lounge used by Cathay Pacific. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Business class passengers on Star Alliance flights can use the Silver Kris lounge if it if that flight departs whilst the lounge is open. </i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLnHxhpRFIvDzM0zEQO4UwE8NrSUZSfA6ODAC9mvtu-VxGiWhyEAus73UHTNU7jI1hFw6IamPBxidouawX3OI34UZzuW8AsHtnLtjtD7qdF0lhRMJt-QKO-AKX7mn_OMqJxZv8A9ME8FryOFqgeJW8DKWjNnGYu5zPQWXUnN3KkoiQJBEgF1P4OWT/s1600/1685052002775545.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLnHxhpRFIvDzM0zEQO4UwE8NrSUZSfA6ODAC9mvtu-VxGiWhyEAus73UHTNU7jI1hFw6IamPBxidouawX3OI34UZzuW8AsHtnLtjtD7qdF0lhRMJt-QKO-AKX7mn_OMqJxZv8A9ME8FryOFqgeJW8DKWjNnGYu5zPQWXUnN3KkoiQJBEgF1P4OWT/w400-h225/1685052002775545.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIA's Silver Kris Lounge at Terminal 3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwEsPhtEZiW9bt4NJHi8wZcLb20LFIGS2817ofaUsT0w8kmAkQWSomCurhgzqoKunhncZZbtcymwSCsEz2WjfNILAcW5k9ctT_oS8C1qf6M_z4VHhpVaTeWD7UzvWVnh5JzQNu_ywUyI1ww8XIzrrRuzKtItoolQkEGs_A5gTn7KAIsng9SndDHz5/s4032/IMG_0053.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwEsPhtEZiW9bt4NJHi8wZcLb20LFIGS2817ofaUsT0w8kmAkQWSomCurhgzqoKunhncZZbtcymwSCsEz2WjfNILAcW5k9ctT_oS8C1qf6M_z4VHhpVaTeWD7UzvWVnh5JzQNu_ywUyI1ww8XIzrrRuzKtItoolQkEGs_A5gTn7KAIsng9SndDHz5/w400-h225/IMG_0053.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food selection at SIA's Silver Kris Lounge, NAIA Terminal 3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">They had pods for those who wanted a slightly more private space. They resembled SIA's long haul business class seats a little though obviously without the recline. The desk was wide enough to store laptops, phones, and the food. We only had a handful of them so I was lucky to enter the lounge early to secure my space. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The food selection was a bit lacking. Not a lot of them interested me. Luckily for SIA's MNL operations, I was under doctor's orders to watch my diet and not pig out. I ended up getting some pieces of focassia bread, dinner rolls, yoghurt, and Mocha coffee. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The lounge had good views of the planes but the blinds were lowered.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At 06.30, we got an announcement saying the general seating area was shared between premium and regular passengers. We were encouraged to stay in the lounge until called to do so. Well, it was not so bad considering I had plenty of things I needed to do on my laptop. One of these things was to buy last-minute insurance just costing over ₱900 (US$16, €15, £12.85) to cover my trip.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: With COVID still a threat and unexpected surprises, always have travel insurance!</i> </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>SQ915 from MANILA to SINGAPORE-CHANGI</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>SQ915</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 110</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 787-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 07:40</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Aircraft Registration</b>: 9V-SCE</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHm8d4NYAn1scbkDIifE6NObXuXFdmvUQtZSWPGK03f1wn6O_i49h0Dpk4Oy6GkXEVoh4QHtVylNk_UAqINlGOVpwrNU77avVGR5_h5gTnR9ZI1oJVERYhny43iUSRcjLnawQBqrEwec97KeTdeYerCqRa5EiFwuBxiSadb1oYClz-Ul97u60QL-x/s640/IMG_0511.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHm8d4NYAn1scbkDIifE6NObXuXFdmvUQtZSWPGK03f1wn6O_i49h0Dpk4Oy6GkXEVoh4QHtVylNk_UAqINlGOVpwrNU77avVGR5_h5gTnR9ZI1oJVERYhny43iUSRcjLnawQBqrEwec97KeTdeYerCqRa5EiFwuBxiSadb1oYClz-Ul97u60QL-x/w400-h225/IMG_0511.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As soon as we were called for boarding, I started moving out of the lounge. On the way to the gate, I was annoyed that the travellators were not working. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At gate 110, I saw the lane for business class passengers and the staff needed only to see the boarding card. One piece of bad news: only one aerobridge (out of two) was operational. It did not make sense. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was my first ever Boeing 787 flight. I know what the seats looked like but seeing them in the flesh is a very different experience. I can feel glee inside of me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The business class cabin is laid on in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat is guaranteed aisle access so passengers do not need to ask the one beside them to scoot. But some seats are slightly closer to the aisle than others though the latter seats offer a bit more in the way of privacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: For more privacy, choose an A or K seat in rows 12, 15, 17, or 19, or - if travelling with a partner - a D or H seat in rows 11, 14, 16, or 18. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsgOrC5ZqVUbLeo9ImMfThiwfWwjxfuxOaG4qCJu68VLuwnXRkXm1_DMEcgCYEtDzGiH2YNVt4iyE21vCNGfI2y7zym1ZHhOMQ_HzyQ8e_giDuDQazAu3SpF-IrmULJ_sLdxDvmJ5moKL_BYNL2E8TyOfePXNeZwBuBNX-Z4ZkF5Ej0aHevCrg5Nr/s4032/IMG_0514.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsgOrC5ZqVUbLeo9ImMfThiwfWwjxfuxOaG4qCJu68VLuwnXRkXm1_DMEcgCYEtDzGiH2YNVt4iyE21vCNGfI2y7zym1ZHhOMQ_HzyQ8e_giDuDQazAu3SpF-IrmULJ_sLdxDvmJ5moKL_BYNL2E8TyOfePXNeZwBuBNX-Z4ZkF5Ej0aHevCrg5Nr/w400-h225/IMG_0514.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIA's business class cabin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKyPILaYo_tSEoiMuMSNlZF2JEAwIH1xG803t8P6FfqYS8_gDM65yRzm7j2w_Fy861J11sbvMl02Tgu9iWku-meAyt8Ge3yyE3k7z7zg39rn9Pbx0vFZOveslJqAu_7b21UXwS3qk8Rz3LjopEV4jqM5z2IHM5emyOcuSkGTgfJf1PSdBCAxi5R8E/s4032/IMG_0515.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKyPILaYo_tSEoiMuMSNlZF2JEAwIH1xG803t8P6FfqYS8_gDM65yRzm7j2w_Fy861J11sbvMl02Tgu9iWku-meAyt8Ge3yyE3k7z7zg39rn9Pbx0vFZOveslJqAu_7b21UXwS3qk8Rz3LjopEV4jqM5z2IHM5emyOcuSkGTgfJf1PSdBCAxi5R8E/w400-h225/IMG_0515.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGSzo9hZAPAK-vNEkJnpW_hchiNicv_czoNv8eN9QDKbjzK-yyv8qtCb5P2KncGje9tIwA-nHRO-UKt_4HK2NjItJVP5NzvPYZfggSobMNzshlIx_zvtlIQgN-H_f-qKabcjadhwTrsHYCJfz3XR4nDK_9W7KXRbFd088B98tm0r3zvWQHPxzIAGS/s4032/IMG_0524.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGSzo9hZAPAK-vNEkJnpW_hchiNicv_czoNv8eN9QDKbjzK-yyv8qtCb5P2KncGje9tIwA-nHRO-UKt_4HK2NjItJVP5NzvPYZfggSobMNzshlIx_zvtlIQgN-H_f-qKabcjadhwTrsHYCJfz3XR4nDK_9W7KXRbFd088B98tm0r3zvWQHPxzIAGS/w400-h225/IMG_0524.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RsCui5rYRebIHBNX02sT3QrStE24N_HQW4OqVuw_iTm4w2AM71tKR7AZ9kgsia3ZnnocLXHUbapoRNkQOFVxSw-cjStJijUeHa4rLDLmeGV5f48q68A4OacyEYpMTUspvrYgCl642X9AXDLFj0wlCxOUpByZygFSZLS3SuMc4ZOPM2_4DkN_QqB0/s4032/IMG_0577.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RsCui5rYRebIHBNX02sT3QrStE24N_HQW4OqVuw_iTm4w2AM71tKR7AZ9kgsia3ZnnocLXHUbapoRNkQOFVxSw-cjStJijUeHa4rLDLmeGV5f48q68A4OacyEYpMTUspvrYgCl642X9AXDLFj0wlCxOUpByZygFSZLS3SuMc4ZOPM2_4DkN_QqB0/w400-h225/IMG_0577.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERkSAonRabxLDlezJTwygsNMN3D4hMfOJtRkA7FUwuAjMS8CilPYvfDg2WL81Oeq89UXBXN6GMl6LMsjQMpJNrHtsOfVz75gH35OL8Ylivk6ndhacbVUW8BWt7Lg_XsR5e_yKtjWNTMEBC5PmJF9knedefOx9tqjDihglZV1GFBD2bS1BlBHB7klt/s4032/IMG_0585.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERkSAonRabxLDlezJTwygsNMN3D4hMfOJtRkA7FUwuAjMS8CilPYvfDg2WL81Oeq89UXBXN6GMl6LMsjQMpJNrHtsOfVz75gH35OL8Ylivk6ndhacbVUW8BWt7Lg_XsR5e_yKtjWNTMEBC5PmJF9knedefOx9tqjDihglZV1GFBD2bS1BlBHB7klt/w400-h225/IMG_0585.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5qpVDnM_iuoqc8yg_WRIUJgdCej-VKNDIquPr_i_Lti2B9yeryV2eMly70lcRXKY5ZdRyo5k8H2h6D4NWyxzfbEyOI0B3KvOgZjgclHzYky7ynpbqZQSCA82yGik8DXzYgXMZXGCTxvY-TB2xbIDDc3Wg7GrDDzUT5UMyIQu_lvHF2jZjgVFRZk0/s4032/IMG_0591.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5qpVDnM_iuoqc8yg_WRIUJgdCej-VKNDIquPr_i_Lti2B9yeryV2eMly70lcRXKY5ZdRyo5k8H2h6D4NWyxzfbEyOI0B3KvOgZjgclHzYky7ynpbqZQSCA82yGik8DXzYgXMZXGCTxvY-TB2xbIDDc3Wg7GrDDzUT5UMyIQu_lvHF2jZjgVFRZk0/w400-h225/IMG_0591.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And the crew started with serving pre-departure beverages for us. I chose the orange juice. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwOrwniujl9NscdNsdvMBzKUZeqaFJVxKaxViPkaIM4-3_QAKuN7a9ZoXjCMHazrGW1ucNa7-2G5HO41lCWoO3o_Ci6ygJtL-OExmJL_h7rhguKHq_bWw1q4_zuFHjAbzWdKe89ivH4LClWEpYYHaXcQCEXuflBH6PkJg2M2fLlxhjzU6bVYwWKRE/s4032/IMG_0523.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwOrwniujl9NscdNsdvMBzKUZeqaFJVxKaxViPkaIM4-3_QAKuN7a9ZoXjCMHazrGW1ucNa7-2G5HO41lCWoO3o_Ci6ygJtL-OExmJL_h7rhguKHq_bWw1q4_zuFHjAbzWdKe89ivH4LClWEpYYHaXcQCEXuflBH6PkJg2M2fLlxhjzU6bVYwWKRE/w400-h300/IMG_0523.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-departure beverage on SIA flights</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This seat is almost identical to the one used by Turkish Airlines on its long haul flights. I played with this flat bed seat like a child and to say it was comfortable is a gross understatement. It felt like I could stay in this seat all day. I'll talk about the bed mode in a bit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMigaFNyLsZ-1mj6B1Ag3fzwPaFdGXajWmQfbOzlhBIbuRqAb9vu19MdYgkE1KN74CH74Rq-Pcd_Zi7vcjgq5V7beEtyXatxszPqrlflIuIF3flUJXKsuxq3OhJltXrYn0GU29MBTbPYouNrVHnhYyHmTnb8yHWP1FdFfS2zkIPGjp3x0S_l8w7s7/s4032/IMG_0592.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMigaFNyLsZ-1mj6B1Ag3fzwPaFdGXajWmQfbOzlhBIbuRqAb9vu19MdYgkE1KN74CH74Rq-Pcd_Zi7vcjgq5V7beEtyXatxszPqrlflIuIF3flUJXKsuxq3OhJltXrYn0GU29MBTbPYouNrVHnhYyHmTnb8yHWP1FdFfS2zkIPGjp3x0S_l8w7s7/w400-h225/IMG_0592.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">But then the captain announced the flight would only be 2 hours and 55 minutes long. It is pretty short compared to my previous SIA flights (though one may have to consider the aircraft used but I am not sure). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shortly after take-off, the crew started serving the breakfast. They set up our tray tables to have linens and gave us full silverware. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The dining portion of the service took nearly half the flight. It had the hallmarks of fine-dining. The food was on the table during that time. The crew were not rushing us. They waited until we were finished to serve the next course. I chose croissants and muffins. The omlettes, sausages and potatoes were scrumptious that I got so full quickly. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCi2MFswPtKs8NGGu-n2q2Jb4gQK9IS6tkHckaxmcw-LZgMyNmcGvcyLtxpUn9pmE8xb1DOV5Lir3_Lbty_SpR0U5LD2GqYocMbfB76eLjUqkL_KC8006jmAvhSCApWzREG3pkZvu3TlgAgHa-EuMlZlvf7UX1UJ2bEClpPNzbnABmHA9Py9QkrH3/s640/IMG_0552.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCi2MFswPtKs8NGGu-n2q2Jb4gQK9IS6tkHckaxmcw-LZgMyNmcGvcyLtxpUn9pmE8xb1DOV5Lir3_Lbty_SpR0U5LD2GqYocMbfB76eLjUqkL_KC8006jmAvhSCApWzREG3pkZvu3TlgAgHa-EuMlZlvf7UX1UJ2bEClpPNzbnABmHA9Py9QkrH3/w400-h225/IMG_0552.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZulQJw5SNERFefXVGmeby-Lmk0oRekxeqAYXMBoc-QtVxYdcCljuCDm-fY5E491EMNIiYYywe4DYFbl95kJuZIxhKIYc13_G1CsNT0r0_p_Uq09aMsZpfawTzbRrtbIHhoxQ_aWpVkN-rMUrAbuZVmDLjD84wxFTqy_EACVixlSfIKtr0VIPjQjk/s640/IMG_0561.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZulQJw5SNERFefXVGmeby-Lmk0oRekxeqAYXMBoc-QtVxYdcCljuCDm-fY5E491EMNIiYYywe4DYFbl95kJuZIxhKIYc13_G1CsNT0r0_p_Uq09aMsZpfawTzbRrtbIHhoxQ_aWpVkN-rMUrAbuZVmDLjD84wxFTqy_EACVixlSfIKtr0VIPjQjk/w400-h225/IMG_0561.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full meal on Singapore Airlines Business class</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I tried the seat in bed mode. From what Youtubers have said they find the foot space constricting. I don't know if it's my height but my feet seem to fit quite comfortably into the foot cubby. With just one touch of a button, the seat converts to a bed. This is different from what SIA's long haul business class (particularly on the Boeing 777-300ER and some Airbus A350-900s) offers. I only managed to try 10 minutes fully lying down. I did lean against the shell and sat down on what should normally be the seatback. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was tempted to book a Singapore-Kuala Lumpur SIA business class flight. For reasons I will explain in the next trip report, that did not happen. But sufficing to say for now that given this relatively short time to enjoy this regional seat, I would only get disappointed if I booked SIA for my Singapore-Kuala Lumpur flight. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXgdN1UZBg8204SJUEVjwT84pkDyI6M-4WwSrk9ZMvScwEdr-_2vnD_y5qZuMq2F5roo3j5Ezo4rDWS22uSVE9OymVDhbGZ1Eyx65q8pu2i3vgLhb988bBDnCs9fLihyGGTZ22ov_jGlHnQj7hId5Ly8sbh3CC39iV97BmFPxIYKBgPkKeas7H-uS/s640/IMG_0513.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXgdN1UZBg8204SJUEVjwT84pkDyI6M-4WwSrk9ZMvScwEdr-_2vnD_y5qZuMq2F5roo3j5Ezo4rDWS22uSVE9OymVDhbGZ1Eyx65q8pu2i3vgLhb988bBDnCs9fLihyGGTZ22ov_jGlHnQj7hId5Ly8sbh3CC39iV97BmFPxIYKBgPkKeas7H-uS/w400-h225/IMG_0513.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypLMGWNwbHmfGo8fcgOF1JfsMTqImYIhf088hferW2Bv0s-XIXiwQeNjQkArxEwPqIDI45AWlFedFFuWCQkSLwdvVk8R7fgkCXnfSrw2Y0I-ss6u9foMue3r-BUH1cZqCRSzIBUAyPzvufgaPdMCVzNXy070Y_uws-zNTKwBwFYYE-WmP6e-QOYbZ/s640/IMG_0516.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypLMGWNwbHmfGo8fcgOF1JfsMTqImYIhf088hferW2Bv0s-XIXiwQeNjQkArxEwPqIDI45AWlFedFFuWCQkSLwdvVk8R7fgkCXnfSrw2Y0I-ss6u9foMue3r-BUH1cZqCRSzIBUAyPzvufgaPdMCVzNXy070Y_uws-zNTKwBwFYYE-WmP6e-QOYbZ/w400-h225/IMG_0516.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MF79Mz84_zc" width="320" youtube-src-id="MF79Mz84_zc"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: If you want to enjoy the seat on flights as long as Manila-Singapore, finish your food quickly. You will find that you will get spoilt with SIA's culinary offerings. Less time eating means more time playing around with the seat or taking a nap if so desired. :)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the in-flight entertainment: I don't know where to begin. I heard SIA's 787 features live satellite TV. At the start of the flight I noticed it was not working. Yet minutes after we were airborne CNN, BBC, CNBC, and Sport24 were on. I kept shifting between one of those channels and some episodes of Friends series 8. Noise-cancelling headsets were also provided for us. The internet speeds were fairly decent for the satellite on-air flights. But you cannot use your free allocation on than one device at the same time. The seat has one AC outlet and two USB ports. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikh9grOyVfefrvgibiYAKkLwVc-fyg7i8RgenLxCIXFzB_CmGQ9F2fID1ehpOV9V1Sq9wCc5MujGAo55lx-ttmbLjyk8t-GpZGQCQzmM3pCqcbFCB_M3UFq9sedgRlGvGqF-9468rNwrYv0LfAybrSyunKJ71Ecgys5D3GrzQmXDnHGpS080VCUa9/s640/IMG_0086.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikh9grOyVfefrvgibiYAKkLwVc-fyg7i8RgenLxCIXFzB_CmGQ9F2fID1ehpOV9V1Sq9wCc5MujGAo55lx-ttmbLjyk8t-GpZGQCQzmM3pCqcbFCB_M3UFq9sedgRlGvGqF-9468rNwrYv0LfAybrSyunKJ71Ecgys5D3GrzQmXDnHGpS080VCUa9/w400-h300/IMG_0086.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIA's Kris World moving map channel has a customiseable view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5xbR65sj8zmWDQg7gjPBDSRfAi1x2ncZoF7j8twM8kUDZQpjVNxaCAsJ3mvlPdlbaNRqSPX98ycL3zCwEA8xXwQRjn1VUKnqmOSYPDFKroYbYVdcrdlIQUU0VTU3GGE1PJc8PAjOv7xFAJP5U4PPXXistdeTSE09DMazF3_YD6lpFMFbZr7gAtyg/s640/IMG_0518.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5xbR65sj8zmWDQg7gjPBDSRfAi1x2ncZoF7j8twM8kUDZQpjVNxaCAsJ3mvlPdlbaNRqSPX98ycL3zCwEA8xXwQRjn1VUKnqmOSYPDFKroYbYVdcrdlIQUU0VTU3GGE1PJc8PAjOv7xFAJP5U4PPXXistdeTSE09DMazF3_YD6lpFMFbZr7gAtyg/w400-h225/IMG_0518.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIA's IFE monitor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlgMLXgEyAqos_bFYdRy44bkuait0uO4_dvUimYUB8WaN-j5BfnElam1pXmohvgN96-H-sGiu1ipdHkoG8yoFaI50DTXuR5PE0y8vExFrdaslMh-2CJWEXaoQuPQievc2krLV-hHqCL08j0QaLcVI_MrKzjCxD4wQeAE0WGauDYIRsyjrs5SFp7Z1/s640/IMG_0521.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlgMLXgEyAqos_bFYdRy44bkuait0uO4_dvUimYUB8WaN-j5BfnElam1pXmohvgN96-H-sGiu1ipdHkoG8yoFaI50DTXuR5PE0y8vExFrdaslMh-2CJWEXaoQuPQievc2krLV-hHqCL08j0QaLcVI_MrKzjCxD4wQeAE0WGauDYIRsyjrs5SFp7Z1/w400-h300/IMG_0521.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kris World remote on a 787, you can also control the IFE by touching the mainscreen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzKKbG7WT8b4gYu_9vPxEwLFTRbz-Jz64PXSHnKSmpgJU9nGbW0-NVNMYZz1EmgszaEFp6QSMVJCFHocLtYslPA5uob9ZABHuTUe-_g0yacy2Pnx7G3Ii7tXo_HJLOyyhF_Ejs-xWTSI0mJqXYSv4hhJGSn92l01zwSUul4_9C7zGytxkK8PbV3NI/s640/IMG_0546.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzKKbG7WT8b4gYu_9vPxEwLFTRbz-Jz64PXSHnKSmpgJU9nGbW0-NVNMYZz1EmgszaEFp6QSMVJCFHocLtYslPA5uob9ZABHuTUe-_g0yacy2Pnx7G3Ii7tXo_HJLOyyhF_Ejs-xWTSI0mJqXYSv4hhJGSn92l01zwSUul4_9C7zGytxkK8PbV3NI/w400-h225/IMG_0546.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SIA's Kris World entertainment system features a wide library of TV programmes and films<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRS-95VW3DcJ8yLNTRtVGmnTNGN3oK5w9kJow3t2dkezAgUUCOinqu2y3wCR3QOunmhCs8JnGcMLqHfyZjcU7Cry-Kg2hlrJrAAB4BqV9DPErw8vmiwJaSSp2JrEWdwEOiBafaekhwdyC5VLeW5w1EEUL66dlVjjuwRrsn_XmX5_lJvq8r_4Z702NK/s640/IMG_0551.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRS-95VW3DcJ8yLNTRtVGmnTNGN3oK5w9kJow3t2dkezAgUUCOinqu2y3wCR3QOunmhCs8JnGcMLqHfyZjcU7Cry-Kg2hlrJrAAB4BqV9DPErw8vmiwJaSSp2JrEWdwEOiBafaekhwdyC5VLeW5w1EEUL66dlVjjuwRrsn_XmX5_lJvq8r_4Z702NK/w400-h225/IMG_0551.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live TV is available on SIA's 787s once airborne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuM8Fo3Q8mqXN6CImKYg4JLofJzWI5368Q0cdDHuVmhZ0GvU0Ea9OoE2iqz1jsajOY2WM4boF0ly-HdxhPTw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Having a Kris Flyer frequent flyer account has some IFE advantages. You can get some free wifi for at least part of the flight. Also, you can create a playlist and continue viewing/listing to content on a future flight. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we knew it, it was time to approach Changi Airport. I had mixed feelings. On one hand, excitement that I would be visiting such a lovely city again for the first time in almost 10 years, or sadness in that my business class experience with this flight would conclude at least for the moment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CtFkvTmcNtE" width="320" youtube-src-id="CtFkvTmcNtE"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regional SIA flights could arrive at Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. One will only know for certain about one hour before landing. I've seen that most flights from Manila would arrive at the latter. Unfortnately I was on a flight that would use the former. This would add unnecessary hassle because I arranged for something to be picked up at Terminal 3 given the history. Not to mention a required visit to the Jewel, which Terminal 2 is furthest from.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscmdrCi_85Fhn4dUX4QhjPu6JKlpfL0s0_Rs29XbOfNASwFrzVGvcP_oZF6oY-2ANDSTzFWsCUHIsmqmBx5XdLj_bHej3iK1IReKtQ8B1DhqGgIem6UuCBUKiCiD78pUByUmsKyz2D4mZ58HMEjVEZcn_zUY9KpP9VB3incspp_RsGfWj6XPlZRRo/s640/IMG_0106.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscmdrCi_85Fhn4dUX4QhjPu6JKlpfL0s0_Rs29XbOfNASwFrzVGvcP_oZF6oY-2ANDSTzFWsCUHIsmqmBx5XdLj_bHej3iK1IReKtQ8B1DhqGgIem6UuCBUKiCiD78pUByUmsKyz2D4mZ58HMEjVEZcn_zUY9KpP9VB3incspp_RsGfWj6XPlZRRo/w400-h225/IMG_0106.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terminal 2 was only reopened late in 2022. <br />Much of it is still under renovation.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnNYyJ6QRxdkN3w7RCAitcHuPF1VztUdDEZZbOzz4p9UwTrPVMMxUlGUXa6Wvgm6O5EGcU70h7kt6ZYWmwZZVZZ8ePvkp_0YzYb2Dzbuz0onpcxcaDq8c1v3VMuzwOZGhJcS1xk_4LVNoHrQmL_uwiaeJgmvpEvpoW-xZdhG7yvDXJhKowpZBTTgT/s640/IMG_0104.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnNYyJ6QRxdkN3w7RCAitcHuPF1VztUdDEZZbOzz4p9UwTrPVMMxUlGUXa6Wvgm6O5EGcU70h7kt6ZYWmwZZVZZ8ePvkp_0YzYb2Dzbuz0onpcxcaDq8c1v3VMuzwOZGhJcS1xk_4LVNoHrQmL_uwiaeJgmvpEvpoW-xZdhG7yvDXJhKowpZBTTgT/w400-h225/IMG_0104.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInb3GL1bpBZOBB1gejN-nRyy_k091SpVcMRZ3gT1XYhGBX9O5_4BKiCQ5JfS634fooRUbf_Ozzgsej5Gum-6L0_wvlNY4wBEYHlQ0wTEmk0C5vdRrGRNVvCjCTWK6C-ACoqRMCRXNf5yHg4XDKzpMb4Rv58vapciokc5CnWfJv_FI15V0LlrcFhvb/s640/IMG_0105.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInb3GL1bpBZOBB1gejN-nRyy_k091SpVcMRZ3gT1XYhGBX9O5_4BKiCQ5JfS634fooRUbf_Ozzgsej5Gum-6L0_wvlNY4wBEYHlQ0wTEmk0C5vdRrGRNVvCjCTWK6C-ACoqRMCRXNf5yHg4XDKzpMb4Rv58vapciokc5CnWfJv_FI15V0LlrcFhvb/w400-h225/IMG_0105.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6VFgEDuhaD-sy32ZzKVcBldW6LRWZtKg24fXT7oeudcOgx8QKR6lGpgQfX1IqmeyDH46XK4erT0_LYTerCZRsNtwgLiPfMOBQ0n-xOGjRcL_YCn_9FPEHC-fUrgjF-lx6IN9OIwYUeL84FsxSicG9blA7p4EtEKXYI_JhCb1ep3LeKoVaO7h02Ih/s640/IMG_0110.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6VFgEDuhaD-sy32ZzKVcBldW6LRWZtKg24fXT7oeudcOgx8QKR6lGpgQfX1IqmeyDH46XK4erT0_LYTerCZRsNtwgLiPfMOBQ0n-xOGjRcL_YCn_9FPEHC-fUrgjF-lx6IN9OIwYUeL84FsxSicG9blA7p4EtEKXYI_JhCb1ep3LeKoVaO7h02Ih/w400-h225/IMG_0110.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changi Airport Terminal 2 Arrival hall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>RATINGS FOR THE FLIGHT</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. Also, please note that given the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations have been adjusted accordingly. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Singapore Airlines and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Check-in (9/10): </b>The staff was polite. It would have helped though to open the check-in desks more than 3 hours given the time it takes to clear security. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (8/10): </b>The lounge had plenty of comfortable seating and was generally calming. Not too crowded. There were catering staff who attended. In terms of food selection, I found it fairly underwhelming and limited. Another thing that SIA's Silver Kris lounge could consider introducing could include computers with printing facilities and storage for bags so that those who wish to leave the lounge and return later won't have to worry about their bags. Overall, it was good but not something to get too excited over. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Boarding Process (9/10): </b>A quick process of the lane. But a slight let-down is the usage of one jet bridge for both passengers. It has slown down the process.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seating area (10/10):</b> Please tell me a carrier that guarantees a flat bed on all regional flights. This easily passes as a long-haul product on many other carriers and given what I've heard about SIA's long-haul business class, I wouldn't be surprised if I like this regional business class better. If there was any criticism of it, it is that the flight was too short to enjoy it. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food (10/10):</b> Excellent presentation. I may not be as used to business class fine dining as I should but you can easily get food coma with how delicious they tasted. I loved the breakfast that the only reason I did not finish it is I did not want to get admonished by my doctors. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (10/10):</b> If there is one thing that makes SIA the best, it has to be their crew. They pay attention to detail and are courteous. I am especially pleased with the young male flight attendant who served my section. <b> </b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Punctuality (10/10):</b> We left the gate early, flight was shorter than actually advertised. We landed way ahead of schedule. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (10/10):</b> It was a slow start with live TV programmes and wifi unavailable until after takeoff but once activated, you would not know where to begin which selections to stick to. Perfect timing with the flight happening at the same time as an NBA game that I watched. You can create your playlist to continue tuning in to them on future flights. I'm grateful to experience complimentary wifi but SIA should consider allowing passengers to use it on multiple devices at the same time. </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">-hybridace101</div>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-68658230496496947342023-06-05T23:00:00.001+08:002023-06-06T00:14:13.356+08:00Singapore Airlines Flight Review: Singapore to Manila (78X)<p><b style="text-align: justify;"><i>This is the last in a series of five flight reviews involving Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. The trip spans May 26 to June 3, taking the author across three Southeast Asian destinations: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok (then back to Singapore and later Manila). </i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>BACKGROUND</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Since a pandemic was declared over COVID-19, the only overseas trip I made was <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2021/11/korean-air-flight-review-london-to.html">flying back home from the UK to the Philippines in November 2021</a>. So this is effectively my first overseas holiday in over three years. For the most part, the procedures and protocols were as straightforward as before the pandemic. No need for a costly RT-PCR or even a rapid antigen test. Even a proof of vaccination need not be shown. Although one difference is that in lieu of paper landing or departure cards, you have to do it online, preferably before arriving at the airport.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Having saved up enough money, I decided to travel to Singapore and fly there using Singapore Airlines' (SIA) business class product. I paid with a mixture of cash and miles (US$865 and over 7,700 miles). Given SIA's hard product and reputation for expensive business class tickets, I thought there would be no other better time to try it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Flights going back home are usually sad affairs. It means the trip is drawing to a close. But there were two things to look forward to in this case. First was accessing the Silver Kris lounge at Changi Airport. The second one was the book-the-cook service where one would order a meal in advance. So it was a tricky question of where to spend more time on the last day. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>GETTING TO THE AIRPORT</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On this occasion, I decided to get to the airport via the MRT which is close enough to my hotel. I managed to reduce the number of check-in bags from two to one so it made the transport of luggage more manageable. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The MRT ride was a relatively straightforward one as it required only one transfer. Unlike other systems like the KLIA Ekspres up in KL, journeys involving Changi Airport station do not have a special separate fare. Thus, the MRT is one of the more affordable ways to travel between the city centre and airport. It costs only S$1.85 (US$1.37, £1.10, €1.28). Meanwhile a Grab taxi ride typically costs between S$20-25 (up to US$18.50, £15, €17.30). Not too bad but if saving money is a priority, it's a no-brainer. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>CHECK-IN</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We arrived at terminal 2 about 2 hours and 45 minutes before the flight. Only a few business desks were open. Yet terminal 2 did not feel too crowded at any point. There were also no issues and even though I had a mobile boarding card issued, the staff issued a paper boarding card.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTH5NyLcHywT3AaqWbxQKvTXvJc4c2EyvsSyllL5lF14Zk16GLaziiEvPvv2587S975c2MvFqgKp3UL0bc8A3P5GUEXntYbvItVo5QU85BMzQhzk8gC_ANFsMlwFBgIo4dsuIzZ10SmYZNPjKQ13zWTsm2EmDQs9jpaglvlClq-ZXqyygWoKjKlXY/s3520/IMG_2296.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTH5NyLcHywT3AaqWbxQKvTXvJc4c2EyvsSyllL5lF14Zk16GLaziiEvPvv2587S975c2MvFqgKp3UL0bc8A3P5GUEXntYbvItVo5QU85BMzQhzk8gC_ANFsMlwFBgIo4dsuIzZ10SmYZNPjKQ13zWTsm2EmDQs9jpaglvlClq-ZXqyygWoKjKlXY/w400-h225/IMG_2296.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJlKW-RAfK2iliMfBrM0mYy0g-xkOyLjdraUL8VT4gxiCemn9kL2jlRvywg3EwtxpBI1OCw_S-RfEwV1ZnDqRyZSSrhuVQEUqClVpD0i12O1eMQ8YdSEUFujJABJSeqPRU8k2aJAXPvhkBfCGVssRJGNfnfZvehVq_AFtrYFunMznyRnBFqTH8yJb/s3520/IMG_2297.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJlKW-RAfK2iliMfBrM0mYy0g-xkOyLjdraUL8VT4gxiCemn9kL2jlRvywg3EwtxpBI1OCw_S-RfEwV1ZnDqRyZSSrhuVQEUqClVpD0i12O1eMQ8YdSEUFujJABJSeqPRU8k2aJAXPvhkBfCGVssRJGNfnfZvehVq_AFtrYFunMznyRnBFqTH8yJb/w400-h225/IMG_2297.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Airlines Business Class check-in desk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">After check-in, I had to write a quick postcard and send it to a friend. Luckily there was a self-service post office kiosk open. If you are facing the front of terminal 2, just go all the way to the right. You won't miss it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Passport control was fairly quick although we were directed to an automated gate. It is unfortunate that Singapore does not issue exit stamps on our passports. It would be useful to have such evidence if we wisht to prove our travel history. There was also a preliminary random security check afterwards. My bag was tagged for a further inspection but they only saw a bottle of insect repellant that was an issue. They didn't confiscate it, which is a relief as it was my friend's product.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LOUNGE ACCESS</b> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I preferred to use terminal 3's Silver Kris lounge. To get there I had to take the Skytrain from terminal 2. Unlike many other airports, passengers can easily travel between different terminals. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've seen many Youtube videos of the area to get an impression of it being an airy space. But nothing beats experiencing it in person and that was the same impression I got. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_25ofVQpEM3qIpc_ywq7kYCoUYVzhMXL4t1vB6YVOQGebMCyeAPlzfBkS0Kq1vEfsO-n2EF8y8vx94TnTpm7aUzY7vOIHns9JK2hlxvAgYwrJGkNI62-KbQvIpD5Wk9Gkr2AlxEHUTAYmhtAlzjySrLNKCSNcYac1UR88bE2U5n4yI2kgYId6zaOc/s3520/IMG_2322.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_25ofVQpEM3qIpc_ywq7kYCoUYVzhMXL4t1vB6YVOQGebMCyeAPlzfBkS0Kq1vEfsO-n2EF8y8vx94TnTpm7aUzY7vOIHns9JK2hlxvAgYwrJGkNI62-KbQvIpD5Wk9Gkr2AlxEHUTAYmhtAlzjySrLNKCSNcYac1UR88bE2U5n4yI2kgYId6zaOc/w400-h225/IMG_2322.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gKT2hOJ5nWsueeOdcCJqHcTxUh7Hvl_WWAs8zY0pDgdlgwGjkGWoZ5wtvF31vGT7y8lkRw_u7dgje-kji6rlxyHXE7MeJ0sUWCjSWuMIk4Ik2_di9SPi5JEd14CEpNHj_T55DyjPRYo3PDkIlDm9h9sjAfmMspqFsNNrgEx4ljK2cxiW3R-j2ZJj/s3520/IMG_2328.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gKT2hOJ5nWsueeOdcCJqHcTxUh7Hvl_WWAs8zY0pDgdlgwGjkGWoZ5wtvF31vGT7y8lkRw_u7dgje-kji6rlxyHXE7MeJ0sUWCjSWuMIk4Ik2_di9SPi5JEd14CEpNHj_T55DyjPRYo3PDkIlDm9h9sjAfmMspqFsNNrgEx4ljK2cxiW3R-j2ZJj/w400-h225/IMG_2328.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzez2yfkoUrS7rYKlgFuJIbZOQnMPbY8b-caQj5pMJaJx0DOVvyW5SbJSlS_-_xC0YJk9SQyeWypq9noA1fvXrTVnqPj4pZ5Gfu6Buww2fK6cQElUFhfRktsuy_gkda0WM1XLmNrvnE3z8NjpuVX2UCWC4WJ-HKHG6l_IeKaI52aL2j-keLKHJmW0/s3520/IMG_2336.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzez2yfkoUrS7rYKlgFuJIbZOQnMPbY8b-caQj5pMJaJx0DOVvyW5SbJSlS_-_xC0YJk9SQyeWypq9noA1fvXrTVnqPj4pZ5Gfu6Buww2fK6cQElUFhfRktsuy_gkda0WM1XLmNrvnE3z8NjpuVX2UCWC4WJ-HKHG6l_IeKaI52aL2j-keLKHJmW0/w400-h225/IMG_2336.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrtZnRfWhmcTL7plgMjd0MIRoFHFfIhs3zefqtDLHFeZYTiJvLGXWGrh4SpHjfykH3s3R7KGZi-1sAwMJ-Pf-iOXlS5wSOK42zMuwp9tNbflkvsYjJ5_ltdLi3BwOMsOO7PgP_pk9vFOn1wVPzoMQQVWe4duL-XZwhXwANTq4AoaYded3BInGwv94/s3520/IMG_2343.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrtZnRfWhmcTL7plgMjd0MIRoFHFfIhs3zefqtDLHFeZYTiJvLGXWGrh4SpHjfykH3s3R7KGZi-1sAwMJ-Pf-iOXlS5wSOK42zMuwp9tNbflkvsYjJ5_ltdLi3BwOMsOO7PgP_pk9vFOn1wVPzoMQQVWe4duL-XZwhXwANTq4AoaYded3BInGwv94/w400-h225/IMG_2343.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDzyl2_KpLZS6MWREd694CWpNnBMt8rMpqlBhnYhKP-s9RWowmVJWJZwkOGKqFyrMMIg2Z2lMIQCkS-fnU3i3or6tLJIMU4NI5T3Wj7QYJ-2fTWoAXRZ9sbJQi7NfXdc7Cfe5iFpxrvGztSJAfICMBSrLIdjNS-7zITwo_O2fikMn7reFq3QROAUo/s3520/IMG_2348.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDzyl2_KpLZS6MWREd694CWpNnBMt8rMpqlBhnYhKP-s9RWowmVJWJZwkOGKqFyrMMIg2Z2lMIQCkS-fnU3i3or6tLJIMU4NI5T3Wj7QYJ-2fTWoAXRZ9sbJQi7NfXdc7Cfe5iFpxrvGztSJAfICMBSrLIdjNS-7zITwo_O2fikMn7reFq3QROAUo/w400-h225/IMG_2348.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjfZq5SHpoyH-gn3SxsdigTNTW2XVrjVDjfbjts-fHhJDQXXg9UPcRvHFNTP-R4d603le_xRykGs22AoYy2TzvdrOQnxThpHFs_kPaeG5lVEty2egUW6_Hegv6irZaZPsXLNRPNzRaOBZwRkXAPKjZgt-UuXkCICspzSXCTrB29GpjS-PTuvhIklK/s4032/IMG_2357.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjfZq5SHpoyH-gn3SxsdigTNTW2XVrjVDjfbjts-fHhJDQXXg9UPcRvHFNTP-R4d603le_xRykGs22AoYy2TzvdrOQnxThpHFs_kPaeG5lVEty2egUW6_Hegv6irZaZPsXLNRPNzRaOBZwRkXAPKjZgt-UuXkCICspzSXCTrB29GpjS-PTuvhIklK/w400-h300/IMG_2357.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMzd9Cupe3M1c8IoNz6QnBQiUyw5Hh2NGDawDxb3Oc9NXaesPQkCF7ikZLn2tYx1UfGPn7HWX1RdBVIOk7Ul8JHB_2IhuTPl62Old3qSHr5ehtZ2BjmP1un_pqyR1y0Aq1VqsXEkb1mB-zIsL5lMs-0zyTSJBc1pc-7KbvZOJ47t3sgt7cl509qVu/s3520/IMG_2452.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMzd9Cupe3M1c8IoNz6QnBQiUyw5Hh2NGDawDxb3Oc9NXaesPQkCF7ikZLn2tYx1UfGPn7HWX1RdBVIOk7Ul8JHB_2IhuTPl62Old3qSHr5ehtZ2BjmP1un_pqyR1y0Aq1VqsXEkb1mB-zIsL5lMs-0zyTSJBc1pc-7KbvZOJ47t3sgt7cl509qVu/w400-h225/IMG_2452.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tU2FHSxXQwM0uSfFGAyoHOE1hC4GiBuq9fiFWI23Tb_ahUc1NXnDI83MAASVN-TKG9PiGAsrSOS4AgxgLvGFjyainvnOcgTrBCY7yJaieNr3i3Xdy94bbr7a6uQC3Fl0UW9TPpt3M9WQZJuvXdYvTBsmzwcMhwWjMXT75OdPbVhX5dP-4juaaG8n/s4032/IMG_2370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tU2FHSxXQwM0uSfFGAyoHOE1hC4GiBuq9fiFWI23Tb_ahUc1NXnDI83MAASVN-TKG9PiGAsrSOS4AgxgLvGFjyainvnOcgTrBCY7yJaieNr3i3Xdy94bbr7a6uQC3Fl0UW9TPpt3M9WQZJuvXdYvTBsmzwcMhwWjMXT75OdPbVhX5dP-4juaaG8n/w400-h300/IMG_2370.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm8UCKVKt0xm0oHMySR8GZCFWn-AtHv5-XmSJ405nVnOf8YR6KbLcOM7h5fAs3-WBIy2YiMhS1FPVKI5OOXcVozbMEKGBQYDPWdyJaJHnNzST-G0QNKWC1787yhTAbzwQs-X-N2BeVwjz0HV1PkVMjCDODO_7R2DEM9AXieEsfFng4qQJnIi2BUK-/s3520/IMG_2390.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm8UCKVKt0xm0oHMySR8GZCFWn-AtHv5-XmSJ405nVnOf8YR6KbLcOM7h5fAs3-WBIy2YiMhS1FPVKI5OOXcVozbMEKGBQYDPWdyJaJHnNzST-G0QNKWC1787yhTAbzwQs-X-N2BeVwjz0HV1PkVMjCDODO_7R2DEM9AXieEsfFng4qQJnIi2BUK-/w400-h225/IMG_2390.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJgt6Ircn5V94crdeWy-Wntbk5uKBtBUhhCr8iOLgkuYE7tmCqOYoQNY_Rs2E01WsF7SAwVbTUl6V4DeLsHguTb5a5scsm0y0NPhmlkT7HaZm6hczcigRuqUzeGxX1q0WsQOj8NQWqY_lRxL8o1n4DyKZWbjIaYg8h5eQy5T2KCZt2CZR5_XO70CE/s3520/IMG_2406.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJgt6Ircn5V94crdeWy-Wntbk5uKBtBUhhCr8iOLgkuYE7tmCqOYoQNY_Rs2E01WsF7SAwVbTUl6V4DeLsHguTb5a5scsm0y0NPhmlkT7HaZm6hczcigRuqUzeGxX1q0WsQOj8NQWqY_lRxL8o1n4DyKZWbjIaYg8h5eQy5T2KCZt2CZR5_XO70CE/w400-h225/IMG_2406.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMRfPl1W2_WF_nnQ34FGwZO_mbJFUEop3FZrIvo0-tLIVIlgM2h7DOajPTpgzTZRowssTuhEPtiIfDya8eb2oS0CC6p3mtLzIcBYqaYHFrELjCz1GOcDTf0MXfIrMn9_mIQXTbtlMvgAGiUkxJ9jXU8tudhJHm3Z6NNKMow3ImEfimrfmYFaa89IV/s3520/IMG_2407.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMRfPl1W2_WF_nnQ34FGwZO_mbJFUEop3FZrIvo0-tLIVIlgM2h7DOajPTpgzTZRowssTuhEPtiIfDya8eb2oS0CC6p3mtLzIcBYqaYHFrELjCz1GOcDTf0MXfIrMn9_mIQXTbtlMvgAGiUkxJ9jXU8tudhJHm3Z6NNKMow3ImEfimrfmYFaa89IV/w400-h225/IMG_2407.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPSzWxQeqrsrLYeGqb5ENGB9vcE1JisJPPvxsNWha27cIINkt9PEOpgyRN_nrnqUBZMeoAozQdHpzp3qoW2HSQkgS0Cjq6iPpVhDR58s4ZLzTgraNAAiISlET1Z0WuCJa_X0No1TcRD10VG2uE3xwgj_kG1uJDg_GudRdMgJ643p-6jTc6TdjbjXD/s3520/IMG_2411.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPSzWxQeqrsrLYeGqb5ENGB9vcE1JisJPPvxsNWha27cIINkt9PEOpgyRN_nrnqUBZMeoAozQdHpzp3qoW2HSQkgS0Cjq6iPpVhDR58s4ZLzTgraNAAiISlET1Z0WuCJa_X0No1TcRD10VG2uE3xwgj_kG1uJDg_GudRdMgJ643p-6jTc6TdjbjXD/w400-h225/IMG_2411.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEkDF0LRXb_FAaka4P9y-KC6KyD4zMh15MoMsJozyzHk0ftRpVxXG7s2zDArIgJrjvBRN0L4BN6qm7nO4SmSvtW0N47R07R8AQLOyDDPG7-bowxhhQzwb8dEw7E3jQgEYi7cJsogtPUU258hWHxeeV79Alof9nQWPryjigbVE0ciS9hRkDRjrZlOZ/s3520/IMG_2415.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEkDF0LRXb_FAaka4P9y-KC6KyD4zMh15MoMsJozyzHk0ftRpVxXG7s2zDArIgJrjvBRN0L4BN6qm7nO4SmSvtW0N47R07R8AQLOyDDPG7-bowxhhQzwb8dEw7E3jQgEYi7cJsogtPUU258hWHxeeV79Alof9nQWPryjigbVE0ciS9hRkDRjrZlOZ/w400-h225/IMG_2415.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B7rYrOe1vwIRJZE-YQMb9Sv-9WRD6_mq2yCN7Xsh-3wMQWQv7jFldqEbcZ3gInzYSYYXME-nfjKudh9chqPgMpC5NM5SVZ0VGPUOdkwuqpz9OlHJhwX4PkKRer59cqQhJFqeqRwDFNXKmojO3Q5OZGXcLwrRfeZZ5HvGQxjCg3CLXjXAGiDmkzMW/s3520/IMG_2420.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B7rYrOe1vwIRJZE-YQMb9Sv-9WRD6_mq2yCN7Xsh-3wMQWQv7jFldqEbcZ3gInzYSYYXME-nfjKudh9chqPgMpC5NM5SVZ0VGPUOdkwuqpz9OlHJhwX4PkKRer59cqQhJFqeqRwDFNXKmojO3Q5OZGXcLwrRfeZZ5HvGQxjCg3CLXjXAGiDmkzMW/w400-h225/IMG_2420.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The food selection was to my liking. It had different kids of chicken, beef lasagne, fries amongst others. You also had oriental options and a noodle bar. It was the best Silver Kris lounge of the three I have gotten the opportunity to try in terms of food options. Delicious food such that had it not been for. a doctor's reminder and a book-the-cook meal, I would have eaten much more. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCSuFI5R22rUG7QrrnEFNcThn6r1m5s4ddqtKRKFUWY6dFw1Zva6oAwPOftoxihU8xp9pZ3ILbcfzk0GD_1w-1gAmQNrUQX7tfBMO_QLATBrTGDeDFIx1FOiKLx1Az-yAAfJzBK_gnVYGJxpojXuEJa-RK1E6PaYkhOdZA-5ItoKsS42g-Gbh5Crw/s3520/IMG_2375.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCSuFI5R22rUG7QrrnEFNcThn6r1m5s4ddqtKRKFUWY6dFw1Zva6oAwPOftoxihU8xp9pZ3ILbcfzk0GD_1w-1gAmQNrUQX7tfBMO_QLATBrTGDeDFIx1FOiKLx1Az-yAAfJzBK_gnVYGJxpojXuEJa-RK1E6PaYkhOdZA-5ItoKsS42g-Gbh5Crw/s320/IMG_2375.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoApWoasroMZJ_-PZcOAPbg08kWY4LKXqdkkxGfx5OpVJtlLzUVxdzPidmvGmzBYkcCjU4xwHpCQSuJf8A0Vg7zkcPC1nzV7OYPaohs3v95XbUmIgGkvDiw5pnhrcsEx5-VByJjVfZxLY4aadQtg0Q60D2CuB2PISFHKP9MvOaOSWVWerbK3ishBVh/s3520/IMG_2376.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoApWoasroMZJ_-PZcOAPbg08kWY4LKXqdkkxGfx5OpVJtlLzUVxdzPidmvGmzBYkcCjU4xwHpCQSuJf8A0Vg7zkcPC1nzV7OYPaohs3v95XbUmIgGkvDiw5pnhrcsEx5-VByJjVfZxLY4aadQtg0Q60D2CuB2PISFHKP9MvOaOSWVWerbK3ishBVh/s320/IMG_2376.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu45Iwxtwh9WsyKNkwWjAlwk-fQUy9V4Id-IUogkd8O2XrB4ySXx0Dy8gv6Pbc4E-j9hnfV-AYXETemCX09f5_3iQUhXMdTg0zT0vZwnPit_CZAW1_09vxzkCycT7uMM8ZIIkhM07FgT-onhlk-Qj1-gxfu1Es9-txvqNiGa5iWtFpifPpFk8a7zck/s3520/IMG_2378.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu45Iwxtwh9WsyKNkwWjAlwk-fQUy9V4Id-IUogkd8O2XrB4ySXx0Dy8gv6Pbc4E-j9hnfV-AYXETemCX09f5_3iQUhXMdTg0zT0vZwnPit_CZAW1_09vxzkCycT7uMM8ZIIkhM07FgT-onhlk-Qj1-gxfu1Es9-txvqNiGa5iWtFpifPpFk8a7zck/s320/IMG_2378.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The one bone to pick I had about the business class was despite its massive size, it was too crowded. Lucky I found a seat somewhere. The seat was a pod and it had storage below for hand luggage. The desk had a charger where you can just lay your phone on top of. No need to take wires out.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXnpT8tHi5-tctZqXh28T-HtR-Xyxq5mmdindIlpqnXO085HWF74BDVjzIbUAlG9ae5gOvTqwy1BHce_W83svn-6w8FZ2mo_iVB5c-ovSMN7XaKuY_R4MI56MKePlHNcuJH5-XLBgLXDgFh1KocPyEm4vWVIERKa0dtXTPxBtd9KQ9VnD45RhMv2y/s3520/IMG_2425.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXnpT8tHi5-tctZqXh28T-HtR-Xyxq5mmdindIlpqnXO085HWF74BDVjzIbUAlG9ae5gOvTqwy1BHce_W83svn-6w8FZ2mo_iVB5c-ovSMN7XaKuY_R4MI56MKePlHNcuJH5-XLBgLXDgFh1KocPyEm4vWVIERKa0dtXTPxBtd9KQ9VnD45RhMv2y/w400-h225/IMG_2425.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting area at Silver Kris Lounge, Changi Airport Terminal 3</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I had a chance to use the shower. Staff directed me to showers cubicle # 3. The toilet seemed to be the ones you see in Japan - advanced in features. Apart from the shower knob that was slightly dislodged, it was a refreshing experience to use the showers.<div><br /><div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">With under an hour left to departure, I wanted to see SIA's terminal 2 Silver Kris lounge. It was surprisingly far. After taking the Sky train back to terminal 2, it was a bit of a walk and was located closer to the E gates (mostly closed) than the F gates. It was not crowded but one could sense how limited the facilities were and how small it was. It did not have tarmac views featured in terminal 3. I could not find the shower and the food selection was not as extensive as terminal 3's lounge. I spent less than 15 minutes there and headed to my gate as the notorious "boarding" sign was flashing on our flight's screen. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5S7OZxYsIyvqTWrOYzSl8h9gVYYIHd3HSdg7XO6mAwef9uCk5H4tRIsPzp9wWUx3biiAN8AcZ0DzR1LFTFo3Qno12yFshb4EfKLz1IuY-ZQcDTRCjZVLX73HLBOKj58wD5dQmikYRk0RzVRT61QLiehuqGbzvQ5rDCPuHTMHcj-tk1NQbY7gbTRNW/s3520/IMG_2465.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5S7OZxYsIyvqTWrOYzSl8h9gVYYIHd3HSdg7XO6mAwef9uCk5H4tRIsPzp9wWUx3biiAN8AcZ0DzR1LFTFo3Qno12yFshb4EfKLz1IuY-ZQcDTRCjZVLX73HLBOKj58wD5dQmikYRk0RzVRT61QLiehuqGbzvQ5rDCPuHTMHcj-tk1NQbY7gbTRNW/w400-h225/IMG_2465.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4nF4tX-eNVzqNQ09daWLfrsBK8Qc02mvaofsybK7aeTCk_7plyj9Dn6zv8HJGFfbdY5FzsFXxgrlYCYTKES116gx2hGyfNKAwVaaaHrgN8_5je0RXQ1cxZNP2Qb4xJJN2gjN-E9KUDJ8TSuhNhYZfeEZm9_YBR4i6V0Lz1cXU_clYC9GtyTIcncy/s3520/IMG_2468.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4nF4tX-eNVzqNQ09daWLfrsBK8Qc02mvaofsybK7aeTCk_7plyj9Dn6zv8HJGFfbdY5FzsFXxgrlYCYTKES116gx2hGyfNKAwVaaaHrgN8_5je0RXQ1cxZNP2Qb4xJJN2gjN-E9KUDJ8TSuhNhYZfeEZm9_YBR4i6V0Lz1cXU_clYC9GtyTIcncy/w400-h225/IMG_2468.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SilverKris Lounge food selection at Changi Airport Terminal 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0m_AHazGgjVN_L-xBSPQqvCECV5LC2tOgnW9cofne4WVYTUlF2ZLRi1DQ6Ch4t9cCHSsNRBQpQPjbGXe4bAT86F19kpldDwhkfRyNtlfcZnME44pn0_ohNt7SpNbaViZtkGAsRaSLfaAqCSZCm6VhqhpVvHfXRrktk-OBc_5vmqXs90DEDJzdOE9M/s3520/IMG_2470.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0m_AHazGgjVN_L-xBSPQqvCECV5LC2tOgnW9cofne4WVYTUlF2ZLRi1DQ6Ch4t9cCHSsNRBQpQPjbGXe4bAT86F19kpldDwhkfRyNtlfcZnME44pn0_ohNt7SpNbaViZtkGAsRaSLfaAqCSZCm6VhqhpVvHfXRrktk-OBc_5vmqXs90DEDJzdOE9M/w400-h225/IMG_2470.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEefJ4Tr2sGQfrUUri12u181RA0b7WW4gfLVPivfbT8NqfRenazptJtIOBNXHpbrlpnheb9tKRpoIf1Q8uT7XdesXk-KP0voHVqTj-DSJQBgXE2NXPL9Rp6doRcxyQ_wzGRPw1D12W-gHx2EwkIsCdteFEes2GlHdPHghgnyes_y68kvRA6Pe7nkyL/s3520/IMG_2473.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEefJ4Tr2sGQfrUUri12u181RA0b7WW4gfLVPivfbT8NqfRenazptJtIOBNXHpbrlpnheb9tKRpoIf1Q8uT7XdesXk-KP0voHVqTj-DSJQBgXE2NXPL9Rp6doRcxyQ_wzGRPw1D12W-gHx2EwkIsCdteFEes2GlHdPHghgnyes_y68kvRA6Pe7nkyL/w400-h225/IMG_2473.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzbO06Dc_H2hseSUkL42BYUe62fbFQz04SVsF8fZ2zVRoEf9BIXBWMbqfC88WN_YoO6nDRT75IzzgSE-ngvi5jKhnwQphOUpOCMJJGPZ8-yLPXgJyOM1wHmmBVDm6UyGDVxFDE997Cti3uvTYOWxZq66EalUGlpVVfT8QNCCROSRcjRNs67Gp0XEG/s3520/IMG_2477.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzbO06Dc_H2hseSUkL42BYUe62fbFQz04SVsF8fZ2zVRoEf9BIXBWMbqfC88WN_YoO6nDRT75IzzgSE-ngvi5jKhnwQphOUpOCMJJGPZ8-yLPXgJyOM1wHmmBVDm6UyGDVxFDE997Cti3uvTYOWxZq66EalUGlpVVfT8QNCCROSRcjRNs67Gp0XEG/w400-h225/IMG_2477.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhulQOGNU4zI3aZO9QBqOhDLbGcyA0f6mVcnjfxSrnDeZDDJAq0KzOWJvg69yUIF0cPG0Wn0gsP9qo4-ulQ8g5L5kJ5dHf092w31CswDlW7tQZ-Yv4envQ2anlSsOu-bUvbj_bXQ_TEK4GK_kxlxjW2o_yqAfSIubqslYjTTcrqh7OD7NVgp2iure0/s3520/IMG_2479.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhulQOGNU4zI3aZO9QBqOhDLbGcyA0f6mVcnjfxSrnDeZDDJAq0KzOWJvg69yUIF0cPG0Wn0gsP9qo4-ulQ8g5L5kJ5dHf092w31CswDlW7tQZ-Yv4envQ2anlSsOu-bUvbj_bXQ_TEK4GK_kxlxjW2o_yqAfSIubqslYjTTcrqh7OD7NVgp2iure0/w400-h225/IMG_2479.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZPGcutqqSBlkk5-gtPyJCCfm7e9EuXEtdtJAddhRayKBwf87kpnL4EE5HszYQehElvgCuLEemZ9vR_n0tDkMAuCXin3CjdBpEoLr0vbDsEK9HLFwogavOd6JKFQiRcIKBv7zUk7VE7d1qKNPVMzm4L1e8GJdyACHxXWkCToXiCP3RuIRjScqUcRI/s4032/IMG_2486.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZPGcutqqSBlkk5-gtPyJCCfm7e9EuXEtdtJAddhRayKBwf87kpnL4EE5HszYQehElvgCuLEemZ9vR_n0tDkMAuCXin3CjdBpEoLr0vbDsEK9HLFwogavOd6JKFQiRcIKBv7zUk7VE7d1qKNPVMzm4L1e8GJdyACHxXWkCToXiCP3RuIRjScqUcRI/s320/IMG_2486.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7JJHLxJCc95_aNc1tSNpZWjB2wBquQ8DwYGjuZvNljT2pYC8E-d3rUrKYw1nwGYD3SzbljogA09wcMqvWQOXuFBvRXHnjeZbMIxxlPPOU7c9ZI6wmoP2URRo4AdWZ3z6tk23O3XHwTq0llqBT8CJloQOo25ZJbVFouXq8e-jm1lKitTNhpKlWcRM/s4032/IMG_2489.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7JJHLxJCc95_aNc1tSNpZWjB2wBquQ8DwYGjuZvNljT2pYC8E-d3rUrKYw1nwGYD3SzbljogA09wcMqvWQOXuFBvRXHnjeZbMIxxlPPOU7c9ZI6wmoP2URRo4AdWZ3z6tk23O3XHwTq0llqBT8CJloQOo25ZJbVFouXq8e-jm1lKitTNhpKlWcRM/w400-h300/IMG_2489.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>TIP: If you have time to spare, use Silver Kris Lounge Terminal 3. Its has more facilities and a wider food selection. It also seems closer to the F-gates. </i></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>SQ918 from SINGAPORE-CHANGI to MANILA</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>SQ918</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> F56</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 787-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 19:25</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Aircraft Registration</b>: 9V-SCB</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgj1NOBDaUhj91hmRtTwsWh9aiVX-L5tdsS3P34HlCdT0Bfmbk06C7YovL96QebEbG9YJU3e2fg3S8TMxnBLFIxA-BhoUh73EHpNMKVUhCh1fMxOHhHen-_pvs2oocKlSa5B5xc5PDaljTOONkrtc7SKq_DQNleUu41HSyyoLetdyYsr1AQJxok4G/s4032/IMG_2532.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgj1NOBDaUhj91hmRtTwsWh9aiVX-L5tdsS3P34HlCdT0Bfmbk06C7YovL96QebEbG9YJU3e2fg3S8TMxnBLFIxA-BhoUh73EHpNMKVUhCh1fMxOHhHen-_pvs2oocKlSa5B5xc5PDaljTOONkrtc7SKq_DQNleUu41HSyyoLetdyYsr1AQJxok4G/w400-h300/IMG_2532.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqkO0sZowle7Dj0RRq3dhabz6IXQa5M_lD9zoFY4B-DgwwP1iUSNngsbcvdLXkjGoN7l4_tZX01jcl7Gbc95gpO27NWS70_9EchwMVTXn6d54PhDAvhbceNgko9nrXiHsTLwpIQcp98LxkbfXpsae8P9uyhXwMye-Ko3qxJAHwdSZEIOhA005vkbJ/s4032/IMG_2534.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqkO0sZowle7Dj0RRq3dhabz6IXQa5M_lD9zoFY4B-DgwwP1iUSNngsbcvdLXkjGoN7l4_tZX01jcl7Gbc95gpO27NWS70_9EchwMVTXn6d54PhDAvhbceNgko9nrXiHsTLwpIQcp98LxkbfXpsae8P9uyhXwMye-Ko3qxJAHwdSZEIOhA005vkbJ/w400-h300/IMG_2534.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Security checks were done right at the gate's entrance. Apart from the security staff helping me dispense with my liquids, it was pretty smooth. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The business class lane was fairly empty but I wanted to take last-minute photos so it took me a few more moments to finish that. I then boraded through the business class lane. Luckily two jet bridges were in use at our departure gate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was some mood lighting for this evening flight. I had seat 11K to myself. It had a bit more space in front than my previous seat of 12K on the flight to Singapore. Even though I was closer to the aisle than the window, I thought the slightly less privacy was a good trade off for more space in front of me. I could wiggle my legs around more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNa-9NAewGSHh7FzQHkR2Rwf-9hUmfvn3ec9IrOCm-KLQE87QbudxcAjV4Ncd6WVG9TaQmaIWJ8kCOOHb_050UodLZAHCoZ6CcRIWVYJQJAw5qeC_nbQtWQeHExRMklVD7m0dklTYMk7TMBHC_emhwF5-zDAyQf4iCJMIBxh3UVIg3627r7SkWtdO/s3520/IMG_2563.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNa-9NAewGSHh7FzQHkR2Rwf-9hUmfvn3ec9IrOCm-KLQE87QbudxcAjV4Ncd6WVG9TaQmaIWJ8kCOOHb_050UodLZAHCoZ6CcRIWVYJQJAw5qeC_nbQtWQeHExRMklVD7m0dklTYMk7TMBHC_emhwF5-zDAyQf4iCJMIBxh3UVIg3627r7SkWtdO/w400-h225/IMG_2563.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The crew assigned to me asked me what my pre-departure beverage preference was and I said orange juice. They assisted me in stowing objects. Most of them went just under the seat where one lays his/her feet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJwaAOWn2k427uVe9GXci_ynyeptEZMJ26fJH4MdExNycHVb5AVaBxNBY2f5yXjD8Wem7T-SHWbM1gmvMcNRFUnT9Od-PNNo1TBT5brbEBaLVY7WpxkwMFMsjupZeWSa_m8_js8ezdztgqW9uFX1i02ZRdl1JGJY8g2Jo34VnfhlFEz51OMslbkEp/s4032/IMG_2561.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJwaAOWn2k427uVe9GXci_ynyeptEZMJ26fJH4MdExNycHVb5AVaBxNBY2f5yXjD8Wem7T-SHWbM1gmvMcNRFUnT9Od-PNNo1TBT5brbEBaLVY7WpxkwMFMsjupZeWSa_m8_js8ezdztgqW9uFX1i02ZRdl1JGJY8g2Jo34VnfhlFEz51OMslbkEp/w400-h300/IMG_2561.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 11K, Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX5STZcXFFTRp1Uzd9egbnZy3nalSHoUD9Q0fCXaOzmrCx6aGv5xa-G7HzuIMHXbT8kHZurrseZ7ad7XqHQLYxsv5-sWc20ghNv8p0UnG5QeYoIw7LTLWQD9aqyjKi8bQ_Bkg-p_BYFH0JP5YCRzTFTcKsDrWndo8oqqVQ54MBttW4OL7cGnHkGk7/s3520/IMG_2573.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX5STZcXFFTRp1Uzd9egbnZy3nalSHoUD9Q0fCXaOzmrCx6aGv5xa-G7HzuIMHXbT8kHZurrseZ7ad7XqHQLYxsv5-sWc20ghNv8p0UnG5QeYoIw7LTLWQD9aqyjKi8bQ_Bkg-p_BYFH0JP5YCRzTFTcKsDrWndo8oqqVQ54MBttW4OL7cGnHkGk7/w400-h225/IMG_2573.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 11K foot space, Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjaN2rqbly_Bda_ycvlyWtzB0j6xGo1I0_NmftcXhJDVCq8z-7Iw43ycU2BUp4uybz083VJVpgq1b0nJPp95IMxm5HBVOPptgxYU8V0Dc4jXAzBNglh1RtlhRYjOG0fgK5lNszyQjmu8f4ymcQKD-OnCCEXbsAevs3ax2X8yyKywT-bE3kaDm1QBE/s3520/IMG_2575.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjaN2rqbly_Bda_ycvlyWtzB0j6xGo1I0_NmftcXhJDVCq8z-7Iw43ycU2BUp4uybz083VJVpgq1b0nJPp95IMxm5HBVOPptgxYU8V0Dc4jXAzBNglh1RtlhRYjOG0fgK5lNszyQjmu8f4ymcQKD-OnCCEXbsAevs3ax2X8yyKywT-bE3kaDm1QBE/w400-h225/IMG_2575.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IFE remote of Singpore Airlines Boeing 787-10</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We departed pretty much on time. Much of the flight was uneventful. Just like the outbound flight, much of the time was spent enjoying SIA's in-flight dining. I chose beef steak from the book-the-cook option months in advance. It was fine dining at its finest. The crew made me take my time. I did not finish the appetisers as I was excited for the main course I ordered. I did not finish the desserts. Much of this was down to the food I ate at the lounge: it made me full quite quickly. But the meals were pretty superb. If there was anything memorable about the return leg, it was the dining both in the lounge and in-flight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wxvj99iTQGqyn0lIqEvgcrANxuViwb_tj--c-AHGj4iHIIBuOi1ErZ079ZOdkLOKj0wdOHSUyxlOiPcthA7ai_itSH_0YmHU8_QANG3cx9YWxUmH3Vs3JFTovY8DqOMw4lE16ZdGuEAHCOGah4Q6nm5jgG1_HigydThwp9SZ2_tIFyBOItcqmKox/s3520/IMG_2578.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wxvj99iTQGqyn0lIqEvgcrANxuViwb_tj--c-AHGj4iHIIBuOi1ErZ079ZOdkLOKj0wdOHSUyxlOiPcthA7ai_itSH_0YmHU8_QANG3cx9YWxUmH3Vs3JFTovY8DqOMw4lE16ZdGuEAHCOGah4Q6nm5jgG1_HigydThwp9SZ2_tIFyBOItcqmKox/w400-h225/IMG_2578.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class appetisers of Singapore Airlines SQ918</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SffwpWseZn2cTbFIed4MQ8i46Amx53JhX70xUmyvPJh3vWSJ2FRoLMZ376hg1l5dkoDi8Xn8h0rJp8u64ZJzRC3lyxs5gzb0z6OaGs0sKgBRo1JUoX8YYxA9gAVblGVJToHndtZ36Va8nKS8j3B7qLpplO2eHIxaAkGHCtyppi1OBwN9Nlu3r-QR/s3520/IMG_2583.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SffwpWseZn2cTbFIed4MQ8i46Amx53JhX70xUmyvPJh3vWSJ2FRoLMZ376hg1l5dkoDi8Xn8h0rJp8u64ZJzRC3lyxs5gzb0z6OaGs0sKgBRo1JUoX8YYxA9gAVblGVJToHndtZ36Va8nKS8j3B7qLpplO2eHIxaAkGHCtyppi1OBwN9Nlu3r-QR/w400-h225/IMG_2583.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class main course (book-the-cook) of Singapore Airlines SQ918<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPJWLoUUx7A4YiV3VtlXCazFNeXxXuEmAEi-7Bn5m6QV0NUEtwlCW6rp2OvE9nql3jGzzBsf-iJcFIj9C0iJwJcMVisSms9JGJr4PJpb-VZmBaU3qp3Qa6zB1svdON_fxAMeeGeaiBZHiZ215tYF3wwdqARP2gV9PYh-VVg9z6XlaIMpABe8QKKum/s3520/IMG_2597.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPJWLoUUx7A4YiV3VtlXCazFNeXxXuEmAEi-7Bn5m6QV0NUEtwlCW6rp2OvE9nql3jGzzBsf-iJcFIj9C0iJwJcMVisSms9JGJr4PJpb-VZmBaU3qp3Qa6zB1svdON_fxAMeeGeaiBZHiZ215tYF3wwdqARP2gV9PYh-VVg9z6XlaIMpABe8QKKum/w400-h225/IMG_2597.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: If you have an SIA flight out of Singapore and are flying on First or Business class, consider getting a book-the-cook meal. It will save you the hassle of second getting the options on the flight and choosing the ones you want to eat. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was glad my playlist from the previous flight was saved. So I could listen to the tracks and TV show episodes I desired whenever I wanted. This was a cool feature of SIA's KrisWorld entertainment system. But much of my IFE time was spent watching live satellite TV, something featured on SIA's 787s. In theory it was possible to use the SIA app to control the IFE monitor in front of you but for some reason it did not seem to work. Still I enjoyed the offering this time. The in-flight wifi was also working well. Speeds were fairly decent though one would need to abstain from streaming videos to make the most out of it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Make sure you get a KrisFlyer account to enjoy saving your playlist and customising your settings (e.g. language). It will also allow you to get complimentary internet access on flights with wi-fi.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For much of the final hour, I felt sleepy so I decided to take a little rest. I reclined the seat. It was comfortable as one could get even if if I didn't recline it to a full bed mode (which was possible). But before we knew it, the captain was giving the latest updates out of Manila. That signalled that the end of the flight, and my business class flight was fast-approaching. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnftSCPVAswYeixw06-2QlUo59LHwxuASgyvYt_zY69rgjq8g3m6fItJudVQE2tX8IfiMC_EFMLKNvAvEh2BJYPbCnqAWuUZSE1qm66Tf7HsRZDklzR5GesEpbxtLU5N9aAaftA0eSWmJQy7bqkv0-hEqa8GSOeQ-kG_hs_CMJm7b6guYq3JSlWN2/s4032/IMG_2614.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnftSCPVAswYeixw06-2QlUo59LHwxuASgyvYt_zY69rgjq8g3m6fItJudVQE2tX8IfiMC_EFMLKNvAvEh2BJYPbCnqAWuUZSE1qm66Tf7HsRZDklzR5GesEpbxtLU5N9aAaftA0eSWmJQy7bqkv0-hEqa8GSOeQ-kG_hs_CMJm7b6guYq3JSlWN2/w400-h225/IMG_2614.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslTEArMfFTs7vy1d9dvYAHCSAJKfxou1wl1O4KIInkr7y5AGNtYArW5vCy1VtThrbwZJxy93-SVN8DTFElQalO6__uuYFmbTgMB-bk8fVx4xoCyeIAq9LiVPGup63CaQpSANc7VFy4H6dZgdDWVsFNfqt6yNTjfFst2rx4UOQHBtg1EDxpyTQPlmy/s3520/IMG_2625.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslTEArMfFTs7vy1d9dvYAHCSAJKfxou1wl1O4KIInkr7y5AGNtYArW5vCy1VtThrbwZJxy93-SVN8DTFElQalO6__uuYFmbTgMB-bk8fVx4xoCyeIAq9LiVPGup63CaQpSANc7VFy4H6dZgdDWVsFNfqt6yNTjfFst2rx4UOQHBtg1EDxpyTQPlmy/w400-h225/IMG_2625.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc9QOE2NXeZQly3_CjskzujTfj3OFxEAoN5UMcDMdL_VLd4MWtR3MkK_8K0vdN2T4mNruzA0CoNYD7l-MM8zTA3D0F25P_5yFLQDiL5oC7A9wAQ0GBi81v_Wi01dHavet0F0GujaiXnYkabNquez7UkzNjA74jezxHgEz0CVJAluYpOiXHX7Bej7Y/s3520/IMG_2631.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc9QOE2NXeZQly3_CjskzujTfj3OFxEAoN5UMcDMdL_VLd4MWtR3MkK_8K0vdN2T4mNruzA0CoNYD7l-MM8zTA3D0F25P_5yFLQDiL5oC7A9wAQ0GBi81v_Wi01dHavet0F0GujaiXnYkabNquez7UkzNjA74jezxHgEz0CVJAluYpOiXHX7Bej7Y/w400-h225/IMG_2631.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we knew it, the flight was descending and approaching Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I used the time to ponder on the trip that was. I had a feeling that this kind of trip had to be repeated. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>ARRIVAL</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were on the ground in no time. We pulled in to our gate though only one aerobridge was in operation so business class passengers had to go to the rear door. There was an automated passport control available to us Filipino citizens and I used it without much fuss.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was slightly irked out as my bag took a while to emerge from baggage claim. I was used to seeing my bag amongst the first to come out but not here in Manila. I had to call the attention of a member of staff to assist me. Luckily she was helpful and I found my bag soon. I felt relieved by that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>RATINGS FOR THE FLIGHT</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. Also, please note that given the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations have been adjusted accordingly. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Singapore Airlines and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Check-in (10/10): </b>It was a fairly straightforward check-in process. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (9/10): </b>I love the ambience in terminal 3. It felt exclusive. Food selection was superb and I was glad I did not spend anything for lunch in downtown on today's flight. But for such a large lounge, it was really crowded. I just wish the food selection was consistent in both terminals 2 and 3. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Boarding Process (10/10): </b>It was pretty smooth process. Both doors were in operation. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Seating area (10/10):</b> Please tell me a carrier that guarantees a flat bed on all regional flights. This easily passes as a long-haul product on many other carriers and given what I've heard about SIA's long-haul business class, I wouldn't be surprised if I like this regional business class better. If there was any criticism of it, it is that the flight was way too short to enjoy it. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food (10/10): </b>The book-the-cook option did not disappoint. I was spoiled with the presentation. And as such, I got full quickly.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (10/10):</b> <b> </b>The crew took care of us well. They paid attention to detail and helped us take our time. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Punctuality (10/10):</b> All on time. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (9/10):</b> I enjoyed the selection. Wifi was working well. I appreciate how our playlists were saved and carried over to our next flight. However, a minor issue was the controls from the SIA app were not working.</span></li></ul></div></div></div>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-75460687148857760032023-05-23T23:32:00.003+08:002023-05-23T23:33:12.258+08:00NAIA-based carriers swap terminals<p style="text-align: justify;">In a bid to manage congestion and optimise usage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport's (NAIA) terminals, various airlines and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have announce that they would operate out of different terminals. These movements are part of MIAA’s Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) programme.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Ninoy_Aquino_International_Airport_(NAIA)_Terminal_3_-_ticketing_hall_(Pasay%3B_2017-01-01)_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Ninoy_Aquino_International_Airport_(NAIA)_Terminal_3_-_ticketing_hall_(Pasay%3B_2017-01-01)_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Image source: Patrick Roque / Wikimedia</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Amongst the biggest transfers involve international flights of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL). Currently, the carrier has split its international flights between Terminals 1 and 2 with flights to North America, the Middle East, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali and Singapore in the former. But starting June 16 2023, all of PAL's international flights will use Terminal 1. PAL's domestic flights, almost all of which are operated by PAL subsidiary PAL Express, will remain at Terminal 2. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">AirAsia domestic flights (except for flights to Cebu and Caticlan, which operate out of Terminal 3) and Royal Air would join PAL Express at Terminal 2 starting July 1.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sunlight Air will meanwhile move to Terminal 4 starting July 1 and join Cebu Pacific subsidiary CebGo.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, some foreign carriers have transferred from Terminals 1 and 3. Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines and Starlux Airlines have moved to Terminal 3 since April 16. Ethiopian Airlines, Jeju Air, Gulf Air, and Thai Airways will join them on June 1. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to MIAA authorities, they will provide shuttle busses for passengers with connecting flights involving different terminals. Still, some vloggers have highlighted the unusual tranfer procedures for those with connecting between international PAL flights across both terminals.</p><p style="text-align: center;">-</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b6XgADDyRTw" width="320" youtube-src-id="b6XgADDyRTw"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="697" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMIAAGovPH%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02k5zUR8uEQQ8abcs8qSWsFDeNTChy4QjMuJ5jo3R7rPfwPKUAa4eY3wrMHe4568ZUl&show_text=true&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></div>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-13327688694749881722023-05-11T12:39:00.003+08:002023-05-11T12:39:53.093+08:00Philippine Airlines to expand fleet with A350-1000s<p style="text-align: justify;">Just about a year after the fourth Airbus A350-900 left the Philippine Airlines (PAL) fleet as part of the flag carrier's restructuring and emergence from bankruptcy leaving it with two of them, its Chief Executive Stanley Ng has announced an expansion of the fleet.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Philippines_Airlines_Airbus_A350-941_RP-C3506.jpg/1280px-Philippines_Airlines_Airbus_A350-941_RP-C3506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="800" height="219" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Philippines_Airlines_Airbus_A350-941_RP-C3506.jpg/1280px-Philippines_Airlines_Airbus_A350-941_RP-C3506.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippine Airlines Airbus A350<br />Image source: Wikimedia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to a press release by PAL, it has signed a memorandum of agreement with Airbus to order nine (9) Airbus A350-1000s with an option to order three (3) more, citing the combination of "greater range capability" with "higher capacity" and "comfort". The aircraft is expected to arrive between late-2025 and 2027.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ng further adds "It’s the perfect aircraft to enable PAL to meet its expansion plans in a sustainable way, while offering passengers the highest levels of onboard comfort. We are committed to offering our passengers the best possible travel experience, and these state-of-the-art aircraft will enable us to do just that as we carry out our mission to connect the world, and grow trade and tourism."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Christian Scherer of Airbus says “Flying passengers farther and in greater comfort, the A350 brings a step-change in fuel efficiency and an immediate significant contribution to reduced emissions. These are the attributes that have made the A350 the choice of leading airlines worldwide. We look forward to working closely with our long-standing customer Philippine Airlines as it moves forward with its long haul fleet modernization programme.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">PAL says that the aircraft is expected to be deployed on its North American route, which includes non-stop services to Toronto and New York. At the moment that region is served by a combination of A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Although PAL has claimed the A350-1000s are for expansion, it could also be used to replace ageing aircraft in its fleet such as two older 777-300ERs, which have been with PAL since 2009. Those aircraft have been subject to some bad reviews by passengers because of faulty in-seat IFE, for instance. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Just like PAL's A350-900s, the A350-1000s will feature three service classes: business, premium economy, and (regular) economy. This is a departure from previous suggestions that say a cabin reconfiguration is imminent with premium economy getting removed in favour of (regular) economy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Airbus A350-1000 is said to be one of the longest-range aircrafts in the world. It is capable of travelling up to 8,700 nautical miles. It is also the choice of aircraft for Qantas, as it plans to mount non-stop flights between London and Sydney. Other carriers that operate this A350-1000 variant include Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This new Airbus A350 order reinforces the long-standing relationship between the flag carrier and the 53-year old European aircraft manufacturer. PAL's first Airbus aircraft arrived in 1979 with the Airbus A300B4. Since then it has introduced various aircraft from the A320 and A330/340 families. In addition to the A350, PAL currently operates 17 A321ceos, 8 A321neos, 10 A330s. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ng has made no secret of a desire for PAL to expand its fleet and destinations. This is as PAL was forced to reduce capacity suspend flights due to financial lossess and the COVID-19 pandemic. PAL filed for bankruptcy in 2021. However, there may be questions about the timing of this decision to order new aircraft not too long after removing newer aircraft to cut costs. It is too soon to tell if this is a sound financial decision as it was based only on one year of profitability. PAL posted a 2022 operating profit of over $297 million (approximately €271 million, £235 million), its first since 2019. </p>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-50579570481629221032023-01-02T11:53:00.004+08:002023-01-02T17:03:48.024+08:00Philippine air traffic chaos on New Year's Day <p style="text-align: justify;">New Year's day 2023 will be a day to remember for tens of thousands of passengers - for the wrong reasons. Over 360 domestic and international flights to and from Manila were either cancelled, delayed, or diverted to nearby airports due to what the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) termed as "technical issues" with air navigation facilities. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Ph-mm-pasay-ninoy_aquino_international_airport_(naia)-terminal_3_-_ticketing_hall_(2014)_a0006.JPG/640px-Ph-mm-pasay-ninoy_aquino_international_airport_(naia)-terminal_3_-_ticketing_hall_(2014)_a0006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Ph-mm-pasay-ninoy_aquino_international_airport_(naia)-terminal_3_-_ticketing_hall_(2014)_a0006.JPG/640px-Ph-mm-pasay-ninoy_aquino_international_airport_(naia)-terminal_3_-_ticketing_hall_(2014)_a0006.JPG" title="NAIA terminal 3, Imagesource: Wikimedia" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NAIA Terminal 3<br />Image source: Patrick Roque / Wikimedia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">According to Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista, power outages with CAAP equipment caused a loss of communication, radar, radio, and internet at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He adds that, this affected the central air traffic control system which would take its toll on other airports in the country. Power was knocked out at 9.49 am Philippine time. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The CAAP and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have each issued an apology to the passengers, many of whom had to wait inside aircraft and terminals only to be told that their flights for the day would ultimately be cancelled. A lot of them were using New Year's day to travel fly home from spending Christmas holidays in popular tourist destinations such as Boracay.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bautista acknowledged that the existing facility should be upgraded "immediately" and said a backup system is also necessary. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Partial operations resumed at 4 pm and "normal operations" resumed at 5.50 pm of January 1. However as at January 2, early Monday morning, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was only handling 15 flights an hour instead of the normal 20. The first flight to land after the technical issue was a flight from Brisbane. The first flight to depart was a flight bound for Hong Kong.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">According to Philippine Airlines, it is arranging recovery flights out of the US, Singapore, and Malaysia and diverting flights to other airports in the Philippines. Likewise, the Department of Transportation, according to Bautista, has been coordinating with carriers to provide refreshments, food, accommodation to passengers of affected flights without extra charge. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Businessman Manuel V Pangilinan, who was on a flight from Haneda to Manila only to be flown back to Tokyo remarked that in addition to 6 hours of "useless flying", the inconvenience to travelers and losses to tourism and business are "horrendous". However, he offered to help government agencies mitigate what he thought would cause a similar problem in the future.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">If our Group could be of any help to DOTr/CAAP, we’d be happy to participate - colocation of 2nd, even 3rd, redundancies in our nationwide data centers, required connectivities - fiber, satellite, wireless - robust even redundant power supply protection etc.Let’s all support.</p>— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamMVP/status/1609700611741872129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The air navigation failure around Manila has not only affected flights and to, from, and within the Philippines. Carriers that fly over Philippine airspace to travel between Southeast Asia and Korea or Japan have also been affected. <a href="https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/ph/en/advisory/philippines-air-space-closure.html" target="_blank">Malaysia Airlines has said</a> five of its flights (two of which were due to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Manila, and the remaining were flying to Kuala Lumpur from Narita, Kansai, and Incheon) were affected. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: <a href="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1711413/naia-power-outage-tech-glitch-shut-ph-airspace?utm_source=gallery&utm_medium=direct">Inquirer</a>, <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/01/23/naia-now-partially-operational-following-new-years-day-crisis" target="_blank">ABS-CBN</a>, <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-manila-international-airport-flight-delays-cancelled-technical-issues-power-outage-3177611">CNA</a>, <a href="https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/ph/en/advisory/philippines-air-space-closure.html" target="_blank">Malaysia Airlines</a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-36877668057831092722021-11-29T11:33:00.005+08:002021-12-03T21:00:14.554+08:00Korean Air Flight Review: London to Manila via Seoul-Incheon (77W) (with bonus videos from other Youtubers)<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>BACKGROUND AND FLIGHT SELECTION</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My time in Britain was coming to an end. It was time to go back to the Philippines apparently for good. As much as I wanted to stay on the European side of the world, fate has other plans for me and I have no alternative but to accept it. </p><div style="text-align: justify;">One parting gift though was I would get a chance to fly home using business class yet again on another airline. It took me over a week to decide which airline I would ride. Initially I was leaning towards Asiana because I would be on a 5-star carrier and its new A350. Also, the price of £2,500 one-way for that was not so bad given that flights to Manila were pricey for obvious reasons. It also would allow me to go lounge-binging again since it was Star Alliance and there were two lounges to enjoy: Lufthansa and Singapore Air. However due to factors beyond my control I was unable to book on time. There were flights left earlier in the week but due to other matters, those were a few days too early for me. Turkish Airlines was an alternative but due to it being a 3-star airline, it left me with some doubts. Etihad was also a possibility but it was a bit too pricey. Don't get me started with Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. Other than the fact that they cost twice as much, the extremely short layover time meant it was not worth it. Yes, for business class flights, I value the quality time spent at the hub and soaking up a carrier's signature lounge at that hub. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the last minute however, a seat opened up with Korean Air. Prices were more or less similar to Asiana. Plus, one gets to stop by Seoul-Incheon, which I know has an excellent airport. I would be getting about 3 hours and 45 minutes worth of stopover time, plenty of time to enjoy the airport and/or the lounge. As soon as I got the payment method sorted out, we booked it. I felt too that Korean Air would make for an interesting experience since it would be my first time in 34 years to fly with this carrier. Korean Air was in fact the very first carrier that I ever flew with so there was some sentimental value.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I was doing my research on whether Korean Air was a reasonable alternative to Asiana, one thing that I stumbled upon was the fact that <a href="https://www.aviationpros.com/airlines/news/21241569/korean-airs-asiana-acquisition-what-is-happening">Korean Air is in the process of considering whether to acquire Asiana</a>. It is fascinating in that it is a case of a 4-star carrier acquiring a 5-star carrier. But as the process is unlikely to materialise until at least 2024, we will cross the bridge when we get there. It will be business as usual for both carriers until then, at least in terms of their distinct identities, service offerings, amenities, alliances, etc. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>"FIRST" CLASS FOR THE PRICE OF BUSINESS?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One other quirk that I discovered for this particular journey, the seats that are normally reserved for first class (also known as the Cosmo 2.0 suites) are available to ticketed business class passengers apparently for no additional cost. To be clear, the "soft" product, (e.g. catering, amenity kits, beddings) will be exactly the same as those sitting in the "normal" business class seats. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was able to secure such a seat on the shorter Seoul-Manila leg but I monitored if an open "first class" seat for the longer London-Seoul segment was available for a few more days. Luckily, it paid off and I reserved such seats for both flights. I then further changed the seat as I got at first a "middle" "D" seat and later found that an "A" seat became available. I wished though that it were seat 1A instead of 2A so it would be the same as the Seoul-Manila flight. I have been tossing and turning of whether it would be worth it to change to PAL's A350 given the relatively low cancellation costs. But the fact that I can score a "hard" first class seat on Korean Air all but clinched my decision to stay with my originally-booked airline. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It turns out that Korean Air is not alone in its trend to suspend the sale of first class for the moment: <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/news/airlines-stopped-offering-first-class-pandemic/">other carriers are following suit</a>. The realities of the global pandemic has shed light on the fact that first class is a service that requires too many contact points, something which epidemiologists worry about. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>PREPARATIONS</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Leaving Britain for good means you may need to pack heavy. And for the next three or four days, it was an absolute nightmare figuring out how to make the most of one’s business class baggage allowance without going over. And it is a very expensive business to travel with five pieces of bags as they had to be moved at least three times!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the day of travel, getting to the airport meant we were tangled up in traffic. I left shortly before 14.00 local time (five hours before the flight) and the taxi trip took to Paddington station almost an hour. Consider that Paddington station was less than three miles away from my hotel. But Black Friday and a strike involving the London Underground or Tube made things worse.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Upon arrival at Paddington station, I grabbed a trolley and managed to fit three of my four bags into it. The fourth bag was easy to pull out. To save on costs, I decided to travel using the TFL Rail, formerly known as the Heathrow Connect. Unlike the Heathrow Express, it had several stops along the way. Journey time from Paddington to Terminal 2 and 3 is 30 minutes. I had to put my two big bags at the corner of the door and my eyes were glued to it for most of the train journey. I had to lug my bags to the nearest trolley point upon arrival at Heathrow station. The trolley seemed smaller than its counterpart at Paddington. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CHECK-IN AND SECURITY</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiChqw5C4ZJMH4wCfaWLjn9xosHZT-Ih7BvZcTYgHl7A0G_LlVfEbxEGO8AmQsFMzBcmloyWp131OApO4aWgnuK7qF3NFzQa0Yj03oP2qwcFgchGyZt9D-2DQZsYRHrLhmwn0bjZAFVw/s640/IMG_4958.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiChqw5C4ZJMH4wCfaWLjn9xosHZT-Ih7BvZcTYgHl7A0G_LlVfEbxEGO8AmQsFMzBcmloyWp131OApO4aWgnuK7qF3NFzQa0Yj03oP2qwcFgchGyZt9D-2DQZsYRHrLhmwn0bjZAFVw/w400-h300/IMG_4958.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air check-in desk at Heathrow Terminal 3<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1ILZI1e1G5zn6YxrHUGl2dsxvfCaPRYBjEEaDjWd_Q-iMqozl9w_qIUAFXrVW9k3u6r7HSi5yPpYHbYhG4YqG3ae1oSjmPcWPoqxSBp-JgBpleYXuZ0tW1Nnf3ZAo3c1xowhpdSHT2w/s640/IMG_4955.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1ILZI1e1G5zn6YxrHUGl2dsxvfCaPRYBjEEaDjWd_Q-iMqozl9w_qIUAFXrVW9k3u6r7HSi5yPpYHbYhG4YqG3ae1oSjmPcWPoqxSBp-JgBpleYXuZ0tW1Nnf3ZAo3c1xowhpdSHT2w/w400-h225/IMG_4955.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The good news was that when I got there, there were no queues. The bad news was that immediately, I got news my first bag seemed overweight. They gave me an option to repack or pay an excess fee. It took a half hour to transfer items and figure out what to throw away. It felt really panicking. Although I did my research on the baggage allowance, the heart of the issue was that I might have misinterpreted what the hand luggage allowance included. Strictly speaking for business class, a backpack counts as hand luggage. The “personal item” only applies to economy class (in addition to the one hand luggage). Ultimately the check-in staff let it slip that I take the backpack out and take it as hand luggage along with everything else without much fanfare. Taking my bags out, the heaviest bag was within the ideal allowance. In the course of repacking, I panicked and briefly misplaced my passport. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Luckily I found it fairly quickly. I showed the staff the required documents, including my PCR Test and barcode needed to enter the Philippines. It would't be the only time I would part with my passport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: When in doubt, always ask beforehand what the hand luggage allowance includes. In business class, what seems to be a "personal item" is counted as hand luggage, especially with Korean Air. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Despite having access to fast track, security was a bit slow. There was a bottleneck of bags in front of me waiting to be screened. Maybe this is why I now appreciate Korean Air’s hand luggage limit. Despite the bottleneck at security and the many items I put forward for screening, I got my items without much scrutiny. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I then made my way to the No 1 Lounge. The ambience is okay and I used it on a previous occasion. I found the food selection limited though. Just one kind pasta. There was basmati rice and a form of chicken meal. There were also biscuits and muffins. But nothing else much. It was crowded and many sections were cordoned off, including the shower room. Although there are COVID considerations, staff could easily clean and disinfect these areas in a short period of time, plus opening a few more sections of the lounge could make social distancing manageable. In other words, I was not missing very much considering the “delays” to getting to Heathrow and the slight snafu at the check-in desks. But I was forced to start a Zoom meeting with a few fellow language learners a bit late and with shortened meeting time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78icixY1HInuk0I9SUOBj5VR2GXzLjleQGljHXT2mrsIWvBiRgqnVG6FvYKTfj3NGV0_8sipVAF3UzkMF4kDoLpFCIv0l2nYLT0IXtRY8AePl4omBP5ThD7bfqr2pRdU1KuV6Lnbz4Tg/s640/IMG_4967.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78icixY1HInuk0I9SUOBj5VR2GXzLjleQGljHXT2mrsIWvBiRgqnVG6FvYKTfj3NGV0_8sipVAF3UzkMF4kDoLpFCIv0l2nYLT0IXtRY8AePl4omBP5ThD7bfqr2pRdU1KuV6Lnbz4Tg/w400-h225/IMG_4967.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No 1 Lounge at London Heathrow Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQjZHc1mbPsGIM7gayzksgPvmqgYyFI_Nm_v5EhfB0bUCPsDWslRwEQ_BWSaSuWOrFpwZg4hR1ZR5xitRUilwtd1hmrOzE1KUe_OB82Kf_6L4sPEbBEhrOnxK4G2oa_aRx91Nf4bojik/s640/IMG_4959.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQjZHc1mbPsGIM7gayzksgPvmqgYyFI_Nm_v5EhfB0bUCPsDWslRwEQ_BWSaSuWOrFpwZg4hR1ZR5xitRUilwtd1hmrOzE1KUe_OB82Kf_6L4sPEbBEhrOnxK4G2oa_aRx91Nf4bojik/w400-h225/IMG_4959.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No 1 Lounge at London Heathrow Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0QsBuW71zUKQNPDVm082tUmRxoGY9NjFupNn3m91LqPi9SPx7VJ5WqH5g31hGfv-Bak4X39x785tX_aozo9haN9y-epOPEXFCWlL8W87s148idGBIDML4-FFOsE5I8K57ZX9NqFldPw/s640/IMG_4960.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0QsBuW71zUKQNPDVm082tUmRxoGY9NjFupNn3m91LqPi9SPx7VJ5WqH5g31hGfv-Bak4X39x785tX_aozo9haN9y-epOPEXFCWlL8W87s148idGBIDML4-FFOsE5I8K57ZX9NqFldPw/w400-h225/IMG_4960.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No 1 Lounge at London Heathrow Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWa8ZeYQZdJi6w-q4co3K-kqWXFUAovLuhfsqhcNLH7-ek6mfM4PvxwLPW9XwPcU_LAdjDdkm_E1E3APE3c2Y8Gc1SXWlits-z2nwKQyPbGRPaH5m3Kw69HDB-H5ksusdzhTwXiaDNl8/s640/IMG_4961.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWa8ZeYQZdJi6w-q4co3K-kqWXFUAovLuhfsqhcNLH7-ek6mfM4PvxwLPW9XwPcU_LAdjDdkm_E1E3APE3c2Y8Gc1SXWlits-z2nwKQyPbGRPaH5m3Kw69HDB-H5ksusdzhTwXiaDNl8/w400-h225/IMG_4961.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No 1 Lounge at London Heathrow Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrAND3nmP2M1QpiorL3Qg94p4LxfqTYEPYRm261jDYFgeapVd5SmgF4sNV0j9Gp-ZUThfS9_2OmkE8JJDs-jL-xsTGsQJ6tU6pqv1YxrkbRHVWuB9UICyAePebDsaRYA6RGY_f8pNDyk/s640/IMG_4962.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrAND3nmP2M1QpiorL3Qg94p4LxfqTYEPYRm261jDYFgeapVd5SmgF4sNV0j9Gp-ZUThfS9_2OmkE8JJDs-jL-xsTGsQJ6tU6pqv1YxrkbRHVWuB9UICyAePebDsaRYA6RGY_f8pNDyk/w400-h225/IMG_4962.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No 1 Lounge at London Heathrow Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdKnc0rA17VAKc5JDkTFWpPwd2ZnqLlMCmiThVokE1vCn4le0de6LSINSnNBFwPDzm9cYLkrVvL9aW7quCXsc2YeR9d-Xua35esfy0URNz4Q1G6uxcQcnMqB7twQgqE-9-Zcy8tkdYeA/s640/IMG_4964.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdKnc0rA17VAKc5JDkTFWpPwd2ZnqLlMCmiThVokE1vCn4le0de6LSINSnNBFwPDzm9cYLkrVvL9aW7quCXsc2YeR9d-Xua35esfy0URNz4Q1G6uxcQcnMqB7twQgqE-9-Zcy8tkdYeA/w400-h225/IMG_4964.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No 1 Lounge at London Heathrow Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>FIRST LEG: KE908 from LONDON TO SEOUL-INCHEON</b></div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>KE908</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 27</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 777-300ER</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 18:50</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Aircraft Registration</b>: HL8010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pwS_Gz88bIAQXnR2MI_N9QknlM3LnjeyUdO6fcH208b80nGTrI8a7K0m4b4ljfXRDFw1FQZBHQkawKUvnAUG8-KmJzZwCmQx6dP0CJAO3Cd8cGBwgj4Fwj9WZqpqxBDZotArjIYIcMI/s640/IMG_4968.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pwS_Gz88bIAQXnR2MI_N9QknlM3LnjeyUdO6fcH208b80nGTrI8a7K0m4b4ljfXRDFw1FQZBHQkawKUvnAUG8-KmJzZwCmQx6dP0CJAO3Cd8cGBwgj4Fwj9WZqpqxBDZotArjIYIcMI/w400-h225/IMG_4968.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I arrived at the gate and there weren’t many people left to board. The staff asked me to present my passport and RT-PCR test result. I took a photo by one of the walls that depicted a London road. I entered the boarding gate but one annoyance I had was they used only one boarding gate rather than two. It would have helped speed up the process if both were operational. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just at the foot of the aerobridge, the staff scanned my boarding card and showed me to my seat. Luckily for me it was the seat that I originally booked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As my seat is normally a seat used for first class, it features loads of storage, a wide display, one AC power port, one USB power port, and a mini closet that closes. It felt wide and comfortable. One criticism I have about it though was that the area where you charge your USB-chargeable device cannot technically be used to store stuff. It would help to have the USB charging port in the proper storage area for the phones and smartwatches. It comes as well with a closet enough to hang two shirts or coats. The ottoman in front of the passenger allows us to store our smaller bags under the seat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizms_dPqbsYzhyOuQzkwwuAWLxyLxms_V-fhXl7GpzqzPNReRGp4KBfsxe_ziMiKfGUW2m-D4xC1-yQDkuXJ2cPIElnaeinomui7t8t93T9_kiqaahMzvzUxw4S8oGtLNU6hdhnCSTX0c/s640/IMG_4973+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizms_dPqbsYzhyOuQzkwwuAWLxyLxms_V-fhXl7GpzqzPNReRGp4KBfsxe_ziMiKfGUW2m-D4xC1-yQDkuXJ2cPIElnaeinomui7t8t93T9_kiqaahMzvzUxw4S8oGtLNU6hdhnCSTX0c/w400-h225/IMG_4973+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat on a 77W used for Business Class service<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_E_Zx7KJXT4BfNtiEGJeX5hjLaekzbLD0NHl-fZ_1NAMBdgwuZj3Az-AKuSkg0ZvcyLjf__HTIsch8rl9sUYw__D3lM45Om98x9yqzc3ByjVgAofZc26RjRa-uN7PwVPHj6sFCkQoW5k/s640/IMG_4975.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_E_Zx7KJXT4BfNtiEGJeX5hjLaekzbLD0NHl-fZ_1NAMBdgwuZj3Az-AKuSkg0ZvcyLjf__HTIsch8rl9sUYw__D3lM45Om98x9yqzc3ByjVgAofZc26RjRa-uN7PwVPHj6sFCkQoW5k/w400-h225/IMG_4975.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat on a 77W used for Business Class service<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKH0AmdjUgmO8yMwae1CqASb2PivrY2ir5_F1CO7_d87LknTKpsVUn2WpjePH-AVfErD7QKhIRb0l6BQvo0HVypBnz-pKTLr4zzGaCW1ozmN5jaXdOw-ct33mFgioZkPd7UYTkIoil3c/s640/IMG_4980.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKH0AmdjUgmO8yMwae1CqASb2PivrY2ir5_F1CO7_d87LknTKpsVUn2WpjePH-AVfErD7QKhIRb0l6BQvo0HVypBnz-pKTLr4zzGaCW1ozmN5jaXdOw-ct33mFgioZkPd7UYTkIoil3c/w400-h300/IMG_4980.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat on a 77W used for Business Class service<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvqShbdPrQDYvtk0iIx-YweqbND5oHrVTxPgh9H2qJ5KwCGZVyNbUR3VE-OvrF6XvkXOwVSHcV819Nhlo2S7fVmTiCKvkWPR-JpDYZfriNkoYUm7g75mec3CuD6KO6I5xIacM3na_yJ8/s640/IMG_4972+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvqShbdPrQDYvtk0iIx-YweqbND5oHrVTxPgh9H2qJ5KwCGZVyNbUR3VE-OvrF6XvkXOwVSHcV819Nhlo2S7fVmTiCKvkWPR-JpDYZfriNkoYUm7g75mec3CuD6KO6I5xIacM3na_yJ8/w400-h225/IMG_4972+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Waiting for us on our seat was a bottle of water, pillow, duvet, slippers, and amenity kit. The amenity kit featured eyeshades, hand cream, body lotion, toothbrush and a dental hygiene kit. It was interesting that the amenity kit bag wasn't the one made out of plastic, which was heavily criticised. Instead, I was pleased to receive a more traditional looking amenity kit. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6su9i9iWnlxXYX0k2peunL-zwBDuNVc1NeBPsZdVpCfBPpSlnLpuPMw5ojjpIPOFiuUUiLSLumNoDVfwrG4thQeaNt5b1XyafPIej-g_FQimPXFEFL87JF7A8nURm9wSvPUblzPsJb68/s640/IMG_4974.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6su9i9iWnlxXYX0k2peunL-zwBDuNVc1NeBPsZdVpCfBPpSlnLpuPMw5ojjpIPOFiuUUiLSLumNoDVfwrG4thQeaNt5b1XyafPIej-g_FQimPXFEFL87JF7A8nURm9wSvPUblzPsJb68/w400-h225/IMG_4974.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat on a 77W used for Business Class service<br />Image by hybridace101<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The flight attendant assigned to our section took our main course orders. I told her I would go for the tenderloin and the omelette. She gave in to my request to serve my meal after almost everyone else is done. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had to finish a few matters as the plane was taxiing to the runaway. They included responding to a message and downloading a few videos. Before we knew it, we were taking off. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Five minutes after takeoff, the seatbelt sign was switched off. I wanted to test the controls and more importantly, the door. I was struggling at first to close it but then a flight attendant helped me by pushing a ‘secret’ button a bit away from the door. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>The content of the IFE was considerably limited compared to Emirates or even Cathay Pacific though it was not bad. It had some music to my liking. But I was more disappointed in the fact that it had no provisions for wifi, something that was fast becoming standard on many other carriers. </div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I was watching others enjoy their meals, I just continued doing some work on my iPad and staring at the moving map. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I moved around from time to time. I even visited the economy class section and the 'actual' or 'normal' business class section. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhDA-HkRwLSN8NeE6e1L7Tcd6PO9HGgpJDR6UOa_ORttNGD_0yGLzszJVKxg8TLZLCEGNckr_SEdT-RLtOh9rDLp3fJr-EBS376CYCg6W2DFMrAsipnBo_yqNBY13CdPp5N9ZBEf9HwQ/s640/IMG_4998.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhDA-HkRwLSN8NeE6e1L7Tcd6PO9HGgpJDR6UOa_ORttNGD_0yGLzszJVKxg8TLZLCEGNckr_SEdT-RLtOh9rDLp3fJr-EBS376CYCg6W2DFMrAsipnBo_yqNBY13CdPp5N9ZBEf9HwQ/w400-h225/IMG_4998.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air 'normal' business class section<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlXuILA2jEyPp16kMhAyVBF5MCYYsjHROgO2I9g7Xlwy9WyDen2aekjgff6LHn5BIe72RgNniQx14htDPT-jcRSD5hiC_k-avKGVKSLgN5pgnhqThDNFI0hvxUFNipATY2p0TL9iySUA/s640/IMG_5031.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlXuILA2jEyPp16kMhAyVBF5MCYYsjHROgO2I9g7Xlwy9WyDen2aekjgff6LHn5BIe72RgNniQx14htDPT-jcRSD5hiC_k-avKGVKSLgN5pgnhqThDNFI0hvxUFNipATY2p0TL9iySUA/w400-h225/IMG_5031.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air economy class section<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nearly two hours passed, almost everyone else has finished their meal. I requested it was time for me to have mines. The cabin was dimmed. It showed how my request was a bit odd. But I took the crew up on their offer for a beverage. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The appetiser was salmon. From the get go, it was enjoyable already. I knew this was going to be something I would enjoy. The tenderloin was also inviting and mouth-watering. One of the best business class dinners I have ever tasted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7qVbu0dBTEPHUB21TywBcKBzb5A2h8SBFCnGSga95-C2Is4YQUxKLbdQ-B-Ff9wqFb2y7_dEZfPNsLHsAal7zYlDMYmpE8zorakTY5PyZ3SpmlmuIzXeHifisENsj9jLTi84BliFejU/s640/IMG_5010.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7qVbu0dBTEPHUB21TywBcKBzb5A2h8SBFCnGSga95-C2Is4YQUxKLbdQ-B-Ff9wqFb2y7_dEZfPNsLHsAal7zYlDMYmpE8zorakTY5PyZ3SpmlmuIzXeHifisENsj9jLTi84BliFejU/w400-h225/IMG_5010.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class appetiser for KE908<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8TSS4B3J_aNNmeNNh6JAlx2Htjb1Kyyge12VbfbPJdSToFA1KNsrw1JqMzE916rbUlXJOp-xq4LLfe4iCLd5NTQ0u2Uf43Wp2gDsTGx4_diSmhHoEWnQPtyvMr1wHlMajkgNd7cp3HU/s640/IMG_5011.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8TSS4B3J_aNNmeNNh6JAlx2Htjb1Kyyge12VbfbPJdSToFA1KNsrw1JqMzE916rbUlXJOp-xq4LLfe4iCLd5NTQ0u2Uf43Wp2gDsTGx4_diSmhHoEWnQPtyvMr1wHlMajkgNd7cp3HU/w400-h225/IMG_5011.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class main course for KE908<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I had ice cream and camomile tea for dessert. Cheese was also offered. They were really delicious and I finished almost everything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD6Idnka9_2y2AzRUcoh1fNCJVDWpokf8VRHoOrSUTWhvbdZ2VQBYnLohDievTyjigFsAaBNE69BE6FraxalUIDrgG6Ql-6JAWyAu3QsMFt9FEW8i4SzlV6YM1ofWtQ4kuEFuCB_JtKk/s640/IMG_5012.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD6Idnka9_2y2AzRUcoh1fNCJVDWpokf8VRHoOrSUTWhvbdZ2VQBYnLohDievTyjigFsAaBNE69BE6FraxalUIDrgG6Ql-6JAWyAu3QsMFt9FEW8i4SzlV6YM1ofWtQ4kuEFuCB_JtKk/w400-h225/IMG_5012.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert on Korean Air business class<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When the desserts were done, I headed to the lavatory to dress up and brush my teeth. The lavatories also contained mouthwash and razors. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19xYM4-FKVRkL6vnBHm13y10QzUsefwxIStsBQpYNajvLkk3AR99wzQqJqQYagwOJ1HkdQ8As8h8R-46JaEDLX3eojfIVRXJM3Cmj1nx3HOhERyD_QewpyxQYfizXy89889izpciqL4s/s640/IMG_4996.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19xYM4-FKVRkL6vnBHm13y10QzUsefwxIStsBQpYNajvLkk3AR99wzQqJqQYagwOJ1HkdQ8As8h8R-46JaEDLX3eojfIVRXJM3Cmj1nx3HOhERyD_QewpyxQYfizXy89889izpciqL4s/s320/IMG_4996.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class lavatory on a Korean Air flight<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I then prepared the seat to be in bed mode. With one press of a button, the seat transforms immediately into a bed. The panel also has a lounge mode so you can recline if you wish or customise the angle. I grabbed a pillow from an empty seat (yes there were several empty business class seats so in effect, I had two. Unfortunately the bed cover was not provided as it was technically not a first class service. There are carriers like Cathay Pacific though that provide beddings for business class. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip32PAeRiKVTpYOGdA9T8ir5PLryDeLiem645woQ__yxk4y2ZPoVl1pDM2N_i8XqxXlJFoWAD2ZfJrGqyneyehmYU08Cy-VN5AVnMuU4SJdY58yIxwOgzzlV_cbMijhFOdl8x7hLRgspI/s640/IMG_5016.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip32PAeRiKVTpYOGdA9T8ir5PLryDeLiem645woQ__yxk4y2ZPoVl1pDM2N_i8XqxXlJFoWAD2ZfJrGqyneyehmYU08Cy-VN5AVnMuU4SJdY58yIxwOgzzlV_cbMijhFOdl8x7hLRgspI/w400-h225/IMG_5016.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat in bed mode<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhRKCKPuXROMjqYvt14V42CwcOne3glaY33JFVw3sWC5nDBDAVveIdGcTnq6RN8CGTwAly0-ohELTCEVk-Ei2z3ZN_HPSztyZxeH97q0CSCgkJa8HTRPxW1KsG3smm67WpGRQHc9wtZs/s640/IMG_5017.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhRKCKPuXROMjqYvt14V42CwcOne3glaY33JFVw3sWC5nDBDAVveIdGcTnq6RN8CGTwAly0-ohELTCEVk-Ei2z3ZN_HPSztyZxeH97q0CSCgkJa8HTRPxW1KsG3smm67WpGRQHc9wtZs/w400-h225/IMG_5017.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat in bed mode front portion<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNqqiDUgp3fx8A0bWRd42o0BVdN04s-Tu3vdQpSXifGjp2UV7gf0oFWBtCdB8YqQjkl0hG1u1Z2iobT0hEKEZKyJD9um9MPuuPErLkmswatm_vV7syz6-pKaYO8YPqFHGK6wOz4ibUzE/s640/IMG_5020.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNqqiDUgp3fx8A0bWRd42o0BVdN04s-Tu3vdQpSXifGjp2UV7gf0oFWBtCdB8YqQjkl0hG1u1Z2iobT0hEKEZKyJD9um9MPuuPErLkmswatm_vV7syz6-pKaYO8YPqFHGK6wOz4ibUzE/w400-h300/IMG_5020.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air first class seat with doors closed<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The flight felt much much faster than it actually was. Even though I was in one of the most comfortable seats, I did not want to miss every moment of this flight so I slept only 2 1/2 hours. A flight of just 10 hours would not do justice to what's on offer for this suite. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With under four and a half hours left in the flight, I requested the cabin crew for the signature cookie refreshments. That and another cappuccino coffee to go along with it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiRWDon-HkXKKpIoQyeykrrmKxDfqJBnm97zOpXzCWpO273P7yMgbbm7ibYLsq2VW3RuQOW6Ououix44pyekoo3cJVx07_lAXaRPk2fCCTxa0xQyKioDLszdleFeYamb5tO6lTluR4wg/s640/IMG_5018.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiRWDon-HkXKKpIoQyeykrrmKxDfqJBnm97zOpXzCWpO273P7yMgbbm7ibYLsq2VW3RuQOW6Ououix44pyekoo3cJVx07_lAXaRPk2fCCTxa0xQyKioDLszdleFeYamb5tO6lTluR4wg/w400-h300/IMG_5018.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies served as a mid-flight snack on Korean Air flight with coffee<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the next two hours, I would switch between playing with the bed and working on a something. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shortly before the second meal service, I took the liberty of trying a 'normal' Business Class seat. It was a 2-2-2 configuration with each passenger getting direct aisle access. The seat was had a flat bed but it felt narrower and slightly more claustrophobic. The seat controls were similar with the first class seat except for the lack of "dining mode" which in first class is similar to take-off/landing mode but with the seat further closer to the table. But I didn't think it was too bad. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGlZuoqWQLRe5FvNBUzd9Swtj8guecWHg-3N5TZNYMiUuZYbt6HNxTPPj-zCwyQlzcMjQsFQO59plAmKFasnqCjyCjCKd8Pov3J7kKDHoxm6yYMJvKE_Wr6x5-htamkuInFPMKOJoE7g/s640/IMG_4999.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGlZuoqWQLRe5FvNBUzd9Swtj8guecWHg-3N5TZNYMiUuZYbt6HNxTPPj-zCwyQlzcMjQsFQO59plAmKFasnqCjyCjCKd8Pov3J7kKDHoxm6yYMJvKE_Wr6x5-htamkuInFPMKOJoE7g/w400-h225/IMG_4999.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'normal' Korean Air business class seat<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYkG7jcOHF9Cyriv6TK8mbvs0UhfdkVrcdXypvf6Yhd0prJmdK8wTR3H-oT3rojmRre1bKohHj_756NZI6UCLG7lj40CwvihdkVlwKywhDLiidA4RpTS8StVVnoPERCdIV1nSQLM2se8/s640/IMG_5023.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYkG7jcOHF9Cyriv6TK8mbvs0UhfdkVrcdXypvf6Yhd0prJmdK8wTR3H-oT3rojmRre1bKohHj_756NZI6UCLG7lj40CwvihdkVlwKywhDLiidA4RpTS8StVVnoPERCdIV1nSQLM2se8/w400-h300/IMG_5023.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'normal' Korean Air business class seat<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpFd1HhdDzY25y20om0g0Hw7G3GcWN-s75EILDGgGDmp0bZZZrfAvoIi9oTb36NRteVzseGmp2LNY-LtzZXUw0sZifmbpPHcvAcGSBGebKGThbQIoEHGWmnFLJ1jgQFl7RwFoOF9pMyo/s640/IMG_5022.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpFd1HhdDzY25y20om0g0Hw7G3GcWN-s75EILDGgGDmp0bZZZrfAvoIi9oTb36NRteVzseGmp2LNY-LtzZXUw0sZifmbpPHcvAcGSBGebKGThbQIoEHGWmnFLJ1jgQFl7RwFoOF9pMyo/w400-h300/IMG_5022.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat controls for Korean Air's 'normal' business class seat<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we had over two hours to go, the crew started serving us with breakfast. I chose the omlette option. It felt delicious. I finished almost everything except the fruits. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq87AMSxIGA_ZbuoPySMcsKfspoJ9yCvhGpGn1y5NuYI207hyphenhyphenbYf5zEYXrq_efeY8p6WvcXRem44b3iiY0QR7fzNuvnxWFaupBdqRMcEahuYjTNYLOuXdYQstOfXlpyFuSMTHxfEbLWY/s640/IMG_5024+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq87AMSxIGA_ZbuoPySMcsKfspoJ9yCvhGpGn1y5NuYI207hyphenhyphenbYf5zEYXrq_efeY8p6WvcXRem44b3iiY0QR7fzNuvnxWFaupBdqRMcEahuYjTNYLOuXdYQstOfXlpyFuSMTHxfEbLWY/w400-h225/IMG_5024+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air business class breakfast<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the remaining time, I continued to read off my iPad. I also managed to assemble some KPop music to play whilst viewing the airshow during descent. I played around with the airshow whereby one can customise what to view. Some cities had a Korean Air icon next to their name which symbolised that they are a city which Korean Air serves directly. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we descended, I discovered a feature where one is able to find out the details of his/her own connecting flight if there is one. It will take details from the passenger's itinerary and map it to his/her seat. In my case, it told me the details of the connecting flight to Manila.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I realised that our inbound flight for Seoul would dock at the same gate as the outbound flight for Manila. Given that the aircraft type is the same, it would likely mean we will likely use the exact same aircraft.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>RATINGS FOR THE FIRST LEG</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. Also, please note that given the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations have been adjusted accordingly. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Korean Air and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Check-in (9/10): </b>The staff was pretty helpful to spare me a £150 excess baggage fee. Any stress here was somehow my fault. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (7/10): </b>The No 1 Lounge was pretty crowded. The food selection was fairly limited. And the shower facilities were closed. <b> </b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Boarding Process (8/10): </b>It was pretty smooth. Not much issues. However, I question why Korean Air uses only one boarding door instead of two. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seating area (10/10): </b></span></span>Luckily for me, I got to sit in a seat that was otherwise marketed as first class. It had doors that closed, a wide seat that reclines to become a full-flat bed. Massive storage compared to a "standard" business class! I don't think I have a right to complain one bit with this. </li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food (9/10):</b> I find the food scrumptious and in terms of taste, among the best I ever had. The selection was to my liking. My minor critique was why do away with the ‘real’ glassware? They use such glass-like materials for coffee and tea anyway. </span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (10/10): </b>The crew was very helpful and accommodating of my preferences such as to have my meals after almost everyone else has finished. They helped me with operating the door and stowing my luggage at a more convenient point. <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I felt spoiled by the hospitality. </span> </b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Punctuality (10/10):</b> We arrived with plenty of time to spare.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (6/10):</b> The IFE firmware was pretty responsive. There was one USB power port and one standard AC outlet for those who want to use their laptops or charge their tablets. Contents were not as massive as Cathay Pacific or Emirates. But the real let down was a lack of in-flight wifi.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><b>INTERMISSION: SEOUL-INCHEON AIRPORT STOPOVER</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs5XAsx7skydlMnMWUMYgFd0AnFZrN04ms68D9ZfjeJVNAQetKTvQ6VB-zUTp2BOJ8pOnSdOPHBwXMYtDJ08ClkCbBnj4DDwB8E9j8iOI84G1Q-fePrUrbkXEfoWCTniWBav9fjs3th0/s640/IMG_5049.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs5XAsx7skydlMnMWUMYgFd0AnFZrN04ms68D9ZfjeJVNAQetKTvQ6VB-zUTp2BOJ8pOnSdOPHBwXMYtDJ08ClkCbBnj4DDwB8E9j8iOI84G1Q-fePrUrbkXEfoWCTniWBav9fjs3th0/w400-h225/IMG_5049.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Korean Airlines Boeing 777-300ER used for both of my flights<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was quite lucky that the flight was assigned to a gate immediately next to a transfer point. I forgot my coat which had my passport and boarding card in it (it would not be the last time this would happen on this journey!). Luckily the staff was helpful in helping me retrieve it. In less than two minutes, I got the coat back intact. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp481HzvHvMU8l6Io6N4pM4b7e6OH88mzp2n_r4QeQMG9YaaUAETTAolnZQl57TBXtYpQmSkqEzr4E8ya6QNMFLVhHygkpotaDpJTRYVeKYFe1psNJsftFlpepAzXUM4Mi_ggi_PO5MEM/s640/IMG_5053.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp481HzvHvMU8l6Io6N4pM4b7e6OH88mzp2n_r4QeQMG9YaaUAETTAolnZQl57TBXtYpQmSkqEzr4E8ya6QNMFLVhHygkpotaDpJTRYVeKYFe1psNJsftFlpepAzXUM4Mi_ggi_PO5MEM/w400-h225/IMG_5053.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transfer point at Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Security was quite efficient. Despite the staff referring my bag for a further search, they were professional in how to return my stuff to how they found them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once it was done, I was on my way to enter the transit area. Incheon was a real ghost town. Only a dozen-ish flights were slated to depart for the rest of the day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz33ub_o_mU3nsVJQR9K7N-rZHrIGM2kNr7xU6S_1ihQK3ChLwcMhDCAafm7eZ9pryPokUZhSl6zO1lkwg2urLFh8D7o8Dyb-fcVlr_eJ8CobBLDI_6weJ3EcLvfeiNahFpGi3-pDaJY/s640/IMG_5054.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz33ub_o_mU3nsVJQR9K7N-rZHrIGM2kNr7xU6S_1ihQK3ChLwcMhDCAafm7eZ9pryPokUZhSl6zO1lkwg2urLFh8D7o8Dyb-fcVlr_eJ8CobBLDI_6weJ3EcLvfeiNahFpGi3-pDaJY/w400-h225/IMG_5054.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-transit security area at Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around the terminal, one can find some robots that can assist passengers. Many shops were also closed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcoNA8QvmKDXkV0zZyhZ7vK7lY351fZ7a5Mh0B6NHLyFsoYsFhS7kULZeX2CMa8qZbiBbyhyphenhyphenrAwMMWURsX2HmoGNbT0NPPnd_37O_sG7rBGr1QNZIBEoQ7ABWsoO9OWZ493jYqJzRJEo/s640/IMG_5064.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcoNA8QvmKDXkV0zZyhZ7vK7lY351fZ7a5Mh0B6NHLyFsoYsFhS7kULZeX2CMa8qZbiBbyhyphenhyphenrAwMMWURsX2HmoGNbT0NPPnd_37O_sG7rBGr1QNZIBEoQ7ABWsoO9OWZ493jYqJzRJEo/w400-h225/IMG_5064.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robots scattered around Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOyLLzqE_5GEzKPLUZQ8npLQUb2zWYZGnu-mbVS9cp4TYWc64FV2ed_giKyPCbPZBU1pemRq0HahdEutLPkuGH2HYZjOzfbrg584zKF3F7ANIECZuLqBvvUn1AjMHxr5JGSApWu0yC5M/s640/IMG_5057.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOyLLzqE_5GEzKPLUZQ8npLQUb2zWYZGnu-mbVS9cp4TYWc64FV2ed_giKyPCbPZBU1pemRq0HahdEutLPkuGH2HYZjOzfbrg584zKF3F7ANIECZuLqBvvUn1AjMHxr5JGSApWu0yC5M/w400-h225/IMG_5057.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flight Information Display Screens at Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI1droSJT_I8dh1ozplQrlecQa17hqcBLiNrzUUjRpr3wrnqvjbFUCcaLBG-Yqf0jguqNTGXGX1PrdXoc6J1yQCVkazhVcVgNCc1MIKM2wFER8T07v7jdo0TDA-6HdvbcUIzYqYGHhFA/s640/IMG_5058.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI1droSJT_I8dh1ozplQrlecQa17hqcBLiNrzUUjRpr3wrnqvjbFUCcaLBG-Yqf0jguqNTGXGX1PrdXoc6J1yQCVkazhVcVgNCc1MIKM2wFER8T07v7jdo0TDA-6HdvbcUIzYqYGHhFA/w400-h225/IMG_5058.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More images from Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsZD5FsM2VfqOkkT0yz6q5yiTw9UH-QBlpxYXRNcL3BKhP08_UK20EqfEKIXLgtfRLUpfAGjwSyxxG112arIACzqbywWwsuxVNjlRuEsIOVtvSF2eVoMJEPoMVlnxUlzQKji3mIS7p7s/s640/IMG_5060.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsZD5FsM2VfqOkkT0yz6q5yiTw9UH-QBlpxYXRNcL3BKhP08_UK20EqfEKIXLgtfRLUpfAGjwSyxxG112arIACzqbywWwsuxVNjlRuEsIOVtvSF2eVoMJEPoMVlnxUlzQKji3mIS7p7s/w400-h225/IMG_5060.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More images from Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Korean Air Prestige class lounge had plenty of seating. But first, I needed to take a shower - the facilities to do that were open, available, clean, and complete with what was needed. Luckily I could store my other stuff in one of the lockers provided right after the reception desk. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>TIP: Although Korean Air has two Prestige class lounges, only one of them is currently operational due to the pandemic. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_gAZiifw5OFxWITRkYog_KhgUEubtlHnHHDgXbWJ9bsCBuWoc9VYmeuTgHUYKXgZOTNauamYpdyERBaNmBsySZEOHFiVflq6UygDgsMUVQGf8LnPVOassZAqAUIhcfp6AdDpVY-o_WM/s640/IMG_5071.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_gAZiifw5OFxWITRkYog_KhgUEubtlHnHHDgXbWJ9bsCBuWoc9VYmeuTgHUYKXgZOTNauamYpdyERBaNmBsySZEOHFiVflq6UygDgsMUVQGf8LnPVOassZAqAUIhcfp6AdDpVY-o_WM/w400-h225/IMG_5071.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZ-Fnf62-Fx9KALrmXRPEmKylFcGgMRgDYnqE10e6T2eD6aSl36KnKGPa6MpuzzlH2WkpnbgaIJ8MdIHVd-2ooOHqfe8Hf5XlCteJhbjVZZpqm3RhM32RkpyGrCBxI9cgBK0XSMbkfD0/s640/IMG_5073.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZ-Fnf62-Fx9KALrmXRPEmKylFcGgMRgDYnqE10e6T2eD6aSl36KnKGPa6MpuzzlH2WkpnbgaIJ8MdIHVd-2ooOHqfe8Hf5XlCteJhbjVZZpqm3RhM32RkpyGrCBxI9cgBK0XSMbkfD0/w400-h225/IMG_5073.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It had an adequate variety of refreshments. I had to be careful not to eat too much though as food will be served in flight. I had some muffins and some braised chicken.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I spent most of my time reading stuff and watching a video or two on my devices. The seat I was on featured a charging station. The wifi at the lounge was fast for public standards, about 50 Mbps. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLCGWk-spOeGfGYcDcWXmXOW725ucMi6qxs5CjN8TpER0x8LC510Qu0wbosAKqVSc66YYvtuO7eGIg_9TapMacaxy9do6aWXJWad8IHKfrIryTq12siy2I1h3leesTJk1upkwMamxRkw/s640/IMG_5072.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLCGWk-spOeGfGYcDcWXmXOW725ucMi6qxs5CjN8TpER0x8LC510Qu0wbosAKqVSc66YYvtuO7eGIg_9TapMacaxy9do6aWXJWad8IHKfrIryTq12siy2I1h3leesTJk1upkwMamxRkw/w400-h225/IMG_5072.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeavqALMZbcSJd4GtPOplAAfC6QBAfaMWdEYrkaZoujnyboosd-9JdrdePKa48t_rue5SBtNdx7OG290grAqVCG2tMS6txiZUp8QYXVIWX-MvKxQ_3h1mgJUXhigekdw4HWfHKqqAJi8w/s640/IMG_5076+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeavqALMZbcSJd4GtPOplAAfC6QBAfaMWdEYrkaZoujnyboosd-9JdrdePKa48t_rue5SBtNdx7OG290grAqVCG2tMS6txiZUp8QYXVIWX-MvKxQ_3h1mgJUXhigekdw4HWfHKqqAJi8w/w400-h225/IMG_5076+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge food and beverage offerings<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEimegUDt9asnPajlZyky85md6umlq4Q224QCVPOdPucOS7GmtNVYW0wr42gelx1Cv9JYFFOOx-SC3E8EV6kvUSyn8DqDp5n7sDsi1cMnFOXvf9ZEXmsFl8cRlcO7YItQb9IVu1YFCxA/s640/IMG_5077+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEimegUDt9asnPajlZyky85md6umlq4Q224QCVPOdPucOS7GmtNVYW0wr42gelx1Cv9JYFFOOx-SC3E8EV6kvUSyn8DqDp5n7sDsi1cMnFOXvf9ZEXmsFl8cRlcO7YItQb9IVu1YFCxA/w400-h225/IMG_5077+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge food and beverage offerings<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiErCICQaiuA_WX2qmtkd4VIKYLur_X7UoTgduvXBSYlVlf-Rg05pAIdjn3-f_P5QKcbSTpr14BibDY2vPFDt5JAwpuygGi-LobkqiiAM7-3_ZIn_35bvvXBh5BhhodT3l-Zu_UEuc9S8/s640/IMG_5078+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiErCICQaiuA_WX2qmtkd4VIKYLur_X7UoTgduvXBSYlVlf-Rg05pAIdjn3-f_P5QKcbSTpr14BibDY2vPFDt5JAwpuygGi-LobkqiiAM7-3_ZIn_35bvvXBh5BhhodT3l-Zu_UEuc9S8/w400-h225/IMG_5078+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge food and beverage offerings<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIfs_xBlOH99KGQNjrve6pgCbiqmWPJWTtPODUhH_AsfHUD7Ggloi0bdbe3XAFkb_oUsokFHs3NE5Dp792beNeMYpbVpJd9MiP4RppY7M_uymPScOJFR4t-H8e_rwZg_2XO8koz6iYPY/s640/IMG_5075.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIfs_xBlOH99KGQNjrve6pgCbiqmWPJWTtPODUhH_AsfHUD7Ggloi0bdbe3XAFkb_oUsokFHs3NE5Dp792beNeMYpbVpJd9MiP4RppY7M_uymPScOJFR4t-H8e_rwZg_2XO8koz6iYPY/w400-h225/IMG_5075.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Prestige lounge food and beverage offerings<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later on, I spent about 20 minutes in the relaxation area getting an automated massage. I took a few more pictures of the lounge, then watched a few minutes of TV in a semi-private room.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>SECOND LEG: KE623 from SEOUL-INCHEON to MANILA</b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>KE623</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 253</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 777-300ER</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 18:35</span></div><div><b>Aircraft Registration</b>: HL8010</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX8UU9mEuyvTaVY2mOR4e_XBOJ1M45bRf7P0-k6sCn2H1a3OGoKKjEqo905qMpmkgjoqS0n1jbXr_fDQJDU_AhE8-T_FRPLk5nvKyz5NspHBSHwcgs37ahoEvEZ3jagD6t0vTWk6JKjI/s640/IMG_5086.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX8UU9mEuyvTaVY2mOR4e_XBOJ1M45bRf7P0-k6sCn2H1a3OGoKKjEqo905qMpmkgjoqS0n1jbXr_fDQJDU_AhE8-T_FRPLk5nvKyz5NspHBSHwcgs37ahoEvEZ3jagD6t0vTWk6JKjI/w400-h225/IMG_5086.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air Boeing 777-300ER parked at Gate 253, Incheon Airport Terminal 2<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was indeed the same plane that flew us from London. I was seated at the very front of the aircraft this time. But once I was on board, I was immediately reminded that I was taking a regional flight. For one, there were no paper menus and they replaced the noise cancelling headsets with ones that economy class passengers would normally use. But slippers were also provided (though not a full amenity kit). The flight attendants would verbally tell us what is on offer and take our orders.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR3x4uZED8UC90swj8s2i_k-MM0Ic4AzytADUc3CiMf5kpBAL95E2s_zg_ixaWWICGcW3MN_uDy3HQhxB50QY7jGXv1KbBaMLYZq_4egi8kzDVlASljgrZNAGiX4vc3VFXweWVLN-87E/s640/IMG_5090.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR3x4uZED8UC90swj8s2i_k-MM0Ic4AzytADUc3CiMf5kpBAL95E2s_zg_ixaWWICGcW3MN_uDy3HQhxB50QY7jGXv1KbBaMLYZq_4egi8kzDVlASljgrZNAGiX4vc3VFXweWVLN-87E/w400-h225/IMG_5090.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 1A of Korean Air's Boeing 777-300ER<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8iao5FDhJGCSNfTRB1oKw4rfj0bLcKNZ0CYx_s9MW1SoxTEzpPKZTOUUeH75LJM6pLYTIL6Pq4epS48beglh6jQ_iVcrQY3-3vcKWS1cZL5GVdpABONsMGX8ytk2q99yJ_J7PoPLR9w/s640/IMG_5093.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8iao5FDhJGCSNfTRB1oKw4rfj0bLcKNZ0CYx_s9MW1SoxTEzpPKZTOUUeH75LJM6pLYTIL6Pq4epS48beglh6jQ_iVcrQY3-3vcKWS1cZL5GVdpABONsMGX8ytk2q99yJ_J7PoPLR9w/w400-h225/IMG_5093.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 1A of Korean Air's Boeing 777-300ER<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In no time, we were already pushing back from the gate and making our way towards the runway. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The captain has switched off the seatbelt sign five minutes after takeoff. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cabin crew immediately began meal service. I chose the beef bulgogi meal. From the presentation of the meal, one can also tell the difference between a regional and long-haul Korean Air business class flight: they used plastic dinnerware on us and served everything in one go. Luckily for Korean Air, I am not Youtuber Nonstop Dan, who tends to be overly critical about this stuff (see video below). Salmon was served as part of the appetisers. I enjoyed eating the beef bulgogi I ordered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8PB-jABrziJh4jfjCSV3idZ3npzXev82jHIFEyhV_dH2h2rt4L-EiXRkhzwU0YVF2cmkqadQeUj4b8DeY98vXEYB56vzxVzyhElVpPBjGTCU7nLjRYhMk6oQm_1Yns5yYOWLil00AuE/s640/IMG_5101.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8PB-jABrziJh4jfjCSV3idZ3npzXev82jHIFEyhV_dH2h2rt4L-EiXRkhzwU0YVF2cmkqadQeUj4b8DeY98vXEYB56vzxVzyhElVpPBjGTCU7nLjRYhMk6oQm_1Yns5yYOWLil00AuE/w400-h225/IMG_5101.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 1A of Korean Air's Boeing 777-300ER<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCDJRMgaxxjMc2f0CHq3BI2T8tiT96AqG9a2bAMYP-p9zN2thrVdBEfWRE10z9XlQTFuf-ZI_29IRsXoJsOkVrzuOzjlvjy4OF0zbtYZ7bXMoALlyZlsO8phJrvHIbqPY56frSnpFdbo/s640/IMG_5104.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCDJRMgaxxjMc2f0CHq3BI2T8tiT96AqG9a2bAMYP-p9zN2thrVdBEfWRE10z9XlQTFuf-ZI_29IRsXoJsOkVrzuOzjlvjy4OF0zbtYZ7bXMoALlyZlsO8phJrvHIbqPY56frSnpFdbo/w400-h225/IMG_5104.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean Air business class dinner on KE623<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qZmqpZ1u0Cc" width="320" youtube-src-id="qZmqpZ1u0Cc"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After the meal service, I made a quick walk around of the rest of the aircraft. I observed from economy class that it was a light flight, i.e. few passengers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whilst there, I grabbed a second pillow from an empty seat, settled in, closed the door of my "suite", and put the seat in the all-to familiar bed mode. I spent most of the time either taking a nap or listening and reading with something on my iPad. The crew tried to make be feel more comfortable by putting the table back in the stowed position. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The contents of the IFE were similar to the first flight so I didn't bother with it very much. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shortly before descent, the crew told us that only one door will be operational and that meant business and economy class passengers would share the same door to leave the plane. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This flight ran in to more turbulence than the first flight. For the better part of the final half hour, the seatbelt sign remained on. Like on my first flight, I played Kpop songs whilst the plane was descending and making a final approach. I also took the opportunity to turn on the camera mode to see a front view of the aircraft. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0JtrSIdqhnH6MQ-h01EVCZYwb2UCXQTeFjD6LC4CX-9YMUSpQFqC_Mnv2xzpjc_3VgMWfrgspQGODC3bzmBJ8MVoCjcGdisQKOMP1hlBe-AEv_Uj7g0FnSPxiFveoydoFyIWzxG53fU/s640/IMG_5112.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0JtrSIdqhnH6MQ-h01EVCZYwb2UCXQTeFjD6LC4CX-9YMUSpQFqC_Mnv2xzpjc_3VgMWfrgspQGODC3bzmBJ8MVoCjcGdisQKOMP1hlBe-AEv_Uj7g0FnSPxiFveoydoFyIWzxG53fU/w400-h225/IMG_5112.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 1A of Korean Air's Boeing 777-300ER upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport<br />Image by hybridace101</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ARRIVAL</b></div><div>Before we knew it, we were on the ground. I requested a final photo of me sitting on what was normally a first class seat. Then I realised I forgot my coat again. Luckily I spotted it on the jet bridge and a member of staff promptly found it for me. It meant though that I was further back in the queue. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a really long wait. All passengers had to stay at a holding room. There was a flight from the Middle East that needed to be processed first and unlike my flight from Seoul, that one had many passengers. We waited for more than an hour before it was our turn to get processed. The protocol was to reduce mixing with passengers from other flights (mixing of passengers from other flights could increase the risk of COVID).</div><div><br /></div><div><i>TIP: At the moment, passengers bound for the Philippines should register for a <a href="https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/">one health pass QR code</a> before arriving at the airport (but no earlier than 24 hours before flight). Be sure you have your RT-PCR test and vaccination records from the government health authorities ready - where possible it should be digital (i.e. with a QR code that states the vaccine lot numbers). Make sure you book your hotel arrangements at a government-approved accommodation before your flight. </i></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>We had to queue up to present our code and go to another holding area to get our accommodations confirmed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then we had to go through passport control, claim our bags. One new procedure though was that at customs, almost all passengers needed to have their bags screened. At the exit, we had to queue at designated lanes and I told them I was not an OFW (since I was not one anyway). This meant we had to tell the coast guard on duty where our hotel was and when our transport arrived, we were on our way.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>RATINGS FOR THE SECOND LEG</b></div><div><i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. Also, please note that given the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations have been adjusted accordingly. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Korean Air and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div><div style="text-align: start;"><ul><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (9/10): </b>This was certainly a step up from the contracted lounge that I used at Heathrow. The shower facilities were online. The variety of food was more plentiful. And one can use the massage chairs.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Boarding Process (10/10): </b>I was one of the last to board so the queues were not an issue</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seat Comfort (10/10):</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Luckily for me, I got to sit in a seat that was otherwise marketed as first class. It had doors that closed, a wide seat that reclines to become a full-flat bed. Massive storage compared to a "standard" business class! I don't think I have a right to complain one bit with this. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food (8/10):</b> I enjoyed the food. The main course was served warm and was delicious. My main criticism though goes to its presentation. Even Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines serve meals in full "business class style" on tighter timetables for flights between Manila and Hong Kong. It was nothing like the long-haul sector.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (9/10):</b> The crew was pretty professional. I appreciated that they approached each of us to tell us where to exit. It would have helped if they asked me though whether I wanted the tray table down but it was a fairly minor issue.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Punctuality (10/10):</b> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Flight was on time all throughout. </span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (6/10): </b></span>The IFE firmware was pretty responsive. There was one USB power port and one standard AC outlet for those who want to use their laptops or charge their tablets. Contents were not as massive as Cathay Pacific or Emirates. Also, they gave us the headsets that were reserved for economy class. But the real let down was a lack of in-flight wifi.</li></ul><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>BONUS</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I sat myself on what is normally a first class seat, here are a few videos by other Youtubers showing what the service would look like when they offer a full first class product.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7RDKQhPbJCM" width="320" youtube-src-id="7RDKQhPbJCM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oj8pJ0TK6DE" width="320" youtube-src-id="oj8pJ0TK6DE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-33096133060260365842021-05-16T14:25:00.010+08:002021-05-21T01:39:36.964+08:00Delta Airlines suspends Manila indefinitely from route network - report<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-air-lines-route-cuts-icn-mnl/">The Points Guy</a> and <a href="https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2021/05/delta-drops-flight-to-manila/">TTR Weekly</a> are reporting that Delta Airlines is scrapping its planned flights between Manila and Seoul indefinitely, effectively removing Manila from Delta's route network. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The service, which would have utilised Delta's relatively new Airbus A330neo, was supposed to begin in March 2020. However, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced the airline to postpone launching the new route several times before ultimately cancelling it altogether. Prior to the announcement, the carrier said it was supposed to launch flights in November 2021. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This means that almost 75 years of Delta's presence in Manila (through acquisitions of other airlines) is officially coming to an end, at least for the foreseeable future. Delta inherited Manila from Northwest Airlines, which it merged with in 2008 but the Northwest brand continued operating in Manila until January 2010. Under both the Northwest and Delta iterations, Manila was served using Tokyo Narita and occasionally other Japanese airports such as Osaka-Kansai and Nagoya. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The withdrawal leaves United Airlines as the sole US-based carrier serving the Philippines. Despite restrictions and the economic challenges brought about by the pandemic, United continues to operate some flights between Guam to Manila. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delta announced that affected passengers are eligible for a refund. They have also indicated that Manila-Seoul will continue to be served by SkyTeam partner Korean Air, which will allow Sky Miles members to continue earning miles and crucially, allow passengers to/from Manila to access Delta's network as seamlessly as possible.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The suspension was part of wider announcement of route alterations. In addition, Delta announced that it would suspend services from its main hub in Atlanta GA to Vancouver Canada, Detroit MI to Quad Cities/Moline IL, and New York (La Guardia) to Chattanooga TN. However, Delta says that it will add flights to countries such as Greece, Iceland, and Croatia, which are reopening their borders to vaccinated American travellers.</span></p>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-18849408213113798202020-05-15T01:59:00.001+08:002020-05-15T01:59:37.600+08:00Delta Airlines to Retire 777 Fleet by Year's End<div style="text-align: justify;">
In an internal letter circulated to Delta Airlines staff, the company's chief executive Ed Bastian has announced that it will retire its entire Boeing 777 fleet, citing the reduced demand in travel and economic climate resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Delta_777_(5217188603).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="800" height="267" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Delta_777_(5217188603).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delta Airlines Boeing 777-200<br />Image by simon_sees / Wikimedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<br />BREAK: Delta Air Lines is retiring it’s 777 fleet due to the coronavirus crisis. <a href="https://t.co/FSlqP3ojHl">pic.twitter.com/FSlqP3ojHl</a></div>
— Edward Russell (@e_russell) <a href="https://twitter.com/e_russell/status/1260912996106342401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are currently 18 Boeing 777s in the Delta Airlines fleet, eight of them are of the -200ER variant and the remaining are of the -200LR variant. The LR variant was the longest-range commercial aircraft when it entered into service in 2006. The 777s have been with the carrier since 1999. Bastian has indicated that they will be phased out by the end of 2020. He has said in his letter that Delta hopes to provide "significant cost savings over the next several years" with the move and help "safeguard Delta jobs and our future". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bastian has acknowledged the role the 777 has played in shaping Delta's route network. He mentioned that it has allowed the carrier to fly to new markets. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the 777's impending retirement, the Airbus A330 and Airbus A350 will takeover as Delta's principal long-haul work planes. For the meantime, Delta will also continue to have some of its Boeing 767 aircrafts in its fleet, which are capable of flying between the East Coast of the US and most of Europe as well as between the Pacific Northwest coast of the US and Japan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition, the flag carrier plans to accelerate the retirement of its McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and MD-90 aircrafts. These two shorter-range aircraft are expected to leave the fleet in June 2020. </div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-75387091872476371172020-03-17T22:02:00.001+08:002020-03-17T22:02:19.575+08:00Cebu Pacific Suspends Flights Completely<div style="text-align: justify;">
Due to the devastating effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Cebu Pacific and its subsidiary Cebgo will be suspending all its flights effective March 19 until at least April 14 2020. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2TRe5__iyi4lkjxa_oayrMMFWfEJ40rFm-INi2g7a9jfxBR3U3r_y7WGaDdipq2OKW65ohfp3nB9_ag2UPmXFeL496-QUjAJFT1KTfMatr_WRl-ilnplqmvVJYU8l5sYxoeB1Oih8rY/s1600/059535F0-535D-48E4-A77C-31F2AD19D376.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2TRe5__iyi4lkjxa_oayrMMFWfEJ40rFm-INi2g7a9jfxBR3U3r_y7WGaDdipq2OKW65ohfp3nB9_ag2UPmXFeL496-QUjAJFT1KTfMatr_WRl-ilnplqmvVJYU8l5sYxoeB1Oih8rY/s400/059535F0-535D-48E4-A77C-31F2AD19D376.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu Pacific A320<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
March 18 will be the last day for Cebu Pacific flights where the company will fly between Manila and Bangkok, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Ho Chi Monh, Singapore, Taipei, and Bali. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As Covid-19 escalated, Cebu Pacific had to gradually cancel most of its 2,800 weekly flights due to restrictions imposed by various governments and reduced demand. However, the carrier was forced to cancel the remainder operations due to Enhanced Community Quarantine measures that the Philippine government imposed on Luzon island, which houses two of Cebu Pacific's base airports - Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport. Under Enhanced Community Quarantine measures, all modes of transport in and and out of Luzon are severely restricted to help stem Covid-19. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The carrier assured that it will assist stranded passengers as a result of the suspension of operations. Meanwhile it has offered waived rebooking fees and refunds for certain affected passengers. The complete range of options available depends on when passengers originally intended to fly. A full refund is offered if passengers were due to fly on dates that the airline was forced to suspend operations but not to those who voluntarily opted to cancel their journeys scheduled after Cebu Pacific plans to resume them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cebu Pacific is just one of the latest carriers severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most other airlines around the world have also been forced to reduce or cancel flights and layoff staff. Philippine Airlines plans to suspend domestic flights as well due to the Enhanced Quarantine Measures meant to stem Covid-19. The Centre for Aviation (CAPA) has warned that many airlines are in a state of “technical bankruptcy” and are unable to service debt obligations.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-38760277738833360492020-03-02T22:27:00.003+08:002020-03-03T17:10:04.020+08:00PAL Admits Financial Trouble, Five-star and Expansion Plans in Jeopardy<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Philippine's flag carrier is about to enter its 80th year in the aviation industry with an admission that it is facing serious financial troubles. A letter by Philippine Airlines (PAL) President and COO Gilbert Sta Maria has circulated to staff that says that the company has suffered a net loss of US$208 million (€187 million, £163 million) in fiscal year 2019. If confirmed by official securities filings, it will mark the third straight year of losses the flag carrier has faced. Sta Maria has cited "unsustainable" debt and leasing obligations amounting to "billions" of dollars. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Philippine_Airlines_A320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Philippine_Airlines_A320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image source: Dk97phil/Wikimedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He has also noted that the recent Corona Virus outbreak and Taal Volcano eruption have made the company's financial situation worse but it is unclear whether these events were factored in to the reported figures, thus highlighting the chronic and structural factors contributing to the losses. PAL's fiscal year ends on March 31. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sta Maria has said that PAL management is addressing the situation. It is unclear what the long-term impact on this will be on the carrier's plans to open new destinations, acquire new aircraft, and become a five-star carrier but in the short to medium term, the biggest impact will be felt in the realm of staffing levels. The carrier has started to carry out a retrenchment programme whereby at least 300 staff (or five percent of its workforce) will be affected. Sta Maria further added that the comapny is looking to "generate more revenue by increasing yields and loads and by optimizing [its] network; create more revenue streams in ancillary products like cargo, loyalty programs and charter operations, and drive a digital transformation for greater efficiency and reliability." As for other cost-cutting measures, Sta Maria identified the need for “reduced maintenance, repair and overhaul, and ground operations costs, including catering; reduce spending for key commodities such as fuel and services, and an organization restructured for greater efficiency and effectiveness with increased utilization, simplified processes, greater scale and investment in automation.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PAL is no stranger to financial problems. In 1998, the carrier was forced to close operations for several weeks after experiencing financial losses partly as a result of a labour dispute and the then-ongoing Asian Financial Crisis. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PAL is also not alone in experiencing recent financial trouble. Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific has suffered two straight years of losses in 20016 and 2017 before making a profit in 2018. That carrier has had to institute staffing cuts at its foreign posts. However like PAL, Cathay has recently suffered the impact of the Corona Virus and 2019 Hong Kong protests forcing it to offer unpaid leave to 27,000 of its staff and capacity cuts of 1.4%. Cathay also had to suspend and delay flights to/from Manila in the midst of the Taal Volcano outbreak.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/02/20/philippine-airlines-confirms-report-on-record-losses">ABS-CBN</a>, <a href="https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1834804/cathay-pacific-set-to-offer-unpaid-leave-to-staff">Bankgok Post</a>, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/13/cathay-pacific-posts-profit-after-2-years-losses-rising-airfares-aid.html">CNBC</a>, <a href="https://business.inquirer.net/291642/pal-fighting-for-its-future-as-2019-losses-hit-p10-6b?fbclid=IwAR28WQhX0VBrc3zROBtXmijCD4tZm_P8FQGXRth_Odq01zmvIfY8TV3J0cs">Inqurier</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com150tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-66156394060626976872020-01-18T23:21:00.002+08:002020-01-24T16:37:57.955+08:00Cathay Pacific Flight Review: Manila to London via Hong Kong (773 and 77W)<i style="text-align: justify;">Author's note: This is the second of two posts related to this trip. You can read the post from the outbound flight <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2019/12/cathay-pacific-flight-review-london-to.html">here</a>.</i><br />
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ABORTED DEPARTURE</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was scheduled to depart four days earlier than when this trip actually took place. However due to a personal emergency, I was forced to delay my departure by four days. Let's just say that it could have been worse and more costly. Given the penalties and fare differences, it would have cost me upwards of £750 (over $1,000) to change the flight and there was a possibility of booking economy class with another airline to cut my losses. But I got lucky that at the last minute, I found a flight where only the penalty/rebooking fee of £350 needed to be paid. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>TIP: Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers personal emergencies. You never know when such events could strike. </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The change of flight meant that I would miss out on flying with Cathay's two newest aircraft types: the Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A350-1000. This was because I would be flying via Heathrow. I was resigned to flying on two Boeing 777-300ERs. On the flip side, Cathay allows arriving business class passengers to freshen up at Heathrow Airport.<br />
<br />
I got my preferred seats and was excited to check in. On January 12, everything at the airport was proceeding as normal up... until I queued at passport control. It was there I received a text from my companion telling me massive flight cancellations were on the way. I checked with passport control staff and they had not received any word on such. But it was at the Cathay Pacific lounge that the situation became clearer: no flights would be departing from NAIA for the rest of that day. <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2020/01/miaa-flights-at-naia-suspended.html">Flight movement was suspended due to an eruption at Taal Volcano</a> 50 miles away from the airport, which is relatively nearby in geological terms. I was advised to contact the rebooking hotline or ticketing counter later but with the help of someone on the phone at the lounge, my rebooked flight was all sorted out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I grabbed my bags and headed home still nervous. Given that volcanoes behave in all sorts of ways, I feared that the worst was yet to come and wouldn't be surprised if I would be in Manila for up to two more weeks. Before midday on Monday January 13, the airport reopened but there were still severe delays. The flights took until the following morning to clear.<br />
<br />
<i>TIP: When a possible catastrophic event emerges that you think might affect your flight, contact your carrier first before proceeding to the airport. </i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>CHECK-IN, SECURITY, AND PRE-BOARDING</b></div>
Once I contacted Cathay Pacific's global reservations hotline to check if the flight would push through on January 14, it was all-systems go. I only saw that two flights were cancelled. Given what I have been through, the phrase "third time's a charm" was apt for this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66nYh8tsEaOaYeEfcuuc8gVKlCLgpKmYiV0BxJ9bdHSIy1KinzVxSyG0PyOQPZyegR4GyMMD54_K7S8TxFMBWP9YiKcdbdMqlMiMFdii3KIIi6xWV2E7dkaIRvKjJJTwlC15clOLl3yU/s1600/26EFDCDC-D12D-4B4A-B5BA-B84DA8E82C5D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66nYh8tsEaOaYeEfcuuc8gVKlCLgpKmYiV0BxJ9bdHSIy1KinzVxSyG0PyOQPZyegR4GyMMD54_K7S8TxFMBWP9YiKcdbdMqlMiMFdii3KIIi6xWV2E7dkaIRvKjJJTwlC15clOLl3yU/s400/26EFDCDC-D12D-4B4A-B5BA-B84DA8E82C5D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific check-in area at NAIA Terminal 3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We arrived at the airport three hours and forty-five minutes before departure. Surprisingly, the check-in area for Cathay was not congested. I queued at the Business Class lane and was served instantly. The agent was helpful enough to get me a seating area that I had trouble securing for my Hong Kong-London flight: the window seats.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienEsSrunVGAASWZ5qxbTggYyNUsoxB5zFF6gSqITNbuKjRJmit43lqH-CbX9Y5TvwGPxAj0Pwe2BWaqWMboZ9mM1igIZFaQYIbu8e6ltImLYLpQbgk9E-FYqwrUBQSQvNA4I2x9LJyDg/s1600/7398A776-ACEB-47A3-8331-5EAA8278B46A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienEsSrunVGAASWZ5qxbTggYyNUsoxB5zFF6gSqITNbuKjRJmit43lqH-CbX9Y5TvwGPxAj0Pwe2BWaqWMboZ9mM1igIZFaQYIbu8e6ltImLYLpQbgk9E-FYqwrUBQSQvNA4I2x9LJyDg/s400/7398A776-ACEB-47A3-8331-5EAA8278B46A.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific business class check-in desk at NAIA Terminal 3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As there was still quite a bit of time, I spent nearly an hour at Mary Grace with the person who brought me to the airport. We parted ways shortly after before five-thirty in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
It took me forty minutes to clear passport control. The queue was moving quickly at first but once I approached the front two rows, each booth serving our lane was occupied by only one officer (when it is full, two officers per booth should be on-duty). Once I got cleared, I went straight to security checks which was not too slow.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Before going to the lounge, I purchased some treats at one of the stores. They were polvoron, a famous snack that Filipinos eat. They were overpriced at <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">₱</span>220 (approximately US$4.40, £3.38, €3.90) per pack.<br />
<br />
Oneworld carriers only have one lounge at NAIA's Terminal 3: <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2015/06/cathay-pacific-manila-airport-lounge-terminal-3.html">Cathay Pacific's</a>. In terms of the interior, Cathay Pacific applies a very consistent design to it so that passengers can recognise it regardless of their location in the world. Most of the elements found in the Heathrow and some Hong Kong business class lounges are provided for in the Manila lounge, including its famous noodle bar. The one missing feature was the shower room, but given that Manila-Hong Kong flights are short, its absence was understandable. And I did not see a reason why passengers would need to use it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVuKDixlRBOnRdSqq4C1WVJ_ye1PHlgLMBcoE9yGpwUgyWSJ_X4mGC604lo6fyFXL82SEntTBdapik_N6phmCqOM_mn5Vl-H1AZrgk4mVP-4kJDcX_21Vm8BdIru7jpd1RYdGzo8uxfo/s1600/0413322D-54D0-4A94-8B84-5DE00F14D481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVuKDixlRBOnRdSqq4C1WVJ_ye1PHlgLMBcoE9yGpwUgyWSJ_X4mGC604lo6fyFXL82SEntTBdapik_N6phmCqOM_mn5Vl-H1AZrgk4mVP-4kJDcX_21Vm8BdIru7jpd1RYdGzo8uxfo/s400/0413322D-54D0-4A94-8B84-5DE00F14D481.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Cathay Pacific lounge at NAIA Terminal 3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A slightly more significant feature missing was the First Class section of the lounge. Although most Cathay flights involving Manila feature business class as the highest class of service, there are still eligible Marco Polo and oneworld frequent flyers who fly the route and I feel they should not be deprived the privilege of first class-style lounge access. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKXpLalxfvewYEW_lQ_AG_wnm12NzEBhAM0MwriSmrANlV5H0c7oXpJlfiNT6pLCbFHT4KCxJTHfhOKpWcpHjw81acsjfORBqYMjJ07kAGqt7l5q4pWEuOIRseHHamLofqmOvXBKzcnM/s1600/1A45675E-6DBF-40EE-9E39-DEF7A1D70E38.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKXpLalxfvewYEW_lQ_AG_wnm12NzEBhAM0MwriSmrANlV5H0c7oXpJlfiNT6pLCbFHT4KCxJTHfhOKpWcpHjw81acsjfORBqYMjJ07kAGqt7l5q4pWEuOIRseHHamLofqmOvXBKzcnM/s400/1A45675E-6DBF-40EE-9E39-DEF7A1D70E38.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific business class lounge at NAIA Terminal 3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbc8R-FsZuE9QUYvOFTmhcPCaAShcZrAlsh_wsHd2EFVHpTEpP1-Uv9Y2OUeldPimkegdvcqG4gEELnvHuhgvBEXE4U2fB1exuKUoBQNYIFceo_IBKgz7kNpfUBJxBjQka6BMPbc6wfQ/s1600/6DC332ED-8D9C-4BAD-A728-BDC667995A8C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbc8R-FsZuE9QUYvOFTmhcPCaAShcZrAlsh_wsHd2EFVHpTEpP1-Uv9Y2OUeldPimkegdvcqG4gEELnvHuhgvBEXE4U2fB1exuKUoBQNYIFceo_IBKgz7kNpfUBJxBjQka6BMPbc6wfQ/s400/6DC332ED-8D9C-4BAD-A728-BDC667995A8C.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific business class lounge at NAIA Terminal 3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_554857538"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ILOYTOwengP7bHOh4mrkoRj4fP9Xjha_Y45ApbZ5vMn4cNL_nPQkHkt7Hcc6HxJwO6gAmyJI-TEITLYcjG00RDxUSCB2zhuQmp-FSaVel9g-I-KBRgIqukJx8PzoqDHT73whYD-SKQ/s1600/D0C7F124-C4F9-493C-AEA3-B23D209C7646.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ILOYTOwengP7bHOh4mrkoRj4fP9Xjha_Y45ApbZ5vMn4cNL_nPQkHkt7Hcc6HxJwO6gAmyJI-TEITLYcjG00RDxUSCB2zhuQmp-FSaVel9g-I-KBRgIqukJx8PzoqDHT73whYD-SKQ/s400/D0C7F124-C4F9-493C-AEA3-B23D209C7646.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Cathay Pacific business class lounge at NAIA Terminal 3</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Image source: hybridace101</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Given that I was on a diet of a sort, I did not focus on sampling the food. But compared to Sunday, the lounge was much more tranquil.<br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'}
</style>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>FIRST LEG: CX902 from MANILA to HONG KONG</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>CX902</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 115</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 777-300</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 19:45</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aircraft Registration</b>: B-HNX<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_U9DlXBqKIoxQODVohNKHRHBeFcdE7VZm4d9_3jnQVj-2O0X3sXRGvf-c2tAHONMEoBAzyKNr3WfUZiN3DJCoN4PpmMD8lrEVIrJkHzoy68-XCg6zkXpzNvmTFJSdvjiyx5tNwJI2p0/s1600/F0DD152B-4F8D-48DD-BF65-35E955BD27D0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_U9DlXBqKIoxQODVohNKHRHBeFcdE7VZm4d9_3jnQVj-2O0X3sXRGvf-c2tAHONMEoBAzyKNr3WfUZiN3DJCoN4PpmMD8lrEVIrJkHzoy68-XCg6zkXpzNvmTFJSdvjiyx5tNwJI2p0/s400/F0DD152B-4F8D-48DD-BF65-35E955BD27D0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Gate 115 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqoU7DcMVoE1obZqjbJ-QuekkOteuESfkd_z84CsJoNN6uwyi_6oxon1tp4pTv26_Y6PKfPRVa0rVfyImnjOLxEufYF1amuH2PqUXMppJjMu5ZQEfWlV5jZK_SYS2SWy6iNQlZuNWYfk/s1600/66600451-AE93-4DB8-B180-18ECF236D9E0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqoU7DcMVoE1obZqjbJ-QuekkOteuESfkd_z84CsJoNN6uwyi_6oxon1tp4pTv26_Y6PKfPRVa0rVfyImnjOLxEufYF1amuH2PqUXMppJjMu5ZQEfWlV5jZK_SYS2SWy6iNQlZuNWYfk/s400/66600451-AE93-4DB8-B180-18ECF236D9E0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gate 115 was filled with passengers. Queues along the economy class lane were massive but lucky for me, there was another door for business class passengers. I found my seat quickly. Once I got settled, I asked the flight attendants if I could still order a special meal for my connecting flight. They said that they would try and even if they didn’t guarantee it, I was impressed that they tried to make contact with those in-charge.<br />
<br />
As for the seat itself, the recline and storage were fairly limited but adequate for a short-haul flight. Don't expect lie-flat seats here. Also, the seating area is designed such that passengers who choose to recline their seats would not intrude on the passenger behind them, so that's useful. Whilst I think the configuration is generally reasonable for short haul flights, the likes of Singapore Airlines are going a step further with flat beds in regional business and I think Cathay should consider making their business class product at least lie-flat. But given that the carrier needed to squeeze in as many economy class passengers as possible, this should be understandable for the moment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU8V6tMOXn2TU1-xU6gskj8eIQQLD77Cfh2NPG7v76PkXQVOindq6Qe6sRUNJZVlEAGN6s-boHqJa9QbLHxvNyhrzAy91Fdez1FdG5Xv1ZWrwflTV5ApnDTQW3nXITLjFbNcxO8DF94w/s1600/8AEF5D37-5E18-4FAD-99F3-04BC51D4B31F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU8V6tMOXn2TU1-xU6gskj8eIQQLD77Cfh2NPG7v76PkXQVOindq6Qe6sRUNJZVlEAGN6s-boHqJa9QbLHxvNyhrzAy91Fdez1FdG5Xv1ZWrwflTV5ApnDTQW3nXITLjFbNcxO8DF94w/s400/8AEF5D37-5E18-4FAD-99F3-04BC51D4B31F.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Seat 12H on Cathay Pacific's 777-300 (regional business class)<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y-n3LCsO0L3FlpXlVtKyKwWBAikld5RMChhpSIf3-7u9XLJ5OWksuEtZZAY_cmfOjst8c4hGmGw29H82Ed9vX80KM7Ubm1Gv6ysxXqXUJIH0b3f5LW38TgctCxRf842hB0uTDZXO_4U/s1600/BFDDAFBA-5D4D-4972-AC7D-3CE10ED1B39A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y-n3LCsO0L3FlpXlVtKyKwWBAikld5RMChhpSIf3-7u9XLJ5OWksuEtZZAY_cmfOjst8c4hGmGw29H82Ed9vX80KM7Ubm1Gv6ysxXqXUJIH0b3f5LW38TgctCxRf842hB0uTDZXO_4U/s400/BFDDAFBA-5D4D-4972-AC7D-3CE10ED1B39A.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific's regional business class seats on its 777-300 aircraft<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cnROtYoO_k7KLGIUJ8XnvcpQKHevZlQcsDPD5Dk-3HsBUJAo5Nu41rcUmUUOcdzBhYSueuEQNvFQ5yVg94VkYza0-p4za5Wgb24FgbEm5AF136iR8eS9d_c9Dju4cNqzWhLBN0MuLEA/s1600/FD95412C-6AB9-4B5D-8059-58164D335053.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cnROtYoO_k7KLGIUJ8XnvcpQKHevZlQcsDPD5Dk-3HsBUJAo5Nu41rcUmUUOcdzBhYSueuEQNvFQ5yVg94VkYza0-p4za5Wgb24FgbEm5AF136iR8eS9d_c9Dju4cNqzWhLBN0MuLEA/s400/FD95412C-6AB9-4B5D-8059-58164D335053.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific's regional business class seats on its 777-300 aircraft</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was seated in the same bloc as my Hong Kong-Manila flight but found myself in the aisle seat this time. I found the circa-2016 IFE interface loaded and finally, their new airshow/moving map channel where passengers can customise the angle and zoom they wish to view the flight progress from. I loaded up some of my favourite music to accompany me as I view the progress of the flight. There was one AC power and one USB outlet which were adequate for my needs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSn4TQlWEbbPBItg_19qmN8Gb58FoUm7ixsUNKXQ2fmH5Z1dtQOq1S468ScSWgPGv5fGlADlUd-0HCYQQLwcHoXeijR45q0jFsMH9Ejccrewg0jApmGriTy9ihIC4ZQv1v2Si5btad3Y/s1600/3E48D407-524E-4F98-B781-71901370F8CE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSn4TQlWEbbPBItg_19qmN8Gb58FoUm7ixsUNKXQ2fmH5Z1dtQOq1S468ScSWgPGv5fGlADlUd-0HCYQQLwcHoXeijR45q0jFsMH9Ejccrewg0jApmGriTy9ihIC4ZQv1v2Si5btad3Y/s400/3E48D407-524E-4F98-B781-71901370F8CE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from seat Cathay Pacific's 777-300 seat 12H<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We took off 40 minutes after scheduled departure time. And we managed to fly due northeast first before heading in the direction of Hong Kong. <br />
<br />
Shortly after the seatbelt sin was off, the cabin crew prepared for the meal service. Before I knew it, the crew served me with my special low-fat meal request. At first, I was jealous because looking at the menu, those who chose standard meals had a choice between steak and salmon. But I was served with a salmon meal anyway but with more portions of vegetables, so it wasn’t too different from one of the standard meals. Desert was delicious. The food was filling. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4K8P-fLHSZo5S6ozEskJZjNbdS9DDySf13qe9TTXkFxO62L3f5O5TlNHhMBoPKR76vmtBG6RXPL8nENWaW5IbwL2f8hk_uvcnsDARuDGVrzYToYtuhenLEi3sCGNXk7hS3FH1FLPjmI/s1600/71B1F497-EFB3-4E1D-98EE-C4DBA010411C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4K8P-fLHSZo5S6ozEskJZjNbdS9DDySf13qe9TTXkFxO62L3f5O5TlNHhMBoPKR76vmtBG6RXPL8nENWaW5IbwL2f8hk_uvcnsDARuDGVrzYToYtuhenLEi3sCGNXk7hS3FH1FLPjmI/s400/71B1F497-EFB3-4E1D-98EE-C4DBA010411C.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low-fat/low-cholesterol dinner<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The cabin crew collected our food for before the first half of the flight ended. They let me keep my desert and milk to continue consuming. They came back for it. <br />
<br />
For the next few minutes, I went to the economy class section and I didn’t find the aisles particularly narrow despite the new 3-4-3 seating configuration. But there were plenty of seats here. And it’s just as well as they needed to make room for passengers forced to reschedule their trips due to last Sunday’s airport closure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX_cAirzqUqX3JUEBFyfyD8ihlzg4ISDf4RUBJAjVqZHbKTh_6EzEF650WYbbVetU5GNch4u0V35PQLzpPCvPKxvcX_4qZofA_XtIuxROD4jcvsh5MSoX8bVXBohYFhQ5Fb2C6ZJIi-M/s1600/24E3A83D-5CA6-42CA-89E0-BA3CA3F16DE9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX_cAirzqUqX3JUEBFyfyD8ihlzg4ISDf4RUBJAjVqZHbKTh_6EzEF650WYbbVetU5GNch4u0V35PQLzpPCvPKxvcX_4qZofA_XtIuxROD4jcvsh5MSoX8bVXBohYFhQ5Fb2C6ZJIi-M/s400/24E3A83D-5CA6-42CA-89E0-BA3CA3F16DE9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific's regional business class on its 777-300<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuHRb4R5zRoXf0hxIFcXNiyZu60Etl2Aq0Iue1ZWrm50qYAqtxvvcPvYfY04bknEdNGvYGyUcwd1vCVmFqz74SzNQ9xju54Y78ikXIoRjD9rrp4-aymHGH_rHLvDgfSwhj6hG-ttuJyA/s1600/26903704-7B37-4ABF-AD67-F6BBB52DEEF0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuHRb4R5zRoXf0hxIFcXNiyZu60Etl2Aq0Iue1ZWrm50qYAqtxvvcPvYfY04bknEdNGvYGyUcwd1vCVmFqz74SzNQ9xju54Y78ikXIoRjD9rrp4-aymHGH_rHLvDgfSwhj6hG-ttuJyA/s400/26903704-7B37-4ABF-AD67-F6BBB52DEEF0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific's new Economy Class on the 777-300<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the rest of the journey, I stayed at my seat, listened to my playlist, and watched the moving map. Occasionally, I switched the screen to the connecting flights page and found my next flight was far away from my arrival gate. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOtQ5_gmIxli5HlsdY089SWHaqew71pzju8Mgjh2puFfReyAqQTYIhHX9T_rTpZTD0RoJkYby_VN1V1k0lJxYrojlI4nucDckUaaJbvJjlriukQCc2dbyecWdcSj4IEzvOYNY8fd1r-k/s1600/1E9A60D4-5E10-4034-BD60-BF08ED0E57F5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOtQ5_gmIxli5HlsdY089SWHaqew71pzju8Mgjh2puFfReyAqQTYIhHX9T_rTpZTD0RoJkYby_VN1V1k0lJxYrojlI4nucDckUaaJbvJjlriukQCc2dbyecWdcSj4IEzvOYNY8fd1r-k/s400/1E9A60D4-5E10-4034-BD60-BF08ED0E57F5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connecting Gate Information on Cathay Pacific's new IFE<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Before I knew it, there was a half-hour left in this first leg. The seat belt sign was switched on indicating an initial descent into Hong Kong. I had to retract my seat. I just spent the rest of my time watching the moving map, flight connecting information screen, and windows whilst listening to my playlist. But it was weird as my connecting flight's information disappeared even though it was visible a few minutes ago.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>RATINGS FOR THE FIRST LEG</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Cathay Pacific and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Check-in (10/10): </b>The staff was helpful and I was able to get my request to a window seat. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (9/10): </b>The features and design are largely consistent with what Cathay Pacific offers elsewhere.<b> </b></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Boarding Process (8/10): </b>From a far, it was a bit difficult to see the business class lane. However, when I found it, the process became quick. It was good to see that two jet bridges were in use. It could have been improved by having clear signs at the jet bridges indicating where the business class entrance is. Most passengers may assume there is only one entrance to the whole aircraft when there is in fact two. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seating area (8/10):</b> As this was a two-seater bloc, I didn’t have much trouble moving around. The seat had reasonable recline for a short flight and the recline of the seat back was not intrusive though Cathay should consider investing in lie-flat beds for regional flights. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food (10/10):</b> The salmon meal tonight was tasty. It was full-course. I was jealous of the choices afforded to passengers who chose a standard meal.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (10/10): </b> When I mentioned to the crew that I requested for a low-diet meal for just one of the legs but not the other , they paid prompt attention to it without me requesting for it explicitly. The crew in this flight went out of its way to make sure my needs were attended to. They were polite and friendly. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Punctuality (9/10):</b> The flight departed slightly behind schedule in Manila. The important part though was the flight landed slightly ahead of schedule. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (9/10): </b>Nice to see it is touchscreen operated in addition to remote-operated. The choice was adequate. Liked that there was an option for wifi. The interface is a huge leap for Cathay’s regional 777s, which normally get hand-me downs. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>INTERMISSION: HONG KONG AIRPORT STOPOVER</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The arrival gate was at the extreme end of the terminal from the gate of my next flight. But Hong Kong International Airport made it convenient with several transfer points. Feeling that the one closer to the front of the airport was going to be crowded, I decided to use the ones closer to my arrival gate. But first, I made an enquiry from Cathay's nearby transfer desk if there are seats left on the earlier flights to London. They told me it was no longer possible to transfer to them. Instead, they wrote my next flight's gate number for my reference.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWepdZltnqE2IMsiepLnzFYvQcVAAHs9c-rQTDeKylawLdTITod04JBn8amw2-zcTQnfOyayNi9EOMv0LkesEidywKaTL7x9qNZdfFjR5Oaa4pE31xWKR1Iu9EBxoNhgfhzbwkHQBJzE/s1600/6B4C7958-6431-4134-A792-43D9F67FB56B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWepdZltnqE2IMsiepLnzFYvQcVAAHs9c-rQTDeKylawLdTITod04JBn8amw2-zcTQnfOyayNi9EOMv0LkesEidywKaTL7x9qNZdfFjR5Oaa4pE31xWKR1Iu9EBxoNhgfhzbwkHQBJzE/s400/6B4C7958-6431-4134-A792-43D9F67FB56B.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hong Kong International Airport Transfer Point<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately the departure automated people mover moved in only one direction. This meant passengers with gates in the front of the terminal who want to explore facilities at the rear end of the airport would have to travel back by foot. But it felt like a shorter walk than I thought and I stopped by some shops along the way.<br />
<br />
One of the advantages of having my journey moved was that I was slotted into a later flight for Heathrow which meant more time at the lounges. Having explored The Bridge and Pier previously, I decided to try The Wing this time. The atmosphere on the lower floor was intimate. But there was more than enough seating. Food options consisted of macaroni and cheese as well as paella and chocolate moose. I sampled just a little to keep my diet under control. After a while I went upstairs to find more seating. Alas, Cathay's signature noodle bar was located there too. The upper floor featured a coffee bar where one could sample some biscuits. One of the things Cathay Pacific lounge users were treated to was a view of gates 2-4. I am a bit unsure of what to think of the high-roof lounge and the fact that no glass separated the top floor from the rest of the terminal. But the lounge was complete in what to offer valued customers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbyveisQU4saOpQ2q_iunnTs95ctm63nvCqvVeX5vcvjrmAFey4slJAA4ShHc1_N36YcKuD__wD3Et_QinlBvthJTLU4xEt4sqFbv5D8NbzNIEZ73KShf4XbO6zbpnY-oRlnmauCnd0M/s1600/73411DE9-A1F2-4EF6-8E80-3B405EFC6BB5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbyveisQU4saOpQ2q_iunnTs95ctm63nvCqvVeX5vcvjrmAFey4slJAA4ShHc1_N36YcKuD__wD3Et_QinlBvthJTLU4xEt4sqFbv5D8NbzNIEZ73KShf4XbO6zbpnY-oRlnmauCnd0M/s400/73411DE9-A1F2-4EF6-8E80-3B405EFC6BB5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvbRPaQ3cw8bC7CaCh7G3p-Rp_tG9CJqfQfu7DUK8xllmnsoAU1RsATu7FO2zCs7YWUdD29ss0jC-8-oKjG6cF2D9CSY3yTwHYtrjy83QuolMoz_1c_TMkvv8KGfYRBaso0BCPSMUVRE/s1600/CEAAADAF-DE98-4193-BB90-3CB9CF4AEBC0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvbRPaQ3cw8bC7CaCh7G3p-Rp_tG9CJqfQfu7DUK8xllmnsoAU1RsATu7FO2zCs7YWUdD29ss0jC-8-oKjG6cF2D9CSY3yTwHYtrjy83QuolMoz_1c_TMkvv8KGfYRBaso0BCPSMUVRE/s400/CEAAADAF-DE98-4193-BB90-3CB9CF4AEBC0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Image source: hybridace101</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfcXpDBddIV3F8WQnLX-2bo8PH6Wf8diwuQPeNgdGbBkHE6OO1XbSH0ILr76l9ctdcrHVaEwOtgfYd1nj1wPEx9GTu24am7yFa62ZehfvbCcw9kFZ9s5f7uidaNoiFGOyX-jaKhzCsuI/s1600/964F7EE2-B190-44C8-A9E2-E7FF97181B57.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfcXpDBddIV3F8WQnLX-2bo8PH6Wf8diwuQPeNgdGbBkHE6OO1XbSH0ILr76l9ctdcrHVaEwOtgfYd1nj1wPEx9GTu24am7yFa62ZehfvbCcw9kFZ9s5f7uidaNoiFGOyX-jaKhzCsuI/s400/964F7EE2-B190-44C8-A9E2-E7FF97181B57.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Image source: hybridace101</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKC7BnM1fjMXpTEmB6zeau3hijbJr4N4ducJc9p50JV6ETx04SQhYLl_tIHtg4F-8_P-6K66pqYRHtMYM4yWFnQrEu46QxPUP7tqPcWK8k_AoLYePfC5SO5IGjPW0E2K0vhOacJWeaD4/s1600/AB01AB91-3A51-439B-A89A-0E40B55BBDE5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKC7BnM1fjMXpTEmB6zeau3hijbJr4N4ducJc9p50JV6ETx04SQhYLl_tIHtg4F-8_P-6K66pqYRHtMYM4yWFnQrEu46QxPUP7tqPcWK8k_AoLYePfC5SO5IGjPW0E2K0vhOacJWeaD4/s400/AB01AB91-3A51-439B-A89A-0E40B55BBDE5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food options at Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqApHgaMGH_yU2c-MfeGhQS7Ei3V3u-5S1kRol7Qxm_-J9-wkPCaXWH5AgiMx_S6Kobjv-teXKdL8M0EzAu6da4FHRkGaMXR7vaBBMwJPnm6daXO_GctUzbeqxJffPcS-WrPv02cc_RYM/s1600/72938C48-9F56-46E1-AA55-7364DCE35813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqApHgaMGH_yU2c-MfeGhQS7Ei3V3u-5S1kRol7Qxm_-J9-wkPCaXWH5AgiMx_S6Kobjv-teXKdL8M0EzAu6da4FHRkGaMXR7vaBBMwJPnm6daXO_GctUzbeqxJffPcS-WrPv02cc_RYM/s400/72938C48-9F56-46E1-AA55-7364DCE35813.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the next 20-ish minutes, I wanted to try my luck at seeing what the Qantas lounge looked like. To those on the departure floor, the entrance to it is confusing. But when I got there, it was too late: the lounged closed for the day.<br />
<br />
So I returned to The Wing. After relaxing for a few moments, it was time to hit the showers. The agent made sure that I was escorted to a clean and ready-to-use cubicle. The shower facility looked a bit different from the other lounges but it looked very inviting and tranquil. It was complete with amenities. I had a comfortable shower and felt refreshed after 15 minutes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz7WSc0WmMVH-M79xHjSw5OILg8zJ-igKA-3ItAJq9GnWUBR-zr_ZDRIZBXmcoKJeFgu3FUrwY4PyRCCffvQhuy-JkrN-Vtr_3LueDrlo1e2hpWV-nxacmVqIevcP0ch8wKlZXRmjt1M/s1600/C979CCF9-6CCA-44A8-A44C-4CA051D617BB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz7WSc0WmMVH-M79xHjSw5OILg8zJ-igKA-3ItAJq9GnWUBR-zr_ZDRIZBXmcoKJeFgu3FUrwY4PyRCCffvQhuy-JkrN-Vtr_3LueDrlo1e2hpWV-nxacmVqIevcP0ch8wKlZXRmjt1M/s400/C979CCF9-6CCA-44A8-A44C-4CA051D617BB.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge - shower cubicles</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Image source: hybridace101</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ1Jdcq-HLK8q4829m9g6BACC9uRUR52Y3EBQcCIc5-ETh_zz9fo8apvGwUIh62HdnY1ynHz54JFn9pL59nGz0oFyXYtGoANmW-kHakWUEFKLmx9Km4ZT0PORzT5phXjXItkOdcq2VjE/s1600/CB21B42A-26EC-4577-B485-819642F20E79.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ1Jdcq-HLK8q4829m9g6BACC9uRUR52Y3EBQcCIc5-ETh_zz9fo8apvGwUIh62HdnY1ynHz54JFn9pL59nGz0oFyXYtGoANmW-kHakWUEFKLmx9Km4ZT0PORzT5phXjXItkOdcq2VjE/s400/CB21B42A-26EC-4577-B485-819642F20E79.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge - shower cubicles</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
Image source: hybridace101</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was time to sit down at The Bureau (the section of the lounge where the computers are located) to rearrange the sims in my phone. I made one more trip to the top deck to try and sample a few more snacks but I could not stay for too long as I heard that my flight was on "Final Call" status. The staff was encouraging me to take my time but because I was watching my diet too, I had to finish quickly anyway.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXaZgzilFNplES885RXM_z01KKlOdOL88AZMdufifW3O9rCmORzAWSn5kfOKXIM9UVAImxOO4ApbEMRRgun14EnBXNJW6Lb-T13sPMLQxP_qS4c-aXeayhyphenhyphenGUSI1SRmKoCtDfBsyZ12g/s1600/59931F14-575B-4B6C-9458-D2916085D06E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXaZgzilFNplES885RXM_z01KKlOdOL88AZMdufifW3O9rCmORzAWSn5kfOKXIM9UVAImxOO4ApbEMRRgun14EnBXNJW6Lb-T13sPMLQxP_qS4c-aXeayhyphenhyphenGUSI1SRmKoCtDfBsyZ12g/s400/59931F14-575B-4B6C-9458-D2916085D06E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge - computing facilities</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i>TIP: Cathay Pacific has four different business class lounges scattered across Hong Kong International Airport. If you're constrained for time, select the lounge closest to the gate of your next departing/onward flight. </i><br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SECOND LEG: CX255 from HONG KONG to LONDON HEATHROW</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>CX255</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 1</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 777-300ER</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 01:10</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aircraft Registration</b>: B-KPK</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I used the business class lane and there were no queues. I was greeted by the in-flight service manager at the door and I enquired if there were still seats in the front row. He said it was all full at first but alas, a few seconds later he reminded me that the passenger seated in front could not make the flight so he recommended I take it. It wasn't exactly a window seat but given how cozy the front business class cabin is, I took the offer anyway. And I was lucky as the seat next to me was not occupied. Even if I knew that there were dozens of business class passengers in the cabin behind me, it the front row felt exclusive. And sitting in the middle bloc made me realise how narrow the 77W aircraft is compared to the 747-400.<br />
<br />
In my personal cabinet was a headset, bottle of water, and amenity kit.<br />
<br />
Also when I boarded was it evident through the moving map that the aircraft hasn't been refreshed with the latest in-flight entertainment system. The interface was circa-2012. The audio/video selection was adequate and I found enough to fill my playlist. Just as with my other flights, this business class seat had an AC power adapter and a USB port, which doubles up as an iPod dock to play content from on the passenger's IFE unit. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXJe7Djbcrv0EyiXZ4DKrC1Snd0aWEWnq2d_0oZqeqOs9kxWWblztuisOqvRNLinr2zNJYBnNalDKzxZ4DC9G1V4wDCtCO4n9JL00axS1vpX81m4I7-slvZ-42bkciKugy3xBiWWnzaQ/s1600/74A0E591-7779-43DE-9050-822AF5596846.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXJe7Djbcrv0EyiXZ4DKrC1Snd0aWEWnq2d_0oZqeqOs9kxWWblztuisOqvRNLinr2zNJYBnNalDKzxZ4DC9G1V4wDCtCO4n9JL00axS1vpX81m4I7-slvZ-42bkciKugy3xBiWWnzaQ/s400/74A0E591-7779-43DE-9050-822AF5596846.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seat 12D on Cathay Pacific's 77W<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEDb8Vnk3xtl8ogeDzns48tSH43-hnxXlSb0Cz7m5W2dQH1HsvgpnpYGpRCyG4q2cXC_G0PX61P3WoiR8PL1H7_IL0e2D2q5iaCR3eXqyGPsmSLec_CKbQaCLpJ_VOlSch_t4PzJL6WQ/s1600/4949EA3D-9F8E-4AF4-9F70-B72D82FD5A44.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEDb8Vnk3xtl8ogeDzns48tSH43-hnxXlSb0Cz7m5W2dQH1HsvgpnpYGpRCyG4q2cXC_G0PX61P3WoiR8PL1H7_IL0e2D2q5iaCR3eXqyGPsmSLec_CKbQaCLpJ_VOlSch_t4PzJL6WQ/s400/4949EA3D-9F8E-4AF4-9F70-B72D82FD5A44.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Seat 12D on Cathay Pacific's 77W with a zoom to seat controls and cabinet storage</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintYfCJXlTZ8IyAS8SFJHCyicG4nR1K1IHc1-UXqJJVvZBuJMCLl1jEpdTJY_ua6CWsp63iwxggHe4bSRufoadY5b5PzMTNcWGyU3pIvuU3eet5WiWkOGRSlP-OxfSG7UFXXHXnMyvr8k/s1600/95D6B263-F8A5-4BE9-984F-56B524940398.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintYfCJXlTZ8IyAS8SFJHCyicG4nR1K1IHc1-UXqJJVvZBuJMCLl1jEpdTJY_ua6CWsp63iwxggHe4bSRufoadY5b5PzMTNcWGyU3pIvuU3eet5WiWkOGRSlP-OxfSG7UFXXHXnMyvr8k/s400/95D6B263-F8A5-4BE9-984F-56B524940398.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business Class Bulkhead on Cathay Pacific's 77W<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGlidfVQUFG8143WZd40Aj78b4_3p10hu1oegWQX00arP7Rrfj52v-1qHj1Ko1gloooQiFk-RCVi1s_uSs_H-DU-zWojS9LU65q7PYbIO3qldtnjPg-uK6YOH3KH1G1Z5SgmpJz8z-GI/s1600/9F198F12-08B5-43DE-AD85-BE5DB9D40D77.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGlidfVQUFG8143WZd40Aj78b4_3p10hu1oegWQX00arP7Rrfj52v-1qHj1Ko1gloooQiFk-RCVi1s_uSs_H-DU-zWojS9LU65q7PYbIO3qldtnjPg-uK6YOH3KH1G1Z5SgmpJz8z-GI/s400/9F198F12-08B5-43DE-AD85-BE5DB9D40D77.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Seat 12D on Cathay Pacific's 77W in flat-bed position</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like the first flight, the menu came in the form of a newsletter and a breakfast card was provided for us to fill out and leave on the coat hook. I made my breakfast selection promptly and it was the continental option that I fancied. The cabin crew who attended to me gave me some recommendations for the supper meal. Ultimately, I chose the cod option.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlanyWeJJN8SS1FKzty5w2bW0AsF-ak0AslGupjLQQygPm6AJhxbakhvkhrX1cs3HDKwilC0UjXg4HjQ1yhc2A_mFriPP9Ao0hQ-3vQz51sn3o4RPDIjUxcVj8UmdbYs-b4oKXbm6n75E/s1600/21BB9E24-ABCA-4FBC-85B6-804C8AA0A434.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlanyWeJJN8SS1FKzty5w2bW0AsF-ak0AslGupjLQQygPm6AJhxbakhvkhrX1cs3HDKwilC0UjXg4HjQ1yhc2A_mFriPP9Ao0hQ-3vQz51sn3o4RPDIjUxcVj8UmdbYs-b4oKXbm6n75E/s400/21BB9E24-ABCA-4FBC-85B6-804C8AA0A434.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class menu in newsletter form<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We left the gate on time but the actual take-off had to wait for a half-hour. It was a long taxi to the runway. But the IFE playlist kept me company.<br />
<br />
About 30-45 minutes after take-off, the first meal was served. The cod meal was delicious. And even if I did not get the low-fat meal I needed, it look like a healthy offering nonetheless with large portions of veggies all over. It was an all wipe-out. To hopefully help me sleep, I ordered camomile tea as my beverage. The ice cream desert was also tasty.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtBcvMMUlvXG3sRww4jc8M5QZlG1-7J1OaVlX3tjm_ZK6vdQiHqAYCg5_kQft_R8nCBokuSHNArDRJ3oTY5vbM_OrtlvSvAtUnySNcWs-2VLZ4bsMv_W5k-Rix5aasNzcJ5g914-8O2Y/s1600/FD557BC5-52B7-4536-8FFC-43DA1ABDFE38.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtBcvMMUlvXG3sRww4jc8M5QZlG1-7J1OaVlX3tjm_ZK6vdQiHqAYCg5_kQft_R8nCBokuSHNArDRJ3oTY5vbM_OrtlvSvAtUnySNcWs-2VLZ4bsMv_W5k-Rix5aasNzcJ5g914-8O2Y/s400/FD557BC5-52B7-4536-8FFC-43DA1ABDFE38.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cod supper for Cathay Pacific's business class passengers<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYf2Tt3sOi_lyMbwGK_bbvI9nGKl2mvocR-GoW2415U04IqA0MRGOzB3QpqWNcP1Eags9V3Gz8b_ShTsPV-alYTIvMOYHDHaJf8DcavA3DKBewJX11CjjPxDS2Lxfn65vOxu5CpAw-7U/s1600/34B87789-2810-46B6-81C4-B7B97A0636A3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYf2Tt3sOi_lyMbwGK_bbvI9nGKl2mvocR-GoW2415U04IqA0MRGOzB3QpqWNcP1Eags9V3Gz8b_ShTsPV-alYTIvMOYHDHaJf8DcavA3DKBewJX11CjjPxDS2Lxfn65vOxu5CpAw-7U/s400/34B87789-2810-46B6-81C4-B7B97A0636A3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ice cream dessert for Cathay Pacific's business class passengers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Right after the meal service, I went to the toilet to freshen up for bed. It gave me an opportunity to check whether the contents of it are consistent with my previous trip. And they were even though the amenity bag was of a different colour. One thing I wish they had though was a shaving pack. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1EP3s2l6LfAsFc6Hg7IGr_vR1S0zNJ3tLkUUSL34l1oufhnbYnPeZd2pox4UNP_xd_dlI0IXDMeaZY8Gyw8nnrkKyac2rI9J56ytzd2OP0ZG9RXVE6cQt11AVNB0dYeO4dLD7PS8rRw/s1600/010CC50E-9736-4C3F-9811-A90C5ABFAFCC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1EP3s2l6LfAsFc6Hg7IGr_vR1S0zNJ3tLkUUSL34l1oufhnbYnPeZd2pox4UNP_xd_dlI0IXDMeaZY8Gyw8nnrkKyac2rI9J56ytzd2OP0ZG9RXVE6cQt11AVNB0dYeO4dLD7PS8rRw/s400/010CC50E-9736-4C3F-9811-A90C5ABFAFCC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Business class toilet on Cathay Pacific's 77W</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-5yYvBQ7ydEkn9CMcs6CVX-dZso1eLf8_ib2dCQ18hshfrCsZkdZ2JJoPGmxaHl63anZ-_XtRqDNlIsNYFgOsWBGsyHSYfjgeA7YKNUxS-10VC9uI_hLcg6IoeNOuGQtaB6uIzIiXfY/s1600/ABA69086-1C75-4727-BCE9-EC69BDF622A1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-5yYvBQ7ydEkn9CMcs6CVX-dZso1eLf8_ib2dCQ18hshfrCsZkdZ2JJoPGmxaHl63anZ-_XtRqDNlIsNYFgOsWBGsyHSYfjgeA7YKNUxS-10VC9uI_hLcg6IoeNOuGQtaB6uIzIiXfY/s400/ABA69086-1C75-4727-BCE9-EC69BDF622A1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class toilet on Cathay Pacific's 77W<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2syvkcftrp6uUzOkEbvWCujZ9TQvQxHg7PxLnaJGv5BDCi_dTtBb8khk2uqxP-I4hbB0M5LK2tF6vsbvsTwCI2BElCIFGx6edQbsubRfuVkGsr93EYwwpZskxZJRnKhKaUUxORrx2IQ/s1600/B3259E23-219C-43E7-A776-23E333E8497A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2syvkcftrp6uUzOkEbvWCujZ9TQvQxHg7PxLnaJGv5BDCi_dTtBb8khk2uqxP-I4hbB0M5LK2tF6vsbvsTwCI2BElCIFGx6edQbsubRfuVkGsr93EYwwpZskxZJRnKhKaUUxORrx2IQ/s400/B3259E23-219C-43E7-A776-23E333E8497A.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Business class amenity kit contents</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time to roll out the bed sheets and duvets. The beddings are easy to set up by the passenger him-/herself. By just holding down one button, the seat becomes a bed instantly. Apart from the relatively slightly bumpy first half due to turbulence, I could say that I had a 'normal' sleep and it was a comfortable surface to lie down on. The crew tried tuning down the lights and my personal video screen to help me. The armrest on the side of the aisle provided me with some extra privacy. <br />
<br />
At about midway through the flight, I woke up and grabbed a quick snack at the galley. It was those dark chocolate treats and a sundried tomato-flavoured snack that I fancied. After these quick bites, I went back to bed for an hour or so.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7UiDE93MWcTGywPpTdf60flap3W_DvaRA9N-l271XBqfgXmfylh5EX07-vyhO8SDQufrtMcIsX1pZFwLJ0pPOI5f-cbYnkMPYbJLqKEoFxSO0uQmx8IVJU_0pkdh4GQb-OvZvXMJqeQ/s1600/FFA6E6C1-6350-4424-A6FC-0D81A3EAB4F8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7UiDE93MWcTGywPpTdf60flap3W_DvaRA9N-l271XBqfgXmfylh5EX07-vyhO8SDQufrtMcIsX1pZFwLJ0pPOI5f-cbYnkMPYbJLqKEoFxSO0uQmx8IVJU_0pkdh4GQb-OvZvXMJqeQ/s400/FFA6E6C1-6350-4424-A6FC-0D81A3EAB4F8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Business Class in bed form with beddings and duvet<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiGSj8Jm2Oy7EqAyT49WQPEb0aLnIBi1nJEKqM8Tn7sI32JGvAiCTdwxymujAGlty_-3-S9vzGqxb2wZGfzM1sfPJyNHAS8kJmAsB896gW0uQpZ9ATmwaTsdBG8u40qm7B26d9cqiWZs/s1600/61BD815E-E2FE-4D96-8C97-62EBADACF9AC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiGSj8Jm2Oy7EqAyT49WQPEb0aLnIBi1nJEKqM8Tn7sI32JGvAiCTdwxymujAGlty_-3-S9vzGqxb2wZGfzM1sfPJyNHAS8kJmAsB896gW0uQpZ9ATmwaTsdBG8u40qm7B26d9cqiWZs/s400/61BD815E-E2FE-4D96-8C97-62EBADACF9AC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Business Class in bed form with beddings and duvet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid67gdqIKUd5E2p2IMVOo0VijdcsG6yUg3axegdNMtFhE4Oo4YE_tfVXQ9AX2IWc4uMw8lYBriOODg9hGaS9TBc07xOrOvQiUo1BtY3W90TTz1u8LfnPddscHCa57x-gPXaWdbjfZw78E/s1600/60BB7008-AC0C-4E18-B0BD-CF28E21F022E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid67gdqIKUd5E2p2IMVOo0VijdcsG6yUg3axegdNMtFhE4Oo4YE_tfVXQ9AX2IWc4uMw8lYBriOODg9hGaS9TBc07xOrOvQiUo1BtY3W90TTz1u8LfnPddscHCa57x-gPXaWdbjfZw78E/s400/60BB7008-AC0C-4E18-B0BD-CF28E21F022E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mood lighting on Cathay Pacific's long-haul business class<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcc5v-3dP45HJBh-dLxWYg5DbyWcA9duO1o5r1IDU-XGqtJ2JxKzU5dJzre5pOg_NRUCJi0GDTEBWCUSZNckZo8cWrZISPYDW7WztDWdlyAerAwaS6XzBHc43KVayIutrorrhiEqpsTU/s400/8F2EB721-75B3-4F0E-84EB-CC9578EF42C5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Business Class bulkhead behind row 12</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcc5v-3dP45HJBh-dLxWYg5DbyWcA9duO1o5r1IDU-XGqtJ2JxKzU5dJzre5pOg_NRUCJi0GDTEBWCUSZNckZo8cWrZISPYDW7WztDWdlyAerAwaS6XzBHc43KVayIutrorrhiEqpsTU/s1600/8F2EB721-75B3-4F0E-84EB-CC9578EF42C5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcc5v-3dP45HJBh-dLxWYg5DbyWcA9duO1o5r1IDU-XGqtJ2JxKzU5dJzre5pOg_NRUCJi0GDTEBWCUSZNckZo8cWrZISPYDW7WztDWdlyAerAwaS6XzBHc43KVayIutrorrhiEqpsTU/s1600/8F2EB721-75B3-4F0E-84EB-CC9578EF42C5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3VTVq2fruB8vTaNHh-vyx1LTVAiOcLRGjEyAq7PMgrEzB104sLb2WjnKKUnxgKCb976x6kkuQnLq75M8UJbpQaqKXDn7Gne2Bil31v6zg-nLZSGQ3mqjJnXEJHjuX4_djsQv0pUzgCY/s1600/4CBBFBAF-739D-4D76-99D8-5A539821E63D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3VTVq2fruB8vTaNHh-vyx1LTVAiOcLRGjEyAq7PMgrEzB104sLb2WjnKKUnxgKCb976x6kkuQnLq75M8UJbpQaqKXDn7Gne2Bil31v6zg-nLZSGQ3mqjJnXEJHjuX4_djsQv0pUzgCY/s400/4CBBFBAF-739D-4D76-99D8-5A539821E63D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light bites on Cathay Pacific's Business Class<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With four hours left in the flight, I played with the IFE and played a few episodes of one of my favourite sitcomes, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Almost everyone in the front business class cabin was watching an IFE flick so I wasn't alone at this point. <br />
<br />
From time to time, I returned my seat to the fully-flat position to enjoy my remaining time with the best business class bed I could hope to enjoy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpCpLyNCE4w0HY-auGP2CAjnU_K4yLAnHrriXZR8M28mJWgwowlemJG4WrGwSQ6PbqBeiQTjZMLOwVsmLPZUM2hll0_UHLvl2VchHNOTQkq9YDF9HksC_otGIUSmMrxIRuA5f-XH1DSo/s1600/6B469711-AC08-497F-808F-D1ED48D39F20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpCpLyNCE4w0HY-auGP2CAjnU_K4yLAnHrriXZR8M28mJWgwowlemJG4WrGwSQ6PbqBeiQTjZMLOwVsmLPZUM2hll0_UHLvl2VchHNOTQkq9YDF9HksC_otGIUSmMrxIRuA5f-XH1DSo/s400/6B469711-AC08-497F-808F-D1ED48D39F20.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Business Class seat on 77W with IFE screen<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two hours or so were left in-flight. The changing mood lighting signified breakfast time was almost upon us. I played the latest Star Wars film even though the flight time remaining would be shorter than the film's length (still I skipped some portions). As for the breakfast, the continental option contained mostly fruits and yoghurt. It was a healthy companion for me whilst I continued watching the feature film on my IFE unit. In no time, it was completely consumed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDioCDhX_zZbk-Pr2SRXT_Z2CzDRnk44k9FN_MefGm3Xcij2tCIwiTgrHZtTqH805vPrvaCBjCXaBWb3BzcVC5n9c0NJg60EMdOPfJr8PZoPu8mTNVZKKueaBgjpZFBt4Rp1jVO_BDF0/s1600/307752C8-742D-4164-B7DF-CBA3CBF02ED8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDioCDhX_zZbk-Pr2SRXT_Z2CzDRnk44k9FN_MefGm3Xcij2tCIwiTgrHZtTqH805vPrvaCBjCXaBWb3BzcVC5n9c0NJg60EMdOPfJr8PZoPu8mTNVZKKueaBgjpZFBt4Rp1jVO_BDF0/s400/307752C8-742D-4164-B7DF-CBA3CBF02ED8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continental breakfast option for Cathay Pacific Business Class passengers<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-hOdkXAJrPNR0kXc6awjoYX4eNmnMht6fUZatStG6KZcwAEOgicLxs6xe4f21C_hj-UXqyowgX0R0yVrzL2ZrFjYCNlM7QKal1coRPKEeGCb6HbQFrcdk035iDFjKzDAqLWpZ5dbxKQ/s1600/382C1998-7BEC-4350-B846-4AE272D96F52.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-hOdkXAJrPNR0kXc6awjoYX4eNmnMht6fUZatStG6KZcwAEOgicLxs6xe4f21C_hj-UXqyowgX0R0yVrzL2ZrFjYCNlM7QKal1coRPKEeGCb6HbQFrcdk035iDFjKzDAqLWpZ5dbxKQ/s400/382C1998-7BEC-4350-B846-4AE272D96F52.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tray table and glass of water<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I took the liberty of visiting rear cabins to find that this particular 77W still sported an older economy class (circa 2012) with nine seats in each row (3-3-3 arrangement). This signified the older IFE was still in place but the fact that the seating arrangement is just 3-3-3 abreast means economy class passengers here are getting a more comfortable ride. And with fewer passengers, it hopefully does not slow down the boarding and deplaning process.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPqB6FXicqeW0Fl-kKJ73QTzQJfmofd4q2Yv0BLce16Z0BewTtwktbdo8rA5_26649B6SEKln6ivOq-WOzIo8_dNKitU1HGTSuBeHlME-oBuJf9IVv6BIHMTSYR92fqt1zedLWRLLVo4/s1600/CD3B0F7E-43FF-4755-98B9-9AF452389FAE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPqB6FXicqeW0Fl-kKJ73QTzQJfmofd4q2Yv0BLce16Z0BewTtwktbdo8rA5_26649B6SEKln6ivOq-WOzIo8_dNKitU1HGTSuBeHlME-oBuJf9IVv6BIHMTSYR92fqt1zedLWRLLVo4/s400/CD3B0F7E-43FF-4755-98B9-9AF452389FAE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific smaller Business Class cabin: view from the rear<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHx69UorHyPjku6Lyyd_PD60emJ4fjX5l01doyDk2J_Lsp-6vN_8-nEw-6zHwSBJqyGb_-qyFc49av0He698qYSiAq2s_4QhPrGUwn8s6Hv5XSH0grkPeu0A-4rZe0D_Z6bZNOdejfYw/s1600/5051A656-0382-4235-8F77-419AEF62CADB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHx69UorHyPjku6Lyyd_PD60emJ4fjX5l01doyDk2J_Lsp-6vN_8-nEw-6zHwSBJqyGb_-qyFc49av0He698qYSiAq2s_4QhPrGUwn8s6Hv5XSH0grkPeu0A-4rZe0D_Z6bZNOdejfYw/s400/5051A656-0382-4235-8F77-419AEF62CADB.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My original seat - 24A on Cathay Pacific's 77W<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtpouhzrutLLa4XmtADepkhrAAUB_jIs3RwDTf6145qk6lE_IDwfZWPt3SeUluWDm3WOrIgNXOzNeEJXLmvBwNfsTY8SKT_ONftjkDQzGQnHOQ4tU0-z2lizEdwnIebm9lHe30386B2k/s1600/9F8A82C7-A6FD-4700-80FB-7E14C557CF1E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtpouhzrutLLa4XmtADepkhrAAUB_jIs3RwDTf6145qk6lE_IDwfZWPt3SeUluWDm3WOrIgNXOzNeEJXLmvBwNfsTY8SKT_ONftjkDQzGQnHOQ4tU0-z2lizEdwnIebm9lHe30386B2k/s400/9F8A82C7-A6FD-4700-80FB-7E14C557CF1E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific larger Business Class cabin: view from the rear</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1rESZ7icyv5robOPQaBkwLYmMpknWMOr7LcquCanHaIa8KS77RBZ-30qWfKGovCVbWpZbCxJv51VsNqwJe6c12gMIq3-Hxslb88JnrDzDOK7e0J0MSV3nVtOs17Wcd1tV6plBwhg7UQ/s1600/AC856665-80FD-42DE-A24A-C8D323F1DE82.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1rESZ7icyv5robOPQaBkwLYmMpknWMOr7LcquCanHaIa8KS77RBZ-30qWfKGovCVbWpZbCxJv51VsNqwJe6c12gMIq3-Hxslb88JnrDzDOK7e0J0MSV3nVtOs17Wcd1tV6plBwhg7UQ/s400/AC856665-80FD-42DE-A24A-C8D323F1DE82.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Economy Class cabin (old configuration) on 77W<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugCl6eyBmRGnvJOQHlm2rIpqxn2Yyj1ikC2lTNQVqqM1foS6za7YQfgbkrpGCTnSP-fxF-66ir-SknCXKYLRlriptLJVpMLBJbcnH73IQoYAOI3y6YArjqBnnBvy4nTq2YdKlqwo41PM/s1600/C69F53E7-1337-430D-9441-C22588B1A1D8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugCl6eyBmRGnvJOQHlm2rIpqxn2Yyj1ikC2lTNQVqqM1foS6za7YQfgbkrpGCTnSP-fxF-66ir-SknCXKYLRlriptLJVpMLBJbcnH73IQoYAOI3y6YArjqBnnBvy4nTq2YdKlqwo41PM/s400/C69F53E7-1337-430D-9441-C22588B1A1D8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Economy Class cabin (old configuration) on 77W</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For most of the flight I continued to kick back to the Star Wars film. Just as it ended, the captain came back announcing we were a half hour away from landing. And although he apologised for the longer flight, I was saddened that it meant my business class experience was about to end. I just continued listening to my playlist at this time.<br />
<br />
Once the wheels touched the ground, the IFE switched automatically away from passenger control. A few minutes after, we docked at the gate. I picked up my hand luggage from the lockers. But strange for this flight was that only one jetbridge was ordered. Luckily, it was closer to what I sat and it made me glad to sit in the smaller business class cabin.<br />
<br />
<i>TIP: Once you know you want to fly long-haul business class on a Cathay Pacific 77W or A359, please choose a seat in the smaller business class cabin at the time of booking. As there are slightly different configurations, use the seat map embedded in the booking feature. These cabins are usually separated by an exit row and/or galley. You will feel as if you have exclusive treatment without booking first class. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>POST-ARRIVAL</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My business class experience did not end on the door of the aircraft just yet.<br />
<br />
First, as a business class passenger, I was entitled to use the fast-track passport control lane at Heathrow. The lanes featured short queues. But where I felt a slight bottleneck was at baggage claim. It took almost 15 minutes from the first bags emerging for me to be reunited with all of my own.<br />
<br />
Cathay Pacific had one final treat for business class passengers. Given that I came from a long-haul flight, I was entitled to use the American Airlines arrival lounge which was on the landside portion of Terminal 3. First, I had a shower at their arrival facilities. I was pleasantly surprised that they were spotless and complete with amenities. There was even a trap door at the back of the entrance for passengers to store the clothes they will change to. Afterwards, it was time for me to enjoy the rest of the lounge for the next hour-and-a-half. I grabbed some breakfast which was delicious but felt constrained to not eat the bacon bits. In addition, I used the computer terminals to print out a document to renew my passport. We had trouble at first and even the lounge staff was slightly confused on how to use it. But I managed to figure out how to to use it eventually. Before leaving, I transferred stuff between my bags.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFn-oPl5YlxLA4GbH10Bt2q5RaMkuFxKHqCtQIUYgx_saUiL13fBzcOc9GhC4Yw-hkNriEIy0gHF86AcVaHBTRunxTU63lgD66RP_1nJn9Q9w525fcaUr74CiV5YCmrCT0SflxB4f1MQ/s1600/9E64927D-93EB-446B-B5B5-54D7DB194285.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFn-oPl5YlxLA4GbH10Bt2q5RaMkuFxKHqCtQIUYgx_saUiL13fBzcOc9GhC4Yw-hkNriEIy0gHF86AcVaHBTRunxTU63lgD66RP_1nJn9Q9w525fcaUr74CiV5YCmrCT0SflxB4f1MQ/s400/9E64927D-93EB-446B-B5B5-54D7DB194285.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Airlines Arrival Lounge shower cubicle<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMywdKsKjyLXg9jI1Es9cO2WJzhz926iXfAkaw3LfK5_CV6X0sgN9cUQ_r6mxPU0a49N1bmxsaEuk5LVwytSByO0NKLKghw0ufu8wApQn0PuPWf5dNe5oI7ZGExODMM4hffR9uz3_pE4/s1600/EA655A57-CEC8-4820-B0C7-7F003DE1FD90.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMywdKsKjyLXg9jI1Es9cO2WJzhz926iXfAkaw3LfK5_CV6X0sgN9cUQ_r6mxPU0a49N1bmxsaEuk5LVwytSByO0NKLKghw0ufu8wApQn0PuPWf5dNe5oI7ZGExODMM4hffR9uz3_pE4/s400/EA655A57-CEC8-4820-B0C7-7F003DE1FD90.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">American Airlines Arrival Lounge shower cubicle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6s9DQUACANp-Pgo61JFzlNbtCTL0-FDHS8kjCb_6FXcEpjPZao0vqrmu0T38BJzKmIa-4E4BkRtSoEhWIUh_czsMolMSWKWZRmIFK9jsbhFsS4O9iISwbGoJO6ZSfOzt_4Cf2yLB174/s1600/8892C75D-B728-48B6-9A82-662610760DD1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6s9DQUACANp-Pgo61JFzlNbtCTL0-FDHS8kjCb_6FXcEpjPZao0vqrmu0T38BJzKmIa-4E4BkRtSoEhWIUh_czsMolMSWKWZRmIFK9jsbhFsS4O9iISwbGoJO6ZSfOzt_4Cf2yLB174/s400/8892C75D-B728-48B6-9A82-662610760DD1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">American Airlines Arrival Lounge shower cubicle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm41JioHPdqNdxS0cE3rRHc4LaBA_1vY7TdxoAQUkrdvla6rmagMHTBFS4yan7IxZ6KEkr2XHz8aKsLCzy_-IMrLXrXDBPP0tAMwH17IpSKbwTEgOceqLOID3nPmK_W4muRbm81yKCws/s1600/CD82A163-3B8C-406F-925F-E0949FAFFD6C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm41JioHPdqNdxS0cE3rRHc4LaBA_1vY7TdxoAQUkrdvla6rmagMHTBFS4yan7IxZ6KEkr2XHz8aKsLCzy_-IMrLXrXDBPP0tAMwH17IpSKbwTEgOceqLOID3nPmK_W4muRbm81yKCws/s400/CD82A163-3B8C-406F-925F-E0949FAFFD6C.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Airlines arrival lounge: computer area<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVTiU7nbnuhH85i3QXKtabfHc1z70SfXvrVaWZgBNdqmj1JcyhW87fAWcTLOlfOd6cpXhcf8bnYXF543XqLCTJCVem5QhyDJce6HBXsh5DWyZzQQOVAZnjpjjueid420afRoZH6qGoyI/s1600/72EDF0DE-AACB-4286-8E9A-290FCF96D1B2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVTiU7nbnuhH85i3QXKtabfHc1z70SfXvrVaWZgBNdqmj1JcyhW87fAWcTLOlfOd6cpXhcf8bnYXF543XqLCTJCVem5QhyDJce6HBXsh5DWyZzQQOVAZnjpjjueid420afRoZH6qGoyI/s400/72EDF0DE-AACB-4286-8E9A-290FCF96D1B2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Airlines arrival lounge: general sitting area<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqaDGlqxSOCvXH0V32yeGMmIKJ3rK8GrKecJKeYWIvlZZh4Iksomxrfx0azG7wNyB2WUaH5YtxqU43b8lv84QxAmKLt91WSNSi6IdOOlaq_-YTfOd9P1teOqdDRHetnQ2exdnrsKa20k/s1600/61F38F08-8A91-4BFF-A996-9A03A1E8C0B6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqaDGlqxSOCvXH0V32yeGMmIKJ3rK8GrKecJKeYWIvlZZh4Iksomxrfx0azG7wNyB2WUaH5YtxqU43b8lv84QxAmKLt91WSNSi6IdOOlaq_-YTfOd9P1teOqdDRHetnQ2exdnrsKa20k/s400/61F38F08-8A91-4BFF-A996-9A03A1E8C0B6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">American Airlines arrival lounge: food choices</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDtIqZUMxsNPfcpb9kCkxMloSN7Ur0PYfNmFPGHvX-KSc9ghPoyo7XRrlETuIkTENlhWPguNeHzz50WKwtoQDKF9do5mQua7-XDZwBrIyIhYI6-KReqHKy0eQVMyTiWzNTV3WZKCcmT8/s1600/69587759-B1EA-48C6-9A3A-3BCE663E7100.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDtIqZUMxsNPfcpb9kCkxMloSN7Ur0PYfNmFPGHvX-KSc9ghPoyo7XRrlETuIkTENlhWPguNeHzz50WKwtoQDKF9do5mQua7-XDZwBrIyIhYI6-KReqHKy0eQVMyTiWzNTV3WZKCcmT8/s400/69587759-B1EA-48C6-9A3A-3BCE663E7100.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">American Airlines arrival lounge: food choices</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I left the lounge just after 9.20 to catch the Heathrow Express for Central London. It was there that I could change money and proceed to the Philippine Embassy to get my passport renewed. With that, my rare business class treat came to a close. </div>
<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>FINAL WORD AND RATINGS FOR THE SECOND LEG</b></div>
<div>
After having four flights with Cathay Pacific's business class, it has proven itself to be one of the best. I find their pre-departure and onboard offers overwhelming. It is unbelievable in the first place for them to offer their five-star service at relatively bargain basement prices. For sure, there could be things they could work on to give Singapore Airlines or Qatar Airways a run for their money. But I was still all the more grateful to experience a legitimate long-haul business class of a five-star carrier. Overall, once you experience Cathay's business class, it will feel very difficult to want to go back to economy class.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Cathay Pacific and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (departure lounge only) (9/10): </b>The atmosphere gave you a feel that it was uniquely Cathay. The lower floor gave one an intimate and welcoming feeling. Plenty of seating everywhere. The shower cubicles were tidy and well-stocked. There seemed to be a decent amount of snacks especially at The Wing lounge. Even though I have to be on a diet, it would be good to have a bigger variety such as what they have in The Pier lounge. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Boarding Process (10/10): </b>It was smooth.<b> </b></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seat Comfort (10/10): </b>It was a legitimate flat bed. One could even sit on the 'upper' part (where you place your back and head). </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> The fact that it was configured 1-2-1 allowed not only direct aisle access for every passenger but also purpose-built space for their stuff and privacy. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Food (9/10): </b>Delicious food and healthy options available despite not getting a special low-fat meal. There were choices for everyone though I would have preferred Cathay has steak and chicken options too. They could also borrow a page out of Singapore Airlines' playbook by giving business class passengers an option to select their 'standard meal' online. <b> </b> </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (10/10): </b>Need I say more? Their attention to detail, especially to a passenger's needs cannot be overstated. A special shout out to James, the cabin service manager who reseated me in the smaller business class cabin. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Punctuality (8/10): </b>Although we departed more or less on time, we arrived a little bit behind schedule but not by very much. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (8/10): </b>There was an adequate choice for someone like me. But the aircraft did not feature wifi and the new interactive moving map as the other long-haul 77Ws. <b> </b></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-68499041386588679512020-01-13T00:14:00.002+08:002020-01-14T19:00:45.452+08:00MIAA: Flights at NAIA suspended<div style="text-align: justify;">
Due to the eruption of Taal volcano, departing and arriving flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been suspended starting about 6.30 pm on January 12 "until further notice" as a precautionary measure. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At a joint press conference on late Sunday night, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have indicated that as at 9 pm on January 12, over 170 flights were affected by this directive. Some flights on their way to Manila have been diverted to other airports.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Capt. Jim Sydiongco, CAAP head, has indicated that a blanket suspension of operations is normal procedure when they do not have adequate information to act on. It also allows the CAAP to identify the problem first and give more robust recommendations.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal for his part said that the suspension of operations had to be done as ash coming from the volcano could damage aircraft equipment and that the NAIA runway and tarmac are filled with ash that need to be cleaned in order to be usable again. Manila Area Control Centre's Ariel Carabeo added that radar equipment is not designed to detect ash clouds and that ash that enters the engines could stop a plane from flying. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the meantime, passengers are advised to contact their airline as soon as possible for advice and assistance on rebooking their flights. Monreal also adds that passengers should not go to the airport until further information has been issued.</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Edit: Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been temporarily suspended due to the volcanic ash from the eruption of Taal Volcano. Kindly coordinate with your respective air carriers for details on flight schedules.</div>
— NAIA (@MIAAGovPH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIAAGovPH/status/1216317131161096192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>UPDATE</i>: On January 13 2020, NAIA reopened the airport to "partial operations" but advised passengers to contact their carriers before proceeding there. Monreal emphasised at the time that the reopening was partial and that processes had to be followed to gradually restore normal operations. He also added that the flights scheduled to operate would be subject to available slots and clearance. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><span style="font-size: x-small;">
Sources: <a href="https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/12/naia-flight-suspensions-tal-volcano-ashfall-ash-cloud.html">CNN Philippines</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MIAAGovPH/status/1216324740710682624?s=20">MIAA Twitter Page</a></span>hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-10032355456429989382020-01-09T12:17:00.000+08:002020-01-11T00:35:36.146+08:00Philippine Airlines to Add US Flights in 2020<div style="text-align: justify;">
Against <a href="https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/philippine-airlines-long-haul-adjustments---first-drop-london-478183?fbclid=IwAR2b4TvO8-xdM9StDUJI5QOYDXh71tG959ax5o8WrlOXlPrpDQvqywjCOrM">the advice of the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) to shrink Philippine Airlines' (PAL) long-haul network</a>, <a href="https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/01/07/philippine-airlines-will-launch-new-flights-to-seattle-and-resume-flights-to-los-angeles/">Business Traveller</a> and <a href="https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/288541/philippine-airlines-pushes-us-expansion-strategy/">Routesonline</a> are reporting that the flag carrier will be expanding its North American network in 2020. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJnJNJeVobWVVxnsmwVS7E8098_LxQqiW5vKV22j0GOt3Wq0tn5jax5gwXp4pA6M-0Zti5sgRAbLCW6jKytdQ6K19wgxwrudCoWm4VWNRSgGuc0Itpi1bkiaVFdY922x6WU9gcLpTjpo/s1600/IMG_7454.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJnJNJeVobWVVxnsmwVS7E8098_LxQqiW5vKV22j0GOt3Wq0tn5jax5gwXp4pA6M-0Zti5sgRAbLCW6jKytdQ6K19wgxwrudCoWm4VWNRSgGuc0Itpi1bkiaVFdY922x6WU9gcLpTjpo/s400/IMG_7454.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippine Airlines A350<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PAL will reopen its Cebu-Los Angeles flight, which was suspended in May 2017. Under the new schedule, the flights operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. PAL will deploy its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Under the route's previous iteration, it was operated with an Airbus A340-300 aircraft. The first flight is scheduled to commence on May 2 2020.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The reopening of the Cebu-Los Angeles flight further expands PAL's secondary hub operations in Cebu, which houses scheduled international flights to/from Bangkok, Nagoya, Osaka-Kansai, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo-Narita. Passengers travelling between Cebu and Los Angeles will not only be able to bypass the crowded Ninoy Aquino International Airport but also experience world class comfort and convenience in an award-winning terminal which opened in mid-2018. Just recently, Mactan Cebu International airport has won an award at the World Architecture festival for its recently established Terminal 2. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition to the reopening of the Cebu-Los Angeles flight, PAL is scheduled to mount a nonstop flight between Manila and Seattle starting May 3 2020 as PR128 (outbound) and PR129 (inbound). The flight will operate three times weekly and PAL's Airbus A350-900 will be used. If PAL confirms this information, it will mean Seattle becomes the flag carrier's sixth destination in the North American mainland after San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, and New York. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although PAL has an existing flight to nearby Vancouver, the new nonstop route will offer Seattle-bound visitors from Manila, as well as the approximately 15,000 Filipino residents of Seattle a more direct travel option between the two cities. It can spare travellers the hassle of driving three hours across the border (not including wait times at border checks) and possibly having to apply for a Canadian visa just to use the airport in Vancouver. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A spokesperson for PAL said to Business travellers that they are still "in the process of refining details and working on arrangements" when asked about these impending flights. However, given that PAL has only six A350s in its fleet at the moment and has no imminent plans to acquire more aircraft of the sort, it may throw the future of some of its A350 destinations in doubt. This should not come as a surprise as then-PAL President and COO Jaime Bautista has expressed in an interview with CAPA in the summer of 2019 that its Manila-London service (currently served by the A350) is still challenging and he has not ruled out suspending flights serving the route. This means that Manila-London flights may be a prime candidate for service reduction or suspension to make way for the new Manila-Seattle flights. <br />
<br />
Nonetheless, if PAL confirms this new flight, it becomes the second carrier to mount a nonstop flight to Seattle from Southeast Asia. On September 3 2019, Singapore Airlines <a href="https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/se/plan-travel/destinations/flights-to-Seattle/">launched a nonstop flight between Singapore and Seattle</a>. Nearby, carriers like Cathay Pacific also <a href="https://news.cathaypacific.com/when-cathay-pacific-meets-seattle">launched a nonstop flight between Hong Kong and Seattle</a> on March 31 2019. The picture between Seattle and Southeast Asia (or nearby) has been mixed as Delta Airlines discontinued its Seattle-Hong Kong service in 2018. Additionally, northeast Asian carriers like Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, and Korean Air already offer passengers from Manila connecting service to Seattle from their respective hubs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: <a href="https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/01/07/philippine-airlines-will-launch-new-flights-to-seattle-and-resume-flights-to-los-angeles/">Business Traveller</a>, <a href="https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/288541/philippine-airlines-pushes-us-expansion-strategy/">Routesonline</a>, <a href="https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/philippine-airlines-long-haul-adjustments---first-drop-london-478183?fbclid=IwAR2b4TvO8-xdM9StDUJI5QOYDXh71tG959ax5o8WrlOXlPrpDQvqywjCOrM">CAPA</a>, <a href="https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/se/plan-travel/destinations/flights-to-Seattle/">Singapore Airlines</a>, <a href="https://news.cathaypacific.com/when-cathay-pacific-meets-seattle">Cathay Pacific</a></span></div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-54869568212743343322020-01-06T08:58:00.000+08:002020-01-06T08:58:55.845+08:00AirAsia Flight Review: Caticlan to Manila (A320)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: justify;">Author's note: This is the second of two posts related to this trip. You can read the post from the outbound flight <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2020/01/cebu-pacific-flight-review-manila-to.html">here</a>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Like all good things, my beach holiday had to come to an end. One unique thing about this journey is that I am using a different carrier to the Boracay vicinity from the one I used to fly into it. I have already checked in the night before, purchasing extra legroom seats, and got my mobile boarding card.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmhlVlfqr9WbztnJ5ACuxuV4HZpMbPR19v7THE9kvlHs0FRmaKbwd1ML35OvMc7CHQ8goIh-Wj-8P7yMa_4QyPU5SwVNNBQ7AZEQtQ_OxPHim9Ku3bm9YRWfGWCtdFRTSpRYWLocN5bs/s1600/IMG_7830.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmhlVlfqr9WbztnJ5ACuxuV4HZpMbPR19v7THE9kvlHs0FRmaKbwd1ML35OvMc7CHQ8goIh-Wj-8P7yMa_4QyPU5SwVNNBQ7AZEQtQ_OxPHim9Ku3bm9YRWfGWCtdFRTSpRYWLocN5bs/s400/IMG_7830.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Boracay beach from my hotel<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was travelling back to Manila all by myself as the rest of my family left on earlier flights. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After my morning routing of having breakfast at the hotel's buffet table, I spent the rest of the mid-morning to early afternoon at the hotel. I did not bother to go outside and have a massage or walk along the sandy beaches despite perfect weather. It was for two reasons: first because I had a slight headache and second because there was simply no more time. Lucky for me someone managed to arrange to allow me to stay in one of the hotel rooms until my shuttle back to the airport was ready. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The staff my hotel were really helpful, warm, and paid attention to detail. If one had a request, they would come to the room, no questions asked. At around 1.45 pm, the porters were at the door waiting for me. A representative from the reception was there to see me off. I took the shuttle with a family of five and I was glad that I did. We had a good talk about our recent travels. It went relatively uneventful but I noticed that the jettyport on the other side was powered up by generator again. In no time, another shuttle van was waiting to take us for a two-minute drive to the airport. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b>CHECK-IN, SECURITY AND TERMINAL EXPLORATION</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first thing I noticed upon entering the terminal was that the flight monitors showed that two AirAsia flights departing (supposedly) 20 minutes away from each other were using the same gate. I thought that would confuse passengers. But read further and to know the resolution.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnQULj_0Ytdip7-G-3prrhhHvwnPlaFx9Le2l-oGj6AUAIj8nU062b6Uo589Phu8elcmkDdZUXt44pCkcUbMOwey9NgQjmt5ST7EiiHmIeSSFBzqpg5ZPcFD4hZalAYb7G8m_-oywrzI/s1600/IMG_7839.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnQULj_0Ytdip7-G-3prrhhHvwnPlaFx9Le2l-oGj6AUAIj8nU062b6Uo589Phu8elcmkDdZUXt44pCkcUbMOwey9NgQjmt5ST7EiiHmIeSSFBzqpg5ZPcFD4hZalAYb7G8m_-oywrzI/s400/IMG_7839.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flight monitors at Caticlan Airport showing two AirAsia flights sharing the same gate<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just like with other Philippine airports, Caticlan Airport had security checkpoints at the entrance and non-passengers could not enter the building. The security staff were helpful when I enquired about what items could be placed in hold baggage. </div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The queues at check-in were not busy. However I was a bit puzzled that the priority/bag drop desks were not serving passengers at the time I was there. I was directed to the regular check-in desk instead once it became available. Once served, I was done in two minutes. The agent asked me if I wanted to use a paper boarding card or if I was fine with my mobile boarding card. I opted for the latter. It was something worth noting that like Cebu Pacific, AirAsia in the Philippines was embracing the latest technologies. At least I was confident that the mobile boarding card is not alien in Filipino domestic flights any longer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YLLdrZSTxOy-p91nuUSkGkZ6kHUvjqF_GyQtOsHQll_qkYlisGOvkT7Wky6QcnDdYGbpXP3_xta-LB2NLC6qRc1tP6D7lHeXkSNTyj1wofR1-jnXdYBiJOiMvdGQ0uXfKH_DRcBVa3U/s1600/IMG_7837.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YLLdrZSTxOy-p91nuUSkGkZ6kHUvjqF_GyQtOsHQll_qkYlisGOvkT7Wky6QcnDdYGbpXP3_xta-LB2NLC6qRc1tP6D7lHeXkSNTyj1wofR1-jnXdYBiJOiMvdGQ0uXfKH_DRcBVa3U/s400/IMG_7837.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AirAsia check-in desk at Caticlan Airport<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the standard post-bag drop security check, I found myself in a relatively small departure hall. Still, it had adequate stalls and a fully-functional Starbucks outlet from which to purchase snacks. I did not bother to purchase anything here given that only cash was accepted due to the lack of full power. For the most part, I waited at one corner of the departure hall watching some videos. I did not see the family I was with in the shuttle. But there were changes in gate assignments: the other AirAsia flight departing 20 minutes before mines was reassigned to a different gate. At least that alleviated some of the confusion.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pZh4miYtM65qkxVqy_SASyZ70zVBxCnOTnVHDLCzDc1KVBDmeyIZC-K_xICmHyafhZRHEUbFvX_qw-iozOxMCRkVqHpj63wRTXbqtItz7uSbWS4BhQNvg48HmS7JfWEC6GWsH3j9lxI/s1600/IMG_7842.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pZh4miYtM65qkxVqy_SASyZ70zVBxCnOTnVHDLCzDc1KVBDmeyIZC-K_xICmHyafhZRHEUbFvX_qw-iozOxMCRkVqHpj63wRTXbqtItz7uSbWS4BhQNvg48HmS7JfWEC6GWsH3j9lxI/s400/IMG_7842.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caticlan Airport Airside<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGmBnEx5WLHqcfRGcLfFnxKWad7DoBNycwi3XL09jK3PpxTcRUUl5LKN-xU3ifdc_YP0wV6IIHFnInKdIOw0PUej-YnMLDHO1TXMsCXe9RyjsHKCJYq9FpKdH5xf6IeKO7pS0RAhzOLM/s1600/IMG_7843.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGmBnEx5WLHqcfRGcLfFnxKWad7DoBNycwi3XL09jK3PpxTcRUUl5LKN-xU3ifdc_YP0wV6IIHFnInKdIOw0PUej-YnMLDHO1TXMsCXe9RyjsHKCJYq9FpKdH5xf6IeKO7pS0RAhzOLM/s400/IMG_7843.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Caticlan Airport Airside</span><br style="font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image source: hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />However, one of the strangest reasons for a flight delay was used: a lack of coaches to ferry passengers from the terminal to the aircraft. It was strange because this was a planned flight, the ground crew should have the resources ready when it was time for the flight. <br />
<br />
I was lucky to find some foreigners who spoke a language I was learning (I could recognise the words and accents to guess what language it was or where the speakers are from). They had nothing but praise for the Philippines. However, the boarding announcements were made so I did not spend too much time with them at the departure hall.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FLIGHT PROPER<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Flight number: </b>Z2224</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gate: </b>4</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 16:10</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aircraft Registration:</b> RP-C8976<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48SkBIAFZJtbfoJC1Vy99Lgp5mNQ8TxWGDJreEUgF8x3VKMQQLEqSMl1zwh4rQJ_Hosbke6zRYcHPVL4xEa9FS6u4H3twVHeyqTXcSoX102DTVu7bNduA7tQbXqDQg9TCt5qY8TNoAYA/s1600/IMG_7847+2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48SkBIAFZJtbfoJC1Vy99Lgp5mNQ8TxWGDJreEUgF8x3VKMQQLEqSMl1zwh4rQJ_Hosbke6zRYcHPVL4xEa9FS6u4H3twVHeyqTXcSoX102DTVu7bNduA7tQbXqDQg9TCt5qY8TNoAYA/s400/IMG_7847+2.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AirAsia A320<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I managed to use the express/priority lane due to my extra legroom seat. However, the coach I was assigned to had to stop to get some bags loaded. Also, I wondered what the point was of my express/priority lane when mines was the last bus to let passengers board. <br />
<br />
Upon entry at the aircraft, I felt as if nothing changed from when I last took AirAsia more than a decade ago: bright red seats in front and at the emergency seats, black leather seats everywhere else, and popular boarding music. Philippines AirAsia has indeed standardised its practices and brand with the parent company.<br />
<br />
I was glad that seated right next to me were some of the foreigners I had an earlier chat with. It gave me an opportunity to continue practising in the language I was learning. Not too long into the resumed conversation did the flight crew remind us of the responsibilities of those seated next to the emergency exit. I took that opportunity to ask the crew about the meals and they gave me a definite answer that it was chicken. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSPqqRpuHi6Lj_TsbqlMxMQiPgDRgNmeq_TGiPKzi6er-6oylECXYpB4J1kLcnp9_zKSpFx2zAiYOLr9SSiCQHVSmRkx9Hzwm7KHL6I8INqX7B2KWBRA6tkpW0XZ-xEEL8PK__ldyih4/s1600/IMG_7858.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSPqqRpuHi6Lj_TsbqlMxMQiPgDRgNmeq_TGiPKzi6er-6oylECXYpB4J1kLcnp9_zKSpFx2zAiYOLr9SSiCQHVSmRkx9Hzwm7KHL6I8INqX7B2KWBRA6tkpW0XZ-xEEL8PK__ldyih4/s400/IMG_7858.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AirAsia A320 red seats<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q7b3FEry0H-DG9jtn99U9spys9Fb6n2mlGMOYkZg5vuOAHDMezpxgKIRC-Mzh-rhH-LsHwKdfNmK18MSifoVNRFfVcJUZitGoFum9JOUlWKVB5lo71X_E1RTo4W6RHoxcrTnaHpTZ7Y/s1600/IMG_7859.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q7b3FEry0H-DG9jtn99U9spys9Fb6n2mlGMOYkZg5vuOAHDMezpxgKIRC-Mzh-rhH-LsHwKdfNmK18MSifoVNRFfVcJUZitGoFum9JOUlWKVB5lo71X_E1RTo4W6RHoxcrTnaHpTZ7Y/s400/IMG_7859.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AirAsia A320 regular seats<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />We were on the ground for a while because of awaiting air traffic clearances resulting from the delay I talked about. The captain was apologetic about it. At around 5.20-ish pm, we were taking off.<br />
<br />
Right after take-off, I was served the meal included in my fare. I was glad that it was chicken with race, a similar meal to what I ordered when I first took AirAsia. But the cabin crew gave out a small bottle of water as well. I enjoyed it and finished it in no time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOuh6N4L5Z1nvjJy0ahRkENrgh1ZubQdAdAB_OqErk1Sg92hk4Ll7Xx-2lawXEAMlcqAcf4UP_iyEzAC2nQYUSpR0QhrUoopFQJ4DF25fZcEZmUR21juUdWL-0WaK5vJChh6728C_vHY/s1600/IMG_7861.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOuh6N4L5Z1nvjJy0ahRkENrgh1ZubQdAdAB_OqErk1Sg92hk4Ll7Xx-2lawXEAMlcqAcf4UP_iyEzAC2nQYUSpR0QhrUoopFQJ4DF25fZcEZmUR21juUdWL-0WaK5vJChh6728C_vHY/s400/IMG_7861.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken meal with AirAsia<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br />TIP: In the AirAsia fares that include meals (value pack), you can only pick between a generic vegetarian and non-vegetarian option. If you want a specific meal, you will need to pay for it separately. Try to book hold baggage and your chosen specific meals separately if you want the latter. </i><br />
<br />
For most of the flight, I was playing some videos I downloaded to my phone. I also found that AirAsia provides free WiFi. But when I tested it, it did not work.<br />
<br />
We spent about a half-hour in descent-and-approach mode. For most of this time, the cabin lights were dimmed. Rather than travel through a straight line until close to Manila, we took a detour close to Laguna de Bay. I figured this was air traffic control's way of telling our pilot that there was a long queue. It was nothing out of the ordinary but if a pilot makes it to their slot, then that pilot should be given priority. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ARRIVAL</b></div>
We landed more than hour behind schedule. The plane parked at a remote stand and busses were waiting to bus us to Terminal 4. This marked the first time I would use the facility. The arrival hall looked fairly modern and polished despite its relatively tiny size. It took a while for any bag to emerge and even then, baggage handlers may have sent the wrong bags by accident as they had to close the baggage door. But after nearly 20 minutes after entering the terminal, my bag emerged.<br />
<br />
Before I left the terminal, I said my goodbye to the group of foreigners I conversed with. I was glad to have met them and said that if I visit their country, I would contact them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp7FphcTXfYmwrqs91oWRKluerlTwyV61vtsru0NqYBkuHdZ-ZcVtX3pkCssy26VOuUBeU0Y8L2tSD7DFW1T07ncJ5WZkIeWNaCWiBEnT_xVXcqusQ7EVzGFBNP2K46Md70zF84Hh-VI/s1600/IMG_7874.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp7FphcTXfYmwrqs91oWRKluerlTwyV61vtsru0NqYBkuHdZ-ZcVtX3pkCssy26VOuUBeU0Y8L2tSD7DFW1T07ncJ5WZkIeWNaCWiBEnT_xVXcqusQ7EVzGFBNP2K46Md70zF84Hh-VI/s400/IMG_7874.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terminal 4 Baggage Claim<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RATINGS FOR THIS LEG</b></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This covers aspects of the flight experience that Cebu Pacific and its ground agents are responsible for.</i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><b style="text-indent: -24px;">Check-in (8/10): </b><span style="text-indent: -24px;"> The app allowed mobile boarding cards to be issued so it was a life-saver. It was easy to retrieve. It would be helpful though for AirAsia's app developers to try to include a mechanism for the boarding card to be downloaded onto Apple Wallet. At the airport though, it took a while for me to be served. I had to be redirected to a regular desk after those on the 'priority' desk were busy doing some paperwork behind. But once I was served, the process took less than two minutes. </span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -24px;">Boarding Process (7/10): </b><span style="text-indent: -24px;">I managed to use the priority boarding lane easily. However, the disappointing part was that I was directed to a bus which did not have the first set of passengers to actually board.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Seat Comfort (8/10):</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> It was a fairly standard seat and not one of those slimline seats proliferating in European mainline carriers and LCCs alike. Tray table was wide enough. For an exit row, it featured more than sufficient legroom. However the main let down was the inability to recline the seat. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (9/10):</b> I hate limited contact with the crew but nonetheless, I found them relatively helpful.</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Food (9/10): </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Food was included in my fare. And I was glad I got the chicken and rice meal. It tasted delicious. Despite the </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Punctuality (3/10):</b> This was simply a flight that departed and arrived late. But the lack of busses was a strange reason for it.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b>In-flight entertainment and connectivity (4/10): </b>Given that this was a short flight, the upside was AirAsia offered free wifi. The bad news was that it was not working. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="p2" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-16822279246638128892020-01-05T13:33:00.000+08:002020-01-05T13:33:18.992+08:00Cebu Pacific Flight Review: Manila to Caticlan (A320)<div style="text-align: justify;">
As part of my <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2019/12/cathay-pacific-flight-review-london-to.html">last-minute Christmas trip to the Philippines</a>, <span style="text-align: justify;">I went on my family’s annual new year's pilgrimage to Boracay, an popular tourist island in the Central Philippines. A trip to warm tropical filipino beaches is a far cry from <a href="https://tripsandtips101.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/a-unique-new-years-holiday-part-1/">my New Year’s trip to the cool sub-polar Nordic region just one year ago</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">But this fourth visit was unique for two reasons. First, it’s my first time to travel to Boracay since the island reopened following a <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2018/05/carriers-adjust-domestic-services-in.html">six-month government-mandated closure in 2018</a>. New rules and major changes have resulted. Second, just a few days prior to the trip, a powerful storm hit the region, hence knocking power and phone service out. As someone who depends on being connected to the internet, this would be a slight challenge. However, I am booked to be here for only three nights instead of four as in the past so hopefully, I would not be missing out on much. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">I woke up at about 4 am and left slightly later than planned. </span>I used the Grab app for the first time after Uber left the country almost two years ago. Luckily the Grab driver prompted me if I wanted to use the Skyway and NAIA Express. He was at first hesitant, maybe because the passenger needs to pay tolls out-of-pocket. But given the time constraints, I insisted we do so and paid the tolls I did. The NAIA Express had a motorway feel but my criticism of it was designed without a direct off-ramp to the departure area. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>CHECK-IN, SECURITY AND TERMINAL EXPLORATION</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nonetheless I arrived at the airport less than 20 minutes after leaving my residence. There were several entrance gates which passengers can enter through. I headed for the one with the shortest queue. With about 90 minutes to departure, I still had plenty of time to explore the terminal. One unique ritual about Philippine airports is that passengers will need to submit to a security screening at the entrance in addition to the standard security screening after bag drop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajmzho0Qt5BppI26BN1KZhnyR9AiHgmhmNSzsrvmGdMbOmnOeI4yUh6yTQJxrxKkQDxjNtWXIcrpHdJQD3p0LZeHQevhOB63lGMopqfYSNRNZvrlwP5970wZOKY1CS69H8iHA0HCEn7M/s1600/IMG_7617.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajmzho0Qt5BppI26BN1KZhnyR9AiHgmhmNSzsrvmGdMbOmnOeI4yUh6yTQJxrxKkQDxjNtWXIcrpHdJQD3p0LZeHQevhOB63lGMopqfYSNRNZvrlwP5970wZOKY1CS69H8iHA0HCEn7M/s400/IMG_7617.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu Pacific Check-in Desks at NAIA T3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br />TIP: Passengers can enter through any of the entrances spread throughout the departure level. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">I spent quite some time on the land-side (pre-security) portion of the terminal given the array of stores in there. I purhased goods from Coffee Bean, WH Smith, and Tim Hortons. Passengers will be spoiled for choice and unlike most parts of Metro Manila, they can use debit/credit cards at most establishments here.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Security was fairly quick. It was nice to see that the layout of the security checkpoints were starting to resemble those in European airports. Luckily for myself, I only needed one tray for all my bags. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">The domestic wing was a bit smaller than the international wing and it had a limited number of stores. But there was a Christmas-themed structure in the terminal that travellers have taken their pictures beside. It featured the names of different world cities. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUotQy3dNhTq8sFEq2wCz4ANgapXdwpoAeS1t8MdO0EHd01WQLUzNjqZh_1KzQd3101S9MCQvQYhFcya51LSdheV66u1cNukbhu8CpVR67vgLnPxQyJY35Ox3TrHRneFEYrwXE7sC3nbw/s1600/6AF1E1AD-B9D5-45DE-BAFF-A1D137300CAD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUotQy3dNhTq8sFEq2wCz4ANgapXdwpoAeS1t8MdO0EHd01WQLUzNjqZh_1KzQd3101S9MCQvQYhFcya51LSdheV66u1cNukbhu8CpVR67vgLnPxQyJY35Ox3TrHRneFEYrwXE7sC3nbw/s400/6AF1E1AD-B9D5-45DE-BAFF-A1D137300CAD.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu Pacific structure at NAIA T3<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">On my way to the gate, I saw a stall selling SIM cards. I purchased one for my iPad. However, I was not quite sure whether there would be adequate mobile phone signal upon arrival given the storms that knocked power out to the region just the week prior. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FLIGHT PROPER<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Flight number: </b>5J891</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gate: </b>133A</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 6:45</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aircraft Registration:</b> RP-C3265<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyqXXIZR3rlyZC2TrVUqPXE4p6N_zHdki2l4xHszrXCo-UgbXw0KuUOAM20ncLKNx1I1wUpD3puOG41N4gsPBkH5K_KHRpHsPodE088g8JaoMMe76gvjcY9EBDSys5ie9mu2dpQAO3_k/s1600/04421775-657A-4A32-AB11-4EAEBB0C52D4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyqXXIZR3rlyZC2TrVUqPXE4p6N_zHdki2l4xHszrXCo-UgbXw0KuUOAM20ncLKNx1I1wUpD3puOG41N4gsPBkH5K_KHRpHsPodE088g8JaoMMe76gvjcY9EBDSys5ie9mu2dpQAO3_k/s400/04421775-657A-4A32-AB11-4EAEBB0C52D4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate 133A flight board<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK78ypdr0o-l-xjBUyd2cJDtu-Y1JDFYSqeDoksPxZrdNVsylIncPQeZ9nWC5LD9zIFa6FhF5O7ryqg1bwfaa4oV1f_PRb4HJifQ9xGFM0RN_9Wj9jO1wKKupfg2h5sJ8dRiAqDmqbhY/s1600/059535F0-535D-48E4-A77C-31F2AD19D376.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK78ypdr0o-l-xjBUyd2cJDtu-Y1JDFYSqeDoksPxZrdNVsylIncPQeZ9nWC5LD9zIFa6FhF5O7ryqg1bwfaa4oV1f_PRb4HJifQ9xGFM0RN_9Wj9jO1wKKupfg2h5sJ8dRiAqDmqbhY/s400/059535F0-535D-48E4-A77C-31F2AD19D376.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu Pacific A320<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our gate was one of the remote gates that required us to be bussed between the terminal and aircraft. They were accessible from the main departure floor by escalator and lift . I saw that it was time for boarding and it was relatively orderly. The staff scanned my boarding card without much hassle. We were bussed out into the aircraft in no time. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To be honest, given the relative no-frills nature of domestic (intra-Philippines) flights, I was expecting an uneventful 40 minutes in the air. But from the entrance, I felt the warm greeting of the cabin crew. They were polite and helpful in directing me where to place my bags. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUC-7Ur680HNaaqn4JktzugaBr3lEU23ppMErhyiDyfem6ZRwD5YetV5z5Sg8mTc-FDFfDZVG4IWgxX7z-S-RkRq2MlZuYXIR2l40lf_gdsebksiu8zYM_P0Sog0Nr-6kpMhBwOF9OMHo/s1600/5EB2F758-1F0B-4EBE-9B66-476FE3FAAAD4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUC-7Ur680HNaaqn4JktzugaBr3lEU23ppMErhyiDyfem6ZRwD5YetV5z5Sg8mTc-FDFfDZVG4IWgxX7z-S-RkRq2MlZuYXIR2l40lf_gdsebksiu8zYM_P0Sog0Nr-6kpMhBwOF9OMHo/s400/5EB2F758-1F0B-4EBE-9B66-476FE3FAAAD4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu Pacific A320 cabin<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_-jHnrbb9g9PujoXfzc3djkS7gkBHoKlSAy6uqBanHYg4YnqLk866DJHucMLMXTvRwMkxpNUvD3UepeiueAq7NmQJh1DkvYcvoPkiLtmb63xu0Xj6AObbUv7ubsbrSOd7OWMfUoh13c/s1600/24BA8C77-00E3-418E-AC83-F3B9AB8529BC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_-jHnrbb9g9PujoXfzc3djkS7gkBHoKlSAy6uqBanHYg4YnqLk866DJHucMLMXTvRwMkxpNUvD3UepeiueAq7NmQJh1DkvYcvoPkiLtmb63xu0Xj6AObbUv7ubsbrSOd7OWMfUoh13c/s400/24BA8C77-00E3-418E-AC83-F3B9AB8529BC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu Pacific A320 cabin<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The seats on the aircraft were thick and leather-filled but could not recline. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was surprised that just before 6.45, we started taxiing to the runway. Just before 7, it was wheels up. After five minutes in the air, the seat belt sign was switched off and I got some stuff from the overhead locker. The crew was getting ready for the meal service. Unlike PAL/PAL Express, the meals were not free on Cebu Pacific. One has to purchase food either on board (for lighter bites) or pre-book heavier meals online. I did not bother as I had already eaten a bit before the flight. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>TIP: If you need a heavy meal on your Cebu Pacific flight, please prebook it online. But otherwise, it’s better to eat at the eateries at the airport as those outlets serve larger portions. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The aircraft did not feature IFE of any kind whatsoever but there were colourful ads to light up the place. Instead, I played a video or two downloaded on my iPad. It took a while to tinker with my wireless headset since that’s the only headset I had for this trip. But I got it to work in the end. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The cabin crew were also selling other goods and collecting what I believe were UNICEF donations.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just a few minutes into the show I was watching, the seat belt sign was switched on for descent. I could see the islands of Visayas from my window. I felt some bumpiness during the descent. Before I knew it, we were on the ground.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ARRIVAL</b></div>
Upon arrival, one new thing I noticed was that we did not have to be bussed in anymore to the other end of the airport. It used to require exiting the airport premises and using the main road before re-entering it. There was a new purpose-built arrival terminal just right where the planes were parked. The arrival terminal also had provisions for international passengers though it was not in use when I was there. The baggage claim system was a bit unique as there was no carousel. Instead, a trailer with your bags will be hauled in and staff will place the bags at the counter waiting for passengers to claim them. I was lucky my bag was one of the first to be retrieved. I headed for the exit where I found the shuttle service to my hotel. As I was travelling to my hotel, I could see buildings without power. With new year's eve around the corner, I am not sure how the island would celebrate it when juice is in short supply.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkZPpIRW0QkcPaoLdo4f1QcmFqxEcbRbYtoXgaw85M8Vc7fIceoXOuYsTE_DKDa4i8VEgDZ8OHZYom8rXCXZpqQjCqBuAZtzOxLCRjy_fOCYO6N8OqAv499p32JbsHh_tVjFjdtUKICg/s1600/F7082BCC-76AE-468A-97E4-65FA18D995F8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkZPpIRW0QkcPaoLdo4f1QcmFqxEcbRbYtoXgaw85M8Vc7fIceoXOuYsTE_DKDa4i8VEgDZ8OHZYom8rXCXZpqQjCqBuAZtzOxLCRjy_fOCYO6N8OqAv499p32JbsHh_tVjFjdtUKICg/s400/F7082BCC-76AE-468A-97E4-65FA18D995F8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baggage claim section of Caticlan Airport<br />Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>TIP: To reduce required paperwork, try to book a hotel that has its own shuttle service (van and boat). </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RATINGS FOR THIS LEG</b></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This covers aspects of the flight experience that Cebu Pacific and its ground agents are responsible for.</i></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><b style="text-indent: -24px;">Check-in (9/10): </b><span style="text-indent: -24px;"> There were no queues. For those who wanted to use the online check-in facility, there was an orderly system. However, one complaint I have is their mobile app’s boarding card. Sometimes even after I checked in, the app acts as if I didn’t since the boarding card does not always appear where it should. Also, the app’s developer should consider adding a function to add the boarding card to Apple Wallet and its Android counterpart so that it is easy to access it when the phone is not connected to the internet.</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -24px;">Boarding Process (9/10): </b><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Nothing much to complain here either. Cebu Pacific is a bit high-tech in permitting and encouraging the use of mobile boarding cards. There’s also a special senior citizens’ and PWD lane. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Seat Comfort (8/10):</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> It was a fairly standard seat and not one of those slimline seats proliferating in European mainline carriers and LCCs alike. Tray table was wide enough. For an exit row, it featured more than sufficient legroom. However the main let down was the inability to recline the seat. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (9/10):</b> The crew was very warm and efficient.</span></li>
<li><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Food (9/10): </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Despite not eating from the catalogue. I</span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">liked the selection for the short flight. But Cebu Pacific should make some provisions to have limited stock of heavier meals not pre-booked as some passengers won’t know until the last minute whether to grab a bite.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Punctuality (10/10):</b> This was an extremely punctual departure from the gate. We arrived on time. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
The return leg will be flown using AsirAsia. </div>
</div>
<div class="p2" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-24367914363799730822019-12-27T18:40:00.003+08:002019-12-28T02:59:53.329+08:00Delta Airlines to Cease Narita Operations; Manila Flights Affected<div style="text-align: justify;">
Delta Airlines will be abandoning its long-time Tokyo-Narita hub in late March 2020 as it moves its entire Tokyo-based operations to Haneda airport, which opened up to international flights in 2010. Once Delta expands its footprint in Haneda, it will fly between that point and Honolulu, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Atlanta. This follows a trend by other carriers, <a href="https://loyaltylobby.com/2019/11/21/ana-all-nippon-airways-japan-airlines-change-majority-of-their-u-s-bound-routes-to-tokyo-haneda-check-your-itinerary/">including All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, to locate a majority of their US flights in Haneda</a>. Given Haneda's proximity to Tokyo's city centre relative to Narita, as well as extensive domestic flight network, Haneda is becoming a more preferred choice of airport for passengers travelling to Tokyo and connecting further within Japan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/N805NW_Northwest_Airlines_Airbus_A330-323%2C_landing_at_Schiphol_(AMS_-_EHAM)%2C_Netherlands%2C_pic3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/N805NW_Northwest_Airlines_Airbus_A330-323%2C_landing_at_Schiphol_(AMS_-_EHAM)%2C_Netherlands%2C_pic3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image source: Alfred van Beem/Wikimedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Delta inherited its right to use Narita as a hub from Northwest Airlines after the former's acquisition of the latter. Northwest has been one of the pioneers of the hub-and-spoke model via Narita, whereby a carrier operates flights from the US to a certain hub (i.e. Narita) and passengers who wish to continue their journey to Asia would transfer to one of the carrier's other flights at that hub and vice versa. This allowed Delta to gain a foothold in Asian cities like Manila without the need to mount nonstop flights to/from the US. In recent years though, Delta has gradually drifted away from the hub-and-spoke model by introducing nonstop flights between selected US cities and some of its East Asian mainstays with varying degrees of success. For instance, Delta had operated a nonstop flight between Seattle and Hong Kong for almost four years before terminating such a service altogether in 2018. Today, Manila is the only East Asian city outside China, Japan, or South Korea that Delta operates flights to.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Part of Delta's new arrangement in Haneda does not include slots within Asia, however. With that development, Delta will effectively retire the hub and spoke model come Spring 2020. Despite this, Delta will continue to have a direct footprint in Manila as it will redirect flights involving the Philippine capital via Seoul-Incheon using its new Airbus A330neo aircraft. Insiders have suggested that this is a move aimed also at leveraging Delta's existing partnership with Korean Airlines. Both Delta and Korean are members of the Skyteam airline alliance. Delta flies to Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St Paul, and Seattle via Seoul, whilst Korean flies to Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Ft Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Seattle, and Washington Dulles. This means that passengers from Manila will have at least a dozen different routes in the mainland US to choose from when choosing to fly with the Skyteam.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: <a href="https://onemileatatime.com/delta-ends-tokyo-narita-flights/">One Mile at a Time</a>, <a href="https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/286333/route-rundown-lhr-gru-tlv-dub-icn-mnl/?highlight=MNL">Routesonline</a>, <a href="https://loyaltylobby.com/2019/11/21/ana-all-nippon-airways-japan-airlines-change-majority-of-their-u-s-bound-routes-to-tokyo-haneda-check-your-itinerary/">LoyaltyLobby</a>, <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/11/20/business/corporate-business/ana-jal-increase-number-flights-haneda-bound-u-s-europe/#.XgXdABczbx4">the Japan Times</a></span></div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-24950565192326207072019-12-25T06:00:00.000+08:002020-01-17T16:58:05.406+08:00Cathay Pacific Flight Review: London to Manila via Hong Kong (77W and 773)<div style="text-align: justify;">
This trip was arranged on relatively short notice. I was prepared to spend the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Britain. But I was asked by family if I wanted to return to the Philippines for a few weeks.<br />
<br />
Given that it was the Christmas holidays and I was requested to get home last minute, I expected fares to be extremely expensive. However, I found a Cathay Pacific fare of under £2,350 (or just a little over US$3,000) return. As carriers like Singapore Airlines were charging the same amount for economy class seats for about the same travel period, I figured a £2,350 business class ticket for a flight commencing in less than 60 hours at the heart of the Christmas holiday was the best Christmas gift a five-star carrier could give us. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>CHECK-IN AND SECURITY</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Despite a slightly late coach departure from Bristol (and admittedly I was a few minutes late for the original trip itself), we arrived at Heathrow Central coach station just after 18.00. Terminal 3 was connected to the coach station via an underground walkway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9k-J5SovDLEQM6ikjAk036CU0zZe6WXSvRU9H49v63TpcluZugnjWphuq0GX1HiFuWofr598CjJSOTvwciFYBs5gLLbu3dwKRm1tygfOg7bPMFZZLITDa7mlY3Sf5Bxc05NFhS9BB_A/s1600/IMG_7327.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9k-J5SovDLEQM6ikjAk036CU0zZe6WXSvRU9H49v63TpcluZugnjWphuq0GX1HiFuWofr598CjJSOTvwciFYBs5gLLbu3dwKRm1tygfOg7bPMFZZLITDa7mlY3Sf5Bxc05NFhS9BB_A/s400/IMG_7327.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Check-in Desk at Heathrow<br />
Image source: hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Upon arrival at CX's designated check-in section, I thought about getting on an earlier flight (departing at about 20.35) so I made some enquiries. The desk agents were friendly and polite, but they told me that the earlier flights were completely full. <i>[The flip side of that is I have more time to hop over lounges, but more on that later]</i>. And I wanted to stay at the smaller business class section where there are two rows of business class before the galley. Unfortunately the section was full too.<br />
<br />
I queued at the business class desk but the agent assigned to the first class desk decided to attend to me. The attendant was very patient as I wanted to transfer stuff between two bags. Once I was ready, the process was pretty quick. Just as has been a ritual on most long-haul flights I have taken, staff printed out a new boarding card and it would prove useful toward the end of the trip.<br />
<br />
As part of my business class fare, I was entitled to use the fast track security lane. Despite that, there was a considerable queue. The security x-ray belt was hardly moving and only one metal detector was shared by two passenger lanes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEVRb_Unid97EJcTGM2ZBE94fXG9_r-NwWHSbcq2J_ezskfyTjed2rBMH3Iz5RaDq42AkIW4qNpmqlTU5VxACfg3Vf6gG5cJu1TbESpKyVv2Xn4Eyat5OGNiGg-rdGaEyAxDQnO56C-s/s1600/IMG_7328.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEVRb_Unid97EJcTGM2ZBE94fXG9_r-NwWHSbcq2J_ezskfyTjed2rBMH3Iz5RaDq42AkIW4qNpmqlTU5VxACfg3Vf6gG5cJu1TbESpKyVv2Xn4Eyat5OGNiGg-rdGaEyAxDQnO56C-s/s400/IMG_7328.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duty free stores at Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAe4-vJuofXaZNovwouMqxbHOaLSEQp_29fE-sKbqtF_nKI2UGfHMQINysIciomSlQcURjoW9h7-_ghdzSyssP2CTNkmujyAjOTqHSEEEMgBI5JL-2T7a8IEw3e015uMa3qBn5wEuQ40/s1600/IMG_7330.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAe4-vJuofXaZNovwouMqxbHOaLSEQp_29fE-sKbqtF_nKI2UGfHMQINysIciomSlQcURjoW9h7-_ghdzSyssP2CTNkmujyAjOTqHSEEEMgBI5JL-2T7a8IEw3e015uMa3qBn5wEuQ40/s400/IMG_7330.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airside waiting area at Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Once security was cleared, I wondered around for a few minutes to the duty free stores to see if I can buy some chocolates for people back home. They thought it was too expensive and requested me to wait until I get to Hong Kong.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>LOUNGE VISIT 1: QANTAS</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GkYENZZjgrvK-fOdIF_eAoUp_l0Fu-IniC98wiSZ2pGZoxdBqmHas8XLWZ-RH7tENsDOJfDSNaJBDYmc54eC7PCi_1yvGZAkGEEXQ24wreyExjX2QDuOZX4yUliE_R0scDSOZ3VJvbU/s1600/IMG_7368.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GkYENZZjgrvK-fOdIF_eAoUp_l0Fu-IniC98wiSZ2pGZoxdBqmHas8XLWZ-RH7tENsDOJfDSNaJBDYmc54eC7PCi_1yvGZAkGEEXQ24wreyExjX2QDuOZX4yUliE_R0scDSOZ3VJvbU/s400/IMG_7368.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Qantas Lounge at Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With over three hours before departure, it was time for the exciting part of today's airport experience: lounge hopping. For this leg, I ended up visiting three lounges. At 18.45, I found myself at the Qantas Lounge. The receptionist scanned my paper boarding card after a minor hiccup with my mobile boarding card. Shortly after, I found a seat in the dining area, which was packed. I chose their roasted chicken option. I took the liberty of sampling their three cheeses dish. The food by Qantas was to my liking. They also had popcorn and biscuits at the bar.</div>
<br />
<br />
The lounge had a second floor which had more of a relaxing atmosphere though the rear had a buffet bar. Qantas had a small kiddie section and had a TV screen for news from Australia.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssk0B2Rhc1hXFa6PH77Rvc0LaJprA9lE4M3jAiWpPaqnnBeWU9fZi9HMr4pjvniIl4L6_umlMyEKXE0vemuhnF5pShi_rdkZU4AWiykEYq1mVMmeNEYwR37WEyM_lp_CuoMsqEozkzfo/s1600/IMG_7343.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssk0B2Rhc1hXFa6PH77Rvc0LaJprA9lE4M3jAiWpPaqnnBeWU9fZi9HMr4pjvniIl4L6_umlMyEKXE0vemuhnF5pShi_rdkZU4AWiykEYq1mVMmeNEYwR37WEyM_lp_CuoMsqEozkzfo/s400/IMG_7343.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bar at Qantas Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteV6xH6OwD4M7dR-PxAKXa06o7g4Dh8cPYWPKprqLvGJEAN18Vb2JEYyK_qHa42OppqBqzXzx0RdGF8vqJh9gtuEVPihLRLLHmBa63ceZOlXTAbo8QV_Hejemm8b8Ua5Z71kh8lw-VWI/s1600/IMG_7345.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteV6xH6OwD4M7dR-PxAKXa06o7g4Dh8cPYWPKprqLvGJEAN18Vb2JEYyK_qHa42OppqBqzXzx0RdGF8vqJh9gtuEVPihLRLLHmBa63ceZOlXTAbo8QV_Hejemm8b8Ua5Z71kh8lw-VWI/s400/IMG_7345.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Roasted chicken meal served at Qantas Lounge<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OLC-xEBjfviES7Q9fzaaxOOtplQkRo0ved9s8hUdfm2Fx5j6EinR821mUIT2lOnidSZi-yJ5CIFebYON-hrmKxiEFzUO0Wq3-zDEOapeIdfolUrKm7P6JdEcuo4UN7YLqadLhrYfYMY/s1600/IMG_7346.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OLC-xEBjfviES7Q9fzaaxOOtplQkRo0ved9s8hUdfm2Fx5j6EinR821mUIT2lOnidSZi-yJ5CIFebYON-hrmKxiEFzUO0Wq3-zDEOapeIdfolUrKm7P6JdEcuo4UN7YLqadLhrYfYMY/s400/IMG_7346.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cheese dish served at Qantas Lounge<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI1TZIQ1y8HuLM4WdboiCWACsTtBP9ysOx2Q850HiSot1FVWuhfjRA9dP8VJNI6P-smcdtWULslWSWFa7oMhqDhpkj-Sr1HEix7S37vfD-khT254yXmTw0SBZCfPR7aKixa7jcDLTXD8/s1600/IMG_7347.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI1TZIQ1y8HuLM4WdboiCWACsTtBP9ysOx2Q850HiSot1FVWuhfjRA9dP8VJNI6P-smcdtWULslWSWFa7oMhqDhpkj-Sr1HEix7S37vfD-khT254yXmTw0SBZCfPR7aKixa7jcDLTXD8/s400/IMG_7347.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snacks at Qantas Lounge<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAUGGxJyHqPJnFRizD91YFRLVLP7biyyBWoMMiKLXOR06SVCIMrQxshdbyDM5uNNweHmda_-ULLuxSKCr_IUAJMVdDfOsO880uOv08rmLmQ_5znBO-f60mCn66EdAQ6FVfSe5KOONunE/s1600/IMG_7348.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAUGGxJyHqPJnFRizD91YFRLVLP7biyyBWoMMiKLXOR06SVCIMrQxshdbyDM5uNNweHmda_-ULLuxSKCr_IUAJMVdDfOsO880uOv08rmLmQ_5znBO-f60mCn66EdAQ6FVfSe5KOONunE/s400/IMG_7348.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Upper level of Qantas Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3spC06mg7x_RPsaCe8k06HUULPMhYpAMuc5cySEhppFtEvogL3BBePD6ZlNnqO9zM0ZSnnquPUr8GGcgsaVlF3lWDbAOKp_hdjqwRDcEk9_tt34AS-1AjGMKQBH1ALbETev5LAW0mck/s1600/IMG_7349.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3spC06mg7x_RPsaCe8k06HUULPMhYpAMuc5cySEhppFtEvogL3BBePD6ZlNnqO9zM0ZSnnquPUr8GGcgsaVlF3lWDbAOKp_hdjqwRDcEk9_tt34AS-1AjGMKQBH1ALbETev5LAW0mck/s400/IMG_7349.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Upper level of Qantas Lounge, Heathrow Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrqAn8OU7qa05jWKIFsmostHbkfA6-qt71Xilnje16PM6jpXrcAKCGa-apgEyEIUJ_vWdeb66DwdDfI43F2q0QY49VzWCRLFoFKQQ5wv8xCY7PmbbnFHPH1wEg9gz0CeRGV6Rjubhmjg/s1600/IMG_7358.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrqAn8OU7qa05jWKIFsmostHbkfA6-qt71Xilnje16PM6jpXrcAKCGa-apgEyEIUJ_vWdeb66DwdDfI43F2q0QY49VzWCRLFoFKQQ5wv8xCY7PmbbnFHPH1wEg9gz0CeRGV6Rjubhmjg/s400/IMG_7358.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Buffet bar at Qantas Lounge, Heathrow Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Shortly before it was time to make my way to the next lounge, I took a photo with Qantas' kangaroo mascot. Other passengers were excited to have a selfie with the mascot as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmpjNqZ8Eq6i9Oo4pT4PSkPDVmaOz-MTHWoDKZgGhuI_eLqUmH-aIv3-AYk0SEOjJdln5S9EfElZU78aNtV1JV_ouxQr72NjpCgz-g6bwUFAqPN19H4Zusus1tiw9ppzabYpvuV16bWw/s1600/IMG_7353.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmpjNqZ8Eq6i9Oo4pT4PSkPDVmaOz-MTHWoDKZgGhuI_eLqUmH-aIv3-AYk0SEOjJdln5S9EfElZU78aNtV1JV_ouxQr72NjpCgz-g6bwUFAqPN19H4Zusus1tiw9ppzabYpvuV16bWw/s400/IMG_7353.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Qantas mascot appearing at Qantas Lounge, Heathrow Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>LOUNGE VISIT 2: BA GALLERIES</b></div>
The second lounge I visited was BA's Galleries lounge. Unlike the other lounges I would visit on this trip, this was not my first time to enter a BA lounge as I have done so as recently as last summer when I took a Club Europe (BA's Euro business class) trip to Frankfurt. On this occasion, I stayed there for about 20-ish minutes. Unlike Qantas, everything was in one floor so I did not have a need to pull my luggage up and down the stairs. And an attended left-luggage room was provided right at the foyer. This is where I had some chocolate cake for desert. I was full to sample all the meals on offer, especially the pasta. But it was nonetheless a reminder that BA's Galleries lounge had a a lot of treats worth trying. Another thing I like about this lounge is that given the large floor size that it occupies, passengers don't need to go to the other end of the lounge to pick refreshments up as there are two bars that provide them. BA's Galleries lounge had also had kiddie area with gaming consoles as well as several computer terminals and printing points for those who need to get some work done. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98aXQFBLOhhcyOpOasgsU6_AOtPUKdNVyGRw8oe8ZE7mOpX-FSjEiZTA8O_QMhX3T1kFqUX_g1Ur1WDxaLSzI1Ians_Z_RdYbSaYagXto8qkxm7ojXySzmKVyedzo0zaBsvkrhjKEIBc/s1600/IMG_7390.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98aXQFBLOhhcyOpOasgsU6_AOtPUKdNVyGRw8oe8ZE7mOpX-FSjEiZTA8O_QMhX3T1kFqUX_g1Ur1WDxaLSzI1Ians_Z_RdYbSaYagXto8qkxm7ojXySzmKVyedzo0zaBsvkrhjKEIBc/s400/IMG_7390.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BA Galleries Lounge at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6N4_RoF4kGK_0wyCxtqtcDEzt_99mRW1j6CpxW6qiUq3G0JE3y0bbc8hUDdaU-oj9xjD7UhPmk-DAewcfhMhv7Ta2TUYoXT1zCsJobLTCLzz9eVbPSSAeVAvj_6SlGYMCgYq26v1IP0/s1600/IMG_7373.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6N4_RoF4kGK_0wyCxtqtcDEzt_99mRW1j6CpxW6qiUq3G0JE3y0bbc8hUDdaU-oj9xjD7UhPmk-DAewcfhMhv7Ta2TUYoXT1zCsJobLTCLzz9eVbPSSAeVAvj_6SlGYMCgYq26v1IP0/s400/IMG_7373.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food on offer at BA's Galleries Lounge, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU4zrPhDahYOlogTe_idxsb0RlyOdhMj6nq469o86mXG_2jLq0bsKvc1kFA7LTnHmtaIiUf5h1Y7JvE7ChqBgBbgyPjaai3O2QKGxgbH44JuMUqw5jELB_xDNK4GxGEj4KCib5U3q8ks/s1600/IMG_7374.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU4zrPhDahYOlogTe_idxsb0RlyOdhMj6nq469o86mXG_2jLq0bsKvc1kFA7LTnHmtaIiUf5h1Y7JvE7ChqBgBbgyPjaai3O2QKGxgbH44JuMUqw5jELB_xDNK4GxGEj4KCib5U3q8ks/s400/IMG_7374.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Play area of BA's Galleries Lounge, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-J_7SwRMJPakO7oJfyLTSM1OxL2HzJLUQRCMFXh1fe6lQtWKr14gH8cm2A1Y09v6lMZ-XQJCFkUarFDPLZSFQ6YWtrwcgEDrnIqbYf7MDFjFsR8zLFnrsGQx7Hx6scDFA3Kmzlfp7l0/s400/IMG_7375.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hot drinks bar of BA's Galleries Lounge, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-J_7SwRMJPakO7oJfyLTSM1OxL2HzJLUQRCMFXh1fe6lQtWKr14gH8cm2A1Y09v6lMZ-XQJCFkUarFDPLZSFQ6YWtrwcgEDrnIqbYf7MDFjFsR8zLFnrsGQx7Hx6scDFA3Kmzlfp7l0/s1600/IMG_7375.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-J_7SwRMJPakO7oJfyLTSM1OxL2HzJLUQRCMFXh1fe6lQtWKr14gH8cm2A1Y09v6lMZ-XQJCFkUarFDPLZSFQ6YWtrwcgEDrnIqbYf7MDFjFsR8zLFnrsGQx7Hx6scDFA3Kmzlfp7l0/s1600/IMG_7375.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TBSlk3Vs18CUKPjWX6sKLMy1OZRRU_tmEUky13Ptv0rylV8m_i7pJ8qnc7w4RIXbiVLF78j4mFoLZhG2a8jDbc91zCW3_eHuEkgq4b_94B3KDA3Fa5-_26T7Uwznu84k0lBMpieYjhA/s1600/IMG_7376.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TBSlk3Vs18CUKPjWX6sKLMy1OZRRU_tmEUky13Ptv0rylV8m_i7pJ8qnc7w4RIXbiVLF78j4mFoLZhG2a8jDbc91zCW3_eHuEkgq4b_94B3KDA3Fa5-_26T7Uwznu84k0lBMpieYjhA/s400/IMG_7376.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting area of BA's Galleries Lounge, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqfAYlkLfr2c7Mg6tPXTiCNDQbYcMOIcCZBC3mAugRVWdvUvV_4WU03X8GvPEJdkIsQIKlxwc-F_nTVA_YEtZNApwVmTn3BTA7vqOfarmv97hrQoafm5t4FhgtBE5EHPLwBy011mZ3v4/s1600/IMG_7378.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqfAYlkLfr2c7Mg6tPXTiCNDQbYcMOIcCZBC3mAugRVWdvUvV_4WU03X8GvPEJdkIsQIKlxwc-F_nTVA_YEtZNApwVmTn3BTA7vqOfarmv97hrQoafm5t4FhgtBE5EHPLwBy011mZ3v4/s400/IMG_7378.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinks bar of BA's Galleries Lounge, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEoGWv4P1IU7Q_ydwbYCy5t8A6EuLT1szqxcbN2HQLM66bd9xd_0ElL0CoGQoZ3X7bjguW2XBLtafZFyAFOq7C1lJi7pUq33iwB2BiOcdyRlWX5TCN18Kw90ges9hBbnRXwGG__6D-Ms/s1600/IMG_7385.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEoGWv4P1IU7Q_ydwbYCy5t8A6EuLT1szqxcbN2HQLM66bd9xd_0ElL0CoGQoZ3X7bjguW2XBLtafZFyAFOq7C1lJi7pUq33iwB2BiOcdyRlWX5TCN18Kw90ges9hBbnRXwGG__6D-Ms/s400/IMG_7385.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Dining hall and food bar, BA's Galleries Lounge, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>LOUNGE VISIT 3: CATHAY PACIFIC</b></div>
The third and final lounge I visited was CX's. I stayed here for almost an hour. The interior was very encouraged us to relax and it showcased the carrier's unique character. I was astonished to find a separate noodle bar and food hall. The hot meal options were mainly oriental as evidenced by their noodle bar. I was still stuffed from the mini dinner I had at the Qantas lounge so I did not bother to get second servings. Nonetheless, I was able to sit down in one of the lounge chairs and got some work done. The ones I sat on were not only for those who wanted to relax, but recharge their devices as they had power ports built in each of them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutzB71D5NNMQN8qiJ-uTDbq5VpRogkf2IS4KNgKe5HyyA5GZUtumJFuCTu83urWpIYPJLM1GXr3MEvxvP_xyPfrvXO2AJIW-cE5pu5yHMnzIzDKSKeF9K5axzQ7xLC6xPBed2MsDvBgk/s1600/IMG_7397.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutzB71D5NNMQN8qiJ-uTDbq5VpRogkf2IS4KNgKe5HyyA5GZUtumJFuCTu83urWpIYPJLM1GXr3MEvxvP_xyPfrvXO2AJIW-cE5pu5yHMnzIzDKSKeF9K5axzQ7xLC6xPBed2MsDvBgk/s320/IMG_7397.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_kwq008J5lceFcdKJ25UkqrvSuLmCMhd9dMbSsUa5vy3bI7eOmCPL273wDivDWGYGbGfchWiey8CYHEarODdK92QSPqRdRKQvlcVQuHfvYRDg9V-u9Bi6cAqLsEA8TbgR96I9dB9RIM/s1600/IMG_7399.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_kwq008J5lceFcdKJ25UkqrvSuLmCMhd9dMbSsUa5vy3bI7eOmCPL273wDivDWGYGbGfchWiey8CYHEarODdK92QSPqRdRKQvlcVQuHfvYRDg9V-u9Bi6cAqLsEA8TbgR96I9dB9RIM/s400/IMG_7399.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Lounge at Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCHYFrJ76WiqTCCqCY0MbAtBExVFY-3po0_vVnlipjcaUFL-6UFontxPUZ6FZ60KgZK7d-ifFYSJwk3JvLaw2cajyRLH-VMuWxnqC1DxMQqUQv6awftzuWaPLIvo-7pVkXH7I62zNTCA/s1600/IMG_7400.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCHYFrJ76WiqTCCqCY0MbAtBExVFY-3po0_vVnlipjcaUFL-6UFontxPUZ6FZ60KgZK7d-ifFYSJwk3JvLaw2cajyRLH-VMuWxnqC1DxMQqUQv6awftzuWaPLIvo-7pVkXH7I62zNTCA/s400/IMG_7400.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Work station at Cathay Pacific Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKQ4lwlKPBut52g4DHjr4LIIJzRzonpDflRBIotmKRi4Jr-yB8bPica1BIMASutyfuLtXlbovD5Z9ej2fbRXQKA-Pkd_Vlgo8iPJnW1kOJEH3LwDaW0T_Z5LabtG5NcbZsmg4XGgs6Gg/s1600/IMG_7402.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKQ4lwlKPBut52g4DHjr4LIIJzRzonpDflRBIotmKRi4Jr-yB8bPica1BIMASutyfuLtXlbovD5Z9ej2fbRXQKA-Pkd_Vlgo8iPJnW1kOJEH3LwDaW0T_Z5LabtG5NcbZsmg4XGgs6Gg/s400/IMG_7402.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANaFOxuR_NPuF3hUUQGY1EvuHhIojgqbzjeqgDO4KnW4BScFOk4WRFirZJPwq3E7dx-3EEAWlcO49OdIWaNP-_STLjmoJNcC1nC-fAqK3RbI4BshcdLmC2ZBuoCgpp5ZtRa1-X-rHcHs/s1600/IMG_7403.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANaFOxuR_NPuF3hUUQGY1EvuHhIojgqbzjeqgDO4KnW4BScFOk4WRFirZJPwq3E7dx-3EEAWlcO49OdIWaNP-_STLjmoJNcC1nC-fAqK3RbI4BshcdLmC2ZBuoCgpp5ZtRa1-X-rHcHs/s400/IMG_7403.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snack buffet at Cathay Pacific Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2vcBiAqXcXgxHqjXQ9FYHfLttGB0j6oiDBunYnm_tcXLDfOlJiUYMu9O3tVJXLXDv1gCW6JNgv_L7mFP7qXeSML79Xwsc8p_ShCqPRocPk1sQj2XQVIW39ceP3bgYkKmojaJPElQslM/s1600/IMG_7410.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8u53irnHhEb5RJLDdAZsIzv2R9UlMcfetx0x4IpxaU8KnsyVPYaqc32PmYfvNNAHuIV9e2FOkZSdRKvF7IXyibbX2tfHxtHkEb4NeTCpcQqE_oLbppKzVmvA605q2gWYQjBTBJIoD9g/s1600/IMG_7413.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8u53irnHhEb5RJLDdAZsIzv2R9UlMcfetx0x4IpxaU8KnsyVPYaqc32PmYfvNNAHuIV9e2FOkZSdRKvF7IXyibbX2tfHxtHkEb4NeTCpcQqE_oLbppKzVmvA605q2gWYQjBTBJIoD9g/s400/IMG_7413.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Lounge at Heathrow Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44CY4iDqs6PvTk6AKzyYIRTFL_IamVp_hcZKW5DCWyhSh_UZemA7f5oHsFFRx3IM7Vc5YH5Ha8sX0GQ_Gb6apOdFZ3Dli03h7eQuWS_bNiKaUkR3OdTl9sZ3JFg7Jkywjrg6HQfoD-NU/s1600/IMG_7426.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44CY4iDqs6PvTk6AKzyYIRTFL_IamVp_hcZKW5DCWyhSh_UZemA7f5oHsFFRx3IM7Vc5YH5Ha8sX0GQ_Gb6apOdFZ3Dli03h7eQuWS_bNiKaUkR3OdTl9sZ3JFg7Jkywjrg6HQfoD-NU/s400/IMG_7426.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snack buffet at Cathay Pacific Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Given that this was a long flight, I used the lounge's shower facilities. However you need to book your place as they can get busy. The staff will give you a coaster and once a cubicle is ready, the coaster will vibrate. The staff takes the time to ensure that each cubicle is tidied up for the next user. I was very impressed it had everything travellers could ask for to refresh themselves. Once I entered the shower room, there was no need for me to call for staff to ask for supplies. It left me feeling refreshed enough to ride the next flight. The presence of shower facilities and their quality seemed to be one of CX's advantages over its oneworld partners at Heathrow, apart from those who want to take oriental dining .<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBlQV4v13rGq325EJmGdQ-ba8V1JYSzpeyqtof1_UyeDAu_hy32ixiVfxeuU1zAnxwzH5UEndoq1tamS6vUp62fvrn5wwox6pu0RXnyEF7uNikFAHOt_BuCzIU_em-EO6I1nI9P8lHrM/s1600/IMG_7414.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBlQV4v13rGq325EJmGdQ-ba8V1JYSzpeyqtof1_UyeDAu_hy32ixiVfxeuU1zAnxwzH5UEndoq1tamS6vUp62fvrn5wwox6pu0RXnyEF7uNikFAHOt_BuCzIU_em-EO6I1nI9P8lHrM/s400/IMG_7414.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Lounge at Heathrow Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2vcBiAqXcXgxHqjXQ9FYHfLttGB0j6oiDBunYnm_tcXLDfOlJiUYMu9O3tVJXLXDv1gCW6JNgv_L7mFP7qXeSML79Xwsc8p_ShCqPRocPk1sQj2XQVIW39ceP3bgYkKmojaJPElQslM/s400/IMG_7410.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shower facilities at Cathay Pacific Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuM_b-FNEYJXbImr8E-3CIQ8uic7pzFOvg82-86I1bBanNsJ_NVqmoqs0NDVe4N0NrzXWE7uNhKNkvmqHLpZZuiANBF-5jyThfjBpndjkiwGwyu_1YjUUk3AEbC-8kAgfj7_uvGsIzh4/s1600/IMG_7405.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuM_b-FNEYJXbImr8E-3CIQ8uic7pzFOvg82-86I1bBanNsJ_NVqmoqs0NDVe4N0NrzXWE7uNhKNkvmqHLpZZuiANBF-5jyThfjBpndjkiwGwyu_1YjUUk3AEbC-8kAgfj7_uvGsIzh4/s400/IMG_7405.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snack buffet at Cathay Pacific Lounge, Heathrow Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>TIP: If you are flying business class on any oneworld member carrier, you are free to use the equivalent lounge of any of the other oneworld members provided that they are open at around the time of your flight. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>FIRST LEG: CX254 from LONDON TO HONG KONG</b></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>CX254</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 40</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 777-300ER</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 22:05</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aircraft Registration</b>: B-KPJ</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiwXM09FjDfNO2YAvtbVcdR8u3feyjUv9jDANDfaCQugo4A4geGercIMoCETc6e-ghqEvcuBXiknBEHuHm0dc6uTkhM7SD881RgxcB7p5LqWG_yd7wCkFTSNFyWen2Pw0D1FwuBBJscE/s1600/IMG_7441.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiwXM09FjDfNO2YAvtbVcdR8u3feyjUv9jDANDfaCQugo4A4geGercIMoCETc6e-ghqEvcuBXiknBEHuHm0dc6uTkhM7SD881RgxcB7p5LqWG_yd7wCkFTSNFyWen2Pw0D1FwuBBJscE/s400/IMG_7441.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate 40 at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi7cgkAIUplejNUT5z3xP1fYirJHZonrKkuY-EuVIPxULgsrrmj5R9oQ7P4PGxtW0vA56wKLXcRR6oRZNgVwv4KyBRydp3IXon1kbjwlbdCGH4kAzU8L2ya4osjnad12_-lt2xU-f5xY/s1600/IMG_7443.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi7cgkAIUplejNUT5z3xP1fYirJHZonrKkuY-EuVIPxULgsrrmj5R9oQ7P4PGxtW0vA56wKLXcRR6oRZNgVwv4KyBRydp3IXon1kbjwlbdCGH4kAzU8L2ya4osjnad12_-lt2xU-f5xY/s400/IMG_7443.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER parked at Gate 40, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I left the lounge early even when boarding was not yet announced because I found out that a Philippine Airlines A350 flight to Manila was stationed at an adjacent gate to my flight and I wanted to take a photo of the aircraft. Unfortunately, the gate of the PAL flight obscured the aircraft's view. I was, however, able to spot that PAL flight from my aircraft window.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXWQFzeGpDxeNUfm1vBoRARnWX4YZ0OE5ES-qoEBoS0I25nXH0MUkjFAMI4l2jijjBJsFp9PUyXnX3UT9lhnbLMYsrzh6dNBebcCi4gYGuH1DBnmZjKyfnz3xYrhXAnueTejwr41EX4o/s1600/IMG_7454.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXWQFzeGpDxeNUfm1vBoRARnWX4YZ0OE5ES-qoEBoS0I25nXH0MUkjFAMI4l2jijjBJsFp9PUyXnX3UT9lhnbLMYsrzh6dNBebcCi4gYGuH1DBnmZjKyfnz3xYrhXAnueTejwr41EX4o/s400/IMG_7454.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippine Airlines PR721 departing for Manila: view from my aircraft window<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was boarding time and I was asked to queue at the first class lane. I asked one final time if there was still room in the front business class cabin which had only two rows, and the staff said it was fully-booked. We boarded the plane fairly quickly. <br />
<br />
Once onboard, I felt like in cloud 9 since I couldn't believe I was flying on a legitimate five-star carrier's long-haul business class product for an actual long-haul trip (I had a trip on Cathay's long-haul business class on a short hop from Manila to Hong Kong previously). The seat was exciting to try. There was storage tailor-made for everything, including shoes. The cabinet next to the window was open and featured a noise-cancelling headset, a bottle of water, and amenity bag by Baumford. The seat had two charging points: a standard AC port and a USB one. The seat controls were intuitively positioned.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5tDU-OLiCp2roONVDOsqrBAe5zhSJIWPIQlgAqJXbTc7ueLVeEIh2kVcgFXOaYtJicoh2cp6uoqonFMMH1wWVooChgY9wInxiconhW9jKT-pR32FZbjZFhBcBTWQMZuxR5Q2L2LR4Uw/s1600/IMG_7449.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5tDU-OLiCp2roONVDOsqrBAe5zhSJIWPIQlgAqJXbTc7ueLVeEIh2kVcgFXOaYtJicoh2cp6uoqonFMMH1wWVooChgY9wInxiconhW9jKT-pR32FZbjZFhBcBTWQMZuxR5Q2L2LR4Uw/s400/IMG_7449.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific Long-Haul Business Class Seat on a 777-300ER<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorkcTh_TWw4dNXt73kHk4HOYCreJtsyAAsAFkrss7lKF4Dt8bC-Bjm_jpfJ9M5CPZhnDQfLEtJmvV9xUDRcIyPuKadwOGb_PW66efX-y6X8DwpXkm-UHVQmqhFo2aSjZyHv4pMag84t4/s1600/IMG_7457.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorkcTh_TWw4dNXt73kHk4HOYCreJtsyAAsAFkrss7lKF4Dt8bC-Bjm_jpfJ9M5CPZhnDQfLEtJmvV9xUDRcIyPuKadwOGb_PW66efX-y6X8DwpXkm-UHVQmqhFo2aSjZyHv4pMag84t4/s320/IMG_7457.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Long-Haul Business Class Seat Controls and Power ports</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6W8TS1Jc2Gejyiwvuspb0TDdXh1UjVP3D07tW7GkC6g4xAulMcYnrNn9qIa2Dhmpga4MBKcOvkL1UrZwW8U0DfUCLxnmC7UTv0FvItZ1bSbfpo-iV23rWVGuNiYErOAK0kAxgEfB1TE/s1600/IMG_7456.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6W8TS1Jc2Gejyiwvuspb0TDdXh1UjVP3D07tW7GkC6g4xAulMcYnrNn9qIa2Dhmpga4MBKcOvkL1UrZwW8U0DfUCLxnmC7UTv0FvItZ1bSbfpo-iV23rWVGuNiYErOAK0kAxgEfB1TE/s400/IMG_7456.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Storage on Cathay Pacific Long-Haul Business Class Seat</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve9hX74fm3dejYQ3h8iySiaB2xnzM-ZYYIk3g-msyksVE8oKOOvoOaqqQU5cpCsAdjx5SX_FFCMr8ocQtnpJGMKQlK2V5Nat_0Cia_l2HiLfi7Go_UlpCfuf1jCbFeNPDGH5V__-NV9w/s1600/IMG_7464.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve9hX74fm3dejYQ3h8iySiaB2xnzM-ZYYIk3g-msyksVE8oKOOvoOaqqQU5cpCsAdjx5SX_FFCMr8ocQtnpJGMKQlK2V5Nat_0Cia_l2HiLfi7Go_UlpCfuf1jCbFeNPDGH5V__-NV9w/s400/IMG_7464.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">IFE monitor and window view of a Cathay Pacific Long-Haul Business Class Seat</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtwj-fXwW3R3d57l_Wsfw5QvcH3eOq067Kz2a5lo18MVJOEf5LHXXnDmkBf59q9Z3DpmtYiYFENu0sYFJSKduBQuz31qtqN0vE77TgdzrMRXp2D0_IDYErdV3QopRE8lbYBnNbRPJ5wU/s1600/IMG_7460.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtwj-fXwW3R3d57l_Wsfw5QvcH3eOq067Kz2a5lo18MVJOEf5LHXXnDmkBf59q9Z3DpmtYiYFENu0sYFJSKduBQuz31qtqN0vE77TgdzrMRXp2D0_IDYErdV3QopRE8lbYBnNbRPJ5wU/s400/IMG_7460.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duffle bag containing duvet and bed sheets<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In this long-haul business class cabin, each seat had direct access to the aisle. They were of a 'reverse herringbone' configuration which meant passengers were either facing the window (those seated in seat numbers ending in A and K) or another passenger (those seated in seat numbers ending in D or G). <br />
<br />
<i>TIP: Get the seats ending in A or K if you are travelling alone. If you are travelling as a couple, choose the seats ending in D and G.</i><br />
<br />
The menu came in the form of a newsletter. And a small card where we would choose which breakfast item to get was provided for us. We had to hang the completed card on the coat rack and the cabin crew would take it without bothering us later. I thought this was a nice way of letting the crew know what we wanted to eat if we even wanted to eat at all. I definitely made a choice of meal.<br />
<br />
As the plane was taxiing, I had to finish my last-minute downloading of audio to my phone in case I would get bored with the IFE selection. But later on as I played with the IFE, I was not disappointed with its selection. However, it did lack live satellite TV, something that is already featured in Cathay's newer A350 aircraft even though the 77W's interface was updated. I was surprised to find out that this particular flight had provisions for WiFi. When I checked, the status said there wasn't going to be. However I decided to pass since it would cost quite a bit on this leg. First class passengers however, were entitled to free WiFi.<br />
<br />
Once we were at cruising altitude, I decided to watch a classic Christmas film loaded on the IFE: <i>Home Alone</i>. Apart from the Christmas comedy theme, another one of the notable things about the film was that American Airlines used product placement to promote itself. From that film, I got a reminder of what passed for first class in the nineties.<br />
<br />
Supper was also served less than an hour after takeoff. Since the cabin crew took my orders before take-off, they just delivered it to my seat without clogging up the aisles. The beef meal was filling and delicious even if the presentation felt a bit basic apart from the silverware used. When asked for a recommendation to drink, the crew recommended camomile tea, which I obliged to. For a quick desert, I was served some chocolates. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yTEQeWiNjRaeLb4w8Nf70vc42rxdqgf_VoWH1crGNLlrk5CtaEF34SA12a071OQpUyhsmmCqbTfAPGUwklgSyVF2PDt7n_I41o58jOKRfEEN1u1Wdux-WdXqZjUAr0pHZckgTSKsZHE/s1600/IMG_7479.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yTEQeWiNjRaeLb4w8Nf70vc42rxdqgf_VoWH1crGNLlrk5CtaEF34SA12a071OQpUyhsmmCqbTfAPGUwklgSyVF2PDt7n_I41o58jOKRfEEN1u1Wdux-WdXqZjUAr0pHZckgTSKsZHE/s400/IMG_7479.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supper on CX254: beef<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOHKsepS2h5GYYRpRvdnOVz4p7CmLVXdyNhONkfB5-VHfhPBTeAbi0RusLSWmlpuaglX3YRlfAXWBWNqXg-VmasziCGhUBpIfRnS3SNAM0IkQ0V7R8OAvdp0aC68MaC5BQqxiZOyAiwo/s1600/IMG_7480.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOHKsepS2h5GYYRpRvdnOVz4p7CmLVXdyNhONkfB5-VHfhPBTeAbi0RusLSWmlpuaglX3YRlfAXWBWNqXg-VmasziCGhUBpIfRnS3SNAM0IkQ0V7R8OAvdp0aC68MaC5BQqxiZOyAiwo/s320/IMG_7480.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolates served by cabin crew<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the dinner service, I continued watching <i>Home Alone</i>. When the film ended, less than nine hours remained in the flight.<br />
<br />
I went to the lavatory to freshen up for bedtime. I am not sure whether there should be any marked differences between a business and economy class toilet but it was functional. I used the opportunity to look at what was in the amenity bag and it had a dental kit, mouthwash, sleeping mask, lotion, and face mist all by Baumford. I requested for another cup of camomile tea to help me feel relaxed and settled. Also, as I was making my way between the toilet and my seat, I noticed Cathay did provide a trolley for in-between meal bites but it seemed like that unlike many years ago (and in economy class), I did not see bags of crisps but there were a few small pieces of chocolates.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbhTXJBXjlcAsNWYpr9UtvqndA7WJhsAl3aia3IE64SWvrA_I45qoXYUDHEsux9WFc9AwhglMaarra_Nt7tJmMEAu6V-mC-RZP1eDPnS7s5i6-iJ6pHh37F6IQt1THjAoVihhrZ_UlEQ/s1600/IMG_7487.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbhTXJBXjlcAsNWYpr9UtvqndA7WJhsAl3aia3IE64SWvrA_I45qoXYUDHEsux9WFc9AwhglMaarra_Nt7tJmMEAu6V-mC-RZP1eDPnS7s5i6-iJ6pHh37F6IQt1THjAoVihhrZ_UlEQ/s400/IMG_7487.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baumford amenity kit served to Cathay Pacific business class passengers<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_nItFHYaiuZLS9nhoHmeB8cOyqZCtjwbqr_-6HGhED9GXOxF329StE7GqG8o349wjcqet5BYZYUmEZ_eza0UfZh-8BHfnaMHMXzuhIELc1lUsEw7k5ZWKoqNeTvpISy17cR0-y1G6VU/s1600/IMG_7481.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_nItFHYaiuZLS9nhoHmeB8cOyqZCtjwbqr_-6HGhED9GXOxF329StE7GqG8o349wjcqet5BYZYUmEZ_eza0UfZh-8BHfnaMHMXzuhIELc1lUsEw7k5ZWKoqNeTvpISy17cR0-y1G6VU/s400/IMG_7481.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Rest of Cathay Pacific Business Class </span>cabin on a 777-300ER<span style="text-align: justify;"><br />Image by hybridace101 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhYTgSl_eCWmwTFFSIn8_njlhenuxAwgGOATy0AUv3vZRAU7G9j1LdBX9bsGwWa05HccY2y-yw8N9A-1Y90di9Ks7feaQ3spCXaspDX25yApAw4pl8LWEXmGw94IHp3CTdYpMUo0fe6s/s400/IMG_7482.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">Rest of Cathay Pacific Business Class </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">cabin on a 777-300ER</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;"><br />Image by hybridace101 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhYTgSl_eCWmwTFFSIn8_njlhenuxAwgGOATy0AUv3vZRAU7G9j1LdBX9bsGwWa05HccY2y-yw8N9A-1Y90di9Ks7feaQ3spCXaspDX25yApAw4pl8LWEXmGw94IHp3CTdYpMUo0fe6s/s1600/IMG_7482.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhYTgSl_eCWmwTFFSIn8_njlhenuxAwgGOATy0AUv3vZRAU7G9j1LdBX9bsGwWa05HccY2y-yw8N9A-1Y90di9Ks7feaQ3spCXaspDX25yApAw4pl8LWEXmGw94IHp3CTdYpMUo0fe6s/s1600/IMG_7482.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
The bed was intuitive to set up. First, the controls had a mode where the seat could become a bed by just pushing one button. However, the passenger needs to hold the button until the seat fully was a bed. Once done, we just slipped on the bedsheet and duvet. The seat remained in bed mode fore more than half the flight. I found myself awoken briefly with about three and a half hours before landing. After wondering the cabin for a while, I continued to enjoy the seat in its bed form and tried to continue getting some sleep.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhCpJq8VhyCwhnKwBA9OJbkTP9wBSXbyVFAXqBay_daAqhqvwRBvhwaYR6qOEBZsy5F1DxExxfbyt6tMP65i-qoIvEL3TGLQlF6uwHi1958nixJDgjNd9KZ23P8TO5kYz_uEtoF5cUWI/s1600/IMG_7489.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhCpJq8VhyCwhnKwBA9OJbkTP9wBSXbyVFAXqBay_daAqhqvwRBvhwaYR6qOEBZsy5F1DxExxfbyt6tMP65i-qoIvEL3TGLQlF6uwHi1958nixJDgjNd9KZ23P8TO5kYz_uEtoF5cUWI/s400/IMG_7489.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">Cathay Pacific long-haul Business Class </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">seat in bed mode</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;"><br />Image by hybridace101 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Less than two hours before landing and the mood lighting changed. It signalled breakfast time was upon us. And before I knew it, the cabin crew served me with the breakfast I ordered a couple of hours ago. Like the supper meal service, it did not feel intrusive and it was served efficiently. The omelette and salmon option was delicious. The hot chocolate also tasted lovely.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZi2wPWb6227rLv3kWWI9g30gTGqvE2UKnBjxh0oyl7RU7XZa345DfFoph_H8UHEjlX8FaQiebr78GR2aHcZIhbw4Ue2aCPIYN_R97lNMkiBK9xzgo2pndjEQCKp1ghQK9fY8WjQxu8c/s1600/IMG_7491.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZi2wPWb6227rLv3kWWI9g30gTGqvE2UKnBjxh0oyl7RU7XZa345DfFoph_H8UHEjlX8FaQiebr78GR2aHcZIhbw4Ue2aCPIYN_R97lNMkiBK9xzgo2pndjEQCKp1ghQK9fY8WjQxu8c/s400/IMG_7491.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class breakfast on CX254<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Towards the end of the breakfast, I watched another film: <i>The Post</i>. As the film's length was more than the remaining flight time, I knew the rest of the flight would pass quickly. That was all I did whilst waiting for the flight to land. At the same time, I pulled the window shades up to be reminded that we were in the waning hours of daylight. After arranging all my things, all I had to do was sit back and relax in the final moments sitting in this long-haul business class seat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa2Tj0o3F_ejwjCQZHiKo3V9W-xg5ZA7UOpUi7zf1FeD_2A0AWUORCOPQ2rVH6FJOwuGawQzlIFQWzsu2no-RuaVRtJwJ8Yn-720LgfawoIG1q7jzFehx-XB6ZxHmmI2RpGr4zLR2RPk/s1600/IMG_7499.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa2Tj0o3F_ejwjCQZHiKo3V9W-xg5ZA7UOpUi7zf1FeD_2A0AWUORCOPQ2rVH6FJOwuGawQzlIFQWzsu2no-RuaVRtJwJ8Yn-720LgfawoIG1q7jzFehx-XB6ZxHmmI2RpGr4zLR2RPk/s400/IMG_7499.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific long-haul business class cabin after landing<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We landed ahead of schedule, which was good news.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>RATINGS FOR THE FIRST LEG</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Cathay Pacific and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Check-in (10/10): </b>The staff was helpful even if I did not get my request. The check-in staff at first class was very patient as I tried to transfer items between my bags. Well done on this count. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (9*/10): </b><i>Although I visited three lounges, this one focuses solely on Cathay's. </i>The atmosphere gave you a feel that it was uniquely Cathay. However, Cathay's lounge at Heathrow gave you oriental-only light warm meals. It works well for those who fancy cantonese dishes though someone like me would prefer western dishes. Hats off to those in charge of the shower facilities. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Boarding Process (9/10): </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I didn't experience massive bottlenecks at the boarding gate. It was a bit confusing though to see that business class passengers were permitted to queue at what looked like the first class lane and presumably other passengers at what was the business class lane. Nonetheless, I think the boarding order was done as expected.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seating area (10/10): </b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I could play with the controls all day, Seriously though, when Cathay revamped its long-haul business class seats in 2011 (just four years after their previous configuration was launched) to make them 'reverse herringbone', it provided passengers with an excellent window view, reasonable privacy, and functional provisions for storage. The bed was flat.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Food (9/10):</b> The presentation was fairly no-frills but there was proper silverware. The supper in my opinion lacked the full course though maybe that is the nature of the meal. But it was not a problem with me since I am usually set with mains. The breakfast had all courses served at once. If there was one relatively minor bone to pick, I remember many years ago that during the in-between meals service, a trolley with a lot of bags crisps and peanuts was provided. I did not see much of them this time around but there were still some treats (perhaps due to cost-cutting measures I have heard Cathay was adopting?). </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (10/10): </b>The crew was very attentive and knew the right moments to come in. They were not intrusive and the order cards helped. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Punctuality (9/10):</b> The flight departed from the gate a bit late. However, the plane arrived earlier than scheduled at the gate. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (9/10): </b>Cathay's IFE had a decent selection. To my surprise, there was WiFi given that Cathay's . However given that it entailed additional costs, I did not bother to use the WiFi on this occasion. Cathay should also consider adding live satellite TV just like what they have on their A350s. Emirates managed to do that with 77Ws with older IFE hardware so I wonder why Cathay could not be bothered. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>INTERMISSION: HONG KONG AIRPORT STOPOVER</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The arrival gate was at the extreme end of the terminal so it was quite a walk to the next available transfer point. The gate information was not yet available for my next flight. I boarded the automated people mover to take me to the front of the departure area. Only one human metal detector was online but it did not take too long.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZHbMElDru-iDj6cb6e0F831T0rYu0V9T4Q1LJi6WwvXswMbH06jT5n6Q5Yxzbf-WMtjSJL6RsdtZw2OgnCRW-Gjx9EW91IQpUjwMgnJZCJdv6uHY0ls1AxwjPxfzo-Xyj9TiHrunL9w/s1600/IMG_7500.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZHbMElDru-iDj6cb6e0F831T0rYu0V9T4Q1LJi6WwvXswMbH06jT5n6Q5Yxzbf-WMtjSJL6RsdtZw2OgnCRW-Gjx9EW91IQpUjwMgnJZCJdv6uHY0ls1AxwjPxfzo-Xyj9TiHrunL9w/s400/IMG_7500.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-B3ReVA9m1PbMMQsl0v9lnDTyd3yTWZHJYxQn2HE51r4pGeGw9nIiRvNDSstSQlGltv3-859r4FDNOjBV4QlKNHs_McCutPi72hAF3bFp7gQn-fI4YF376N1rEExkz6WM_DULEsA-QY/s1600/IMG_7501.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-B3ReVA9m1PbMMQsl0v9lnDTyd3yTWZHJYxQn2HE51r4pGeGw9nIiRvNDSstSQlGltv3-859r4FDNOjBV4QlKNHs_McCutPi72hAF3bFp7gQn-fI4YF376N1rEExkz6WM_DULEsA-QY/s400/IMG_7501.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt00HXVM_axyhY2rZjIe72KlOgrFn68bKCSFJH0h2c63s2lXNvtQ3CocSRxACdvr334biMBeqWI-iazAY12TGudZnlxB4RlCKbhKiLN9NMa-TKpKGEp4Wf3YOCZjJMjzgq46LHFuM3YPA/s1600/IMG_7502.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt00HXVM_axyhY2rZjIe72KlOgrFn68bKCSFJH0h2c63s2lXNvtQ3CocSRxACdvr334biMBeqWI-iazAY12TGudZnlxB4RlCKbhKiLN9NMa-TKpKGEp4Wf3YOCZjJMjzgq46LHFuM3YPA/s400/IMG_7502.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transfer Information at Hong Kong International Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxhKZpYhcDKA2_F4W5SDpa0muwnPFxSIbMiqqIdmq1t74iD3pL6HKCYri6cbnX6GI45DXSMYoEJ1bZgphji9pxqcRdBr4FOw5VdatN8l4jP9YNhiPiujRl5ebGfbvvhGU08EWOhvw0xY/s1600/IMG_7505.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxhKZpYhcDKA2_F4W5SDpa0muwnPFxSIbMiqqIdmq1t74iD3pL6HKCYri6cbnX6GI45DXSMYoEJ1bZgphji9pxqcRdBr4FOw5VdatN8l4jP9YNhiPiujRl5ebGfbvvhGU08EWOhvw0xY/s400/IMG_7505.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjiKeIVYjg5eDUFzWmamMYcR_2F2-VyYkDNnwFFzDbb9eZwqdFWwi7mv96iaS-J6SRHFWdXLQxgv7GWCGG8gqsQ__ASfTfsvddDxhJNHWF306ukdCuX6zQ4c800NzQPvmYEOPPj3e0p4/s1600/IMG_7506.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjiKeIVYjg5eDUFzWmamMYcR_2F2-VyYkDNnwFFzDbb9eZwqdFWwi7mv96iaS-J6SRHFWdXLQxgv7GWCGG8gqsQ__ASfTfsvddDxhJNHWF306ukdCuX6zQ4c800NzQPvmYEOPPj3e0p4/s400/IMG_7506.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4ttzox1SKTnb8Rr_CuExsQg68qsUK26rkqRDY71oT4Ug1j9zJCfNAtURvINWAxMYdy8W8gW7y7JwYSm6nXpN5Rn5iTYTZuOw6lcmngkQXmGzx5x4g4rdV23LhAW76qKclqMpetBhQAg/s1600/IMG_7503.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4ttzox1SKTnb8Rr_CuExsQg68qsUK26rkqRDY71oT4Ug1j9zJCfNAtURvINWAxMYdy8W8gW7y7JwYSm6nXpN5Rn5iTYTZuOw6lcmngkQXmGzx5x4g4rdV23LhAW76qKclqMpetBhQAg/s400/IMG_7503.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Automated People Mover Train at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Even though I had about two hours of layover, I needed to run errands such as buying some treats and sorting out some important business so lounge hopping was much less of a priority.<br />
<br />
It was unfortunate that western fast food outlets such as McDonalds and Popeyes were no longer where they used to be stationed and were instead replaced by oriental outlets. But I was not there for the food since the lounge and my flight would provide a lot of complimentary bites later. I managed to buy some treats that people back home have requested.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmVK2_yTjaLao9ZM_z7fBpMkrL8erRu8nuwVtitf4eVxa_IdpllH_wFvqrE5yHNLPSJTrJCuSqrz1nDopIbSiJH_QwNqx19wh-Kf8W1YFH0tUXEnN7_o8nuYnDjOfOJ1n6KQdQIRaE_Q/s1600/IMG_7509.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmVK2_yTjaLao9ZM_z7fBpMkrL8erRu8nuwVtitf4eVxa_IdpllH_wFvqrE5yHNLPSJTrJCuSqrz1nDopIbSiJH_QwNqx19wh-Kf8W1YFH0tUXEnN7_o8nuYnDjOfOJ1n6KQdQIRaE_Q/s400/IMG_7509.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eateries at Transit Area, Hong Kong International Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewBXqNQSHHhK8AgJEvncAeYmIqCMRZHXV7yozNaSNuWwpHArerBrvi99mb5_ER6vmR2piXI4-2gClnlMsqWcvm76IzGdwTKeS8Bsgimvouxm2S6KxVVcNszlQ_0FBwtfHaGuOueUiJ30/s1600/IMG_7510.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewBXqNQSHHhK8AgJEvncAeYmIqCMRZHXV7yozNaSNuWwpHArerBrvi99mb5_ER6vmR2piXI4-2gClnlMsqWcvm76IzGdwTKeS8Bsgimvouxm2S6KxVVcNszlQ_0FBwtfHaGuOueUiJ30/s400/IMG_7510.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Eateries at Transit Area, Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With time to spare, I visited <i>The Deck</i> lounge of Cathay Pacific. Even though it was far from my gate, I was already at the area anyway so it was best to access it first. It featured a relaxation room and noodle bar. But I was there primarily to take a shower after a long flight. And I was impressed that its shower room looked very similar to the one at Cathay's Heathrow lounge, right down to the supplier of the shower equipment, although the placement of the shower cubicle itself was slightly different. This time, I was lucky that I did not have to wait for one to be available. It took me 15 minutes to freshen up and the bathing supplies were plentiful. I did not have to ask for help from staff once inside.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8qnDn0MJNJg3K26n7BoGd-xM61KgJD8ahwGrnPJV8U_zAJUQ27nahvpomTktO-4GI5QQqo4GWMFRZFbGViRdDZr_2Eer5m3wNt3UWLexCII0EZe4NDIXwFpC_V4Ux2uubtdaf6AHeUU/s1600/IMG_7522.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8qnDn0MJNJg3K26n7BoGd-xM61KgJD8ahwGrnPJV8U_zAJUQ27nahvpomTktO-4GI5QQqo4GWMFRZFbGViRdDZr_2Eer5m3wNt3UWLexCII0EZe4NDIXwFpC_V4Ux2uubtdaf6AHeUU/s400/IMG_7522.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to The Deck lounge at Hong Kong International Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj68Wboe1XBpUE8y3EpoR_pBA6pLD-FYlfpqQDTbd2oKcqti3N-PEYTWGr1ZAdVbxcRbLkZ8AZ7fHGpAKb2kfnnN9nuggCoNiqiHMvSydNfTzlkviKhfhAo9zyUfE65Hknvd22ZSpU0o/s400/IMG_7527.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shower room at The Deck lounge, Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj68Wboe1XBpUE8y3EpoR_pBA6pLD-FYlfpqQDTbd2oKcqti3N-PEYTWGr1ZAdVbxcRbLkZ8AZ7fHGpAKb2kfnnN9nuggCoNiqiHMvSydNfTzlkviKhfhAo9zyUfE65Hknvd22ZSpU0o/s1600/IMG_7527.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj68Wboe1XBpUE8y3EpoR_pBA6pLD-FYlfpqQDTbd2oKcqti3N-PEYTWGr1ZAdVbxcRbLkZ8AZ7fHGpAKb2kfnnN9nuggCoNiqiHMvSydNfTzlkviKhfhAo9zyUfE65Hknvd22ZSpU0o/s1600/IMG_7527.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeg53Y6P9itb_FCGKOELfHu4eEW4eCawgXGkJD_54P8mvu4kxHCrkJ3zreXK5frEWC-9djXMYCKWhYxfooBZLNKWa3j7Ut58jPwDNk6IZD4udgAg81UMQ66t8z_sERczjbI20k-w28aU/s1600/IMG_7528.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeg53Y6P9itb_FCGKOELfHu4eEW4eCawgXGkJD_54P8mvu4kxHCrkJ3zreXK5frEWC-9djXMYCKWhYxfooBZLNKWa3j7Ut58jPwDNk6IZD4udgAg81UMQ66t8z_sERczjbI20k-w28aU/s400/IMG_7528.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shower room at The Deck lounge, Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpra1lbMLe-IYG1tMKzDLboZ9W_ZkdqyQTkkZ6Hr28o4MqXXuFx-hrCF-8DMAYZsbujCaPb62qP0ACSRvFZC2tD7sT-oSLBNCCHcii5toz6t8vB7pFLwwCcS8sxrCngCIiw2o9LWBdzw/s1600/IMG_7534.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpra1lbMLe-IYG1tMKzDLboZ9W_ZkdqyQTkkZ6Hr28o4MqXXuFx-hrCF-8DMAYZsbujCaPb62qP0ACSRvFZC2tD7sT-oSLBNCCHcii5toz6t8vB7pFLwwCcS8sxrCngCIiw2o9LWBdzw/s400/IMG_7534.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Deck lounge, Hong Kong International Airport<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH1qcbuEC1H2jI_dA2XPC8L4Ii1R2qtwO6ei02Mv9m_MKoh4lnuWV1d37dSEbhcsKwA66R8ndpdoYbi9bRzYYDvrqlFm5HzAnkkKA4gXQ8HWnCMV5EWq-aDZfM1ZtnDLiMe86471st3Q/s1600/IMG_7531.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH1qcbuEC1H2jI_dA2XPC8L4Ii1R2qtwO6ei02Mv9m_MKoh4lnuWV1d37dSEbhcsKwA66R8ndpdoYbi9bRzYYDvrqlFm5HzAnkkKA4gXQ8HWnCMV5EWq-aDZfM1ZtnDLiMe86471st3Q/s400/IMG_7531.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Deck lounge, Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After this, I had to go to another end of the terminal to orient myself to the location of my next flight. I saw a regional 773, just as advertised. After brief plane spotting, it was time to head to <i>The Bridge</i> lounge, which was close to my departure gate. I just grabbed a slice of cake, pudding, and cheese and sat down at a pod. Admittedly at this stage, I was less focused on enjoying the ambiance of the lounge and more concerned about sorting some important last-minute business - particularly setting up my Philippine mobile phone number. It was a hassle and it took a while to ensure the bills were settled and requests were filed. Nonetheless, had I had more time and less to worry about, The Bridge would have been worth enjoying.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdSJ9pAOaXTn0YLczrYR_82tppHAsMAQeHRD_qvA-dzMV_tL6PiEUKAoaGCCQFNTcbGFIiO8P8ACQz9CyIqDxfr8TPOva_LEnoacmRtCPEdWDa33VYzdwlikGEEbqlR94s-yaxO5Vo4U/s1600/IMG_7541.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdSJ9pAOaXTn0YLczrYR_82tppHAsMAQeHRD_qvA-dzMV_tL6PiEUKAoaGCCQFNTcbGFIiO8P8ACQz9CyIqDxfr8TPOva_LEnoacmRtCPEdWDa33VYzdwlikGEEbqlR94s-yaxO5Vo4U/s400/IMG_7541.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Entrance to The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPohI4cPGKaJFBaBQkV5YUTyB7WIkV6gIa0xGaHxjS-ymBWEs08TQIjhdWzsYqavAqVDFDgALRTCN0MnCxzHKJ5At4C9im1Won4FWwvDHCAU2np_n4UKHt3BCtNxca7ILBY8P0UgfVf0/s1600/IMG_7543.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPohI4cPGKaJFBaBQkV5YUTyB7WIkV6gIa0xGaHxjS-ymBWEs08TQIjhdWzsYqavAqVDFDgALRTCN0MnCxzHKJ5At4C9im1Won4FWwvDHCAU2np_n4UKHt3BCtNxca7ILBY8P0UgfVf0/s400/IMG_7543.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sitting area at The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXqX6yNbZeJisnXr0T5tq7Tw8RBRC5YEGF8e1_xuGXcP7xobHuNUJk9rHxJxgiYENHfGyUFM5DVaQtitRGDC_2EczCH3CdASu5H2aiFUEhzqQI8Ga1GXOQciPuJL8_WR7hfJ-ZKd6QtY/s1600/IMG_7544.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXqX6yNbZeJisnXr0T5tq7Tw8RBRC5YEGF8e1_xuGXcP7xobHuNUJk9rHxJxgiYENHfGyUFM5DVaQtitRGDC_2EczCH3CdASu5H2aiFUEhzqQI8Ga1GXOQciPuJL8_WR7hfJ-ZKd6QtY/s400/IMG_7544.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Snack bar at The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflGd70VSbyjo-JepgQ2RzaHmXIohnA48sHJ48Rr6j4fNzPBH2KUALAHU66MN7IptiiiJM3hIek8o65Ox4Tcw9QgLh4o3lpiqu3ylkdPs8Dnun8ifyjD0HpfIw_By2Tc8aR72OEQGvzoM/s1600/IMG_7546.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflGd70VSbyjo-JepgQ2RzaHmXIohnA48sHJ48Rr6j4fNzPBH2KUALAHU66MN7IptiiiJM3hIek8o65Ox4Tcw9QgLh4o3lpiqu3ylkdPs8Dnun8ifyjD0HpfIw_By2Tc8aR72OEQGvzoM/s400/IMG_7546.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Eating area at The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymfg7FIX9g6rkerF2gmQuWZ-hOczOTDNifufp0Hc2hbi1lSas5X3irDHwc7TUzyk4i6fyVIr_JMILBssHQ3-W1goVbZhmlh-z3aiOi0Rk-_wz1XIwx-Ldc2JqTGP-H0MDsnmnvnSZ7rg/s1600/IMG_7549.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymfg7FIX9g6rkerF2gmQuWZ-hOczOTDNifufp0Hc2hbi1lSas5X3irDHwc7TUzyk4i6fyVIr_JMILBssHQ3-W1goVbZhmlh-z3aiOi0Rk-_wz1XIwx-Ldc2JqTGP-H0MDsnmnvnSZ7rg/s400/IMG_7549.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Drinks bar at The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1AAoZAPin2GRuNbz6RzV4x4SUywqVYaIQxQevBM6U1QXqzt5AiwE_TfbC-FQos6_R2l28g6NqKS0OpeqDGnayftCz2rWrGoJ6O56z4Mm-LPtZ9a1bhyphenhyphenXnrBdRyQBOWIYF1GdwPNe5O4/s1600/IMG_7551.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1AAoZAPin2GRuNbz6RzV4x4SUywqVYaIQxQevBM6U1QXqzt5AiwE_TfbC-FQos6_R2l28g6NqKS0OpeqDGnayftCz2rWrGoJ6O56z4Mm-LPtZ9a1bhyphenhyphenXnrBdRyQBOWIYF1GdwPNe5O4/s400/IMG_7551.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pod-style chairs at The Bridge lounge, Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>TIP: Cathay Pacific has four business class lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. As much as possible, use the lounge closest to your gate to avoid hurrying. This list shows you the gates closest to each Business class lounge. </i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>The Wing: near gates 1-4; 11</i></li>
<li><i>The Deck: near gates 6-10 </i></li>
<li><i>The Bridge: near gate 35-36, 40, 60 </i></li>
<li><i>The Pier: near gates 64-71</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
With less than a half hour left before departure, I made my way to the departure gate. As I was walking on the jet bridge, I made one more follow-up to activate my phone service. Luckily the staff at my phone provider was gracious to help me with it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b>SECOND LEG: CX913 from HONG KONG to MANILA</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Flight Number: </b>CX913</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Gate:</b> 42</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Aircraft:</b> Boeing 777-300</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Scheduled Departure Time:</b> 20:15</span></div>
<div>
<b>Aircraft Registration</b>: B-HNO</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7Sm3KkgstShHPVx54tD2Cwz0wMfH7kv1QW8FFX4eIrkjzhJPNRwSTqSsoL0NMzqjS8oL7CIIzYtCNfICCvtQymwNOwN1qiVmbSrhpp72-k5pgg19U50xQh9a-FRlLZLVKzwrY8UscqM/s1600/IMG_7537.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7Sm3KkgstShHPVx54tD2Cwz0wMfH7kv1QW8FFX4eIrkjzhJPNRwSTqSsoL0NMzqjS8oL7CIIzYtCNfICCvtQymwNOwN1qiVmbSrhpp72-k5pgg19U50xQh9a-FRlLZLVKzwrY8UscqM/s400/IMG_7537.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300 parked at Gate 42, Hong Kong International Airport</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Whilst Cathay's economy flights between Hong Kong and Manila are quite overrated, business class is a different story.<br />
<br />
The flight I was on featured a proper regional business class seat. It meant that each passenger had to sit next to someone else. Moreover, the seat was not lie-flat and storage was considerably more limited. At maximum though, a passenger is no more than a seat away from the aisle and it was not difficult to ask passengers to make way if I suppose it is adequate for a one-and-a-half hour flight. When I boarded the flight, someone was seated in my seat but lucky me because my preferred seating area, the front window seat, became available. The purser who distributed the menus seemed to recognise that we exchanged seats. Speaking of menus, unlike during my long-haul flight, the menu for this shorter segment was presented on a traditional booklet. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-5EDl3xMB7_U9Kox9i5nY1EZQfLhqLjrl_4IH4sr7myydXC_1RMJkv8rN6ZXB5-u2uKtwRiB9nl9IC0sWRR_88ADoenSPIxw9uPo2XHN1uLazfzUCudA842XCad-GL5qoHZd0Qhyh44/s1600/IMG_7555.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-5EDl3xMB7_U9Kox9i5nY1EZQfLhqLjrl_4IH4sr7myydXC_1RMJkv8rN6ZXB5-u2uKtwRiB9nl9IC0sWRR_88ADoenSPIxw9uPo2XHN1uLazfzUCudA842XCad-GL5qoHZd0Qhyh44/s400/IMG_7555.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathay Pacific regional business class seat on Boeing 777-300<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ymkmP5ZGN8JxmNSYtKI3iV9BVNNMCfEUxJIoSp8mL_8CoFiEm9bEwiBSU4m4pQmqteIvZDnmlh8ozweNRj1dyBRQeex_1KHKry8Ta0Ixk1YdFqr-0sXcHZVTkVeKG199PjNogQIYNOE/s1600/IMG_7556.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ymkmP5ZGN8JxmNSYtKI3iV9BVNNMCfEUxJIoSp8mL_8CoFiEm9bEwiBSU4m4pQmqteIvZDnmlh8ozweNRj1dyBRQeex_1KHKry8Ta0Ixk1YdFqr-0sXcHZVTkVeKG199PjNogQIYNOE/s320/IMG_7556.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AC power outlets for devices on Cathay Pacific regional business class<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We departed slightly late because of some passengers failing to turn up. The flight took off more than a half hour after scheduled departure. The announced flight time was shorter than the actual flight time though, so we were expected to make up the time.<br />
<br />
As this was a short flight, I did not bother to watch videos or films even though Cathay stocked this flight with loads of it. Instead, I created an audio playlist from the in-house collection and play it whilst viewing the moving map. I was lucky it had dozens of my favourite hits. The USB port next to the TV screen could be used to connect an iPod content to the IFE unit. However, I found it weird that the system tried to read my Apple Watch as an iPod but not my iPhone XR. As for placement, I thought that the USB charging port was located inconveniently as it will require me having to stand a bit. As always, there was an AC power outlet, which I used for my watch. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dBxZ6AZV0k725SWaTU3J-fXUnu3EMCz31w_nVvVeo7CTkyQdvsAAhsaS_7mxrcmHeOB-ClOxDV7XZQqgf_B1c09YhFThk8lnoykmtV8b3UZ4Q5k8eSk4aSqh99OPSYkXoZEfqC7ztSw/s1600/IMG_7569.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dBxZ6AZV0k725SWaTU3J-fXUnu3EMCz31w_nVvVeo7CTkyQdvsAAhsaS_7mxrcmHeOB-ClOxDV7XZQqgf_B1c09YhFThk8lnoykmtV8b3UZ4Q5k8eSk4aSqh99OPSYkXoZEfqC7ztSw/s400/IMG_7569.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IFE Monitors of Cathay Pacific's Regional Business Class<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the seatbelt sign was switched off, it was time to try reclining the seat. When I first heard about the product, I thought it would be a lie-flat bed. It was clearly not. But for a short flight, a lie-flat seat was not necessary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujW5YkXg1jJWA0dPBc7_93LAwvvF4-w3mblpstSCsF2Qo350TKwScRfKAiwAkITIPjZhrXgU0g8ddNd8imfkw_sqfTJs-VDe1Kd2C32pp1AHSdTuz5J0pcY8A45Jhn130x1ABQNTzmNk/s1600/IMG_7559.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujW5YkXg1jJWA0dPBc7_93LAwvvF4-w3mblpstSCsF2Qo350TKwScRfKAiwAkITIPjZhrXgU0g8ddNd8imfkw_sqfTJs-VDe1Kd2C32pp1AHSdTuz5J0pcY8A45Jhn130x1ABQNTzmNk/s400/IMG_7559.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Controls and storage on Cathay Pacific regional business class</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, as I was seated in the front row, my tray table emerged from the side and not from right in front of me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha68GW4z3xwxerSvCVKYSYn4gw_XzGP4N4aA2iHxAV7yOXVWrQRkwW8n14Mfjji3Jneu4PZnBl_XVet5G3sSNZ_kqVUnjTgSP7LwnlUaOctbB0ApReow6PKwphODXsfiP-RM5CyLsEo18/s1600/IMG_7560.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha68GW4z3xwxerSvCVKYSYn4gw_XzGP4N4aA2iHxAV7yOXVWrQRkwW8n14Mfjji3Jneu4PZnBl_XVet5G3sSNZ_kqVUnjTgSP7LwnlUaOctbB0ApReow6PKwphODXsfiP-RM5CyLsEo18/s400/IMG_7560.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tray table on Cathay Pacific regional business class</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Shortly after take-off, I made one trip to the toilet at the rear side. I was surprised it was untidy. For one, there was water left on the sink. Though I was not sure if the ground staff or a previous passenger on the same flight as me was responsible.<br />
<br />
The meal service started pretty early. This time, I felt as if I was served with a complete full-course meal with appetisers coming first. For my main course, I had the grilled lamb option. Given that the flight was pretty short, the crew worked efficiently on this. The food was tasty. I had tea for for my beverage. I was slightly surprised the crew here did not have camomile tea, which was offered on the previous leg. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0ijcIHasQ16qOheUDa8EJUZGhRPTEoxD9fO-BSDc_WtZlXTSqQuHp4Vh_yqvGJiGIn9SnePR0TaZMDOsl2YKNi22E3Hs03Py_bFSxO2pLKJH-4VFW7RCy4LJVlviTpEI6HtLN6R3Lqg/s1600/IMG_7571.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0ijcIHasQ16qOheUDa8EJUZGhRPTEoxD9fO-BSDc_WtZlXTSqQuHp4Vh_yqvGJiGIn9SnePR0TaZMDOsl2YKNi22E3Hs03Py_bFSxO2pLKJH-4VFW7RCy4LJVlviTpEI6HtLN6R3Lqg/s400/IMG_7571.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Full dinner meal of CX913</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For the remainder of the flight, I just spent most of the time in my seat listening to my playlist and waiting for my devices to finish charging. I also had a quick glance at the economy class to find out that they were still sporting the old 3-3-3 seat configuration. Even if the seat had limited recline, at least that cabin would not look as crowded and the aisles were not narrow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3IH2u0iGhlMmT4K4YKRPfXW_o3DjvlQJvIg4_rDWjIMIMe1fa2G-vVEJTFdg6vgdEAoRh_Q6KftU6tbpkNssbGdTzR4wCnolZZyU8VeeH74xpt4DsJxcxPbmXwlhNDj1WW8Jq6LAS9U/s1600/IMG_7573.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3IH2u0iGhlMmT4K4YKRPfXW_o3DjvlQJvIg4_rDWjIMIMe1fa2G-vVEJTFdg6vgdEAoRh_Q6KftU6tbpkNssbGdTzR4wCnolZZyU8VeeH74xpt4DsJxcxPbmXwlhNDj1WW8Jq6LAS9U/s400/IMG_7573.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest of Cathay Pacific's regional business class section on a Boeing 777-300<br />
Image by hybridace101</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I made a second toilet trip. The seat belt sign was switched on as I and someone in front of me was queueing, and the crew was understanding enough to not nudge us to return to our seats.<br />
<br />
Before I knew it, I could see the streetlights and building lights making a certain pattern from my window. Even the street traffic gave an obvious clue that I am in the Philippines.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMD8QDLVZZ3dxeeICxk6KzNnAyzIOkYiHioJFw0Mp50sgOjtkcvGsAJ_OjUJIm1Js-r8WMg_nLcOevru5qXZWSWQOdm60ElmPnm9m73elFxuBTssVRgq5KJu3wZt9aYYUnZR6P3FXSqA/s1600/IMG_7587.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMD8QDLVZZ3dxeeICxk6KzNnAyzIOkYiHioJFw0Mp50sgOjtkcvGsAJ_OjUJIm1Js-r8WMg_nLcOevru5qXZWSWQOdm60ElmPnm9m73elFxuBTssVRgq5KJu3wZt9aYYUnZR6P3FXSqA/s400/IMG_7587.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cathay Pacific regional business class cabin after landing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Image by hybridace101</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ARRIVAL</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To be fair to Cathay, we landed almost on time, but what took long was the ground traffic. It was another reminder that I was back in the Philippines.<br />
<br />
Our gate was not so far from passport control. This time, I decided to try the new automated passport control. It felt counterintuitive because they needed a printed boarding card to be scanned along with the passport itself. Sometimes the process can be frustrating as the machine may not read the passport after just one, two, or even three tries. And once you enter the machine, the biometrics may still be misread. If the biometrics cannot be fully verified, they will ask me to step back and try the process again or proceed to a manned passport control desk. Luckily with the help of an attending agent, I was able to manage the process. Once at the end, the machine issued a sticker which I could affix to my passport to.<br />
<br />
At baggage claim, I was surprised that despite business class passengers supposedly getting priority in their baggage, it took some time for me to retrieve my bags, about 10-15 minutes. With that I made my way to the exit and my holiday began </div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div>
<b>RATINGS FOR THE SECOND LEG</b></div>
<div>
<i>These are rated from 1 to 10 with ten being the best score. This covers aspects of the flight experience that Cathay Pacific and its ground agents are responsible for with a focus on Business Class.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<ul>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Lounge (9/10): </b>The atmosphere gave you a feel that it was uniquely Cathay. The shower cubicles were tidy and well-stocked. There seemed to be a a decent selection of bites especially at the Bridge lounge. However, they needed to restock the warm meals such as the pizza, though it wasn't an issue with me since I was not keen on eating. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Boarding Process (9/10): </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">The process was fairly orderly. There were no queues, at least for business class. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Seat Comfort (9/10):</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Given that this is a regional flight, the seat seemed adequate. I like that it is designed such that when we recline the seat, we don't disturb the passenger behind us. However, a lie-flat bed, even if it was angled would make it better.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Food (10/10):</b> Delicious bites. It did have the feeling of a proper full-course meal given that it was a regional flight. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cabin Crew (9/10):</b> The crew was helpful and efficient.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Punctuality (9/10):</b> We</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> departed fairly late thanks to some passengers who didn't turn up. We landed on time but NAIA was busy. It took almost 15 minutes to get to our gate from touchdown. </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (9/10): </b>The interface, moving map were relatively dated, but for some reason the audio selection looked plentiful. It also had a provision for allowing iPod (or old iPhone) content to be played on the IFE. This regional aircraft was not equipped with Wifi. The custom playlist though was a bit tricky to navigate.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
In 18 days time, I will also be flying business class on the return trip. If the outbound trip featured two Boeing 777-300s (a regional and a long-haul one), the inbound or return trip is expected to feature two Airbus A350s (the Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000). However, Cathay is known for making last-minute equipment changes on flights involving Manila so it is possible that I get a regional 773 or an A330. </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-21288621444387808002019-07-22T21:29:00.000+08:002020-01-09T11:07:02.009+08:00OPINION: Is the Age of Expansion of Philippine Carriers into the US Over?<div style="text-align: justify;">
The mid-2010s saw the expansion of Filipino carriers into different markets. One of them was the United States, which was made possible by the restoration of the the Federal Aviation Administration's Category 1 rating. Philippine Airlines (PAL) augmented its existing flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. In addition, it managed to open up a new Cebu-Los Angeles flight for a brief period and reopen its flights to the New York City area and just last year, it started the first nonstop flights between the said city and Manila. PAL's management did not even want to stop at this saying they were <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2016/03/philippine-airlines-new-us-destinations.html">considering flights to Chicago, Seattle, San Diego and cities in Texas and Florida</a>. Cebu Pacific joined the bandwagon as <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2015/11/cebu-pacific-to-launch-guam-flights-in.html">it launched its flights to Guam</a> in 2016. There was also speculation that the low-cost carrier would <a href="http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com/2014/11/cebu-pacific-to-fly-to-honolulu-in-2015.html">open up flights to Honolulu, Hawaii</a>, a destination which PAL has long established itself in. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fast forward to 2019. The Centre for Aviation (CAPA) has advised PAL to cut back on its flights to the US to help offset 2018 net losses of ₱2.8 billion (US$54.3 million). This is despite <a href="https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/video/a-last-interview-with-philippine-airlines-longtime-president-jaime-bautista-1096">claims by newly-retired PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime Bautista</a> that load factors to New York on PAL's new Airbus A350 are "very encouraging". However, Bautista has admitted that the flag carrier will not pursue planned expansion of its US operations, citing that the carrier wants to focus on making existing US operations profitable and he thinks that opening new routes would not make money for the carrier and require a lot of investment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Moreover, Cebu Pacific, far from expanding US operations, is going to suspend its sole flight to there. Effective December 7 2019, Cebu Pacific will no longer fly to Guam, citing "oversaturation and competition in the market". In an email to <a href="https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cebpac-to-drop-manila-guam-route/">the Saipan Tribune</a>, Cebu Pacific's Corporate Communications Director Charo Logarta Lagamon added that "it has come to a point where there is now an overcapacity in the market, with two other carrier plying the same route and, for Cebu Pacific, the route is no longer viable”. Currently, PAL and United Airlines are the other carriers that fly to Guam, which is <a href="https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/179090-fast-facts-filipinos-guam">home to over 40,000 Filipinos</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is unclear whether or how the long the expansion of Filipino carriers into the US will be put on hiatus but their focus now seems to be on redeploying their resources into where the money is. On some level it makes sense. If a carrier is losing more than $50 million per year, why expand into new markets when there are existing operations that need to be sorted out financially? Without the money, then there is no money to enlarge operations. And PAL and Cebu Pacific know very well the markets they can rely on during times that their bottom lines are under pressure, and that's where they believe they can allocate their resources to for the time-being. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It may not be totally a bad thing for the passenger though. There are still other alternatives to fly to the US and even if they involve at least one stopover, most of them offer a better quality of service. Cathay Pacific has opened up a flight to Washington DC last year on its new Airbus A350-1000. This is on top of Cathay's services to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Boston. Singapore Airlines offers nonstop flights as well to San Francisco, LA, and New York. It even has a one-stop flight to Houston for those who want to need to head to the southern US. The established Japanese and Korean carriers, most of which possess at least a four-star rating, can be trusted to provide plenty of flights to different US cities. For example, one advantage most of these carriers have is that economy class passengers have an AC power outlet to plug their laptops and tablets into, something that not even PAL's new A350s can offer. Yes the journey make take a bit longer, but more often than not, a passenger will feel slightly more refreshed knowing that it is the better and more established carriers that could take them to the US.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PAL and Cebu Pacific can always reopen this question of expansion into the US once they experience better times. PAL has a new leadership team that will decide whether they would agree with the now-retired Bautista that expansion plans are too costly right now. But expanding into the US by either carrier is not likely to happen anytime in the near future. One can be satisfied though that the flag carrier will keep its nonstop flight to New York flight for now. And until then, passengers can enjoy the alternatives offered by Asian carriers, most of which are probably going to feature better in-flight amenities and services than what established Filipino carriers have in store anyway.</div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-55647703587364443172019-06-25T13:39:00.003+08:002019-06-26T19:56:50.847+08:00New Decisions Await New PAL Leadership<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jaime Bautista is <a href="https://business.inquirer.net/272781/tan-daughter-takes-charge-at-pal">stepping down</a> as Philippine Airlines (PAL) President and Chief Operating Officer to 'spend time with his family', PAL confirms. Vivienne Tan, PAL's Executive Vice President and daughter of PAL's Chairman and CEO Dr Lucio Tan, was initially named officer-in-charge. However, <a href="https://skift.com/2019/06/24/philippine-airlines-makes-an-about-face-on-new-leadership/?fbclid=IwAR0oJyNRDy-r0PYuRW7aWhYO1z3KaB_F4x9Nr47T9PyhR1HfSvKaFFbXrIk">Skift is reporting</a> that PAL's board of directors is looking for a 'professional manager' to permanently take over the helms.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Philippine_Airlines_A350_%22Love_Bus%22_descending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="625" height="265" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Philippine_Airlines_A350_%22Love_Bus%22_descending.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAL A350<br />
Image source: World Airline News/Wikimedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Although Bautista leaves behind a legacy that includes a four-star Skytrax rating, numerous Most Improved Airline awards, and introducing nonstop flights between Manila and the eastern parts of North America, his successor will face and oversee key decisions that involve the latter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/philippine-airlines-long-haul-adjustments---first-drop-london-478183?fbclid=IwAR2b4TvO8-xdM9StDUJI5QOYDXh71tG959ax5o8WrlOXlPrpDQvqywjCOrM">Centre for Aviation</a> (CAPA) has published a recommendation that PAL shrink its long-haul network, including axing its European foothold altogether amidst poor profitability figures. The flag carrier posted a net loss of <a href="https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/14/pal-trims-2018-losses-by-38-to-p2-8-billion/">₱2.8 billion (US$54.3 million)</a>. Currently, London is PAL's only destination on the continent. However, despite several adjustments to the service such as a new schedule and the acquisition of more fuel-efficient aircraft, the flag carrier has been unable to sustain a profit from the route. CAPA is reporting that Bautista admitted trouble with the route that the flag carrier is considering other alternatives such as the possibility of transferring its European flights to Paris instead and seek partner carriers to fill the gap that would be left. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Furthermore, CAPA has recommended PAL to maintain a reduced year-round schedule for North America. At the moment, PAL maintains up to 52 weekly flights between Manila and the North American mainland with reductions during the off-peak season. CAPA also reported that PAL is dropping its previous ambitions to further expand into North America citing that they would be “new routes we [PAL] wouldn’t make money on”. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Moreover, the upcoming leader will need to make decisions on the future of PAL's long-haul fleet as the flag carrier currently operates six Airbus A350-900s and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs (77Ws). Most of these are leased and the leases on the two oldest 77Ws are due to expire in 2022. The new leader , along with the board, can either choose to replace them with the Boeing 777-X or Airbus A350-900 or A350-1000 or not renew them at all. There were <a href="https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/06/06/1923906/pal-eyes-new-boeing-aircraft">recent reports</a> that PAL was considering two 777-Xs to replace the oldest 77Ws. CAPA is recommending that the lease on the two oldest 77Ws not be renewed and replaced immediately, and that PAL wait until 2024 when more leases on 77Ws are due to expire before deciding to get new aircraft. According to CAPA, the deferral of new deliveries and ensuing outright non-renewal of the oldest two 77Ws would allow PAL to enact CAPA's other recommendation of shrinking its long-haul network without worrying about aircraft underutilisation, which would all then lead to better profits.<br />
<br />
CAPA's reports and assessments suggest a clear departure from recent years when Bautista was signalling an aggressive strategy for the airline, especially as he hoped to put PAL on the road to a becoming a five-star carrier by 2020. It will be up to Bautista's successor whether to continue aiming for this. However, amidst the leadership changes and regardless of the decisions that the new leadership will take, <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/18/19/lucio-tan-daughter-takes-charge-of-pal-no-comment-says-holding-firm">PAL's board has assured its stakeholders</a> that it is 'business as usual' for the flag carrier.</div>
hybridace101http://www.blogger.com/profile/09610021427254387926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-41618207538220553762019-04-21T04:15:00.002+08:002019-04-25T10:47:59.956+08:00Etihad First Class Review: How a Pinoy Blogger Flew for FREE“If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” There is nothing wrong with aspiring for the finer things in life. So last month (May 2018), I fulfilled one of my wildest travel goals of flying in First Class. Not Premium Economy; not Business; but FIRST. However, I started to travel the way most people did – as an early twenty-something backpacker who just graduated college or on leave from our first job. But if there’s one thing that travel teaches us, it’s that it definitely changes our perspective.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5UlgX_O517TaGDr3lrRRS10NBZpJDfa_ijE69fnpQ29R5gmtF4VFSSjiefX73r9_okJdJ5ccDeHIC5FKjDdanMt8E5d4_mhmEm8U_j-UIOeKW2Loc7cw3sIkW_BJ1dRkfkeVMrJmOlTg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1024" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5UlgX_O517TaGDr3lrRRS10NBZpJDfa_ijE69fnpQ29R5gmtF4VFSSjiefX73r9_okJdJ5ccDeHIC5FKjDdanMt8E5d4_mhmEm8U_j-UIOeKW2Loc7cw3sIkW_BJ1dRkfkeVMrJmOlTg/s400/1.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Over time (and as we age), we might slowly find it <i>unacceptable </i>to arrive at the airport wearing a ridiculously full backpack and sandals to board a budget airline flight and make our way to the cheapest youth hostel we booked online to share a room that has as many as 6 bunk beds with 11 other backpackers. I certainly do, <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/qa-with-thetravelguyshops-on-visiting-over-30-countries-before-age-30-and-why-solo-travel-is-one-of-the-bravest-things-you-can-do/">especially now that I’m 30</a>. Slowly, but surely, my standards became higher and I climbed my way up starting <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/new-route-manila-kunming-lucky-air/">from budget airlines</a>, to <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/flight-review-korean-airlines-from-manila-to-seoul-ke622-may-2015-part-3/">economy class on legacy airlines</a> and <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/my-first-time-flying-business-class-and-how-i-was-upgraded-for-free/">eventually business class</a>. And now, here we are! But why pay for First Class (even if you can afford it), which in my opinion is impractical and downright reckless unless you’re Mark Zuckerberg or in similar leagues, <b>when there are ways to fly for FREE?</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<h2>
How I Booked It</h2>
If you guessed that this was possible through credit cards and mileage programs, then you’re absolutely right. After all, I’m not the first and won’t be the last traveler in the world to do it. (Fortunately, this won’t be the last time I fly First for free either.) But let me elaborate. As far as I know, there are no local (Philippine) credit card that lets you earn miles with <b>Etihad Guest</b>, which is Etihad’s frequent flyer program. On the other hand, nearly all local credit cards let you redeem points for <b>Mabuhay Miles</b>, the frequent flyer program of the country’s flag carrier <b>Philippine Airlines</b> (PAL). Fortunately, I became aware of the many partnerships Etihad has with various airlines – including PAL. In 2016 I learned <i>it was possible to redeem Mabuhay Miles for Etihad as well as All Nippon Airways flights</i>! <a href="https://www.mabuhaymiles.com/RedeemMilesFromFlight">View it here</a>. I also realized that soon enough, I could potentially have enough miles to book a First Class flight with Etihad. Since then, I became consciously mindful of airline partnerships and how many miles I’ve been earning to accomplish my goal. I feel the need to somehow thank PAL for making this possible because of their existing partnership with Etihad. (In case you were wondering, I’ve been converting credit card points to airline miles since 2009. Yes, it’s been 10 years! I said it was possible; I never said it was easy. Nothing worth waiting for ever is!)<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
This year, I finally earned enough miles from different sources, <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/10-best-travel-credit-cards-in-the-philippines-2017/">not just credit cards</a>, to book a First Class flight. And it’s not just any First Class cabin – it’s consistently considered one of the world’s best in its league:<b> Etihad’s First Apartment on their Airbus A380</b>, which is the largest aircraft in the world. Etihad flies their A380 to New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Paris and London. I had enough miles to fly to either Paris or London, and since I just went to Paris recently and I have never been to the UK where the Royal Wedding was taking place soon, the choice was clear.</div>
<div>
<br />
After going through the tedious process of getting a UK visa, one day in March 2018 I went to the Philippine Airlines UE-Recto office to finally cash out my miles. At first, the staff were completely clueless about my request. I don’t blame them since I expect this rarely happens. After I explained how it was possible from their website and further verification on their end, they assisted me in my request. There was limited availability for award seats, and I ended up with May 15. Etihad flies three times daily to London, and I picked flight EY 17 that to me had the best schedule of departing at 1:55 PM from Abu Dhabi and arriving at 6:45 PM in Heathrow. I redeemed 84,000 miles in exchange for the “free” airfare and paid only PHP 10,000 (USD 200) in taxes and fees <b>for what should have been a PHP 375,000 (USD 7,000 – yes, the price of a second-hand car) one-way flight</b>. Not a bad deal right?? Shout-out to the PAL staff who were really helpful! (Soon after I also booked a flight to the UAE, Dubai to be exact, with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
Complimentary Limousine Pick-Up Service</h2>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
On May 15, 2018 my first First Class journey began with the <b>Etihad Mercedes Benz</b> picking me up at my hotel in Dubai, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Deira (formerly Sheraton Deira), where I received a call in my room from the concierge in the morning. I booked this service around 2 weeks before my flight by calling the local Etihad hotline, but do note that sadly as of today First and Business Class redemption tickets (those using miles) <i>are no longer eligible for the complimentary limo pick up service</i> from anywhere in the UAE. This was one of the reasons, apart from being in London in time for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, that I decided to use my miles when I did (before the free service was withdrawn or more cost-cutting measures were made.) I find it hard to believe that Etihad posts over a USD 1 billion loss year after year, even as they do cost cuts, while their biggest competitor Emirates is highly profitable.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvbGjFrC8v1b0nMh5IyRTMlzimr43bPK5yq1cxy8gJ-AB73Ksh2mrSevv-frRYw6ZGRmH5rETfvNVVychVz0x23J9ydjFmni9CFu1e0paefixE-Rt7SC3qoC5uUB7XUqPCfeeBSpKAbeM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvbGjFrC8v1b0nMh5IyRTMlzimr43bPK5yq1cxy8gJ-AB73Ksh2mrSevv-frRYw6ZGRmH5rETfvNVVychVz0x23J9ydjFmni9CFu1e0paefixE-Rt7SC3qoC5uUB7XUqPCfeeBSpKAbeM/s400/2.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBAbp2gvUg1Z7E0UallpHXVKWX3-BNhdQB5ZzSAg0reXfRqj8InUDgPXBizj7jUHaS7aOonyzPIlh8yKWDMKVj_3DQegoONaPr2-0lFPLXrj-jOLAJ_w7Vmt5xg5RY_OTS7tMcYV0ii7n/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBAbp2gvUg1Z7E0UallpHXVKWX3-BNhdQB5ZzSAg0reXfRqj8InUDgPXBizj7jUHaS7aOonyzPIlh8yKWDMKVj_3DQegoONaPr2-0lFPLXrj-jOLAJ_w7Vmt5xg5RY_OTS7tMcYV0ii7n/s400/3.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxCpuTdzIZO1VO6GMFoM1AeYj1cyGdrmbl9olBs2wRuxXNMgRKSt-STZpll80B6RsTqGOrnQ64ZQUPsCvZT7CHq8qTT3vq4Ej7zXQ2lyTkNt7QAWri5BiMgAza0wWTe0Nrcv-lWAv2Os9/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxCpuTdzIZO1VO6GMFoM1AeYj1cyGdrmbl9olBs2wRuxXNMgRKSt-STZpll80B6RsTqGOrnQ64ZQUPsCvZT7CHq8qTT3vq4Ej7zXQ2lyTkNt7QAWri5BiMgAza0wWTe0Nrcv-lWAv2Os9/s400/4.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevZP20RAL1O_fLHB9wikKzDF4qPSzJbirBsQvs0FegXTrUkO7hVfA7_uLNfp2xbTn7enP1BS4jnystX2iUORUCwAW0l7LU1Ihg86ms1tFeZVAvfqHyyWUVUqt6GvG6j3htrYv3IRBvv8D/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevZP20RAL1O_fLHB9wikKzDF4qPSzJbirBsQvs0FegXTrUkO7hVfA7_uLNfp2xbTn7enP1BS4jnystX2iUORUCwAW0l7LU1Ihg86ms1tFeZVAvfqHyyWUVUqt6GvG6j3htrYv3IRBvv8D/s400/5.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX-NIoDdBlaipy0W_PAd405fqSBP_uICtZ7CGmfot0OVByk8KxAok8PBVTlhVG1VIEL7JWbk38gzyFYsHsJMhrMOANBfnjugq2yo3dHF6bn0bK-EReOnW6Y8yyAWoFlZJuA57pIVM96X4/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX-NIoDdBlaipy0W_PAd405fqSBP_uICtZ7CGmfot0OVByk8KxAok8PBVTlhVG1VIEL7JWbk38gzyFYsHsJMhrMOANBfnjugq2yo3dHF6bn0bK-EReOnW6Y8yyAWoFlZJuA57pIVM96X4/s400/6.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Although there was room for improvement when it came to the driver’s service, the roomy vehicle did come with two complimentary bottles of mineral water and two wet towels. Finally, I arrived at the <b>First Class check-in</b> that was written in huge capital letters outside, and it really got me excited! This was really happening!</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCN3IYyAeYEDU79_2ho8DrHEFtrgm_bIzb0sqDZmKZeT01o8yqPGwpwJCyOb-oDGVWJ2ODzP_EIXx-c0mbSfEx6KOrKgdvAA7krBa2lgMa1j8K6h9XDs9ta-vHIwfP2OjXcNIAovHhjXr/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCN3IYyAeYEDU79_2ho8DrHEFtrgm_bIzb0sqDZmKZeT01o8yqPGwpwJCyOb-oDGVWJ2ODzP_EIXx-c0mbSfEx6KOrKgdvAA7krBa2lgMa1j8K6h9XDs9ta-vHIwfP2OjXcNIAovHhjXr/s400/7.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
When I entered, it looked more like a hotel lobby due to the absence of traditional check-in counters. A ‘bellboy’ helped me with my suitcase and escorted me to the check-in seats while there was a waiting lounge across from it. Apparently, standing up and queueing is for poor people. Haha! I took my seat and handed over my passport. The staff remarked that I was early. Indeed, I made sure I was to have enough time to fully utilize the First Class lounge facilities. Checking in was quick, but I learned that taking photos in this area is prohibited because apparently it is forbidden to take photos of the local women. Outside of the airport, I never seemed to have this problem on this trip to the UAE as well as previous ones.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfaOhL6OekG8BMNEizEtkcc6Bu1msu1nFxKNsiMOeP2L7Lbfhvh1dXk4p9KJK5T5R3VU_cyzg_igEwnM8a-vrsAeKanBabHlbWHMbNdUtVEuqlv_84wudqLWk0R14Mu_zC_IeQTTIDyBb/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfaOhL6OekG8BMNEizEtkcc6Bu1msu1nFxKNsiMOeP2L7Lbfhvh1dXk4p9KJK5T5R3VU_cyzg_igEwnM8a-vrsAeKanBabHlbWHMbNdUtVEuqlv_84wudqLWk0R14Mu_zC_IeQTTIDyBb/s400/8.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Immediately after this area was the First Class immigration and security and there was no one in line! As she was stamping my passport, the immigration lady who owns a Chanel handbag asked me: “Where is your job?” This is normally a question asked upon entering a country and not exiting it, so I think she was implying that it was odd that a Filipino like me could fly First Class (while an Emirati like her has/could not?) Yes, Filipinos are commonly customer service staff or laborers all over the world (because we are hardworking, hospitable and speak foreign languages really well – not just English!), but that doesn’t mean we should be generalized and/or underestimated.<span style="font-family: "lato";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-width: initial; font-size: 18px; height: 1em; margin-left: 0.07em; margin-right: 0.07em; vertical-align: -0.1em; width: 1em;"><img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11.2.0/svg/1f642.svg" style="background: none !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></span></div>
<i><span style="color: blue;">(Better quality/enhanced versions of these photos can be found on my Instagram. Follow me at: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/thetravelguyshops">www.instagram.com/thetravelguyshops</a>)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333399;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"></em></span></div>
<h2>
Etihad Airways First Class Lounge and Spa</h2>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoucrJFwsITzbl8EYI1jyoU4JhByqse6O5cln94VQfS7rloNEpB8kvX3msRCrOcjdwCSAfRCZ2qhdhPGU4c8yivDuPCG_wCjkWwU4stO32HBBOmY1hK1vz5Iy16tazW8wgJbVaye7jteS/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="1024" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoucrJFwsITzbl8EYI1jyoU4JhByqse6O5cln94VQfS7rloNEpB8kvX3msRCrOcjdwCSAfRCZ2qhdhPGU4c8yivDuPCG_wCjkWwU4stO32HBBOmY1hK1vz5Iy16tazW8wgJbVaye7jteS/s400/9.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Right in front of security was the gateway to the uber exclusive <b>Etihad First Class Lounge and Spa</b>. The first floor was merely an entrance/boarding pass verfication to the lounge that was located on the second level. In my opinion, the lounge prior to your Business or First Class flight makes up a third or sometimes even half of your entire Business Class or First Class experience. After all, you do spend between 1-3 hours in here.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOBhcU58ROW8BJdJc_Bar4sumbHJ3W5-BqLiTPvzMRj5F4swXsn7nhMchAfsIYhFraFAW2kLYVLahNOdb1NZrGOKB71E4He5_EiyjBtP0M71RNYq5VUsQi0AMdO1tfsqEP0iGyOw7ggoW/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOBhcU58ROW8BJdJc_Bar4sumbHJ3W5-BqLiTPvzMRj5F4swXsn7nhMchAfsIYhFraFAW2kLYVLahNOdb1NZrGOKB71E4He5_EiyjBtP0M71RNYq5VUsQi0AMdO1tfsqEP0iGyOw7ggoW/s400/10.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
After going up the elevator, fresh orchids and ceiling ornaments welcome you into the lounge. A small snacks area can be found on the left side that serves different kinds of dates and Arabic coffee. As I looked around, one of the staff offered to assist serving me. All the dates seem to taste the same though.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eholgAwzJfjpXuJqqfK65ajVShEHXYbh2GzYb3Xkyj84TbTgo2yr63B8ffkPC-oRPposVy31dsLT8uwkYdyYfrsiFgkTa3JlxNo8VdyXD5RMByBsWLEsMkxRh6h3ISZe3_PPkKYzawKq/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eholgAwzJfjpXuJqqfK65ajVShEHXYbh2GzYb3Xkyj84TbTgo2yr63B8ffkPC-oRPposVy31dsLT8uwkYdyYfrsiFgkTa3JlxNo8VdyXD5RMByBsWLEsMkxRh6h3ISZe3_PPkKYzawKq/s400/11.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AkX96VF7pVgx_5CSdpszHmyPXJTJ-FYLpUP9SPzXXI9r_jfEWBpMR6Pji6sHeMOUfRgyRD41y_Eeo2qgs2zec0QOanQeBwSO6LLWUJsIXtI9J1UZBiNZDERheJF9kNdThVgcHG5uZf7r/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AkX96VF7pVgx_5CSdpszHmyPXJTJ-FYLpUP9SPzXXI9r_jfEWBpMR6Pji6sHeMOUfRgyRD41y_Eeo2qgs2zec0QOanQeBwSO6LLWUJsIXtI9J1UZBiNZDERheJF9kNdThVgcHG5uZf7r/s400/12.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
There was a general reception area, and another one for the lounge itself. The spa area also had one of its own. Below you can see the directory of all the locations inside the lounge. I went inside all the rooms except for the cigar lounge, prayer rooms and smoking lounge because I had no business being there. Guests of <b>The Residence</b>, a level of First Class that is one notch above all other ‘regular’ First Class products that only Etihad and no other airline offers, have a private room to themselves the same way they have their own room and bathroom inside the aircraft.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6Hj88gJp-jqD10EhYsxnXZ3ohrWMd1Jk9bedAMYsDASe1AFUq57S6k13ccxtmX_TZ9nixxBNyOClWDkNpnz1JsOPGdkWajkdZVm3FFeuiqYsXpMmez-MrlkNUPsJKcuRNVgFGz11EXuJ/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6Hj88gJp-jqD10EhYsxnXZ3ohrWMd1Jk9bedAMYsDASe1AFUq57S6k13ccxtmX_TZ9nixxBNyOClWDkNpnz1JsOPGdkWajkdZVm3FFeuiqYsXpMmez-MrlkNUPsJKcuRNVgFGz11EXuJ/s400/13.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhjtTczNH0bajZ4gUvqGuEbbB7SavkvtT0QCpvBUmcnYB45xC9Xim7jCtNPP973cyR3NJos_kchGhlzgzd2g9juIgWppJwu36vSPVUENhMbZLQyQfYSYJnDmuebvKHxInw371RvNaj3JP/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhjtTczNH0bajZ4gUvqGuEbbB7SavkvtT0QCpvBUmcnYB45xC9Xim7jCtNPP973cyR3NJos_kchGhlzgzd2g9juIgWppJwu36vSPVUENhMbZLQyQfYSYJnDmuebvKHxInw371RvNaj3JP/s400/14.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<b>The Play Room</b> (above) is a wonderland for little travelers, while the <b>Fitness Center</b> (below) was fully equipped with three treadmills, free weights and its own washroom.<br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eP_WAogIEl2dQeYjPV4hkUH7-2I2rXmIuA-OHR8Etw2aSHiofm1i5EOWrH2jKCyeMMlizKSI5blZCo9xa_DooJTnhmbbraBBEVG7HgJdliwh8iQeBn1nlqtfgaviJYX0SJwIEflnZTcG/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eP_WAogIEl2dQeYjPV4hkUH7-2I2rXmIuA-OHR8Etw2aSHiofm1i5EOWrH2jKCyeMMlizKSI5blZCo9xa_DooJTnhmbbraBBEVG7HgJdliwh8iQeBn1nlqtfgaviJYX0SJwIEflnZTcG/s400/15.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUl4sgbAeiQGvrzE0WLoIOv_MCmhnrk7Y6LgqU6WnY9xH47vIcgfRhPdwKmx9Xf6wakw8WECjgrm0UET5oi6fg0wcUYnPoMfFO-a_vOHCuxDnWiI1k4Rgyi9lIPXGrKKpFefXtYo0jzjY/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUl4sgbAeiQGvrzE0WLoIOv_MCmhnrk7Y6LgqU6WnY9xH47vIcgfRhPdwKmx9Xf6wakw8WECjgrm0UET5oi6fg0wcUYnPoMfFO-a_vOHCuxDnWiI1k4Rgyi9lIPXGrKKpFefXtYo0jzjY/s400/16.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8YFJFrPGgkQFLqOwskv93fG0RXdwr0UFqlpa7adgFDTME6mtmGWQwDaPPEoqPhP-dW1_wjDMRo2kJtketx0ZFE0S4uxJUbok39P84Fu_m8yO1F0FmZsV2M-wJdvn6vowZbEIB7Ag0p23/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8YFJFrPGgkQFLqOwskv93fG0RXdwr0UFqlpa7adgFDTME6mtmGWQwDaPPEoqPhP-dW1_wjDMRo2kJtketx0ZFE0S4uxJUbok39P84Fu_m8yO1F0FmZsV2M-wJdvn6vowZbEIB7Ag0p23/s400/17.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;">You know it’s a fancy washroom when they have rolled hand towels instead of paper towels. </span><img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/11.2.0/svg/1f642.svg" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline !important; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; height: 1em !important; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0eKhYmmUkmBBNBJeQ1RJDv3l713xoa6bp6HcEG0jeLMn4Dj0pF6qluNPdmHK9FeFrSJf_wk8Jm5AVky3fo73EeYEEK4QP24naMMQMEqD3HKb28DlCm_HNvv1CfZZaiqOpj0k6eI3pQ92/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0eKhYmmUkmBBNBJeQ1RJDv3l713xoa6bp6HcEG0jeLMn4Dj0pF6qluNPdmHK9FeFrSJf_wk8Jm5AVky3fo73EeYEEK4QP24naMMQMEqD3HKb28DlCm_HNvv1CfZZaiqOpj0k6eI3pQ92/s400/18.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
This is the hallway that leads to the washrooms at the end of the hall with the spa entrance on the right. The first thing I did after doing a little exploring was to have the <b>complimentary 15-minute spa treatment at the Six Senses Spa </b>with several choices of massages and facials. Below is a photo of the massage room and while the ‘seat’ may not look comfortable, it most certainly was and did its purpose. The masseur was Filipino, as were two of the receptionists.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLsVUHbn3d_RS9XNNyiDPdSHYiZvBb2YvFJ-UHzccm_poGq1LbuBBLMXjd_y8vVC9QfNxw8XmujKLlVgm1SUOJL3YYz_vXYJ5yFXZa_Vg7yszGiI5cyXFv39dothZ5ifymVOMJY71vjLR/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLsVUHbn3d_RS9XNNyiDPdSHYiZvBb2YvFJ-UHzccm_poGq1LbuBBLMXjd_y8vVC9QfNxw8XmujKLlVgm1SUOJL3YYz_vXYJ5yFXZa_Vg7yszGiI5cyXFv39dothZ5ifymVOMJY71vjLR/s400/19.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
After a recharging massage session, I made my way to the huge lounge area where I was greeted by one of the wait staff with the menu and he asked me what I wanted to drink.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTyGag1cJolZtIk4keaUdCrdGfn_PTK3g77OPlx5rSv3ZPgmx_2ASskQhrS23KmWgAmubKclRan7tE8APpYNKugolHlZzhyphenhyphennH_Qp9E-VXLASPfMRyTH8HHu2oyXKoToas_XOZaOqrs_dE/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTyGag1cJolZtIk4keaUdCrdGfn_PTK3g77OPlx5rSv3ZPgmx_2ASskQhrS23KmWgAmubKclRan7tE8APpYNKugolHlZzhyphenhyphennH_Qp9E-VXLASPfMRyTH8HHu2oyXKoToas_XOZaOqrs_dE/s400/20.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuXGw9R7x2KFU69xZR21snpp8TAEYYCp6U05cCWK7pOt6pKNsGAOQQRR9OPCBSYvPJJU2MCPxFTMBqsltTSuwRdAqctWa13xoPOlP_S5CUcdkMj9SpecXjvEeslgJMeVlG5o7SKbz2DuA/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuXGw9R7x2KFU69xZR21snpp8TAEYYCp6U05cCWK7pOt6pKNsGAOQQRR9OPCBSYvPJJU2MCPxFTMBqsltTSuwRdAqctWa13xoPOlP_S5CUcdkMj9SpecXjvEeslgJMeVlG5o7SKbz2DuA/s400/21.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
One of the rooms was called <b>Relax and Recline</b>, which allowed you to do exactly those. There were about eight recliners and LCD screens with captivating images.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhn2_ZumfwEKQydef9-tYRBd17SmlUlt6zzUkHBvRuycWSZOOKIesM4YPyf19BC1IyWN4R8S7UQGMt3Vv4IcM-h1HyuPpya4bGG6gNEac9JGiUWcKYY-rHxyW174TS2tfFMjZR7Pr6JvM/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhn2_ZumfwEKQydef9-tYRBd17SmlUlt6zzUkHBvRuycWSZOOKIesM4YPyf19BC1IyWN4R8S7UQGMt3Vv4IcM-h1HyuPpya4bGG6gNEac9JGiUWcKYY-rHxyW174TS2tfFMjZR7Pr6JvM/s400/22.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9GQ0ZObilQrk-ad4nD2gyKa5EdZ0kMZ4JvjwdYKFzXtZMd8XrySEeD-X6_7QMaiJdBB98Ty3TqydIP4AwjU-t1EIQCXIHen3hLitJYhyoYwphQ9mJ4Mi6S4fzONMYkNDJT9m88Sp0jBh/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9GQ0ZObilQrk-ad4nD2gyKa5EdZ0kMZ4JvjwdYKFzXtZMd8XrySEeD-X6_7QMaiJdBB98Ty3TqydIP4AwjU-t1EIQCXIHen3hLitJYhyoYwphQ9mJ4Mi6S4fzONMYkNDJT9m88Sp0jBh/s400/23.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
I wasn’t in the mood to nap since I just woke up a few hours ago, so I spent my time exploring some more. On one corner of the lounge was the <b>TV Room</b> which had a couple of international news channels airing. The lounge itself, or at least the parts close to the windows, had plenty of natural light.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mkvs9IiN5Xq38JJmVEhZJoQ7va2balyp5zf-esCtkWOqdPenJRMYD-pCSoxjuTkJK8Pn68eOyKSCvD-ZHZzF8s6VQamLDsvKgLdiWj6F3j1LSHVpHVxN-uZwiePYFfo4fHuvPn2waX8K/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mkvs9IiN5Xq38JJmVEhZJoQ7va2balyp5zf-esCtkWOqdPenJRMYD-pCSoxjuTkJK8Pn68eOyKSCvD-ZHZzF8s6VQamLDsvKgLdiWj6F3j1LSHVpHVxN-uZwiePYFfo4fHuvPn2waX8K/s400/24.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9SUiw6fDqojr_2gZg9Iy7oh6bZTZ9MpRo4JvFMh2VTBNF2HDNkT83L3pNo7GKrD_JyWKQCNYzsowGEgHzGXvAGyQ1cvEjuXOb4rxS_PXybFDq2KPlqKvJ5pZloCuo1sAhKMtnVJr5DfX/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9SUiw6fDqojr_2gZg9Iy7oh6bZTZ9MpRo4JvFMh2VTBNF2HDNkT83L3pNo7GKrD_JyWKQCNYzsowGEgHzGXvAGyQ1cvEjuXOb4rxS_PXybFDq2KPlqKvJ5pZloCuo1sAhKMtnVJr5DfX/s400/25.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfolQbK5_I5er2dFc1pPFtSKoLIU3KwJyNzUJ8sWQEAj36lTgarFdfMFf3Gk6_ra6bQsFyasQSuoyez5hGhhMavfTWX504T4YMhRx7wsiPBt5gxwHRKtVVjpH09RPCaHzpUYuyH6IIWiWO/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfolQbK5_I5er2dFc1pPFtSKoLIU3KwJyNzUJ8sWQEAj36lTgarFdfMFf3Gk6_ra6bQsFyasQSuoyez5hGhhMavfTWX504T4YMhRx7wsiPBt5gxwHRKtVVjpH09RPCaHzpUYuyH6IIWiWO/s400/26.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
There was a fully-stocked self-service beverage fridge, espresso corner and some fruits. I don’t seem to recall seeing any of these when I visited the <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/etihad-business-class-review-abu-dhabi-to-brussels-ey-57-58-on-airbus-a330-200/">Etihad Business Class lounge</a> six months prior; I only recall there being a bar and bartender too.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5qG3CdHl2FIDBErvVA9ngljPU4uDOPwzKFDuUp29aRPiABOeZfkYmTwBrDQWCdJeCRdWtl_7FJIywKc0oHmg2JigUTq-gUInhVaEQTtVbhfrmgnmuF-xvnqmbcZgQjGTziwKShyGpJWz/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5qG3CdHl2FIDBErvVA9ngljPU4uDOPwzKFDuUp29aRPiABOeZfkYmTwBrDQWCdJeCRdWtl_7FJIywKc0oHmg2JigUTq-gUInhVaEQTtVbhfrmgnmuF-xvnqmbcZgQjGTziwKShyGpJWz/s400/27.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
There were actually two bars in the First Class lounge. The smaller one (photo above) was near the kitchen. Tairpohe lounge had a huge dining area, which took up most of the space, although there were hardly any people inside the lounge. In fact, I think there were more staff than guests at that time that morning. Unlike the Business Class lounge of Etihad (<a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/the-airport-lounges-of-naia-t1-ranked-from-good-to-best-and-how-to-get-in-for-free/">or most airlines and airports for that matter</a>), the setting wasn’t buffet-style but rather fine dining, which is the norm in most if not all airlines’ First Class lounges. Everything on the menu was cooked to order.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gsnHoOkel55q6AHOhQcG9yHBRj7qp8dodRGNt1YxyJS-018LflH43l3iGTsygE4si40KlgHcVMOwA0WFHVoh-LklsdSAsqrbdUKtPqKgbN13LOXsVJ3bZca8qFU-oy78Cl6R0-3vBf4a/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gsnHoOkel55q6AHOhQcG9yHBRj7qp8dodRGNt1YxyJS-018LflH43l3iGTsygE4si40KlgHcVMOwA0WFHVoh-LklsdSAsqrbdUKtPqKgbN13LOXsVJ3bZca8qFU-oy78Cl6R0-3vBf4a/s400/28.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
During breakfast time, each table came with a trio of fruit jam on a plate. I realized I hadn’t actually eaten any meal yet all day since I got picked up, probably due to the excitement. So, I began to order starting from breakfast. I learned that the course meals in the Etihad First Class lounge I read about in previous blog posts were no longer offered for months now. Anyway, first I had the <b>hot chocolate</b> and the <b>Eggs Benedict</b>, <i>which looked as good as it tasted</i>. Each slice of egg, yolk, cheese, spinach, ham and bread practically melted in my mouth! (You can view photos of the menus from the lounge and flight I uploaded <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O52ZmVd-qkItAOV06gL5c5u6CU5vdhgn">on Google drive</a>.)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ULWtwhxBbeK_Aq_2NHNq4CPOa4VkDXG89hs7tIi6bANr6kwfvnxf3m-39EjBgtGiI1X8g7FQrzWhu-DDWtFHxyxAp3GemC8ktx9UrZuDabeMLRLbcTFvA78rUlC0JmQ5DIDoGNsM-Py4/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ULWtwhxBbeK_Aq_2NHNq4CPOa4VkDXG89hs7tIi6bANr6kwfvnxf3m-39EjBgtGiI1X8g7FQrzWhu-DDWtFHxyxAp3GemC8ktx9UrZuDabeMLRLbcTFvA78rUlC0JmQ5DIDoGNsM-Py4/s400/29.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELrkaSRxXxEjTFW2-HL0TF__5pA1Zr7N0lX0JuLGW7tEiiY8anTeOSq8MES6HwsKww4ieCr8aHv9HnwIxQuYQ0Gal2_D51vNfLTVTnI9JUhgclS5F_JEi8BiVKQiEQUkX9m_2kOYF4YEb/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELrkaSRxXxEjTFW2-HL0TF__5pA1Zr7N0lX0JuLGW7tEiiY8anTeOSq8MES6HwsKww4ieCr8aHv9HnwIxQuYQ0Gal2_D51vNfLTVTnI9JUhgclS5F_JEi8BiVKQiEQUkX9m_2kOYF4YEb/s400/30.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdV6pFl9C2ZXHsuD7OGE2O-DJiHgP2dN7VaI87YYsb_rcz_4ByFzVavSFSwy827iE-QS_oUUFXJlkol4S3-K9C4c9UdCh4pJZIV06V2UztC3Zt3VoP-i_lyUqS72nHzs29mISQQaLN3Sf/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1024" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdV6pFl9C2ZXHsuD7OGE2O-DJiHgP2dN7VaI87YYsb_rcz_4ByFzVavSFSwy827iE-QS_oUUFXJlkol4S3-K9C4c9UdCh4pJZIV06V2UztC3Zt3VoP-i_lyUqS72nHzs29mISQQaLN3Sf/s400/31.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzi6353NojKNIt2MY8pnHU0AKADLOtp_Q-4fJxY-YkkQWzA5qcJWmGFMKv1bvuhzcsxq6doQEWrj8DZoJl_S-4IAv0Oa_2hoSooDgHN1kFYmPN9a10SLZdmK1SAx0RyEVYMGOACb3MpuT/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzi6353NojKNIt2MY8pnHU0AKADLOtp_Q-4fJxY-YkkQWzA5qcJWmGFMKv1bvuhzcsxq6doQEWrj8DZoJl_S-4IAv0Oa_2hoSooDgHN1kFYmPN9a10SLZdmK1SAx0RyEVYMGOACb3MpuT/s400/32.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
Another savory item I had for breakfast was the <b>Stuffed Paneer Cheese</b> with lentils and mint yoghurt. It reminded of thin slices of Halloumi cheese, which similarly should be consumed as soon as it’s served because it starts to turn stale as it turns cold. Lastly, I’m so glad I was tempted into ordering the <b>Pancakes </b>with apple ragout on the menu, because it looked equally pretty as its texture was fluffy.<br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75rJgAzqxMtOur9nc8g9wZM1kq3NWGdlaMZPbevhMK9OpCN6QLXuE1Nrk2b0WOD_BwgK1uh8g3PlIKqBs1lM5tyCFf9d-I9GHBJv2xtACrSWrPdAU2vHhoqCWJSLYZBPOvQwinhXvQqD_/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1024" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75rJgAzqxMtOur9nc8g9wZM1kq3NWGdlaMZPbevhMK9OpCN6QLXuE1Nrk2b0WOD_BwgK1uh8g3PlIKqBs1lM5tyCFf9d-I9GHBJv2xtACrSWrPdAU2vHhoqCWJSLYZBPOvQwinhXvQqD_/s400/33.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span></div>
<div>
After consuming all that food, I was stuffed. I went back to exploring the rest of the lounge. I hung around next at the bigger bar, which was right beside the windows with a view of the airport runways, and its design was so chic and Instagrammable.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFjXE-pMFeWo4hGcB6e1caANhfhjgU7-IDCKdonOE_R7pymh4hlsyz0TEhhJqbvt_-AOeiM98MAkDbSZdSymfF_L8u-IWqslj1ZNmMYQmgrWz6SI_qBmooqFo7nhoP1Rpul1gn7DAtMJh/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFjXE-pMFeWo4hGcB6e1caANhfhjgU7-IDCKdonOE_R7pymh4hlsyz0TEhhJqbvt_-AOeiM98MAkDbSZdSymfF_L8u-IWqslj1ZNmMYQmgrWz6SI_qBmooqFo7nhoP1Rpul1gn7DAtMJh/s400/34.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvS9NRNAOP3qcLEs7yQ7iXChyphenhyphena5xsBhyCkueesMvOmk3gaq8xqjRNJ9gg_rQATwl4LdH6FIywuXVHSe9r22mOckjG3s4aKWYbIAmQhES9aqGJ90Fn2PnAHX16V8XLmICOXPI1cjew5Igg/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvS9NRNAOP3qcLEs7yQ7iXChyphenhyphena5xsBhyCkueesMvOmk3gaq8xqjRNJ9gg_rQATwl4LdH6FIywuXVHSe9r22mOckjG3s4aKWYbIAmQhES9aqGJ90Fn2PnAHX16V8XLmICOXPI1cjew5Igg/s400/35.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh-NOwxNhN3tpDFj6bX0hEbMHsjhAJc6bvHWX2oPJXFFJbZB4A1mN0POG-N4P1fdMHMQ4msBZltH-gTUIE4-gW6ko4SNGId4hW8mFWn9_FGMj7054QN9lkqu6a2ooqCuP4G2q0sFx4m-8/s1600/36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh-NOwxNhN3tpDFj6bX0hEbMHsjhAJc6bvHWX2oPJXFFJbZB4A1mN0POG-N4P1fdMHMQ4msBZltH-gTUIE4-gW6ko4SNGId4hW8mFWn9_FGMj7054QN9lkqu6a2ooqCuP4G2q0sFx4m-8/s400/36.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-GKDZomRQMM9D-yIYTAdXPZOYclL3-t_aQffxiYrxY3XV2dCVFVz9b94tdZEgHgvwlvT9WzRHpPAlOFM6jI3gH3BhWAJE6s4gqfingVA3UJRMaC_8Czl8EUK7ZqVnjZgskEP_J-Tg7JF/s1600/37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-GKDZomRQMM9D-yIYTAdXPZOYclL3-t_aQffxiYrxY3XV2dCVFVz9b94tdZEgHgvwlvT9WzRHpPAlOFM6jI3gH3BhWAJE6s4gqfingVA3UJRMaC_8Czl8EUK7ZqVnjZgskEP_J-Tg7JF/s400/37.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
I was quite surprised to see a man do what homeless people do on the streets, despite there being a Relax and Recline room. But then again if you’re flying First Class I suppose it’s hard for the staff to tell you to stop whatever you’re doing. He probably couldn’t wait to lie on a completely flat bed.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bPJHk7oZym8abRXCtY6nDLkEsI5JptVNwFXxnVCpcQlAeDxpOC1NAmSTn2cxaJDpOd1KqE5ga-4yOtHvwtFWQ576SrEDyAPYse25NG0mBDN27yaixRhMQ01fatc9UQW5tsSAXq9lE2bF/s1600/38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bPJHk7oZym8abRXCtY6nDLkEsI5JptVNwFXxnVCpcQlAeDxpOC1NAmSTn2cxaJDpOd1KqE5ga-4yOtHvwtFWQ576SrEDyAPYse25NG0mBDN27yaixRhMQ01fatc9UQW5tsSAXq9lE2bF/s400/38.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_9KYnP3SirCd9PIU6GxgzJ154QsCvc6lowxnUVS8jxuvPZqKo0Z1Wp3BhsIjVg-UieXmzUGxM_p1JKyK9mOQ6UqR7IQz6Ojl9TWog5yPn0iSRrgthj-8D8rWTLDePGAAMblDpThIF9P9/s1600/39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_9KYnP3SirCd9PIU6GxgzJ154QsCvc6lowxnUVS8jxuvPZqKo0Z1Wp3BhsIjVg-UieXmzUGxM_p1JKyK9mOQ6UqR7IQz6Ojl9TWog5yPn0iSRrgthj-8D8rWTLDePGAAMblDpThIF9P9/s400/39.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tClKZlPYguoB3DhVKHWeq9To56KLbG-81wjXeJnz0BD2000NR4xBExdzkh0YcHRKt07fiPbYrw3Snm7GnR_jNlBLfEAZjjzxZwcCetlYjXQSipwtzqa3j1Zj8Z-YOKFeXxd_mq69ZnBy/s1600/40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tClKZlPYguoB3DhVKHWeq9To56KLbG-81wjXeJnz0BD2000NR4xBExdzkh0YcHRKt07fiPbYrw3Snm7GnR_jNlBLfEAZjjzxZwcCetlYjXQSipwtzqa3j1Zj8Z-YOKFeXxd_mq69ZnBy/s400/40.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
I decided to pass the time by charging and being on my phone in the Relax and Recline room with some drinks which came served with mixed nuts. Soon enough it was lunchtime, which meant the menu had changed. I decided to try one final, light meal before leaving the lounge and boarding my flight, where I would be having even more food whenever I wanted. I ordered the <b>Cream of Pea Soup</b>. It had a striking light green color which both complemented and contrasted with the faint pink hue of my “rose petals” drink. Then I picked the <b>Grilled Beef Tenderloin</b> over the Salmon Fillet (because I assume there would be salmon on the flight like they always do), cooked medium well, and it was was very tender – but the hand-cut fries tasted remarkable on their own! – even without the honey mustard-Worcestershire sauce it paired perfectly with.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E4V8wr0ScytIdHL6z5V3M6skPcaAq4OwEcYhbdhKVlV9vrVoqYNqHoGOhK5gtGRTtSbv99p3kvr70dfsjkVpj208R0sglwpw0mvCLam99CwPo4XFXTlmpamC5HDq0Cl9T57Vk46KHaPT/s1600/41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E4V8wr0ScytIdHL6z5V3M6skPcaAq4OwEcYhbdhKVlV9vrVoqYNqHoGOhK5gtGRTtSbv99p3kvr70dfsjkVpj208R0sglwpw0mvCLam99CwPo4XFXTlmpamC5HDq0Cl9T57Vk46KHaPT/s400/41.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2EFOu9OKWmppn53xG5CiU_YjmNPncyRAETrk0Uq4mlgfUz_9s-kGlnXXiCk1oAVIJhV4M1V6ZPnKP9SkmvehZ3g99g2NBORjw1Gk4-0HRQ-peMAzq4evaLIrjV15xmsV1c9IkTp-NFU8/s1600/42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2EFOu9OKWmppn53xG5CiU_YjmNPncyRAETrk0Uq4mlgfUz_9s-kGlnXXiCk1oAVIJhV4M1V6ZPnKP9SkmvehZ3g99g2NBORjw1Gk4-0HRQ-peMAzq4evaLIrjV15xmsV1c9IkTp-NFU8/s400/42.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkc_Do76ZcfuXgslSCPjmAeozLr9BhxToZaKoDb4Xirxl0sI95dFfb5FkPLJdADGA65HI9btuSbqSaAcx75TlpuTckZcFRMmF3y7HpwhUE8EHcAoKE5b-khdb9uXo4S08yt_yijUOhm3W/s1600/43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkc_Do76ZcfuXgslSCPjmAeozLr9BhxToZaKoDb4Xirxl0sI95dFfb5FkPLJdADGA65HI9btuSbqSaAcx75TlpuTckZcFRMmF3y7HpwhUE8EHcAoKE5b-khdb9uXo4S08yt_yijUOhm3W/s400/43.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b>Even though it was my first time flying First Class, I had really high expectations of the service and food but they were all exceeded.</b> The one concern I did have was the layout of the lounge. The one washroom was located on one end of the lounge which took some time to walk to if you were staying near the Relax and Recline room (the other end).<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
Boarding</h2>
I left the lounge to board as early as possible and Gate 33 wasn’t too far from the First Class lounge, which I think is intended that way, and there was a small section with a special entrance allotted for First and Business Class guests (below). No one was above airport security, as some of us were still randomly selected for hand luggage inspection including myself. If my memory serves me right, there was a separate jet bridge that connected directly to the First Class section of the cabin.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-Oc6YebKgPhzviXNRvvzY-iD1tq0e3JV3YYO-jsyDtRspb1FwS3Smic2mcJGDjbUwlah12qe1B674ezEn_y5Dlig5jEPb2K_KsJ1LcNdBdFX9UPjUy266oe2ywAur1YrMynp_B6ErYem/s1600/44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-Oc6YebKgPhzviXNRvvzY-iD1tq0e3JV3YYO-jsyDtRspb1FwS3Smic2mcJGDjbUwlah12qe1B674ezEn_y5Dlig5jEPb2K_KsJ1LcNdBdFX9UPjUy266oe2ywAur1YrMynp_B6ErYem/s400/44.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h2>
The Cabin</h2>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGykCDnJk0bl6TFaMZ1D1RfnRYELiEEoKak6Lo_sL7NBFVKbJVY9WnyWPWRm1f-a5AVFejj11h5njJ0yj64CGeaXnkj7wFIlcH4KaK_0C1JSN2Eg9v9PJRrRjEKg5B8Fzk78No-Q0qLTN1/s1600/45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGykCDnJk0bl6TFaMZ1D1RfnRYELiEEoKak6Lo_sL7NBFVKbJVY9WnyWPWRm1f-a5AVFejj11h5njJ0yj64CGeaXnkj7wFIlcH4KaK_0C1JSN2Eg9v9PJRrRjEKg5B8Fzk78No-Q0qLTN1/s400/45.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
When I arrived in my suite, I was in awe. It was exactly as I had expected, based on all the photos I’ve seen of the cabin from previous bloggers. I called the hotline a few weeks after I booked my ticket to reserve this seat (4A) out of the 9 available seats, since I didn’t want to end up with a rear-facing one. (The seats alternate forward and rear-facing, although some claim it makes no difference when in the air.) It seemed like the entire First Class cabin was fully booked, except for The Residence which was empty. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was greeted by cabin crew <b>Imke </b>who I learned was normally a butler for The Residence! She was very professional and had a youthful, humorous wit about her which I particularly adored. I thought I would be the youngest First Class passenger in the cabin, and I was almost right, but next to my suite was a late 20-something Dutch lawyer who I eventually became friends with. He and I were “class”-mates (pun intended.) Like me, he was also flying using miles, but unlike me he has been doing so years before I have. Soon after, a FA came with the welcome champagne, dates and wet towel. She also provided us First Class guests with <b>complimentary wifi access</b> good for 90 MB, which I completely forgot to use.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPMMvnJuoAWFql2JZLxrHvafqQ2sCSsgqEwG8zBN9DhkAQ7OGEu4r06E0sEX3-ccjQBKFsnxFxEdj8JAgN9obBbLi3QQFICBmtWXDmeF3BWuLKPZPV2-GYOOXRCSra4ak09cuC4JGXuZU/s1600/46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPMMvnJuoAWFql2JZLxrHvafqQ2sCSsgqEwG8zBN9DhkAQ7OGEu4r06E0sEX3-ccjQBKFsnxFxEdj8JAgN9obBbLi3QQFICBmtWXDmeF3BWuLKPZPV2-GYOOXRCSra4ak09cuC4JGXuZU/s400/46.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvZAr04xS0wsunARRwQ3vn4C2W2dL5bu8Gbi7jcK19CbgliWVJAz8mUd5ZHxd8MwdQU9ib2qEipn3ZxObJ_Rm9rPc-sjDVveoiszWx76gHrgUfZUuC5NXnN0L5GO-mUGIBlZ7rDd9-Vy3/s1600/47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvZAr04xS0wsunARRwQ3vn4C2W2dL5bu8Gbi7jcK19CbgliWVJAz8mUd5ZHxd8MwdQU9ib2qEipn3ZxObJ_Rm9rPc-sjDVveoiszWx76gHrgUfZUuC5NXnN0L5GO-mUGIBlZ7rDd9-Vy3/s400/47.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUuuhAWZR3-KwX1criqVW6h5xXWcKeiLawJD3doL1uenDbehgpAgvyERlTWNd4FbqeyKAmbch_enz5iH_gjmRY5BCFJTiqztcMBiPnRAdJ45g9uewjNY2Eh1MmfdPk1PXobOysqCpCdKF/s1600/48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUuuhAWZR3-KwX1criqVW6h5xXWcKeiLawJD3doL1uenDbehgpAgvyERlTWNd4FbqeyKAmbch_enz5iH_gjmRY5BCFJTiqztcMBiPnRAdJ45g9uewjNY2Eh1MmfdPk1PXobOysqCpCdKF/s400/48.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span></div>
<div>
Moments later, she came back with some hors d’oeuvres consisting of mixed nuts, an olive, and what looked like a tomato with artichoke. At this point, just before the flight was about to take off, I took this opportunity to take one final Facebook live video to showcase the cabin interior, again courtesy of my complimentary pocket wifi from <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/big-sky-nation-philippines-your-reliable-pocket-wifi-provider-review/"><b>Big Sky Nation</b></a>.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvWEAf8O1poZGXGx3CPTekxd_NE8ZKn2ZqaAdizydgiuBs55XxlSlCaSBAJj1eeO3GupK1wa3t2byHKbdUE2ACpJcaPRkXNj-jYgjta3tbEspVrdn0cnkvrUBpx5A1TniEAng6a65-uhl/s1600/49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvWEAf8O1poZGXGx3CPTekxd_NE8ZKn2ZqaAdizydgiuBs55XxlSlCaSBAJj1eeO3GupK1wa3t2byHKbdUE2ACpJcaPRkXNj-jYgjta3tbEspVrdn0cnkvrUBpx5A1TniEAng6a65-uhl/s400/49.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5o7EFAhWZ73AXiKw8LA1TxYg16WGZmetztfVuLj5-4fNnA_wtqFRYEDIIrvt5tr5jPK0cQOQJn2AC_ZSMG4EcuMFFBap5FLTZIoVYkH7VCB_wX3K7j2EJ2B8X5vGZpcxCSWqeHyECZzf/s1600/50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5o7EFAhWZ73AXiKw8LA1TxYg16WGZmetztfVuLj5-4fNnA_wtqFRYEDIIrvt5tr5jPK0cQOQJn2AC_ZSMG4EcuMFFBap5FLTZIoVYkH7VCB_wX3K7j2EJ2B8X5vGZpcxCSWqeHyECZzf/s400/50.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTddLeN36PJzDxo1PIsT3KII3BYM9qi9lOlGFQfv7R-gN64qE3smOuUH36V1DZpDMGP4l1zSw-2AZesd6nwxRCbpDGZSuLpnVCkLMP7_X0awMDmEAvwPPvI3XfqyjNoSanC1eBWy4zkgl/s1600/51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTddLeN36PJzDxo1PIsT3KII3BYM9qi9lOlGFQfv7R-gN64qE3smOuUH36V1DZpDMGP4l1zSw-2AZesd6nwxRCbpDGZSuLpnVCkLMP7_X0awMDmEAvwPPvI3XfqyjNoSanC1eBWy4zkgl/s400/51.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiau3_kqM1muxGlJJBExqYb4800dsRvW3FKwPKrtAXBxg3Zi9sQfP2ARyb7BMOux2a2ziZw5iOCT492rsr31FFeJh6DdjXS_2uQwWRipXMRW1Uf6rEgWygvMkTWUUCqFNjSPq8d9vfScrb/s1600/52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiau3_kqM1muxGlJJBExqYb4800dsRvW3FKwPKrtAXBxg3Zi9sQfP2ARyb7BMOux2a2ziZw5iOCT492rsr31FFeJh6DdjXS_2uQwWRipXMRW1Uf6rEgWygvMkTWUUCqFNjSPq8d9vfScrb/s400/52.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span></div>
Naturally, First and Business cabins come with <b>noise-cancelling headphones</b>. The <b>mini bar</b> for First Class passengers was a pleasant surprise, as it <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/stay-for-free-at-the-luxurious-shangri-la-hotel-abu-dhabi-the-best-stopover-youll-ever-have-2018-review/">reminds you of staying at a five-star hotel</a>.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBpH6RrONaYfOla6T7fzGlH36jE-E4kqjkbB57yqC1C5015IzHdl8KDSca92VrmvDjS1HliSONatkRCbkZMXpGIwWNU1yQyhlBgmXGs6alzOtNqHkZsF1A16huyAaTV9k77x1p2kPXVrj/s1600/53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBpH6RrONaYfOla6T7fzGlH36jE-E4kqjkbB57yqC1C5015IzHdl8KDSca92VrmvDjS1HliSONatkRCbkZMXpGIwWNU1yQyhlBgmXGs6alzOtNqHkZsF1A16huyAaTV9k77x1p2kPXVrj/s400/53.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
There were several controls on the seat and on a touchscreen panel to completely customize how exactly you want your window shades and how to relax in your seat.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98x94dOG9ybWGAJU1z5HqFLWVnJpV5iAAxErww3jvoPZUk-5aJZBKCDD-zKAXxq-7kR5iJKgywz62SvFD7ibuuo2tG-XiY6qcplSlBdaylM6ik1kziS61ZTuFIdQqNydj6BYvyNh32ZBi/s1600/54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98x94dOG9ybWGAJU1z5HqFLWVnJpV5iAAxErww3jvoPZUk-5aJZBKCDD-zKAXxq-7kR5iJKgywz62SvFD7ibuuo2tG-XiY6qcplSlBdaylM6ik1kziS61ZTuFIdQqNydj6BYvyNh32ZBi/s400/54.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<h2>
In-Flight Lounge/Bar</h2>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
After take off and the fasten seat belt sign was turned off, my first priority was to visit the <b>in-flight lounge/bar</b>. Usually found only on A380 aircraft, the bar is exclusive for upper deck passengers, and it was located between the First and Business class cabins together with the galley for the cabin crew, enclosed in curtains on both ends. The round table in the middle can actually be hidden downward during take off and landing. The seats come with outlets for when you want to charge your devices while lounging in an area more spacious than your own private suite.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU-_USsqDC3I3-2m-8krGPCgHaPAt130z7Vbxq0P3Kd5Zf_C7cHO6rrzPFqz3coEz5tL00dM7_DtyHRElvehFO7ccQhyp3MbAB8PflWB6YTyeWT1seP2NgXQBpm32mcpAV7m10k9tiaIu/s1600/55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU-_USsqDC3I3-2m-8krGPCgHaPAt130z7Vbxq0P3Kd5Zf_C7cHO6rrzPFqz3coEz5tL00dM7_DtyHRElvehFO7ccQhyp3MbAB8PflWB6YTyeWT1seP2NgXQBpm32mcpAV7m10k9tiaIu/s400/55.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DzsGIABsxKtgy-sVfs1v-8Oru_lpgqHlVsYuCx3M2di9oKDUrJUPzOmZVJ1CeqjQ2CqZA_QlatUzm10p0CIoQbWgJ4T2k_u89hGncEosbSxjzwnC1YlP3lduToH6LFGqcPvqD3QCVNW9/s1600/56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DzsGIABsxKtgy-sVfs1v-8Oru_lpgqHlVsYuCx3M2di9oKDUrJUPzOmZVJ1CeqjQ2CqZA_QlatUzm10p0CIoQbWgJ4T2k_u89hGncEosbSxjzwnC1YlP3lduToH6LFGqcPvqD3QCVNW9/s400/56.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit93YRCbcW777dou6scUXJDHTe9dkvRHXjTnnbQIc68f1RqNS83IAUl73cavBVvwPX-xk-rt3dO6Xecy57cesvn93Vn36hogCKF-XMVNrRSi8YkIOODKpgOlzlrUOCua5xCuPboQzDmo4R/s1600/57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit93YRCbcW777dou6scUXJDHTe9dkvRHXjTnnbQIc68f1RqNS83IAUl73cavBVvwPX-xk-rt3dO6Xecy57cesvn93Vn36hogCKF-XMVNrRSi8YkIOODKpgOlzlrUOCua5xCuPboQzDmo4R/s400/57.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxK3SKbxHT3dURDsA9ZWCY5WxJWZvPWr6AK-H8fOX_j5bxokwiSnujKPUwms-foiBl9cTlG61Fz_VlqxDK4bxLmzmYP-pamBuhXAMbLs0Vt3MiSwPps9T6QfG98u1Lc9bpsZujPDetJQ9/s1600/58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxK3SKbxHT3dURDsA9ZWCY5WxJWZvPWr6AK-H8fOX_j5bxokwiSnujKPUwms-foiBl9cTlG61Fz_VlqxDK4bxLmzmYP-pamBuhXAMbLs0Vt3MiSwPps9T6QfG98u1Lc9bpsZujPDetJQ9/s400/58.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJP8yAE348AdJiyA60Sx6vaGhoZKODTgV5BEQH6azHiUvGwNH-tVBxAYpR0LHTayvS-0daNVtj7dVShmDDvdusFXs71XJ8dL9jUHXn25pZhqq6p1dOjRcCKN5DOao95qZnrIEA2d4nHHWi/s1600/59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJP8yAE348AdJiyA60Sx6vaGhoZKODTgV5BEQH6azHiUvGwNH-tVBxAYpR0LHTayvS-0daNVtj7dVShmDDvdusFXs71XJ8dL9jUHXn25pZhqq6p1dOjRcCKN5DOao95qZnrIEA2d4nHHWi/s400/59.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpPU4d5aGpBPpvh5PIUwlS68iTBz77Te6V102Zt3yL_w8Ez5QgCI0Ot40GbKMciLl6p-DF05mMci8g1CRwzhsA2i6Bg0pYoZXS9FfxVd4xYncmgWlQ3JU2vj13TDjiSHTX0Dnd0pa-ekC/s1600/60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpPU4d5aGpBPpvh5PIUwlS68iTBz77Te6V102Zt3yL_w8Ez5QgCI0Ot40GbKMciLl6p-DF05mMci8g1CRwzhsA2i6Bg0pYoZXS9FfxVd4xYncmgWlQ3JU2vj13TDjiSHTX0Dnd0pa-ekC/s400/60.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGS5nqg9VFnJ8r-YuVZrqZGDyfLLHXeu8UCqbadWa61cY7yzwuf4m5VZvSwYnVeYVbVG8Fd1sJPzYbiJeB1zHKh858EA95u6t0_NfqAlU8vzKWBKjd1HhzRHFOPAxUB1_rPtyrZFyv-7b/s1600/61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGS5nqg9VFnJ8r-YuVZrqZGDyfLLHXeu8UCqbadWa61cY7yzwuf4m5VZvSwYnVeYVbVG8Fd1sJPzYbiJeB1zHKh858EA95u6t0_NfqAlU8vzKWBKjd1HhzRHFOPAxUB1_rPtyrZFyv-7b/s400/61.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Just before I left the bar, the FA asked me if I wanted to have anything to eat. I decided on some potato chips (they were probably Lays) to be brought into my suite.<br />
<br /></div>
<h2>
First Class Pajamas</h2>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH8xR4ATehSbbErMePPh-o-RdCZgt2ANYs2oD7AwEx-Z_yWkhlMZFqB3HZJMQAxrXkwVZpbzB8GRuKId4MYRJUCTHij8dAkb-w8oJzoWR6TzaWyNu7TIxVFe2MKLFZRVdftWqRr1Yzby_/s1600/62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH8xR4ATehSbbErMePPh-o-RdCZgt2ANYs2oD7AwEx-Z_yWkhlMZFqB3HZJMQAxrXkwVZpbzB8GRuKId4MYRJUCTHij8dAkb-w8oJzoWR6TzaWyNu7TIxVFe2MKLFZRVdftWqRr1Yzby_/s400/62.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
At this point, I decided to change into something more comfy. I didn’t get the chance to have pajamas to wear <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/etihad-business-class-review-abu-dhabi-to-brussels-ey-57-58-on-airbus-a330-200/">when I flew Etihad’s Business Class six months ago</a> from Manila to Brussels and back, because <b>Etihad offers pajamas exclusively to First Class passengers</b>, which makes it one of the highlights on this flight. The matching all-black top and bottom together with the slippers were kept in a signature pouch. I was given the smallest size available for men, which was still loose for me. These were handed to me after I requested for them.<br />
<br />
<h2>
First Class Lavatory and Shower</h2>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-ntBjNM2V286KNApCcM5OZ4pYxsXl_x9RRrluRpQPn6rFmX9FTT8Gic3Ygszb7HW3andSvrrDeKwhyphenhyphen6rNZR6q4DNouA2SHbJcDcaa0ivtvXVhJfvFFZxNMNXQs49EY7Wae8ffAf3CFre/s1600/63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-ntBjNM2V286KNApCcM5OZ4pYxsXl_x9RRrluRpQPn6rFmX9FTT8Gic3Ygszb7HW3andSvrrDeKwhyphenhyphen6rNZR6q4DNouA2SHbJcDcaa0ivtvXVhJfvFFZxNMNXQs49EY7Wae8ffAf3CFre/s400/63.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Another thing that sets First Class apart from Business (at least for the cabins on the A380 on most airlines), and Etihad’s First Apartments from other airlines’ First Class products for that matter, is the existence of a <b>shower </b>on board. There is one *very spacious* lavatory and shower for the First Class cabin. Being able to take a hot shower above the clouds is probably one of the most lavish, luxurious experiences one can ever have – at least for 6 minutes which is how long until the water runs out. I scheduled to have mine right away with the FA, who let me know I could use it as soon as she set it up.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-awZvqHrzEPY3ItmD6Edwz-a0TaaPtdKCPURanUgvuFj1zPgVgf-ITvGzIcD2gGKCeMFS6RZr3xBAPv2Bd2zvmqZ7H_88qvkfweRQ4481zumXirEZl9bk7ayzGz1iuT8WAU0JLk82XwX/s1600/64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-awZvqHrzEPY3ItmD6Edwz-a0TaaPtdKCPURanUgvuFj1zPgVgf-ITvGzIcD2gGKCeMFS6RZr3xBAPv2Bd2zvmqZ7H_88qvkfweRQ4481zumXirEZl9bk7ayzGz1iuT8WAU0JLk82XwX/s400/64.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
It works similar to a car’s fuel gauge, where it turns from green (full) to red (nearly empty). The shower comes with individual toiletry bottles from <b>Hungarian luxury skincare brand Omorovicza</b>, the same brand of the products in the First Class amenity kit. There are also dispensers with lotions and other creams in the lavatory.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj-oLQtIwd-aqSuZgAKUuYoKLJudt0Kw00-UKD2bA_tJT2NqFaHuRs8zOs3iLMCzmUyAJYvFSB5iVp539tB5MpYPTi5AwmnlnaASj002GipgBrcShWewEpr_9SJnKJ9evGw8LSdgoPuAl/s1600/65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj-oLQtIwd-aqSuZgAKUuYoKLJudt0Kw00-UKD2bA_tJT2NqFaHuRs8zOs3iLMCzmUyAJYvFSB5iVp539tB5MpYPTi5AwmnlnaASj002GipgBrcShWewEpr_9SJnKJ9evGw8LSdgoPuAl/s400/65.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h2>
Back in my (First) Apartment</h2>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJeFLzebKFStC9CckR-mxeUm9ipZbR0X31fEF-kF3v72pck4MqnAqNN10a63ADfy3v2EGrFyAHTh8wj0ksW9y7JqXksRLP1UnCDVfXMTqT2IzNWLtEw5nZp1sIJQs33gTCz77QcLFvgf-/s1600/66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJeFLzebKFStC9CckR-mxeUm9ipZbR0X31fEF-kF3v72pck4MqnAqNN10a63ADfy3v2EGrFyAHTh8wj0ksW9y7JqXksRLP1UnCDVfXMTqT2IzNWLtEw5nZp1sIJQs33gTCz77QcLFvgf-/s400/66.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Now clad in pajama wear, I made my way back to my suite and kept my clothes in a side closet by the door. I took this chance to take a photo of my trusty and now favorite blue Coach leather (gym) hand carry bag I bought in Florence, Italy six months ago. (Full disclosure: I actually stuffed the rolled blanket into the bag so I could take a photo of it looking full. <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/new-sensible-and-efficient-travel-tips-thetravelguyshops/">Just one of my #lifehacks</a>) The in-flight entertainment had Black Panther (one of the best superhero movies ever, right next to Wonder Woman), which came out just three months prior.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y3cebFYqcYnzrWuSUYs7SREUPL3tCmq5SRMKLmRmEY5itc4eCzGVr_UExJ-BrHi71Fjoi_uTEiGPNvt8G6N9bwqAxoCUeEuC7q_r34ZIUBTAjWihIP941JR_KAHKW_tbRtIH9Kx2VGky/s1600/67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y3cebFYqcYnzrWuSUYs7SREUPL3tCmq5SRMKLmRmEY5itc4eCzGVr_UExJ-BrHi71Fjoi_uTEiGPNvt8G6N9bwqAxoCUeEuC7q_r34ZIUBTAjWihIP941JR_KAHKW_tbRtIH9Kx2VGky/s400/67.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37I4ldOnV4tTw2Ue7f2knxj6XEO_L_-vn08dimtZLL0VHUjCq_Yni3IF5XQTAF-RnmNaVpEg5VNJ62tAhRJ25L7lgySVTbiJB9JfMIJgC6Gqi9sBYny7RpbsC2qRuYcvXafs2OSApg5zI/s1600/68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37I4ldOnV4tTw2Ue7f2knxj6XEO_L_-vn08dimtZLL0VHUjCq_Yni3IF5XQTAF-RnmNaVpEg5VNJ62tAhRJ25L7lgySVTbiJB9JfMIJgC6Gqi9sBYny7RpbsC2qRuYcvXafs2OSApg5zI/s400/68.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFYbdy9J8dcX659lLPXU31xNjoSKSh4zmtyq16CaUjFDctJYpdwDv-uKfrby5XnPmAc6klLGDPRMCQq-Vpys_T3NlB5mNwzY8hW4A020RiBd3xBKpv2wYGEMBU7gCnJwb1FfqU6JVFgxy/s1600/69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFYbdy9J8dcX659lLPXU31xNjoSKSh4zmtyq16CaUjFDctJYpdwDv-uKfrby5XnPmAc6klLGDPRMCQq-Vpys_T3NlB5mNwzY8hW4A020RiBd3xBKpv2wYGEMBU7gCnJwb1FfqU6JVFgxy/s400/69.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
The FA came by to hand me a Fast Track card for immigration. Just one of the perks of flying in First Class!<br />
<br /></div>
<h2>
Meal Service</h2>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpFsZz0hyphenhyphenWOkf79QjOsbr3-rzg6j9NYG2xAntVLnlxsl7Ab1JyeH3IahbZm173k0LDpXb5CF91z1HNEapGWPU_cqlPbSdaoX0aJGKBErQmCUyleaXqPkb8e5Sd5w9aty6duYcjr41bt5Y/s1600/70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpFsZz0hyphenhyphenWOkf79QjOsbr3-rzg6j9NYG2xAntVLnlxsl7Ab1JyeH3IahbZm173k0LDpXb5CF91z1HNEapGWPU_cqlPbSdaoX0aJGKBErQmCUyleaXqPkb8e5Sd5w9aty6duYcjr41bt5Y/s400/70.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
At some point in time (I forgot when since Etihad offers <b>Dine on Demand</b>, meaning you can order and have your meal anytime you want) I ordered my first meal of <b>Eggs Cooked to Order</b> (scrambled) with potato rosti and veal together with a <b>Brass Monkey</b> (vodka, rum, OJ.) The eggs, like in most airlines’ First Class cabins, are made fresh – but I can see why critics claim you should never order the eggs. Mine were scrambled, but it tasted funny because of the way it cooked. Then the potatoes quickly turned stale, most likely due to the cold cabin air. This is one dish I recommend Etihad to revise on their menu. Nonetheless, the plating was impressive.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9DUA2ZRQGaBPXwJjjBquA4xVmw6oRRwxdNbgMhj8LFq-tKOW5CMBUlE2b4bPhGtCTnRMcwJXwKGV0OS1fOlThNjFIBhHZL58BdSY8uRFlgC5LAKsYvkl_3thtlzbXcUWz_30cz_vyB5Q/s1600/71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9DUA2ZRQGaBPXwJjjBquA4xVmw6oRRwxdNbgMhj8LFq-tKOW5CMBUlE2b4bPhGtCTnRMcwJXwKGV0OS1fOlThNjFIBhHZL58BdSY8uRFlgC5LAKsYvkl_3thtlzbXcUWz_30cz_vyB5Q/s400/71.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHerVpMbCon-FcyCcekdcWxyo7Lq4xDMLhCd_ir-X7edi1rL9FtRyCR9dEWCPpnSeHVMBIe6wvZH-WfPzUCt4SOTem1zAVT31b12y7oHh9WCFWj_4vPou79UT2MBgrmOwk-6XImEnWgZQ/s1600/72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHerVpMbCon-FcyCcekdcWxyo7Lq4xDMLhCd_ir-X7edi1rL9FtRyCR9dEWCPpnSeHVMBIe6wvZH-WfPzUCt4SOTem1zAVT31b12y7oHh9WCFWj_4vPou79UT2MBgrmOwk-6XImEnWgZQ/s400/72.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Upon seeing myself in photos wearing the pajamas, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why did I remind myself of a kung fu or feng shui master?<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW9zI8tcgK2M9mgvEBDqNVNgRo81_srZN7TqD7Xc_7iVnOoyfqDDDttXuRxr_VQVSPse7TSr-KGU6kazEDqLWVUtsdrfP_nxXiy-wwYsEeCMXa__thwGxVlnV7lCRmEpEEOLrLLe3VzQ_/s1600/73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW9zI8tcgK2M9mgvEBDqNVNgRo81_srZN7TqD7Xc_7iVnOoyfqDDDttXuRxr_VQVSPse7TSr-KGU6kazEDqLWVUtsdrfP_nxXiy-wwYsEeCMXa__thwGxVlnV7lCRmEpEEOLrLLe3VzQ_/s400/73.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
For dessert I had the <b>cookies and cream ice cream</b> with biscotti and <b>Amarula liqueur</b>. A creamy way to end a meal!<br />
<br />
<h2>
(SNEAK PEAK OF THE RESIDENCE)</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0cVNKZdjiyQ7nayGsueJOD7Tsu-9jrzN2GbBzzSHoUL2qq0Eh9pFi9_UctVN1JKuIN4XMaoQIhnWBVEodqELKRFLnhzK_lQDQR_qwvpAT0m-3OqLPHPXub7U_H1g4VygoTKolpsHSFJr/s1600/74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="The Residence by Etihad" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0cVNKZdjiyQ7nayGsueJOD7Tsu-9jrzN2GbBzzSHoUL2qq0Eh9pFi9_UctVN1JKuIN4XMaoQIhnWBVEodqELKRFLnhzK_lQDQR_qwvpAT0m-3OqLPHPXub7U_H1g4VygoTKolpsHSFJr/s400/74.jpg" title="The Residence by Etihad" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
I took a photo of <b>The Residence by Etihad</b> from above its door while going to and from the lavatory. Do note that The Residence is good for 2 passengers. These photos are of the first of its three rooms.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr-IIx0aBWhMRv4iXXfD9oM0YCns5aVlWIfz-1twE6s3JlvnHajs5ybXV_wZ65M3mfIgHT4Dv61hsuE17E3GcwvbVdIOwDzDpfO3HqBkKToPbvxU2vOZ7DOlFD7sgv-_kVzAvSMdnJfdM/s1600/75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="The Residence by Etihad" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr-IIx0aBWhMRv4iXXfD9oM0YCns5aVlWIfz-1twE6s3JlvnHajs5ybXV_wZ65M3mfIgHT4Dv61hsuE17E3GcwvbVdIOwDzDpfO3HqBkKToPbvxU2vOZ7DOlFD7sgv-_kVzAvSMdnJfdM/s400/75.jpg" title="The Residence by Etihad" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Inside the sliding door to the right of the TV is the main ‘bedroom’ with a queen-sized bed and a private bathroom with shower. Not having to share a bathroom – now *that’s* exclusive!<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>
<br />
<br />
<h2>
The First Class Amenity Kit</h2>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkJb7hHg6BCU3G-vy8JkacqOZKGLInNr1iEZ_RF5ucvqE1ZGPlj6-nuGzChSzSwHBaXCgUVmzvcmshBdAdRrEJSdtrxhiBC5lLWj7AfCPLFccZhlOh4Z7DzBNSSK3StguLYLuz1mV5RDC/s1600/76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkJb7hHg6BCU3G-vy8JkacqOZKGLInNr1iEZ_RF5ucvqE1ZGPlj6-nuGzChSzSwHBaXCgUVmzvcmshBdAdRrEJSdtrxhiBC5lLWj7AfCPLFccZhlOh4Z7DzBNSSK3StguLYLuz1mV5RDC/s400/76.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/etihad-business-class-review-abu-dhabi-to-brussels-ey-57-58-on-airbus-a330-200/">When I flew Etihad Business Class</a>, their Business Class amenity kits (which were only available upon request on certain routes) were by <b>Luxe </b>and the toiletries were by <b>UK brand Scaramouche + Fandango</b>. For First Class this time around, the amenity kit kept was by <b>French fashion designer Christian Lacroix</b> and the toiletries were the same brand as the ones in the lavatory, <b>Hungarian luxury skincare brand Omorovicza</b>. They were all kept inside the dresser. In case you’re curious: yes, the toiletries in The Residence bathroom are even more exclusive. They’re from Italian brand Acqua di Parma. First Class amenity kits in most airlines usually come in his and hers. For Etihad, his comes in a black wash bag form that opens up to become a flat bag. Hers comes in a chic wine-red clutch.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5Tn0ac4qH4tm4mm78_GWb2luEeKbpfBxmvoHEBqiT_DtSxQbyKfKvObkYEf6dBaMgHW9sSRgp4V6B-4P-4mOwvJscwHvLKopheUDfqTkMAblddrAWz6VQy8AbaIMtwFQXmLnFpn_kDzu/s1600/77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5Tn0ac4qH4tm4mm78_GWb2luEeKbpfBxmvoHEBqiT_DtSxQbyKfKvObkYEf6dBaMgHW9sSRgp4V6B-4P-4mOwvJscwHvLKopheUDfqTkMAblddrAWz6VQy8AbaIMtwFQXmLnFpn_kDzu/s400/77.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH7TxU8r2_XHrT9GsSUUQM7dkiyhDaYIPwmYzehKOo5mc9wOdTEo3tnfQhgA3n08iWy11eAlR6Ld8VRWQCEfl8WCYfjH12UgJhRn1dvJRbsJY8yV9LnS9KA1gDZm0CMSpMdZrF-I0XWF3/s1600/78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeH7TxU8r2_XHrT9GsSUUQM7dkiyhDaYIPwmYzehKOo5mc9wOdTEo3tnfQhgA3n08iWy11eAlR6Ld8VRWQCEfl8WCYfjH12UgJhRn1dvJRbsJY8yV9LnS9KA1gDZm0CMSpMdZrF-I0XWF3/s400/78.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>The dresser comes with three mirrors, to make sure your hair and entire face is on fleek from all angles.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Bbfp405VSkqAcerEOkud6ExOSIyJfOo3hX_KINqLwLXBoYK-Ikwd6bjInG_qGgcAPTw5r39QuRwVdF4q2JD_2JG0z5yQdzOWChgdLaNlLRSuNpEOmoFf_O31-iA-E0trP_YKU54M7xRl/s1600/79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Bbfp405VSkqAcerEOkud6ExOSIyJfOo3hX_KINqLwLXBoYK-Ikwd6bjInG_qGgcAPTw5r39QuRwVdF4q2JD_2JG0z5yQdzOWChgdLaNlLRSuNpEOmoFf_O31-iA-E0trP_YKU54M7xRl/s400/79.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgXObnxSvyFU0vNSrr6JZ-S3FeMOsOrsHRG-36OcPjmRf_FTdYIExB-9m6eY-NlFkFriZnxSvT0OMLqvtmW3VtJtAXr2W2itWdYQLowsZTXK77jkzkoiwkOKOFNvTVBpHOfucK0fEy7JC/s1600/80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgXObnxSvyFU0vNSrr6JZ-S3FeMOsOrsHRG-36OcPjmRf_FTdYIExB-9m6eY-NlFkFriZnxSvT0OMLqvtmW3VtJtAXr2W2itWdYQLowsZTXK77jkzkoiwkOKOFNvTVBpHOfucK0fEy7JC/s400/80.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>Upon closer inspection of the amenity kits, you’ll notice the white packaging they come in are crumpled which give off the impression they’re not new. Perhaps Etihad can consider changing their packaging into something that doesn’t crumple easily. Below is what the men’s amenity kit looks like when it’s not folded inward.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5YGftbN2o0PYio0rtBhuPV66hFIxv7C7WxMLnE4Ncbq4NeKiu2lRs62-cXV9fFy5w1HY7GpUZVb9M4EsccNpSK2-yUiQjy4pg0I9nazbDc4q5IiFC30K8-RKRAEQjdtXWWNdQTR9hC9D/s1600/81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5YGftbN2o0PYio0rtBhuPV66hFIxv7C7WxMLnE4Ncbq4NeKiu2lRs62-cXV9fFy5w1HY7GpUZVb9M4EsccNpSK2-yUiQjy4pg0I9nazbDc4q5IiFC30K8-RKRAEQjdtXWWNdQTR9hC9D/s400/81.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ay2FZOoR7JzlqzUYBbzLGPHK7F54JuKD8IlMafTbparHR0ReSqPIyqZwK7VJfu_WjRuRDX-7VNyDnHP2VQ5Fmz7DSTvISwEWRetRCYhLY7xTeFiWr4op3fkrITeGfeNJt_Gekwtp_X9-/s1600/82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ay2FZOoR7JzlqzUYBbzLGPHK7F54JuKD8IlMafTbparHR0ReSqPIyqZwK7VJfu_WjRuRDX-7VNyDnHP2VQ5Fmz7DSTvISwEWRetRCYhLY7xTeFiWr4op3fkrITeGfeNJt_Gekwtp_X9-/s400/82.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
The amenity kit comes with some essential oils (right) to ensure you have a good night’s (or day’s) sleep.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoBN0gsV_KsCmXOjZs3o6olhG8__ywI2MjbGoydVTPoogAw0PCPeJu5hmD2CaoOydPs0V2fcbIy05aIuEwLC_j21vld7_fUYnajlhXM7F5N01JyZ2BlUCE6QpOjbhTMuWfJJYnMLWzokO/s1600/83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoBN0gsV_KsCmXOjZs3o6olhG8__ywI2MjbGoydVTPoogAw0PCPeJu5hmD2CaoOydPs0V2fcbIy05aIuEwLC_j21vld7_fUYnajlhXM7F5N01JyZ2BlUCE6QpOjbhTMuWfJJYnMLWzokO/s400/83.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
The men’s and women’s amenity kits side by side the way I found them, with the tags still attached.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98MrcMtLcBtBClc1MIkn_WIgr_ZWNdK84yWbREGl2iV5TXNDXFdg2HIaPLy4n5FAboHmgLhgaScGjZfnfjcWHXo_TBSE5OdPm40TjriAT99DHBtgHhA8A030N4gf2EhXHey0yqesq9TcX/s1600/84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98MrcMtLcBtBClc1MIkn_WIgr_ZWNdK84yWbREGl2iV5TXNDXFdg2HIaPLy4n5FAboHmgLhgaScGjZfnfjcWHXo_TBSE5OdPm40TjriAT99DHBtgHhA8A030N4gf2EhXHey0yqesq9TcX/s400/84.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SLeTaYFzEEwiLtEotECWTAU7yMEpto-d_XW2J6dj7VCd5YM_ZXC1ZgIvQ_GUbTAmBeXnkTcjvFgwjz0FO3-xxnWOaFZYpBm7lADeB0QssnLzh8YOE1oofYn_f52NapfRzxV0SxfZ4t0N/s1600/85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SLeTaYFzEEwiLtEotECWTAU7yMEpto-d_XW2J6dj7VCd5YM_ZXC1ZgIvQ_GUbTAmBeXnkTcjvFgwjz0FO3-xxnWOaFZYpBm7lADeB0QssnLzh8YOE1oofYn_f52NapfRzxV0SxfZ4t0N/s400/85.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>In this cabin by Etihad, you get a bed in addition to your seat! The bed is what used to be the “bench” / footrest in front of the seat, which took a lot of effort to make. I called for the FA to have the<b> turn down service</b>, which is basically the preparation of the bed. Normally the guest goes to the lavatory to freshen up first, but since I didn’t have to go I asked the FA if I could stay by the aisle and watch her do her magic. And boy, did she! The bed really took a lot of work to make, and she put layers upon layers of comforters and sheets and folded it neatly, just like housekeeping does in a hotel.<br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
I didn’t plan on falling asleep at all, but I was surprised that I did! I have to admit: the bed was simply too comfy!<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZfKPLPy4Mws1Fc3srz8ZpHjVMKuLpGUKtVCe11ne3Hh94jUNMvlCblJTWlyiiNCBCqYLmpdogsnj8i0f-812T5ZL_IzcUs7N9Evi0PlDpyjNNw2cxETAxyc1mSY0lY4n-fHhJ4NW6z9q/s1600/86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZfKPLPy4Mws1Fc3srz8ZpHjVMKuLpGUKtVCe11ne3Hh94jUNMvlCblJTWlyiiNCBCqYLmpdogsnj8i0f-812T5ZL_IzcUs7N9Evi0PlDpyjNNw2cxETAxyc1mSY0lY4n-fHhJ4NW6z9q/s400/86.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPW7NAxr25yDKhRYwaLVKvQyXYtr3Vp-3lsZNV4YAw_7c9OQ3iFpjeSylI5JUhdtYr5xB4hZSa5qVDbTpTZpekW74aEH8pWH4-Q0DYRtULMoSaD9L8MQuTT7eZUDQqMbAxmn9WckSAaKG/s1600/87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPW7NAxr25yDKhRYwaLVKvQyXYtr3Vp-3lsZNV4YAw_7c9OQ3iFpjeSylI5JUhdtYr5xB4hZSa5qVDbTpTZpekW74aEH8pWH4-Q0DYRtULMoSaD9L8MQuTT7eZUDQqMbAxmn9WckSAaKG/s400/87.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
In addition to facing the recliner, the TV can slide outward so that you can watch some more just before you doze off.<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Another Meal Service</h2>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cEougZFGA3bQ5Cjo3iZMzaTwwo7nrmS9Nz0oyZQ_ZR-8iP4cgstpXwNfRakHvDIsZUChABRNWaG-2sEN0ZwsOg075raMYqb1sayaHew_fhh13RSc-EOfoJ56kl1OX6di1Qf9UXhqLmXz/s1600/88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cEougZFGA3bQ5Cjo3iZMzaTwwo7nrmS9Nz0oyZQ_ZR-8iP4cgstpXwNfRakHvDIsZUChABRNWaG-2sEN0ZwsOg075raMYqb1sayaHew_fhh13RSc-EOfoJ56kl1OX6di1Qf9UXhqLmXz/s400/88.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><br />
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Before I went to bed, I ordered a pre-landing meal and requested to be woken up with enough time to finish said meal. It started off with two kinds of bread the FA personally recommended, and I’m glad I listened! The pretzel-looking bread was so chewy.</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aPtJx5r4liWhSqxjYNxbJgPx1oL9WwdCna5tjsBHRgtHsjT_9gkBFZot1ATBq-ezU31OENXEuH6oEoV2oKaLfvurySEoDNSPpSrrrw1TmbDJ0liAVq1iuxpL70GyY0Fu9fcGcqXQs_nz/s1600/89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aPtJx5r4liWhSqxjYNxbJgPx1oL9WwdCna5tjsBHRgtHsjT_9gkBFZot1ATBq-ezU31OENXEuH6oEoV2oKaLfvurySEoDNSPpSrrrw1TmbDJ0liAVq1iuxpL70GyY0Fu9fcGcqXQs_nz/s400/89.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz-hkZFN8T0z5q0mZWPiviZ3Z1OuDEQFRZlbRGEbuFqmgF_9E6ekCRl91veajmoxQ8NT7L0sqE1yvOi8NDBfKPtq5fvp3d28xaYi3mby4-WBMGW37JB6bGYLylwGn8sILFpMIjoVRM6V3/s1600/90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz-hkZFN8T0z5q0mZWPiviZ3Z1OuDEQFRZlbRGEbuFqmgF_9E6ekCRl91veajmoxQ8NT7L0sqE1yvOi8NDBfKPtq5fvp3d28xaYi3mby4-WBMGW37JB6bGYLylwGn8sILFpMIjoVRM6V3/s400/90.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
For the main courses, I tried the <b>Chicken Breast</b> in butter sauce served with arancini (Italian fried rice balls) and the <b>Ricotta Tortellini</b> pasta with Parmesan. I liked the tangy tomato flavor of the arancini and the savory cheese of the tortellini. The chicken was not exactly impressive; in fact, it had a little rubbery consistency to it when sliced perhaps due to lack of defrosting. But again, the plating was satisfactory. (If I give off the impression that I’m too picky or critical, it’s because I have tried <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/michelin-restaurants-every-week-for-a-month/">dining at Michelin restaurants</a> and <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/oman-air-business-class-review/">other airlines’ exceptional Business Class products</a>.)<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLkl0GpOu1EVn23fZrPKP1yNC4ahWn0wwRvDANXnL2OiG-kpzbJZBI9b4L1-tiKnP3wkfmorJAG7iHBBl1sfWPlZiuCmZnMwt1ccFHDMoughjQYUo4s9Zc-Zt4Ip81mfr9MOW0hvH6xEe/s1600/91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLkl0GpOu1EVn23fZrPKP1yNC4ahWn0wwRvDANXnL2OiG-kpzbJZBI9b4L1-tiKnP3wkfmorJAG7iHBBl1sfWPlZiuCmZnMwt1ccFHDMoughjQYUo4s9Zc-Zt4Ip81mfr9MOW0hvH6xEe/s400/91.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
But I do give credit where credit is due. For dessert, I was really satisfied in picking the <b>Vanilla Cheesecake with blueberry compote</b>. It looks like an ordinary cheesecake, but it tasted better – perhaps due to the vanilla added to it. I was really full in the best way possible after finishing all that gourmet food. (Again, you can view photos of the menus from the lounge and flight I uploaded <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O52ZmVd-qkItAOV06gL5c5u6CU5vdhgn">on Google drive</a>.)<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKeVFP5jrc4dMnZtKI1YzH-cyQE82kfAmYUMDmen6Vn3AXOMejNU-aYrvE4kfwHeHoRWSRjTb0X9MNmfuo_zMLJJb8MoObcIjqnJPpdF0ChSri1lrFYCwCxkOlyU3GPwBqX1C3lbBvXz5/s1600/92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKeVFP5jrc4dMnZtKI1YzH-cyQE82kfAmYUMDmen6Vn3AXOMejNU-aYrvE4kfwHeHoRWSRjTb0X9MNmfuo_zMLJJb8MoObcIjqnJPpdF0ChSri1lrFYCwCxkOlyU3GPwBqX1C3lbBvXz5/s400/92.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmNoB0HmM63MPsgLNKbaWuYfmZPsAB1gYEF5EV6BblNTvT5hk76u-5dK3PebuMheS5m_OmruDbtwRTfPmvY9wq7uQA_l3A5rCb41ioxk21jFrLl9L8e-F_j1sz77J1gjkNtqO2YVhrObQ/s1600/93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmNoB0HmM63MPsgLNKbaWuYfmZPsAB1gYEF5EV6BblNTvT5hk76u-5dK3PebuMheS5m_OmruDbtwRTfPmvY9wq7uQA_l3A5rCb41ioxk21jFrLl9L8e-F_j1sz77J1gjkNtqO2YVhrObQ/s400/93.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato;" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<h2>
Prior to Landing</h2>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
I spent the remainder of my time before landing to watch some Modern Family (being on a flight seems to be the only chance I get to watch this show I love for years now), when cabin crew <b>Imke </b>popped by one last time and offered her business card as part of their protocol toward the end of the flight.<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato; font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy4df9g-azyDTksjyDNgfQW-7mZ1EmqzV6y7_F_9orzhsKAsTF_rdkpBYn4w-ReCSQ14uZoze7pMxRoRgb0P7iKa_P7QrDR-WbayvS7cdZTG_LE4kTseeYXPvyZrj5brEg2WiQ-YCsQEu/s1600/94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="etihad first class" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy4df9g-azyDTksjyDNgfQW-7mZ1EmqzV6y7_F_9orzhsKAsTF_rdkpBYn4w-ReCSQ14uZoze7pMxRoRgb0P7iKa_P7QrDR-WbayvS7cdZTG_LE4kTseeYXPvyZrj5brEg2WiQ-YCsQEu/s400/94.jpg" title="etihad first class" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source: <a href="http://thetravelguyshops.com/pinoy-blogger-flies-etihad-first-class-for-free-thanks-to-pal-heres-how-2018-review/" target="_blank">KT / TheTravelGuyShops</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Overall, my expectations were exceeded and I was most impressed with the service starting from the First Class lounge all the way until landing. </b>Weeks later, I made sure to give Imke and her team a positive review through the email above. In the end, it’s really all about the service by the crew. These included the little things like me returning to my cabin and seeing how a FA arranged my stuff like my phone cable, even as I insisted she didn’t have to (I felt like a slob lol), but I saw how they treated their jobs seriously with so much dedication. After all, a lot of them were sent by Etihad to be trained at the Savoy Academy, a premier butler school. The crew’s service is why <b>I can attest that Etihad’s First Class product is truly one of the world’s best.</b><br />
<br />
<i> -K. Tsai</i><br />
<br />
<i>Note: This is an independent and not a sponsored review.</i></div>
</div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;">
</span></div>
</div>
Darryl Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119078114702463359noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-1682335517164287092019-04-08T15:14:00.000+08:002019-04-08T15:14:43.938+08:00Philippine Airlines Transfers Some International Flights to Terminal 1, Terminal 2 Continues RenovationsTo help minimize passenger congestion, operational adjustments have been made by Philippine Airlines (PAL) to enable the transfer of some international flights to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkLqo5Cfki0rHvyW4yH5roMUGQPXdbthW-8HfzdgfUyktcOjBffoubLdSXO9s2W39RmrOLDXh0ENVJSBch-ICCT1cZP-dbqlp2b0JAFIaS6nWfcBprrd-aU-d3J-LCawSfOBpiR0PxVk/s1600/DSCF4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pal a330" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkLqo5Cfki0rHvyW4yH5roMUGQPXdbthW-8HfzdgfUyktcOjBffoubLdSXO9s2W39RmrOLDXh0ENVJSBch-ICCT1cZP-dbqlp2b0JAFIaS6nWfcBprrd-aU-d3J-LCawSfOBpiR0PxVk/s400/DSCF4151.JPG" title="philippine airlines a330" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 | Copyright Photo: Brian Kevin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Effective immediately, the following flights have been transferred to Terminal 1:<br />
<ul>
<li>PR 218 / 219 Manila - Auckland - Manila</li>
<li>PR 126 / 127 Manila - New York - Manila</li>
<li>PR 118 / 119 Manila - Toronto - Manila</li>
<li>PR 116 / 117 Manila - Vancouver - Manila</li>
<li>PR 595 / 596 Manila - Hanoi - Manila</li>
<li>PR 521 / 522 Manila - Phonm Penh - Manila</li>
<li>PR 682 / 683 Manila - Dammam - Manila</li>
<li>PR 684 / 685 Manila - Doha - Manila</li>
<li>PR 654 / 655 Manila - Riyadh - Manila</li>
</ul>
<div>
PAL noted that OTHER USA and VIETNAM flights will remain in their current terminal assignments:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>PR 102 / 112 / 124 Manila - Los Angeles will depart from NAIA Terminal 2</li>
<li>PR 103 / 113 / 125 Los Angeles - Manila will arrive at NAIA Terminal 1</li>
<li>PR 100 / 101 Manila - Honolulu - Manila will depart and arrive at NAIA Terminal 2</li>
<li>PR 591 / 592 / 596 / 597 Manila - Ho Chi Minh - Manila will depart and arrive at NAIA Terminal 2</li>
</ul>
<div>
All other international flights will remain at their current terminal assignments. Philippine Airlines also advises travelers who have connecting flights to seek the help of a PAL Customer Service Agent upon arrival if you have any inquiries or require assistance.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Philippine Airlines has undertaken these operational adjustments to help improve the experience of their valued passengers by helping to decongest the terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. The official announcement can be found <a href="https://web.facebook.com/notes/philippine-airlines/pal-travel-advisory/10158118153543306/?_rdc=1&_rdr">here</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>TERMINAL 2: ONGOING RENOVATIONS</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Meanwhile, the rehabiliation of NAIA Terminal 2 continues to cause 'slight' inconvenience to the travelling public and is not expected to finish until March 2020. The renovation began in September 2018 with P600-million invested to repair and upgrade the 20-year old terminal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharTg83WurHJhnqK6HD9ZTXSYwAyKVSyCuFAPdk1ZbmnyDj3IpVci5bUHpgq3l0OcCTOs8a8JMk7Y2QOanP9HieavoHjeLy2lZRN6joZMOaIMNSNRatJbox0sGED-18brfMD_NS5uRswk/s1600/DSCF3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="manila airport terminal 2" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharTg83WurHJhnqK6HD9ZTXSYwAyKVSyCuFAPdk1ZbmnyDj3IpVci5bUHpgq3l0OcCTOs8a8JMk7Y2QOanP9HieavoHjeLy2lZRN6joZMOaIMNSNRatJbox0sGED-18brfMD_NS5uRswk/s400/DSCF3556.JPG" title="naia terminal 2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The facade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminal 2, International Departures |<br />
Copyright Photo: Brian Kevin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
According to General Manager Ed Monreal of Manila International Airport Authority, the architectural upgrades will include the terminal's facade, floors, roof, and glass doors at the pre-departure gates along with fixed bridge gates. An expansion of the departure check-in hall, baggage claim, and an improved flight information display system and public address system is also included in the renovation budget.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINMgzF0w8wCFeMCX76Xkn38q4tTGZyqvR6rF_D2DDGiGcmdKhlmGCbScm0fYV1ydB0UM1rf-v6lNHOy45jnK9VlewrOaTCrux3G8DV7KNAb_6zHhMXofbKu5aUPtgcxmm0ZquykbqzIU/s1600/DSCF3559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="manila terminal 2 centennial terminal" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINMgzF0w8wCFeMCX76Xkn38q4tTGZyqvR6rF_D2DDGiGcmdKhlmGCbScm0fYV1ydB0UM1rf-v6lNHOy45jnK9VlewrOaTCrux3G8DV7KNAb_6zHhMXofbKu5aUPtgcxmm0ZquykbqzIU/s400/DSCF3559.JPG" title="ninoy aquino airport terminal 2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-departure area at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminal 2, International Departures<br />
Copyright Photo: Brian Kevin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Airport management seeks the patience and understanding of the travelling public for any inconvenience that may be caused by the renovations. The decongestion of the airports is being conducted by airport authorities and the airlines on an on-going basis to enhance the passenger experience. NAIA Terminal 2 was originally designed as a domestic airport. However, upgrades are now required as the projected passenger count for all of NAIA's terminals approaches 47 million according to Jimbo Reverente, the spokesperson of a super consortium that consists of the country's seven largest conglomerates, who are lobbying the national government to upgrade all of the terminals as the airport in Manila is considered to be a strategic national asset as the country's primary international gateway.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: <a href="https://web.facebook.com/notes/philippine-airlines/pal-travel-advisory/10158118153543306/?_rdc=1&_rdr">Philippine Airlines</a>, <a href="http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051507">Philippine News Agency</a>, <a href="https://dotr.gov.ph/55-dotrnews/763-naia-terminal-2-rehabilitation-in-full-swing.html">Department of Transportation (DOTr)</a></span>itsbriankevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07194098817109688794noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4780063429957455842.post-36556045995994485892019-04-08T14:40:00.000+08:002019-04-10T12:13:55.682+08:00Adventures Abroad: An Experience at St. Paul’s Cathedral that will leave you speechless<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="BodyA">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Clear blue skies and the soft graze
of sunlight welcomed us when we exited the underground tube station. The yellow
rays rained down, casting a sunlit glow to wrap me in a warm embrace— much to
the contrast of typical gloomy London weather. As we all stepped aside to check
our phones on how to get to our supposed location, I was certain we looked like
a flock of lost tourists aimlessly walking the streets of London. I aggressively
ran a hand through my chestnut-colored locks. There seemed to be no end to my
mother’</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">s constant inquiry</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">, “<i>Ano na? Saan na tayo pupunta</i>?”
The temptation to yell and scream at her was almost too much to bear. I threw
my head back in frustration and like a blessing from God, we discovered signage pointing in the direction of St. Paul’s Cathedral.</span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-O6jslTwnytG4OAdTmMYtnVDy6qRoSHV-9pcv_C2yk-8gFsHciTjlBubcAWTIFpTcIFX4l7ottIvhpdOBl7epG9oIHew_p7HewvoDhHoBwfAOpxTDt9m2CHxzGI80B6rI0ea3QgzTUw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="st pauls cathedral london" border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="442" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-O6jslTwnytG4OAdTmMYtnVDy6qRoSHV-9pcv_C2yk-8gFsHciTjlBubcAWTIFpTcIFX4l7ottIvhpdOBl7epG9oIHew_p7HewvoDhHoBwfAOpxTDt9m2CHxzGI80B6rI0ea3QgzTUw/s400/1.jpg" title="st pauls cathedral london" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright photo: Micole Pena / PFN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>Ito naman pala eh, sundan nalang
natin ung sign,</i>” (Just follow the sign) I said, following my mother and aunt’s lead as my sister,
Jade and I kept our heads down, while glancing at the navigation app in our phones
to see if we were indeed heading in the right direction (we were). As we took a
sharp left and entered the cathedral’s grounds, things began to seemingly move
in slow motion like an opening scene in a music video or movie trailer. The
leaves hanging on tree branches acted like emerald curtains shielding the majority
of the cathedral from my view. When I continued to walk, the image of the south
entrance of St. Paul’s Cathedral came into complete view, its stunning beige
hued columns standing tall and proud. In that moment alone, I was already
captured and left desiring to see more.</span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvheWJiYz9hX_wvAIZSERzd6PysGh6wrDVooQUUi728skhCmHmp_pJGntTUP6JG-3kll65JBFiofTkIoIbozGc0yW77nlRCxP_woDnS6PBAmEQYksa9q7cfVqbfJjlK6amN8_EKGwm88/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="st pauls cathedral london" border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="777" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvheWJiYz9hX_wvAIZSERzd6PysGh6wrDVooQUUi728skhCmHmp_pJGntTUP6JG-3kll65JBFiofTkIoIbozGc0yW77nlRCxP_woDnS6PBAmEQYksa9q7cfVqbfJjlK6amN8_EKGwm88/s400/2.jpg" title="st pauls cathedral london" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright photo: Micole Pena / PFN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">I can distinctly remember what I felt walking up the
cobblestone steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral like it was yesterday. Pairs of Greek
Corinthian pillars held up the majestic structure in rows of two layers with a
large mahogany gate barring the grand entrance. Above those gates were various
carvings of what seemed to be religious or historical events etched on the
cathedral walls. Although I knew nothing about architecture, even I could
appreciate the intricate designs that decorated the exterior of the religious
edifice. And if I thought the exterior was already breathtaking, the interior
of the church stole my heart. Upon entering, we were greeted by a stunning view
of </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Nave</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">, which was a long central aisle that led to the center of
the cathedral, embellished with golden chandeliers hanging from the high
ceiling and surrounded with church portals and arcs.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
<span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJVFekITzpsfcq0dIPoiTALICapAdaxfmkr2_pAbHD7pdAC7e4CWdjhDSdy2cjawUUeJtG4su9zdi5rJXGS9Yv4eKdrW8NFgwh4-RFl4l-KfYtB1n22hJzwiQ8IqnwDo55S4R19fsHVo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="st pauls cathedral london" border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJVFekITzpsfcq0dIPoiTALICapAdaxfmkr2_pAbHD7pdAC7e4CWdjhDSdy2cjawUUeJtG4su9zdi5rJXGS9Yv4eKdrW8NFgwh4-RFl4l-KfYtB1n22hJzwiQ8IqnwDo55S4R19fsHVo/s400/3.jpg" title="st pauls cathedral london" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright photo: Micole Pena / PFN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The audio tour we received at the entrance led me to walk
down <i>The Nave</i> until I reached the center of the cathedral, where I
eventually stood above the circular, metal floor that allowed me to see into
the crypt below. “Now that you are at the center of the cathedral, you are now
standing exactly below the famous dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Return to the
menu to select where you will head to next,” said the voice of an old British man in the self-guided audio tour. Raising a brow at the device’</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">s instruction, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;">Ah</span></i><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">… so hindi pala
tuloy-tuloy ung tour</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">.” I thought to myself and slowly lifted my head to see the
second heart-stopping view. The ceiling was adorned with golden paintings of
what seemed to be arcs, wreaths and ancient Romans gathered together 52 meters
above ground. A soft gasp escaped my parted lips and time seemed to stop as I
was left awestruck by what the Lord can empower people to do.</span></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAzwnZg7qZ0zfre2KLCd5RO7L21yvludB4gCutwHLJxOVPdYWU31qSZfmI8mfv5zXZ44nxrfunMVH-FAnoDDqZVEI4m-EXD48ymXGOTcye-gtpXv1z4HY8o2vLe_KR2LjgDWJSKjeZjo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="st pauls cathedral london" border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="505" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAzwnZg7qZ0zfre2KLCd5RO7L21yvludB4gCutwHLJxOVPdYWU31qSZfmI8mfv5zXZ44nxrfunMVH-FAnoDDqZVEI4m-EXD48ymXGOTcye-gtpXv1z4HY8o2vLe_KR2LjgDWJSKjeZjo/s400/4.jpg" title="st pauls cathedral london" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright photo: Micole Pena / PFN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="PT" style="line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">A</span><span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">s </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I approached <i>The Apse</i> located
at the East end of the Cathedral with my worn out Chucks causing squeaking
noises to resonate around the confined space, I was overwhelmed not by the
little chapel-like area, but rather by the glorious stained-glass window behind
it. It showed the crucifixion of Christ and was painted with the richest
sapphire I had ever seen. Every little detail on each part of the glass would
leave one staring for days in an attempt to absorb its majesty. It was in that
moment where I truly felt the presence of God— my heart slammed against my
chest and there was a fire coursing through my veins bringing my spiritual self
to life. Some sensations that I could not even put into words seemed to embody
me as a whole. An experience so powerful and all-consuming, swallowed me in His
grace. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it, as if reminding me how blessed I
was to be able to witness such art. Speechless, I couldn’t help but slyly snap
a photo to keep it with me forever.</span><br />
<div class="BodyA" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
-<i>Micole Pena</i></div>
</div>
The Paranoid Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04808639678586088322noreply@blogger.com15