THE SIGHT & THE SOUND 3/4 : Cathay Pacific B 777-267 VR-HNC documentary from Hong Kong to Taipei

KAI TAK DEPARTURE
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRLINES B 777-267 VR-HNC HONG KONG - TAIPEI, APRIL 22, 1997
When my frequently-flying-friend Michael Thurow visited me at my home in Seoul in April 1997, we decided on the spot to do a day’s rotation from Seoul to Hong Kong for one last tribute to Kai Tak Airport. In order to catch the return flight we needed at least one hour in transit, in order to get a suitable window seat for filming. I will never forget two episodes. The first episode took place at check in in the old Terminal 1 of Seoul-Kimpo Airport, when we were asked if we preferred the direct service to Hong Kong or the flight via Taipei, leaving simultaneously. Our answer “Via Taipei please” was quoted with the remark “Aaaah, understand, you must be very hungry!”. Our “???” was replied “ Two flights, two hot meals…”. The second episode took place at the transit check in at Kai Tak. We were asked for our inbound flight. Our reply “CX 421 from Seoul” was quoted with a sweet candy and the spontaneous remark “Suck the candy first and think again…”. This day was filled with four flights onboard Cathay Pacific Airlines Tripple Seven and the ever so impressive landing over Checkerboard Hill at Kai Tak on famous runway 13.
This inflight documentation is almost two decades old and features the third leg onboard B 777-267 VR-HNC from Hong Kong to Taipei.
Unfortunately this flight was taped with the very first generation of video cameras with digital recording on mini DV cassettes. There were neither stabilizing nor focusing features available at that time. I therefore apologize for the poor video quality and hope that you still can capture the feeling of what it was like to fly in the 90s.
History of Cathay Pacific B 777-267 VR-HNC
Airframe 27263 was manufactured 1996 and delivered to Cathay Pacific, registered VR-HNC, May 9, 1996. VR-HNC was included in the registry of the People’s Republic of China and registered B-HNC, September 3, 1997. B-HNC is reported to be active.
Enjoy with me the Sights & Sounds of Classic Aviation.
Thank you for watching my channel.
Flight details
Flight : CX 420
Date : Tuesday, April 22, 1997
Aircraft : B 777-267
Registration : VR-HNC
Registration history :
VR-HNC (Cathay Pacific)
B-HNC (Cathay Pacific)
Built : 1996
From : Hong Kong (HKG)
To : Taipei (TPE)
Take off : 15.06 h (0706 UTC)
Touch down : 16.10 h (0810 UTC)
Flying time : 1 hour 4 minutes
Flying distance : 777 km
Altitude : 10.100 m
Speed : 1.013 / 1.027 km/h
Purser : Husni
Cabin Crew : Lara (Philippines)
Cabin Crew : Tsubaki (Japan)

[@visionist7]

Absolutely priceless footage

[@lucky360pride]

Such an amazing video, salute for you, Sir!
I'm literally amazed that same aircraft still flies today as of October 2018

[@EpicThe112]

Dragonair A330 is still operational and can also be seen on HKG-MNL 711 miles 2hr flight time. Note that the 1990s uniforms are used until 2006

[@pbr12ful]

Kowloon Kai Tak Airport that time

[@GE90-115B]

This airframe has been retired in 2019 and seems like it might been scrapped