I just booked a last minute review trip, which will be my first trip of 2025. In this post I want to share the details, as I hope this will make for some interesting content. I actually initially wrote about this a few hours ago, but I just added another element to the trip that…
Continue reading: BOOKED: I’m Headed To Hong Kong, Flying Cathay Pacific & More!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Maybe you can try a long haul business class out of HKG on an A350 too? for a direct comparison between the Aria Suite and the A350 business class on Cathay Pacific.
Plus you get to pre book meals on selected medium to long haul route out of HKG. Last time I had a braised abalone and pomelo pith that was VERY delicious!
You should return through europe and spend 2 nights at the refuge de la traye in france. Slh hotel with 6 rooms and free snowmobile transfer to get there. I was there 2 weeks ago and loved it. Unfortunately it is going private next winter, so this will only be bookable with points until this April.
Since I'm considering the Bogota to Europe route in the future, and I feel the is a lack of reviews in this route, I selfishly recommend you do that route .
I’m loving the itinerary too even if it’s a bit straight forward! . Can’t wait to hear about all of it
In HKG the Kyra Lounge is phenomenal with a great food spread and bar, with plenty of seating too. When I passed through early morning they were handing out fresh smoothies too. The Amex lounge on the other hand was disappointing - too crowded, with a poor food selection and not enough seating. Would love to see you do a thorough ranking of the best HKG lounges though!
Shop Duty Free at Incheon. The KRW is weak and tax free on top of everything. I never go into those luxury stores but got a great deal just make sure as you know to be charged KRW not USD for convenience . You never leave airports. Take a hike at Seoul forest. It’s hipster over there lots of coffee shops.
The CCP is not fond of homosexuals.
They have been known to hang them or stone them to death.
Enjoy the trip!
Cool trip. I know it's a lot but maybe after the Korean Air flight (really want this review), fly Finnair back over to Europe, then Avianca on a Europe-Bogota flight, then try their A320neo Business Class back to the US (we got two times to Latin America, now we need two times to Europe).
I know you don't want to be away from your family for that long, but if it works and you have the energy, would be cool. Nonetheless, sounds like a great trip.
These are some good options I can think of for your return trip, instead of yet another ANA/JAL/EVA/Starlux flight (yes, those are outstanding airlines, but there’s a lot beyond Japan and Taiwan):
1. Asiana Airlines for one last time before it folds into KE, since you flew Korean recently and weren’t very impressed. I’m curious to know how the OZ A350 is holding up.
2. Air India to DEL on the ex-Vistara A321neo, and onward to JFK or EWR on the new A350. I’m sure you’ll be impressed by the hard product, at least, if not the soft product. Still, it’s a quantum leap from the old Air India.
3. This one is crazy, but… Air Astana from ICN would be so, so cool!!! KC has A321neos with throne seats and recent reviews rave about the soft product. The airline has come a long way and is easily Central Asia’s best, maybe better than KE even, so I’d be thrilled if you could fly KC.
I’m excited to finally see a review of the CX A321neo, and I LOVED the 4K screens! On another trip you can try out the SQ 737 MAX as well, since you haven’t flown that model.
Whenever you mention ICN, I always leave a comment to recommend you to try Seoul Station City Airport Terminal. Please!!!! please try it!!!
It's worth reviewing. Almost no Weterners know about this trick.
Seoul Station City Airport Terminal is the only way to bypass the horribly long line for security check at ICN especially in the morning.
Since last year, the waiting time for security check at ICN has become way worse. In the morning is absolutely the worst, which can take up to 2 hours just for waiting in line.
Even a first class boarding pass doesn't give you a fast track at ICN.
Seoul City Airport Terminal is the only way for you to get access to the fast track.
Please try it. It's worth a trip to the city center of Seoul.
Also, the security checkpoint of ICN doesn't open until 6am.
Even if you stay at a hotel near ICN, it'll be faster to travel to Seoul City Airport Terminal, check-in and clear passport control there, take AREX train back to ICN, then clear the fast track security checkpoint than clearing everything at ICN.
Please try RÙN, the Chinese restaurant in the St. Regis Hong Kong, when visiting the hotel! It's delicious and totally worth the money!
Me too.
I think the Plaza Premium First lounge is a real gem; not comparable to the Cathay first lounges because it's just different, but it's fantastic, and I'd love to see a comparison of all the lounges in HK.
It's been a while since you've reviewed EgyptairI think you should do that on your way back
Since you're already in the region, why not return through the islands in the Pacific? Maybe AirCalin, Hawaiian, Air Tahiti Nui? If only United had the Island Hopper via the reverse.
Really think you should try Vietnam Airlines business class so maybe HKG-SGN with CX and SGN-SFO with VN.
Also Air India's A350 so HKG-DEL-JFK?
I haven't seen an Air NZ review in a while so maybe HKG-AKL-JFK
Or Air Canada with BKK-YVR
I am sitting at the Pier Business Class lounge right now, about to fly to LHR but on a 4-Class 77W. I booked this HKG-LHR-IAH (on BA 787-10 for the 2nd segment) before they announced the Aria launch for the LHR route, using 115K Asia Miles also. I was at the Kyra Lounge a few days ago and it was very nice. Located next to Gate 25 and it has a nice food selection and not crowded at all when it opened at 5:30am. Chase Sapphire Lounge opens at 6am (too late for us). Now CX offers business class passenger to book the main meal at least 24 hours before your flight. Make sure you take advantage of it, Ben!
I'd love to hear what you think of the Finnair business class since it's such a unique seat
I would love to read about Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur to Sydney to North America. Malaysia Airlines is an often overlooked gem in Asia, and when is the last time you flew Qantas?
Kyra is fine, but suffer to the low ceiling.
Did you checkout the Sky Bridge bar, Intervals by Plaza Permium? Would be a shame to miss the highest point pax can get to in the airport.
And yeah, a Plaza Premium First lounge review is nice too.
@ Ethan -- For Plaza Premium First, how does that work if you're not on an eligible airline? Can you enter the standard lounge via Priority Pass, and then pay an upcharge to use the Plaza Premium First section?
Might as well use up those Skypass miles on Korean Air in First. I'm pessimistic that availability will go back to what it was in the mid 2010s when it was a gold mine.
As much as I would like to see a blogger's review of Austrian's new 787, that seems to be a much easier product to book with points in the future. Unless you were to say... fly Korean Air in First to Europe and then fly Austrian back to the US...
Manage your expectations of all the “amazing” One World lounges at Heathrow T3
How much $ were the surcharges IAD-LHR-HKG? Probably worth mentioning as it's the main reason most people avoid these awards, even when transiting LHR
@Ben
‘Passengers can access Plaza Premium First in one of three ways: a complimentary visit provided by an airline, by upgrading their existing access from the standard Plaza Premium Lounge, or by purchasing entry outright’
https://www.executivetraveller.com/plaza-premium-first-class-lounge-review-hong-kong
Just to make a note on your second sector from HKG-ICN: Assuming you'll be taking off from 07C, snag a seat on the right-hand-side of the a/c. You'll get a nice view of downtown and possibly an air-to-air shot if another a/c is simultaneously taking off from the southerly runway which would be a completely new experience for you.
Way home:
Island hopper on UA
HKG-NAN-cxi-HNL —HA 789 back or posting live on star link on a 332
Hop on Air Calin BKK-CDG
Hkg-akl-rar to take Air Rarotonga or Air Tahiti on rar-ppt then find the French bee with flat beds back to the US or just premium economy on French bee
@ Ben - Please report if the “vibe’ is still the same in Hong Kong and it will be still one of your favorite cities. I haven’t been there in years either, well before the pandemic.
Looks forward to all the flight reports - especially your impressions of the Club Suites.
I would definitely be interested to see the Austrian 787 review. Which US city do they fly to with that plane?
I don’t fancy Ben as one of the train bros. Don’t take AREX. Take a taxi or limousine bus but Ben doesn’t leave airports on solo trips.
As far as security , i encountered a long line at T1 and after 10 minutes not moving I walked 50 yards to the next checkpoint and the line was empty only two people. I got thru in 5 minutes instead of the other 45 minute line.
This was my question too. If fee's are almost $1,000, then not sure I would do it.
Ben,
I'm super dubious you're going to actually get an Aria seat from LHR-HKG. It appears that B-KPF and B-KPH are the two aircraft with the new cabin (based upon their recent extended time in Xiamen where maintenance is completed). That said B-KPO has also been in the rotation over the last three days...which hasn't been into the maintenance shop in the visible past on Flightradar24. That would put this trip at about 66% chance of actually including the Aria seat.
For all of the 'expense' in miles/time, I think I'd wait until my odds were a little better.
@ Mike -- As of February 1, 2025, the route is supposed to be operated by an Aria Suite 777 daily. Of course that can change, but the airline seems pretty committed to it, at least in theory. Prior to February 1, it was operated by an Aria Suite plane every other day, which is why you see B-KPO rotated in.
@ Sam -- The total taxes and fees were only $350 or so. That's pretty awesome, if you ask me, given the fees you'll typically find on British Airways awards.
Sounds awesome, have fun! I haven't been to Hong Kong since 2019 either, so I'm curious to hear if it feels different after the crackdowns there.
Day one of asking Ben to do this. After you are in New York You should try to review the new ek biz 777 and a350.
He literally flies on none of the airlines you mentioned though, not even airlines from the same countries. He is flying on a HK airlines, a British one, a Korean one and an American one, none of which are the Taiwan or Japanese ones you mention.
Perhaps you missed the drama of his last trip to Cairo?
He'd be crazy to return to Egypt, barring regime change.
Honestly the "vibe" will likely be hard to gauge since it seems Ben will be traveling during the middle of Lunar New Year
Trackmyseat.com shows that CX250 is pretty consistent in the last couple of days, so good odds you’ll get the new Aria Suite
Hi Ben, I think. you will find Hong Kong changed enormously since you were last there. Of course it is still super busy & seems to be flourishing in a different way, including the fact that most of the tourists now appear to be from mainland China & there is development everywhere. The food is still amazing but overall the city is expensive. The Star Ferry is still the best value trip in the world and as enjoyable as ever. I was there in late November and during the Jimmy Lai democracy trials so there was a definite feel of the CCP in the air. Having said that, there is clearly money being poured into Hong Kong to attract tourism & business although I am not sure how successful it is.
I realise this blog is not necessarily about cultural attractions but as you have a couple of days and Hong Kong is changing itself rapidly into a cultural destination I recommend you Take a look at the development of Kowloon. Particularly on the Western end where the Ritz Carlton is & the ICC. They have built two extraordinary museums which frankly are worth a trip to Hong Kong just to visit. One is M+ which is a contemporary art museum and was showing a wonderful IMPei exhibition when I was there and the other is The Palace Museum which is full of amazing Chinese treasures.
Back on the waterfront on the Eastern End & right on the harbor, The Regent has reopened in its old location almost opposite The Peninsula which still has long lines of luxury cars coming and going and The Rosewood has also arrived next to The Regent, both linked by a terrific modern art museum and a luxury mall.
I have been going to HKG for decades and it is definitely not the city I once knew but it is changing into a different city altogether. You'll enjoy it, just don't go looking for the city you once knew!
I fly Cathay. Diamond status. The business class on the 321 neo is 2/2/2 configuration. The jet has wifi. Not all Cathay jets have wifi (!!) in business. You must transit through HK from BKK to Taipei or anywhere regional. The BKK to HK route has both 321 and the lay flat on the older jets. Beware if you like the lay flat. If you like a companion. the 321 seats are side by side. They don’t lay flat. The seats are in a cradle and you don’t encroach on space behind you to recline. It’s a Lazyboy recliner style. Ok for 2-4 hours but I don’t prefer for 6-7 to Seoul or Tokyo. If I absolutely need WIFI, I am on the 321. It is “free” to business classe when the jet is equipped. Singapore is fully configured on all jets and wifi is free to all passengers. My Asia routes keep me with Cathay. The AMEX lounge in HK is middling. I have been to 6 different AMEX. Cathay Pier remains unparalleled. They are redoing the Wing this year. There are no Priority lounges worth it in HK. Forget about decent lounges at Incheon Seoul. Public spaces are fantastic. Enjoy your time with Carhay, but remember they have had high turnover and you want to find the lady in black- she is the head FA. They color code uniforms.
Malaysian A330neo business down to MEL/SYD, then Air Calin NOU-BKK-CDG, and top it off with Austrian on their 787 back to the US.
Ben, a special request if you please?
Would you be kind enough to pay particular attention to the Aria Suite bed dimensions compared to the BA 777 Club bed?
Having a tall frame (6’2”) and US shoe size 11.5”, I find that the 777 bed can be a bit of a squeeze. One hopes that the Aria bed will be more generous.
Thank you for considering this request.
@Ben, how are you getting home from LAX? I recognize domestic first isn't as glamorous as international anything but it is something that I bet most of your readers are more likely to travel. Also if you have any time I'm about 20 minutes from LAX so would love to get you lunch, or given your travels, more likely coffee.
Hey Ben, will you consider taking a 1 hour Turbojet ride between Hong Kong and Macau on a Boeing 929 Jetfoil? Foils lift the hull of the vessel out of the water with the help of 2 Rolls-Royce Allison 501KF gas turbines, so technically it is a "flight" as well! The only active Jetfoil in service right now is 'Terceira', which sails daily on 1130 & 1430 from Hong Kong to Macau, and 1300 & 1630 back from Macau to Hong Kong. Would definitely love to hear your reviews!
Ben - During your upcoming trip from Washington to Hong Kong via LHR I would be very interested in a report how the transfer from terminal 5 to terminal 3 went especially in terms of speed during the actual transfer and security etc.
Sounds exciting - interesting routing and destinations. Can't wait to read the reports!
Agree, things are more expensive. I saw lots of European tourists instead of mainland Chinese, as there is less incentive to buy high end goods in HK.
Overall, I was able to find lots of good value eats rivalling mainland China pricing. A lot of the staff is from mainland China also, so the service has definitely improved a lot since.
Hong Kong sucks!
Dirty and rude people everywhere!
Overpriced!
In other words a hell hole!
Go to Japan instead!
I can't wait to hear your thoughts of Hong Kong now. I worked for Northwest Orient in the 70's and 80's and would fly to Tokyo for work and then go to HKG for long weekends. I loved Hong Kong in the 80's. I picked up some great pottery from China in HKG when they were unloading it in the 80's. The food was wonderful, fashion, great people and friends. I've been wanting to go back to Hong Kong and take my partner who has never been. I want to show him that wonderful city.
I have not been in Hong Kong for a long time.. waiting to hear your perspective on it's status now. Also did you book Delta One with points or $$$$?
Seoul Station City Airport Terminal is available for AREX train passengers only. To enter the check-in facility, you should scan your train ticket.
Whether you like train or not, you have no option if you're gonna check-in there.
ICN's security checkpoint is getting worse and worse because of the staffing issue. The government doesn't increase the budget for staffing at all, and more than a half of new hire security agents quit because they're seriously underpaid which is even worse than working at McDonald's..
Now it's normal to line up over an hour at ICN in the morning. In the afternoon is totally different—it normally takes only 15 min.
If you're taking an afternoon flight, yeah, you don't desperately need Seoul Station City Airport Terminal, however, if your flight's in the morning, you really should try it.
Incorrect. The A330neo is still a regular feature to MEL. It is flying MH148 close to daily. On its way to KUL as we speak
That's exactly how it works, also I'm not sure if it's still possible, but previously you can use LoungeBuddy to purchase access too.
Hi Ben! Seconding someone else's request on the aria suite: your attention to the size/spaciousness of the footwell as well as the storage within the suite would be much appreciated. Hong Kong is still as amazing as it was in 2019, we welcome you back 🙂
@Jill Jacobs You surely must not be an avid reader of Ben’s blog. He has visited Japan not too long ago and as he had previously stated many times Hong Kong is still one of his favorite cities in the world and he has not been there for many years. As to your comment about Hong Kong being ‘dirty and rude’ you must be referring to yourself. And you said that Hong Kong is overpriced? Like Japan is actually any cheaper?? Your comments totally suck not Hong Kong.
Not sure if this is an experience you would like: go places with either names or establishment which are unmistakably colonial. You'll see lots of mainlanders posting for social media (Chinese version of tic-tok, eg.). One such scene would be holding a McDonalds bag of fries or burgers in front of the street sign that says McDondald Road; or lining up to take selfies in front of the sign at the entrance of ICAC...etc. Gone were the queues in front of Prada or Chanel...
Going forward yes, but until March 2025, MH148 MEL-KUL is an A330neo. Therefore your original statement is incorrect.
Ben, I'm really excited to hear your perspective on how Hong Kong has changed since 2019/2020. I had a trip planned for 2019 but ended up cancelling due to the unrest in 2019.
Glad you'll be revisiting Hong Kong and checking out the wide range of lounges at the HKIA!
I think Hong Kong is now more exciting than ever. The Tea House Theatre Experience is a great way to look into Chinese opera over dim sum and tea (available over weekends only though) and a stroll by the coast in the West Kowloon area, near the M+ and Palace Museums, is amazing. Mong Kok has a new chestnut and dried fruits store that makes and sells amazing ice cream with interesting local flavours, including dried plums, chestnut and ginger.
Can't wait for your reviews of the city, Cathay and the lounges.
Tomorrow will be 5 years since I took off out of HKG for the last time as covid was sweeping in. Would love to go back - looking forward to your reports.
Hi Ben! I'm particularly looking forward to this review! Being based in HKG since a few years and working in airline operations, I'm excited to see your take on all the aspects of the trip you're going to cover.
HK is still a world class city with great people and lots to offer. Enjoy!