Laurent Perrier Alexandra rose champagne is way above Grand Siecle, which isn't that great to start with.... it's £300+ vs £200- ... first world problem
@ddslayer6Күн бұрын
Never got to experience CX in in all its 'glory' but i've flown a few biz to HKG and LHR, and Short hauls to TPE and SIN, the service is most definetly better in Asia then it is coming back to hong kong. it almost felt like some flights they were doing you a favour, some flights though in economy are really good. maybe its because i can speak some cantonese though haha..
@MattsPlanetКүн бұрын
Thanks - some Cantonese may help!
@appy528Күн бұрын
Matt how do you book your Cathy pacific flights with Avios is it through the Ba site Also I commented on one of your previous videos about me also flying Doha to bkk first class and guess what just had a email I’ve been downgraded to business class looks like there not flying the a380 there at least not in September when I’m due to fly I’m on a Boeing 777 with no q suite now I hope it has the onboard lounge keep making the videos matey 😊
@MattsPlanetКүн бұрын
You can book Cathay though the BA website - if you can find availability! This was a complex booking that I needed to call to make. And that's really tough about the downgrade - no opportunity to call them and try and get back on another flight?
@kevanhubbard96733 күн бұрын
It rains a LOT,and I don't mean the Polish airline!,in Hong Kong but a warm humid rain it being just under the Tropic.Hong Kong is changing I'm afraid and becoming increasingly integrated into the PRC.... thanks Lady Thatcher thanks a bunch!
@MattsPlanet3 күн бұрын
Thanks Kevan - hey, the lease was up in 1997 and I don't think the Chinese were going to give us another 99 years!
@kevanhubbard96732 күн бұрын
As I understand it only the New Territories were leased for 99 years whereas Hong Kong Island and Kowloon were not.So probably a 3 possibilities public plebiscite could have been gone for;1/keep the status quo(minus the NT),2/independence as a city state sort of like Singapore ,3/join the PRC.Had that happened the Hong Kongers would probably have gone for option 2?Obviously risky as the PRC wouldn't be happy and could have then invaded!
@ukdavepianoman4 күн бұрын
Been to HK 3 times and loved it - but that was 15+ years ago. Sad if it's changed so much. I've flown CP Business four times; the long haul the seats were excellent, the food/staff ok but I didn't like absence of Dine on Demand or the food being served from trolleys. CP looks even less impressive now - surely it's not difficult to design a seat with a wider footwell...and having single wine option for red/white/etc. is very poor!
@MattsPlanet3 күн бұрын
Others have suggested the narrowness of the wine list was because the Indian flights aren't big drinkers.... Not sure that's a good enough reason for me!!!
@ukdavepianoman3 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet That's a terrible reason!
@GLAFly4 күн бұрын
Another great video mate! Shame to see Cathay still not back to their previous service levels. I've not flown with them yet, but had always heard them held in high regard before the you-know-what. You also now have me humming "Son be a Dentist!", so thanks for that (such a great film!)
@MattsPlanet3 күн бұрын
Apologies for the dentist tune! Too good an opportunity to miss for the video!
@GLAFly3 күн бұрын
@MattsPlanet one of our favourites, so a welcome brain worm...
@Stardust296904 күн бұрын
My dad likes Jameson black barrel. Dublin €44 a litre, stansted £45 for 2 litres. Dublin more expensive than Asda in Northern Ireland Stansted great value. Watch out buyer beware make sure you know the price before going in
@MattsPlanet3 күн бұрын
I need to reset my prince benchmarks as this video is a couple of years old now and everything's gone up so much!
@rohan28024 күн бұрын
Great video and superb explanation. Vey well researched, thanks a lot for your efforts..
@MattsPlanet4 күн бұрын
Thanks - this one took a while!
@craiggemmell45594 күн бұрын
Good as stuff as usual Matt, we were in HK in March for the horse racing and stayed on HK island. I cannot say I noticed the signage mainly in mandarin, we did go to a restaurant where the language issues were very complicated but that is all part of the fun. We love HK and I would recommend anyone to try it but beware during months Jun-Sep its soooo humid. We flew Singapore airlines from Melbourne so cannot give a view on CP.
@MattsPlanet4 күн бұрын
Cheers Craig. I think the point I'm making is that if people have been before (or have lived there) and have good memories from that time, going back may be a disappointment. If you've never been it's still a fascinating place to visit. Its just differently fascinating these days!
@nezbrun8724 күн бұрын
The fast track security thing is only for Cathay Marco Polo Diamond and F pax, not other OWEs: I asked the day I met you on the BKK-HKG flight. I have also been escorted through there when travelling Swiss F fairly recently. Emirates F doesn't work, it's off to the hoi polloi security line, but IME it doesn't take long. I agree regarding the Pier F, it's worth a detour to plonk yourself down at the bar: I bought a throwaway ticket to TPE for the privilege the day I met you! I've never experienced it being particularly full, although Wing F can be. Both are definitely better than the HKG Emirates lounge.
@MattsPlanet4 күн бұрын
The hoi polloi process was not difficult. Interesting how you assume every door is going to open when you have OneWorld Emerald!!! If I recall, you bought a throwaway to Taipei then had to buy a throwaway back again!!!
@ob68424 күн бұрын
Reading some western people making comments about not bothering to visit hk because it has changed well frankly the change are inevitable as Hong Kong was brutally stolen from it motherland and I am 100% will preferred Hong Kong to New York or London when u are constantly being threaten to be shot or stabbed and contrary to what the western media has portrayed the place we are as free and has as much human right as any of you ! Thank you very much
@MattsPlanet4 күн бұрын
Opinions are great aren't they? And that's yours....
@appy528Күн бұрын
And I thought the British leased Hong Kong not stolen it and at the end of the lease they gave it back
@markukblackmore4 күн бұрын
Fond memories of business trips to Honkers in the 90s. The sense of excitement and the sheer buzz of the place. It was intoxicating. But it already had changed so much by the time of my last trip in 2000, a few years after handover. Lan Kwai Fong was already a shadow of its former inglory.
@MattsPlanet4 күн бұрын
If it was different in 2000 its really different 24 years later!
@cms42295 күн бұрын
You sound so elitist.
@cms42295 күн бұрын
I’m french and sometimes pretentious but you sound terrible.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Sorry you feel that!
@torstenkaehlert84475 күн бұрын
I recently flew CX on an intra Asian regional flight in Economy and was very pleasantly surprised. Asian carriers typically do not place any emphasis on Economy. Singapore Airlines (who I love on long-haul business for their impeccable offering) are as bad as any LCC on these routes in the back of the bus - they serve a paperbox meal which is typically too disgusting to touch. But CX, next to an efficient and energetic crew, also offered a proper meal with proper cutlery. Also their lounges (which I have access to as a JL Saphire status client) in Singapore and Bangkok compare well to others.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
A few people have commended Cathay's economy cabin
@inrain_bows5 күн бұрын
Can corroborate having visited Cathay’s outstation lounges in Bangkok, Singapore and Taipei in the past few weeks, they’ve even got Moet and Chandon in their Singapore lounge!
@torstenkaehlert84475 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet For me the gold standard in Eco is Japan Airlines - they have 1 seat less abreast than most carriers, their food is delicious and the crew service is very consistent (and they come through the cabin regularly). But CX is not that far behind. SQ the crew are usually fine, but they let you feel you are in Eco. In BIZ SQ remains to be gold standard together with Qatar.
@jamesrandall36975 күн бұрын
Regarding hotel bookings, a Google search with my dates of travel entered and then quite simply the cheapest option (within reason and after some quick legitimacy and reliability checks etc.). Normally find Agoda to be very competitive, with even more savings via the app.
@pl86945 күн бұрын
Fast track in HK is only for First and CX Diamonds :)
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
One day....
@GG-hi5if5 күн бұрын
I’d proffer that the best oneworld airline for premium service is probably JAL, then Qatar and don’t hate me - BA. All crew dependent for BA though. Their hard product is good enough.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks. I need to get on JAL but I've seen reviews that suggest this! And BA can be exceptional if you get the right crew
@GG-hi5if4 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet The availability from Japan is quite good apparently, particularly to the USA. The A350 hard product is meant to be exceptional too, but it is on JFK routes. LHR is coming soon.
@GG-hi5if5 күн бұрын
RIP Hong Kong, just another bland Chinese city. All the flair, culture and unique bland of Cantonese/British culture has gone.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
I'd need to spend longer there to say that myself, but that was my instinct after 24 hours there
@Aviator-ce1hl5 күн бұрын
We do also have A350-1000 in Cathay Pacific. The delay due to weather not every time is due to the weather at the departure airport but en route weather, where some airspace can accommodate not many aeroplanes. Wondering what will happen to Singapore Airlines service since it seems now their policy is to stop the service anytime the seat belts sign is on.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks. Head for Points has a Singapore review today and they do seem to be ultra cautious with turbulence now - understandably but its probably a little over cautious now
@Aviator-ce1hl5 күн бұрын
@MattsPlanet next time they just need to avoid thunderstorms...
@druiz0125 күн бұрын
Always a pleasure watching your reviews. Thanks for the information!
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@yvr2002rtw5 күн бұрын
I have recently come across the youtube channels of some Indians who aspire to be flight attendant. It looks like that CX is actively hiring new flight attendants from India to be based in Hong Kong. Did you see a lot more Indian flight attendants on your flight compared to previous flights?
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
I can't say I noticed. My Finnair crew onwards from Delhi was Indian and India based but I didn't notice it on Cathay
@jimmyjames64925 күн бұрын
Thanks for the info + video!
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks Jimmy
@yvr2002rtw5 күн бұрын
Oneworld Emerald status is only worth pursuing if your travels involve London (BA First Lounge/First Wing check in), Hong Kong (The Wing/Pier First lounges/check-in area), Singapore (QF First Lounge), Sydney/Melbourne (QF First Lounge/check-in), Los Angeles (QF First Lounge), Tokyo Narita/Haneda (JL First Class Lounge), New York JFK (Soho Lounge), Helsinki (Finnair Platinum Wing). If you don't normally travel through these cities, Oneworld Sapphire is enough IMHO.
@GG-hi5if5 күн бұрын
First class status is only worth it when travelling through oneworld hubs? Im shocked
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Ah - the eternal debate!!! You have a very valid point - if you regularly fly between City and Amsterdam then gold gets you close to nothing extra, and costs 2.5 times as many tier points to achieve
@maxthelab84575 күн бұрын
We used to visit HK regularly until 'they' got hold of it.......................last visit was in Nov 2018, and said it would be our last. We then travelled on to Delhi ( for Agra ) from HK on CX695 ( B777-300 in Business ) and the whole experience was just fab....................I feel the catering was much better than you got and the cabin was not darkened. The crew were watchful the whole journey.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks Max - quite a lot has happened since Nov 2018!
@olly76735 күн бұрын
Yes Matt, I did like
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Good work Olly
@papi86595 күн бұрын
I find CX cabin crew much improved since the HK based racist cabin crew got fired. .... vast improvement of attitude from those remaining.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
I have to admit I hadn't seen that controversy before I travelled but it sounds serious!
@olly76735 күн бұрын
Having experienced Qatar Airways recently for the first time, I would not say that they are a 5 star airline, in fact the phrase of "organising a pishup in a brewery" came to mind.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Sorry to hear that. Qatar can be inconsistent for sure...
@Fat_Cat_7475 күн бұрын
Oh I wish they'd stop wearing masks. I know its an east Asian thing to a degree before Covid, but even so it just dismays me to see it. I don't see virtue in it and I do not wish to see symbols of subservience ( which it historically also is ) thank you. I wish they would stop. Mentioning it to supervisors and management when you can is a good idea so it maybe eventually feeds back to the shot callers. As well as feeling perturbed by it personally it also make me feel sorry for the minions expected to suffer them. As always, I enjoyed your video.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks - I'd love to know if it is mandated or if its the individual's choice....
@Fat_Cat_7475 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet I think its probably individual *corporate* choice, under the delusion that their use indicates superior care and service ( servitude ? ). I doubt all the individuals chose so independently. If we express to management that it just creeps us out, makes us sad and makes it difficult to hear them, then they might change their minds.
@olly76735 күн бұрын
Personally, I would have to say that neither the seat, nor the food & beverage options would make me feel that Cathay's offerings would say that they are trying to become their previous selves. I suspect that they are now catering more than before to their Chinese mainalnd customers who, arguably do not know any better.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
They still have a substantial non-Chinese route network, but you might be right
@stephenmorris56785 күн бұрын
HK may well have changed, but I had a week there in January and it was fantastic. The people are lovely, very friendly.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks - I'm sure a good time can be had and its a big, fantastic city. It will be more like a trip to a Chinese city than it would have been 10 years ago. Which is perhaps not a shock as it now is a Chinese city!
@cordial5 күн бұрын
yea, Fuck Hong Kong. When I say that, I mean China.
@ianworthington23245 күн бұрын
I worked in Delhi for 6 months many years ago. Glad to see it hasn't improved! If you're at all interested, I'm now half-way to the GGL target, the proud owner of a freshly minted GUF2! And BA kindly upgraded me to first on ord-lhr as, I think, business was full whereas first was, maybe, 4/8? My first *ever* upgrade, and a wonderful experience: I had been intending to get some serious shuteye on the 9 hour+ flight, but the food and drink was just too good to turn down. BA really is delivering exemplary service these days, not just in first, and the whole experience could not be faulted. (On my previous flight, the American sitting next to be assumed I knew the flight attendant personally as the greeting was so warm and friendly.) I may be starting to get a bit defensive of BA these days as they've been very, very good to me this year, bar a speared bag which is still in the process of being resolved. Apropos bags, mine via ord-lhr made it to mad then missed the vlc connection. An airtag on it enabled me to see Iberia's utterly pathetic attempts to reunite me, by then in France, with it, which took the best part of a week. Grumble, grumble, I utterly hate clothes shopping but had no choice here for an urgent shop in an unknown city...
@isaacbarwood63615 күн бұрын
Hey Matt- id just first like to say you are my favourite flight reviewer by far! I like how specific you are with positives and negatives- and also the fact that you actually accept the crew are human beings and things go wrong. On another note, what’s the chance of you doing an Air France video anytime soon?
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks for that! I am very close to booking an AF business trip for early next year.... Quite easy to access with Virgin points these days.... La Premier would be good but I need to put a zero (or two!) on my sub count to be able to afford it!
@markuskuhl13765 күн бұрын
Matt sacrificing himself to drink cognac is like Arthur Denton suffering from Dr. Scrivello´s dental treatment
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
The pain is real....
@markuskuhl13764 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet some like a little pain
@DriverJD5 күн бұрын
I last flew Cathay in 2016 and really rated them. It's a shame they're still a long way off what they once were.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
They seem to be coming back but a way to go yet
@k9killer2215 күн бұрын
RIP Hong Kong. I've been there many times, but I wouldn't bother now. And unless you are actually going to HK, Cathay is irrelevant. Asia is full of top notch airlines, and Cathay isn't one of them.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks - that's a good script for a video but it would be quite a short one!
@davidcheung51334 күн бұрын
You mean Rip UK At least Hong Kong has lower inflation than the UK a better transport system, more highly educated population has better future because the greater bay area than Brexit Britain.
@zaphod42455 күн бұрын
On the Cathay vs BA point on trips from LHR-HKG, I found that Cathay was significantly more expensive, in fact I've got a trip to HK booked later this year in BA WTP, and WTP on BA was the same price as Cathay's economy, which made BA a no brainer
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Interesting - the demand for their seats is obviously there....
@Andge10M5 күн бұрын
Big fan of those funky check in desks
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
I liked it too - always nice to have a sit down though!!
@yvr2002rtw5 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet It appears that Cathay's First Class check-in desks at HKG (when new airport opened in 1998) may have inspired other airlines to offer more exclusive check-in facilities. Their check-in area is kind of out dated now as some other airlines have a separate room/area at their main airport for First Class check in that leads directly to security.
@SAFFY74115 күн бұрын
Great video again, Matt. I believe the lower latch 6:00 allows the lower extension padding to be pulled up? You can see it move a little when you press on control.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks! I did notice that small movement late on in the edit so well spotted! I'm not sure it makes a difference to my conclusions!!!
@AlanWan-ij9bj5 күн бұрын
I flew Cathay Biz class Hong Kong to LHR in April. I was impressed with the food and beverage offering. Two full meals, but the best food was the mid flight snack hamburger and chips. Assume the limited choice of wines on Matt's flight to India was due to the shorter sector as there was a much wider choice on my flight. Totally agree the Pier First class lounge is amazing.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks Alan - good to know. A hamburger for a mid-flight snack is pretty good!
@vnse7255 күн бұрын
This is a night flight in HK time, of course lights were turned off so that pax can rest. It's not Cathay's problem that you alone didn't want to sleep, and you can always use the call light should you need anything.
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
It was evening rather than overnight, departing 8:30 so other airlines may have taken a different approach.... And even with the lights off, I would have expected a periodic walk-through of the cabin....
@shehebehsuebwisshgauwbevsjs5 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet agreed, seems totally alien on cx. If you ring bell they are good, otherwise nada (even on daytime flights).
@alexandermallett18525 күн бұрын
Absolutely love that film, and teched the show! It is such a weird show!
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Fantastic! Teched the movie or one of the stage shows?
@shehebehsuebwisshgauwbevsjs5 күн бұрын
Where were you staying? Not sure english sign criticism is fair for most of hk. Secondly there is no fast track security!!!! Old people, vips, cathay diamond members, and airport/airline staff can skip it nobody else... (I agree there should be one but alas there is not)
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks! I stayed in Mongkok but had walked most of the way to Tsim Sha Tsui without encountering much English.... It was different by the Star Ferry for sure, but I don't (didn't???) consider Mongkok to be wildly out of the tourist trail... Good to know about the fast track - those other guys must have been VIPs!
@shehebehsuebwisshgauwbevsjs5 күн бұрын
@@MattsPlanet must apply to have you added as a VIP for next time! Hopefully airport express (and check in) fully restored for all airlines soon!
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
@@shehebehsuebwisshgauwbevsjs I wish!
@inrain_bows5 күн бұрын
Having done more than half a dozen intra-Asia hops with Cathay as a BA Silver this year, I find their Economy product far more competitive than their Business product. Decent (yet far from personal) services, great meals with metal cutleries, above-average IFEs and world-class Biz/Sapphire-tier lounges, CX is more often than not the better intra-Asian regional option compared to the likes of MH, SQ (which I always find a little hit-or-miss), the Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese carriers, and certainly miles ahead of any mainland Chinese carriers. Though contrary to your lounge crawl video, I don’t see any reason how the Pier biz is worse than the Deck except for maybe… the deck? I have a soft spot for Cathay… I’m from the (spooky) mainland China (quite close to Hong Kong actually - there was a running joke that Cathay’s the “real” international carrier out from my city), and Cathay was my first experience flying international. I fondly remember the sophisticated touches, down to the little gift they sent out to kids, and their fleet of mighty 747s and A340s. They lost the race of being Asia’s best a decade or so ago with huge losses from hedging fuel prices, and they certainly took a huge toll during the 2019 protests and more critically the “you-know-what”. Having absorbed Dragonair’s operations during COVID, they are, as Hong Kong had, admittedly focused more towards China, yet last year’s “blanket incident” didn’t quite pan out well in their most important market. Fortunately route and operation wise they’re recovering quite okay in 2024 so far (the latest is they’re resuming Riyadh and Cairns services and restorations of overseas crew bases). However I can’t wait for their long overdue Business product, even though that’d take years to be fitted in their entire fleet and the current Zodiac (aka Safran) Cirrus seat is 13 years old for the carrier. Wishing Cathay (and Hong Kong) the best, yet some things aren’t anymore the same…
@MattsPlanet5 күн бұрын
Thanks so much for taking the time to share that! The best long haul economy flight I ever took was on Cathay so I also have a soft spot for them and wish them the best! I think I liked the Deck as it was so empty although another commenter educated me that I was there at a very quiet time of day and it can get rammed! Hadn't heard of "blanket-gate" but it doesn't sound like the worst thing a crew member has ever done....