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Hong Kong- Taipei CX460
16JAN03 CX460 HKG-TPE Airline: Cathay Pacific Flight: CX460 Aircraft: A340-642 Aircraft Registration: B-HQB Departure Gate: 27 Scheduled Departure Time: 0850 Scheduled Boarding Time: 0830 Scheduled Arrival Time: 1020 Arrival Gate: B8 Seat: 39K- Economy Class Actual Boarding Time: 0849 Door Closing Time: 0942 Actual Push-back Time: 0944 Engine Start-up Time: 0945 Actual Take-off Time: 0957 Actual Touch-down Time at TPE: 1107 Flight Time- 1 Hour 10 Minutes Flight Distance- 499 Miles, 803Km* Average Ground Speed: 688Km/h approx. Average Cruising Altitude: 33,000ft* *As informed onboard ** There is no time difference between Hong Kong and Taipei. After the trip into China Mainland, we joined another tour to Taipei. This time, flying Cathay Pacific. I was really excited about this trip as I was informed the day before flying that I’ll be flying the new Airbus A340-600. Again, we had to arrive at the airport early to show up to the tour leader. We arrived at 0635 and got our boarding passes. Since we had lots of time, we went to have breakfast. We also walked through the departure hall before passing immigration and security. Then at about 0810, we arrived at our gate as we’ve been through the shops. At about 0830, we were informed that the flight will be delayed for about 15 minutes due to the late inbound flight (I assume from Los Angeles). New departure time was pushed to 0905. Boarding came at around 0849 and I was amongst the first to board the aircraft. The A346 has the new Business Class installed and improved Economy Class. The Business Class cabin was also very large too. This was also a full flight. The Economy Class seats have air cushions for lumbar support and also at the thighs for comfort. The personal TV was also larger. I think it’s about 9 inches from the ordinary 6 inches. It also has the remote type controls which is a phone as well. It’s the type used in the new Business Class. I assume that it may also have AVOD, but our flight was too short for AVOD. At around 0918 when everyone has boarded, the captain came on the PA and announced that there were problems at the Aft. cargo floor which prevented full operation there. Thus it’s a requirement to unload the cargo to have them relocated to the forward cargo compartment and delays of up to 40 minutes were expected. Cabin crews then came around distributing newspaper for the second time. At 0942 the doors were closed. Then very shortly pushback began. Engine start-up was at 0945. We then taxied to RWY07R for departure. Take-off was at 0957. We were served breakfast about 25 minutes later. There was no choice in Economy Class since it was such a short flight and there was also no menu. Breakfast consisted of the following.
Fresh seasonal fruit Stir-fried flat noodle in oyster sauce with barbeque pork Warm Bread Roll Orange Juice Cold Beverages Tea or Coffee The noodle was nice and temperature was just right. However, everything was in a rush, as towards the end of handing out the meals, the flight had started to descend. It was 1038 at that time. About 15 minutes before touch-down, all the trays were taken back. Gears down at 1102 and landing on RWY06 at 1107. Then a short taxi to the gate. Stopped at gate B8 at 1110.
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