your flight changed course through China because flight paths through Chinese airspace are heavily restricted. This is because 70% of the airspace is for military use only, meaning there are limited flight paths to follow, which mostly look like zig-zags. Hope this helps.
Just came across your channel this morning here in London . Fantastic and really enjoyed it and absolutely keep the window open . My late father always said you don’t have to watch hear listen read to educate yourself . Watch the world and my good what an education 👍
Nice to see so many Cathay Pacific tripreports popping up on TH-cam, hope you enjoyed the fantastic product /service from one of Hong Kong's many prides ;)
I too enjoy the simple pleasures of just staring out the window. And even though I worked for the airlines and took many flights, I still love to gaze out and see the world.
st ali is always so good. Good Coffee and if I am at the airport for a while the kitchen has some very solid meals. Staff are also very good and there is a nice view out the window; Good shout out!
It must feel strange and good at the same time to feel like you've arrived home at both ends of the trip. Then having to leave home only to arrive home again. Looking forward to your flying adventures while you are 'home' again.
Loved this video. Travelling with Cathay from london to Hong Kong and finally Sydney next month. How was the service on the flights? I read it’s quiet mixed.
Doing Morocco, Spain & the UK in Oct/Nov. Havent seen my extended family in the UK since last Century so looking forward to this trip as longest series of flights for me since the pandemic
Hi Stef, On your way back, go one stop from Kings X to Farringdon & take the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow it takes 37mins & costs about £12. You can take in the lovely space & architecture of the new stations, like being in a First World country!
Oh I loved this! Wished you'd spent more time in HK- this was my 2nd home when I lived in China for a decade, & I desperately miss it & my flights BNE-HKG with Cathay :). And those views.....I was lucky enough to spend 2 days camped literally at Mt Everest base camp in 2005 & to see the sunset in the Himalayas - there are no words. How was the CrossLizPurpLine from Heathrow?
Nice video Stef! I've been to, and through. Melbourne a few times and St Ali has been my go to coffee place! I did HKG-SIN return in business on CX (with no airline status back in 2018) but made the most of my lounge access in HKG (3 or 4 different lounges, I think?). Cathay were good for me, but mine were just 3 and a bit hour regional flights. Re body clock stuff, I was on a late afternoon flight from London to San Francisco in January which was due to arrive at around 1900 local time. The cabin crew dimmed the lights not too long after takeoff as it got darker, but I could see plenty of people sleeping. Imagine arriving at 2000 after a good night's sleep? Also, kudos for not making a seedy joke about warm nuts!
Oh, Stef! I fully agree re: the windows in the plane! I was on a recent Qatar Airways flight, believe it or not, coming back from London too, and they all wanted the windows closed! The inflight entertainment didn't even have the camera to look outside, then again we were on a 777-300ER. I pay for a window seat, I would like to see out, as that's probably the only time I'll see half those things like the Swiss Alps etc. Lovely video and that District line train announcement made me reminisce about my time there in January! Kudos from Ballarat!
it's a typical thing for trans atlantic/ longhaul flight as passanger prefer to catch more sleep to acclimate the local time zone, if u want to look out the window it's always better to walk into the galley/ exit door and browse it from there
I did a similar flight from KUL to HK onward to NYC with an overnight in HK. I got out of the airport in HK and met up with friends for a night out. Did I maybe stay out for the night until I needed to head back to the airport and recovered at the lounge? Maybe yes. Haha. Good thing I had the HK - NYC flight to sleep, drink a bit more and eat. Cathay has great seats and service. Just had to get used to pressing the call button to get service because they otherwise will leave you alone. I also actually preferred the wanton noodles on the snack menu vs their standard meal service.
I would definitely have the window blind open. What an excellent view, most passengers missed it! Have a good time here in the UK, Stef. Stay safe brother. 😎
My folks lived in Northampton and I generally preferred flying into BHX rather than LHR/LGW... Cathay sadly don't do BHX, but Emirates do... and a good excuse to get on an A380!
The path over China is due that in order to fly over the Himalayas the aircraft needs to have special equipment (extra oxygen and so) thus it is avoided. If you compare your route to Lufthansa’s to Frankfurt on their 747-8i you will see the difference. Nice video!
How long does Hong Kong to London take now that they don’t overfly Russia. I like doing the Melbourne, Hong Kong to London route. Like Steph I haven’t done it since before the pandemic. Unlike him I am up the back in Economy. I do enjoy travelling around the UK on trains too.
Great timing Steff, I have my first ever, 2 business class flights with Cathay in the next 4 weeks. HK to Dubai and then return to HK from Zurich. (Emirates business on the A380 to London in between) Which lounge would you recommend in HK? Maybe the Wing and also try the newly opened Qantas lounge? Your thoughts on Cathay business class?
The diverson would have been because of the high terrain, most of it is above 10,000ft and thus you can't actually decend below FL100 in the case of a depresserisation, I actually taught a few student pilots for Sichuan who now operate in that area and have some crazy procedures. The reason you didn't immediately head NW would be because of China have very limited but extremely congested airways due to military airspace.
Hey I think I might have been flying the same day from Hong Kong around the same time!! Saw someone very similar to you when was in the Pier business during the early morning!!
I only pay cash for business class occasionally but fly in business frequently. There are lots of ways to acquire points and with a little effort you can find flights in business.
your flight changed course through China because flight paths through Chinese airspace are heavily restricted. This is because 70% of the airspace is for military use only, meaning there are limited flight paths to follow, which mostly look like zig-zags. Hope this helps.
Haven't been back since 1983. Time flys. Enjoy Stef.
Just came across your channel this morning here in London . Fantastic and really enjoyed it and absolutely keep the window open . My late father always said you don’t have to watch hear listen read to educate yourself . Watch the world and my good what an education 👍
Thank you for stopping by and welcome to the channel. Wise words from your Father there. Glad you're enjoying the videos, cheers, stef
Enjoying these travel vlogs stef, good mix of flying content on the main channel and this kind of content here, keep it up.
Thanks mini2flyer, I'm grateful for you saying that.
Great video Stef,makes me homesick,watching you travel across London on the tube.
Nice to see so many Cathay Pacific tripreports popping up on TH-cam, hope you enjoyed the fantastic product /service from one of Hong Kong's many prides ;)
I too enjoy the simple pleasures of just staring out the window. And even though I worked for the airlines and took many flights, I still love to gaze out and see the world.
great video man! keep it up!
Welcome back to the U.K…..You were crazy walking up all those stairs at the station…….
Great journey Stef
Superbly crafted vlog. Thank you 🙏🏼 so much!! Have a great trip‼️
That shot of the snowy mountains was genuinely incredible, also a great video once really loving the vlog/ travel videos.
st ali is always so good. Good Coffee and if I am at the airport for a while the kitchen has some very solid meals. Staff are also very good and there is a nice view out the window; Good shout out!
Agree Stef. I too am one who opens the window shade on a long haul. The worlds beauty is below you and on show.
Cathay Pacific Is Another Airlines I Havent Flown Whit.Great Trip Report
It must feel strange and good at the same time to feel like you've arrived home at both ends of the trip. Then having to leave home only to arrive home again. Looking forward to your flying adventures while you are 'home' again.
Cant wait to see flying you have planned in the UK Stef
Loved this video. Travelling with Cathay from london to Hong Kong and finally Sydney next month. How was the service on the flights? I read it’s quiet mixed.
Doing Morocco, Spain & the UK in Oct/Nov. Havent seen my extended family in the UK since last Century so looking forward to this trip as longest series of flights for me since the pandemic
Great to see you in my home town london
Great to be back, thanks Teddy!
If you book ahead you can get a ticket for the heathrow express for about 5 pounds 50, which makes it a bargain instead of expensive.
Hi Stef, On your way back, go one stop from Kings X to Farringdon & take the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow it takes 37mins & costs about £12. You can take in the lovely space & architecture of the new stations, like being in a First World country!
Oh I loved this! Wished you'd spent more time in HK- this was my 2nd home when I lived in China for a decade, & I desperately miss it & my flights BNE-HKG with Cathay :). And those views.....I was lucky enough to spend 2 days camped literally at Mt Everest base camp in 2005 & to see the sunset in the Himalayas - there are no words. How was the CrossLizPurpLine from Heathrow?
Nice video Stef!
I've been to, and through. Melbourne a few times and St Ali has been my go to coffee place!
I did HKG-SIN return in business on CX (with no airline status back in 2018) but made the most of my lounge access in HKG (3 or 4 different lounges, I think?). Cathay were good for me, but mine were just 3 and a bit hour regional flights.
Re body clock stuff, I was on a late afternoon flight from London to San Francisco in January which was due to arrive at around 1900 local time. The cabin crew dimmed the lights not too long after takeoff as it got darker, but I could see plenty of people sleeping. Imagine arriving at 2000 after a good night's sleep?
Also, kudos for not making a seedy joke about warm nuts!
Oh, Stef! I fully agree re: the windows in the plane! I was on a recent Qatar Airways flight, believe it or not, coming back from London too, and they all wanted the windows closed! The inflight entertainment didn't even have the camera to look outside, then again we were on a 777-300ER. I pay for a window seat, I would like to see out, as that's probably the only time I'll see half those things like the Swiss Alps etc. Lovely video and that District line train announcement made me reminisce about my time there in January! Kudos from Ballarat!
it's a typical thing for trans atlantic/ longhaul flight as passanger prefer to catch more sleep to acclimate the local time zone, if u want to look out the window it's always better to walk into the galley/ exit door and browse it from there
I did a similar flight from KUL to HK onward to NYC with an overnight in HK. I got out of the airport in HK and met up with friends for a night out. Did I maybe stay out for the night until I needed to head back to the airport and recovered at the lounge? Maybe yes. Haha. Good thing I had the HK - NYC flight to sleep, drink a bit more and eat.
Cathay has great seats and service. Just had to get used to pressing the call button to get service because they otherwise will leave you alone.
I also actually preferred the wanton noodles on the snack menu vs their standard meal service.
Another option for that you actually take one of the multiple Hong Kong flights from Kuala Lumpur which is timed to a JFK/EWR flights within 2 hrs.
Could you have stayed over night in 1 of the CX lounges to avoid that bus transfer? Lovely to see your airline videos again. Many thanks.
Yeah I looked into that but they close overnight. So it was either sleep in the airport or go to the hotel close by.
I would definitely have the window blind open. What an excellent view, most passengers missed it!
Have a good time here in the UK, Stef. Stay safe brother. 😎
Thank you Marc.
Hey Stef if you book the Heathrow express early it’s like £10 cheaper
Don't think so.
I never thought I'd watch a video of yours that went from Melbourne to Leicester! Are you going to Stoughton Aerodrome? Meeting up with Rory On Air?
Sadly not, but I enjoy watching Rory’s videos.
My folks lived in Northampton and I generally preferred flying into BHX rather than LHR/LGW... Cathay sadly don't do BHX, but Emirates do... and a good excuse to get on an A380!
That’s typical Aussie that like to open the window blind.
The path over China is due that in order to fly over the Himalayas the aircraft needs to have special equipment (extra oxygen and so) thus it is avoided. If you compare your route to Lufthansa’s to Frankfurt on their 747-8i you will see the difference.
Nice video!
you should have ask to visit the cockpit since your a pilot!
How long does Hong Kong to London take now that they don’t overfly Russia.
I like doing the Melbourne, Hong Kong to London route. Like Steph I haven’t done it since before the pandemic. Unlike him I am up the back in Economy. I do enjoy travelling around the UK on trains too.
Great timing Steff, I have my first ever, 2 business class flights with Cathay in the next 4 weeks. HK to Dubai and then return to HK from Zurich. (Emirates business on the A380 to London in between) Which lounge would you recommend in HK? Maybe the Wing and also try the newly opened Qantas lounge? Your thoughts on Cathay business class?
The diverson would have been because of the high terrain, most of it is above 10,000ft and thus you can't actually decend below FL100 in the case of a depresserisation, I actually taught a few student pilots for Sichuan who now operate in that area and have some crazy procedures. The reason you didn't immediately head NW would be because of China have very limited but extremely congested airways due to military airspace.
I flew Auckland to Amsterdam via Hong Kong in Business. Not good at all I'm afraid,never again.
Heatwave in the UK today, 14degrees.
what is the camera you use?
Could you also sleep in a lounge in HKG if they are open?
There are places to rest in the main airport but the lounges (at the time of recording) closed during the night so no option to sleep there.
Hey I think I might have been flying the same day from Hong Kong around the same time!! Saw someone very similar to you when was in the Pier business during the early morning!!
Are you British or Australian?
Grew up in the UK, now I live in Australia. Lived about half my life in both places, so I guess I'm both?
Life is always better when your nuts are warm...😁
What is point in this video ,I havent money flying business class.
I only pay cash for business class occasionally but fly in business frequently. There are lots of ways to acquire points and with a little effort you can find flights in business.
Entertainment!
Hey Stef if you book the Heathrow express early it’s like £10 cheaper
Good tip, I didn’t know that, thanks.
You save a fiver, better off taking the Purple Line for 12 quid.