Manila to Macau via Cathay Pacific First Class and Turbojet Ferry: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”

We arrived at the Manila airport and had to show printed e-ticket itineraries to enter, and then had to go through security screening of our checked and hand baggage as well. Once you’ve entered there’s a sign saying not to exit.

We walked up to the Cathay Pacific checkin desk, and they helped us right away, but our checkin was confusing. I handed them not just our itinerary and passports, but also our receipt for the Turbojet ferry from Hong Kong International Airport to Macau Ferry Terminal. I asked them to check our bags through to Macau, and the agent had never heard of such a thing and couldn’t figure out how to do it. After much plugging away he called over his supervisor who fiddled for awhile and got on the phone but finally figured out how to tag the bags appropriately.

Now, it’s not actually necessary to tag bags all the way through. You still have to check in with the Turbojet ferry prior to immigration in Hong Kong, and you hand over your baggage claim checks just the same, but it reduces the amount of time you’re required to check in with the ferry in advance. We’d probably make the checkin dealdine either way, but I figured it would increase the likelihood of our bags being there when we arrived in Macau.

We proceeded through passport control and security and onto the lounge. We were directed into the main part of the lounge, the business class side, but I pointed out that we were flying first class so we were motioned to the first class side. First, there was little difference between the two lounge other than better liquor, and second there really wasn’t anyone keeping business class folks out and some of them came in on their own.

As boarding approach, the lounge filled out. There were children running around yelling. I was glad we were on our way. It was lovely to return to a Cathay Pacific first class cabin, and this time the 747 after two 777 flights. We had row 1 together in the nose.

The short flight offered just enough time for us to enjoy a leisurely meal together, once again choosing to dine opposite each other (and once again with me in the buddy seat).

Landing from the nose of a 747 is always a thrill:

On arrival in Hong Kong we stayed in transit, near immigration approached the Turbojet booth. I had prepaid our tickets and checked our bags through, and we kicked in the small premium for ‘super class’ so there was no line. I handed over our confirmation and baggage claim tags, they keyed the tags into the system and issued our boarding passes. We walked around the corner to the Turbojet boarding area and down the escalator to the train which would take us over to the ferry pier — still all without clearing immigration.

We arrived at the ferry pier and waited a few minutes until boarding.

Super class is upstairs

They offer a one-tray meal for the 45 minute journey to Macau

On arrival we waited for bags to come out, proceeded through immigration, and walked outside the terminal to grab a cab to the Westin.