Online check-in didn't work based on booking reference as you needed e-ticket. Called RJ for this, and still it didn't work. So for a change it would be an old style desk check-in. The check-in area was bedlam when I got there - lots of people in a group with musical instruments....was served relatively quickly and my bag tagged for HKG and had two priority tags and a short transfer tag attached.
Headed through the fairly quiet fast track security, a small shopping and off to the CX lounge. RJ use the BA lounge, but as a Silver BA Card holder, I decided I would try out the CX lounge for a change. Really impressed - much quieter and a good selection of food. When I got there, all the hot options were cook to order, including a range of noodle based dishes. I decided this time to opt for some pasta - asked for a small amount and got a huge bowl.
As boarding is not called in the lounge, we headed down around the time we thought it would start to find a real scrum there. Managed to get on board relatively quickly. This flight is on an A321 - 20 crown class seats similar to VX first class. Fairly decent amount of space and seat comfy. The flight was fairly quiet and there was only 9 people in Crown Class, so had two seats to myself. Noticed that the seats had both USB chargers and also a standard UK plug - great to be able to get off with fully charged iPhone and computer!
Pre-take off were offered water/juice only - thought for a moment that we had booked a 'dry' airline! Luckily when the menus were handed out, there was a wine list - phew!! Amenity kit put both VS and BA to shame - decent washbag size with usual toiletries (including reusable toothbrush) and also non-slip socks that fitted really well.
Post-take off drinks orders were taken on the ground - champagne, served with mixed arabic nuts. Hot towels then came around - hot and a decent size (another plus for RJ). The menu on this flight was:
Appertisers
- Mixed arabic starters
- Salmon
Seasonal Salad with dressing
Main Courses
- Steak with cafe de Paris butter
- Chicken with cashew nuts
- Red snapper fillet in saffron and tomato sauce
- Vegetarian pasta
Served with buttered vegetables, dauphinoise potatoes and/or basmati rice
The main courses came out on a trolley and were served at seat - you basically could choose what you wanted out of all the options and could have more than one item. Really nice way of serving, and well presented. Had the chicken and the fish with the veggies - hot, tasty and decent portion.
After this followed a cheese trolley - proper blocks of cheese which the cut portions off of, and then finally a desert trolley with tea / coffee. Plenty of drinks were served throughout the meal service - they have a Jordanian Red and White and one other red / white.
The total flight time to Amman was just under 4 hours - the meal service was well paced and left enough time before and afterwards to do some work. There was individual TV screens which were touch-screen operated, and had a fairly limited selection of movies and TV shows - all fairly new and up to date.
Arrived in Amman about 10 minutes early and on stand 5 minutes ahead of time.
Overall a really good flight and excellent meal service!
