Cathay Pacific First to JFK
With a nearly two hour delay on our inbound from Hong Kong, our revised departure time was now 12:40am instead of the originally scheduled 10:55pm depature. Finally, at just before midnight, I headed out for the trek to Gate 73.
Gate 73 is configured as a transit gate and is used by Cathay for thru passengers on their HKG-YVR-JFK flight. YVR originating passengers are required to remain outside the gate until transit passengers have boarded.
As I boarded, my amazing 6 hour Cathay First experience began, with FA Roos escorting me from door 2L to my suite. It may be dated, but the 6 seat 77W First Class cabin is still one of my favorites.
The First Cabin was full tonight with 5 thru pax and me, the lone YVR-JFK pax. A week ago the cabin was still F4 so I'm guessing that most of the pax, like me, were on mileage tickets. I used 40,000 Asia Miles which I accumulated on my Cathay Synchrony Visa card.
Not Krug, but the William Deutz was very nice.
FA Kylie insisted that I take a pic of Roos with the Deutz.
My first of 3 glasses while still at the gate.
Perhaps this is the YVR-JFK kit as I don't recall the long-haul kit being this meh. PJs were offered by I declined for the short flight tonight.
OMG, only 4h13m tonight?? In the end, it would us being more like 4h45m.
Tonight's menu.
Once in the air, Kylie and Roos began what would wind up being 90 minutes of flawless dinner service.
Showtime, Cathay Pacific style.
My aptly described jumbo tiger prawn and crab meat salad, with saffron and tomato sauce.
The personalized Cathay First note is always a nice touch.
The Green Pea Soup was delicious.
Next up, how can I pass on the Chateau Lynch Bages Gran Cru Classé.
For my main, OMG.. The Grilled Canadian AAA beef tenderloin with broccolini, baby carrots, zuchini, mashed potatoes, demi glace and Bearnaise sauce.
The beef tenderoin was spectacular... perfectly medium rare as requested and as Roos promised. Add in Bearnaise and Lynch Bages and this is heaven.
I was so far gone on the consumption scale, that I just kept going. I didn't want to disappoint Roos. LOL. Aged cheddar and triple cream Canadian brie. And another glass of the Lynch Bages.
And of course dessert, white chocolate banana cake with black berry sauce. Yummy.
At this point, we're somewhere over Manitoba and only a couple hours to JFK. Roos made my bed with mattress and duvet and I pretty much feel alseep right away. Amazingly, I got 90 minutes of sleep and it was only the captain announcing our descent that woke me.
Despite heavy fog at JFK, it was a perfect smooth landing.
What an incredible flight, with simply amazing service. Hands down, this is the best transcon North American flight one can fly.