AN EXTRAORDINARY FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: CATHAY PACIFIC NEW YORK
TO HONG KONG TO KUALA LUMPUR
I am a frequent flier on many airlines so
for me to make such a statement, you can understand my full satisfaction at the
22 hours I spent at the care of Cathay Pacific CX staff.
What makes an experience an exceptional
one, especially when it comes to long haul flying, are the people you come
across during the short time you share with each other. I was flying alone but
the people at CX made this flight memorable for me.
Just three weeks ago, I had flown CMB 4
hours AUH 14 hours JFK on EY Etihad Airways, made a mental note that the Asian crew
were lot more friendly and efficient and much more service oriented than the European
cabin crew.
When the chance to go to Kuala Lumpur
arose, I jumped at the chance to fly CX (initially I had been booked on an
American Airlines flight to Hong Kong).
I boarded the first flight at JFK in New
York. It was a good omen that the gate agent, Ms. E H (born in Guyana) was
pleasant and as I entered the aircraft I was greeted politely by the Cabin
Manager (Ms. BL from Singapore) and then the Purser (Ms. K). The senior purser
(Ms. M from Manila) came and introduced herself.
The flight from New York to Hong Kong is 15
hours and 3 minutes long. I had been a little apprehensive as I had two
consecutive late night flights prior and wondered the effect of this long
flight on my constitution.
All my trepidations soon evaporated, thanks
to the three aforementioned individuals. Ms. K was very knowledgeable about the
menu, suggested Lobster Congee which was just delicious. Ms. BL, being made
aware of my Jewish cultural tradition of not eating Pork products, especially
made sure that the Chilean Sea Bass was made available for later. Ms. M was
ever present with a genuine smile with a bottle of KRUG in hand, to tantalize
my buds.
I rested well enough and felt refreshed
arriving in Hong Kong. A brief visit to
the Pier Lounge and boarded the 3 hours 30 minutes flight to Kuala Lumpur. The
friendliness was overwhelming on boarding, being personally greeted by Ms. M, a
Malaysian from Sabah now resident in HK, who was the Manager of the flight;
followed by Ms. S from Penang who was the Senior Purser, look sprightly and
young. It took a little while for the young, busy Purser, Ms. J, to spare a few
moments with me, and her genuine nature and such an innocent way of interacting
was impressive enough. I truly enjoyed talking to Ms. S and I sincerely hope
that I would run into any of these six CX people I mentioned, either in one of
the CX flights or in Miami or in La Habana!
As a cultural anthropologist, such
interactions are precious to me, as I get to know the stories of such a varied
group of people in such a short period of time, enriching my life and at the
same time legitimizing their own lived lives.
I am grateful.
