Bangkok - Hong Kong
CX 708
21 Feb 2016
![](http://www.hongkongairport.com/media/eng/flightinfo/images/wmocpa.gif)
I originally wanted to take the express train and save some money after taking a taxi into town on arrival. The notorious Bangkok mid-afternoon traffic got in the way, and in the end I conceded to taxi all the way to the airport, with a short margin of error left to check in. Bangkok's airport looks nice but the experience is nowhere near award-winning standards.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6528.jpg)
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Bangkok gets a lot more interesting airlines than Hong Kong, although spotting here is far worse with windows covered up and not easily reachable since the gates are a floor below the main walkways. I had to make the best of what I've got.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6534.jpg)
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In order to get into the gate's holding area and seats, they scanned my boarding pass first. When boarding was called, the boarding pass does not need to be scanned again.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6542.jpg)
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Cathay is stingy with releasing award seats, so I had to capitulate and fly Premium Economy today. My only other PEY experience was with Qantas many years ago thanks to an unexpected online check-in upgrade. I wouldn't pay the premium to buy PEY with Cathay since they still can't get their pricing model right, but BA avios actually has a generously low premium to redeem it. My Y outbound and PEY inbound costed 22,500 avios while an all Y itinerary would cost 20,000 Asia Miles.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6550.jpg)
The PEY seat is actually very comfortable with lots of legroom, and can pass as a decent J product on medium-haul flights. I probably can get a few hours of good sleep for longer flights so perhaps a transpacific trip is do-able here if the price is right.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6554.jpg)
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Upon departure, I enjoyed spotting some interesting birds from Uzbekistan, North Korea, and more.
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We took off into a beautiful sunset and I started exploring the amenities. The noise-cancelling headset was good but everyone got a Y meal. If they want to charge such a premium over Y, they really need to differentiate the product more.
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The meal is not any more upscale than Economy.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6601.jpg)
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After the meal and enjoying the IFE, it was time to descend into Hong Kong. For a short flight, I should be grateful there was a hot meal. Here is Asia, we are quite spoiled.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/20160221/IMG_6609-s.jpg)
My Bangkok photos : click here