RTW TP Run in Jan 2026: Day 13 – Hong Kong (HKG) to Jakarta (CGK)

By Nige on January 30, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Type: Post
Story: Round the World Tier Point Run in Jan 2026 Category: Travel
Tags: Cathay Pacific | CGK | HKG | Hong Kong | Jakarta | Skycity

I woke well ahead of my alarm which was set for 4:30am. The aim was to catch the first shuttle bus to the airport at 5am.

I caught up with some admin. I have always been most alert first thing in the morning, and have started to struggle later on in the day. That makes me a classic lark.

The coach arrived about 5 mins before 5am and I secured my front row seat. There was a good queue of passengers heading back to the airport, but the coach is full size, so it could easily cater for the numbers.

Once into Terminal 1, I checked out the location of the Japan Airlines check in area.

As I suspected, there was no one around, and to be honest, I didn’t think it was likely they would be able to do anything about my connection in Tokyo.

So I headed through security to airside. The pull of The Pier First Class Lounge and a Starbucks was too great.

Now I had become familiar with the terminal layout, it was pretty straight forward working out where I needed to go.

I think i have another couple of these early morning departures from Hong Kong, so by the final one I should be an expert!

I reached The Pier First Class Lounge just after it opened at 5:30am. I immediately had a quick chat with the missus back home.

I had time for some sough bread toast, butter and jam. Then it was time for a walk down to Starbucks near Gate 43.

My flight to Jakarta was due to leave from Gate 60, so it was perfect based on the location of the lounge.

I watched in amusement as the gate crew messed about with the tensa barriers. One put the barriers up, another took them down. It seemed like this was the very first time they had prepared for boarding.

I wasnt entirely sure what sort of business class seating i was going to get on this flight. ExpertFlyer suggested it would be just inclined seats, but aerolopa suggested it would be full lie-flat seats.

I was pleased to see that aerolopa was right on this occasion.

On into seat 14A and although the flight would be less than 5 hours, I was expecting to get some sleep on this flight.

I’d have 8 hours at Jakarta before my flight to Tokyo Narita, and 5 of them will be spent landside in Starbucks, waiting for the Japan Airlines check in desk to open.

I placed my order for breakfast: chicken rendang with what the cabin crew called a Morning Glory (a bucks fizz).

After taking off, there was no delay is serving breakfast. As a starter, a plate of fruit was provided, together with a croissant and jam. Nice start.

The chicken rendang was excellent. It was served with crispy anchovies which went really well. Nice.

After breakfast I asked for a blanket and managed to get a good few hours kip. Much needed.

I woke with about an hour to go. I was in the third row of business class and there was a scorer at the front of the cabin.

We arrived into G23 and I was met by someone holding an iPad with my name on it. I couldn’t quite work out why she met me.

I hoped it was to help me stay airside. However I suspected they would quickly realise I would have to go landside and sort it out myself directly with Japan Airlines.

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Round the World Tier Point Run in Jan 2026