Bottled Water

We are flying JFK TO BKK on Cathay Pacific. Does anyone know if they serve individual bottles of water in economy

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CX has been providing complimentary bottled water in the economy cabin for pax, last time we flew - it was part of the cute "amenity" kit that FA handed out once we're airborne, which included - trying to recall - some toiletry items, bottled (filtered tap) water and a snack (cookies).

During meal services, if I remember correctly, they poured water out of a large bottle (so, it didn't come from the aircraft's water tank ... as they had issues with some (14 of them - from 2015) of their long haul triple 7's (used on the JFK-HKG route ??) ... Once they are done & dimmed the lights in the main cabin so that some can rest & sleep, the FA that's taking the breaks will come around from time to time offering water, juice & coffee/tea from the tray ... and I've seen them pour it out from large bottled water.

Once you reach HKIA as transit pax, you need to go thru transit security security and no liquid allowed as in 3-1-1 rules, don't take any canned soda or bottled water, etc. thru as the 55 gal. blue drum will be waiting for them to get dropped into. Once you get upstairs to the gate area, you can "buy" bottled water at any of the airport concession places & you can take them onto the BKK flight, as there is no secondary or gate-screening again for liquid/ & 3-1-1. Not true on the return for all flights destined for the US, they do a boarding gate area screening and will take away bottled water, juice & soda, etc. that you purchased airside in the airport.

It's a long 16 hours into HKG - feel free to get up & walk to the gallery area (usually mid-way in Y, curtains pulled to keep out the bright lights) & ask them for a bottled of water for hydration, and, for the instant hot cup-a-noodles as snack if you feel hungry, until the pre-arrival light meal services).

For intra-Asia segments, some flights get the "larger" 250 ml bottled tap water, while others get the small sealed cup of water as part of the meal services (yes, even for short 3 hour connections to SGN in smaller narrow-bodied in Y class)

CX is also excellent with their variety of special meals to pre-order in advance, it's one way to get "served" quicker flying Y - a trick we've learned years ago. The downside is that if we are looking to do a last minute upgrade - although with PEY services these days and so many top-tiered flyers on almost every long haul flight, it's not as easy as it used to be - having special meals meant that GA/ground staff couldn't move us into the J cabin when we checked in @JFK ;p

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_AE/travel-information/flying-with-us/inflight-dining/special-meals.html

P.S. Remember to bring your own blackout eyeshades & a decent set of earbuds for music & video.

What's the typical main meal on this flight

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Hmmm, typical menu in CX's main cabin ... hasn't bothered to take pictures lately, nothing to really post or share, but, found this one served on Dragon Air - CX's own code-share, Asian regional carrier ... on one of our PVG-HKG route (3 hours with full meal) you will find something similar on HKG-BKK (as long as it meet the flying time for meal services, etc.) ... should be a dinner service on your outbound segment.

This has special tags as we ordered special meals (low sodium, no beef) so got served first in Y, got the looks from those seated around us - we've nearly done by the time the cart got to our back rows ... a running start to use the bathrooms to transition for some sleep. Also had Haagen dazs ice cream, single serving cup - pretty neat.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoiaz79w21ommz3/SDC10105.JPG?dl=0

On the 16 hours JFK-HKG polar route, the lunch/dinner service typically has 3 (maybe it was 4 choices) ... beef entree, chicken and a vegetarian/pasta (meatless) selection, the usual green salad w. dressing, a bun w. butter, and dessert of ice cream or cake. We avoid offers for complimentary alcohol (wine) since we use the anti-jet lag protocol - just stick with apple/orange juice, away from carbonated soda & caffeine (coffee/tea.) Sometimes, it's pork and/or fish as one of the entree ... really depended on the route & direction being flown. CX's catering is based in HKG and they are contracted by other airlines - have a very good track record of anticipating the varieties & demand on the routes.

The lighter/pre-arrival or landing meal is usually a breakfast/eggs & meat choice, an Asian option like congee and a fruit plate/cheese & yogurt combo ... plus a bun.

With both meals, get a juice first, they will come back later for coffee & tea - hydration is important on these long flights. There's about 12 or 13 hours in between these meal services, and given the portion sizes - most will get hungry, get the instant cup-a-noodles soup early as they only stock a limited # of them on each flight, if they run out - that's it, only cookies or small bags of chips as snacks.

My thoughts - pack something from home if you can that won't spoil or perish in 10 or 12 hours (we always have some hi-protein energy bars with us, just in case) or instant oakmeat packets (with hot water in a cup !!!) - avoid anything with gravy or sauce, as they are super high on sodium (salt) to trick the taste buds at 33,000 ft. & fruits/yogurt & cheese/baked buns over congees or (reheated) egg "omelets"

I stroll over to Flyertalk's CX forum to see if there's anything posted/shared lately or newer, none that I can see in a quick glance - but you can checkout the fancier J or F class menu ;p But, with their stocks & financials not doing well in the past year ... like everyone else in the corporate world, "smart" cutbacks is the "code" word - still, much nicer than Delta or United. Lately, we seemed to shifting our preference to flying Korean Air ... can't beat the 34" leg room in standard economy & 18" seat width, not having to pay a dime more for the "extra" space and excellent meals/services, etc.

A couple of pictures of the food served on our CX flight from LAX to HKG here. Yes, bottled water was provided. On this flight, two meals were served, one about two hours taking off, then at about mid flight. Unlike the usual flights that serve the second meal before arrival.

Thank you for the pictures and information

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Terrific information.

Keith