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 I think most readers will appreciate.
In this post:
I’m flying to Hong Kong on British Airways & Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific recently launched its new Aria Suite business class product, and it’s now available on a daily flight between London (LHR) and Hong Kong (HKG). I’m always excited to check out new premium cabin seats, so obviously I’ve had my eye on this, especially since I haven’t taken a long haul Cathay Pacific business class flight in many years.
Award availability is quite good on the frequency with the Aria Suite product, since the plane operating the flight has an increase in business class capacity. So, how did I book my ticket? Well, this is where Cathay Pacific’s frequent flyer program is actually pretty useful.
Cathay Pacific lets you route from the US to Asia via Europe on an award ticket. So for 115,000 Cathay Pacific miles I was able to book a ticket from Washington to London in British Airways’ 777 Club Suites, and then from London to Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific’s 777 Aria Suite. I’ve also been wanting to finally review British Airways’ 777 Club Suites, so I’m very much looking forward to this.
You can expect a ton of lounge reviews as well — I plan to check out most of the credit card and Priority Pass lounges at Washington Dulles, as well as publishing new reviews of all the amazing oneworld lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3.
I’m staying at the St. Regis Hong Kong (finally)!
When I take these review trips, my goal is often to be away from home for as little time as possible. Often I don’t even leave the airport, or at best, stay at an airport hotel. This time around I decided to stay for a bit. For one, Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I haven’t properly visited since before the pandemic.
Second, the St. Regis Hong Kong is one of the points hotels I most want to stay at, and with my new Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador status, I figure this is as good of a time as any to give the property a try. I’m looking forward to both spending time in Hong Kong, and giving this hotel a try.
I’m returning to the US on Cathay Pacific & Korean Air
My return itinerary also consists of two airlines. First, I’m flying from Hong Kong to Seoul Incheon on Cathay Pacific’s A321neo, in business class. Cathay Pacific is increasingly flying these narrow body jets, and I’m curious to see what the experience is like.
During my last trip through Hong Kong, I checked out all the Cathay Pacific Lounges, the Qantas Lounge, and the Chase Sapphire Lounge, so this time around I plan on checking out the Amex Centurion Lounge and the new Kyra Lounge, accessible with Priority Pass.
Then from Seoul Incheon, I plan to fly Korean Air first class back to the United States. Korean Air is once again opening up first class award space, and I have Korean Air SkyPass miles I need to redeem, so this is a perfect opportunity.
Initially my plan was to fly the Kosmo Suite 2.0 on the 777. However, I’ve decided on a different itinerary, which works better for my schedule. I’ll instead be flying Korean Air’s A380 first class. While this is a more outdated product, I look forward to once again checking out the onboard bar and duty free shop! Since I still have quite a SkyPass miles to redeem, you can bet that I’ll be reviewing the 777 first class soon as well.
I’m adding on a little Delta One adventure as well
So, why did I switch from the Korean Air 777 to the Korean Air A380? Well, because I’d like to end my journey in New York. The reason? It allows me to check out another experience I’ve been meaning to have. From New York, I booked Delta One business class on the 767 from New York to Los Angeles.
Not only am I looking forward to checking out the onboard product, but most exciting of all is that I plan to visit the Delta One Lounge JFK and the Delta One Lounge LAX, which are the two lounges in the US I’m most looking forward to visiting (I’m able to do this because Delta One passengers can use these lounges on arrival). I’ve been meaning to check these out, and I figure I should just rip off the band aid and have this experience already. Premium, premium, premium, I can’t wait! 😉
Bottom line
I’ll be taking a review trip shortly, where I’ll be flying British Airways’ 777 Club Suites business class and Cathay Pacific’s 777 Aria Suite business class on the outbound, and Cathay Pacific’s A321neo business class and Korean Air’s A380 first class on the return. I’ll also add a quick side trip to Los Angeles, to experience Delta’s 767 business class, plus the Delta One Lounges at JFK and LAX.
Any predictions or thoughts on the review trip?
Manage your expectations of all the “amazing” One World lounges at Heathrow T3
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...
Will you even leave the airport?
@ Mary -- Yes, I'm spending time in Hong Kong!
I like this itinerary, especially the KE First class leg
Will see how good the Aria suites are.
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?
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?
I'd love to hear what you think of the Finnair business class since it's such a unique seat
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...
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!
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
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.
+1, curious how Hawaiian has held up under Alaska ownership
United’s island hopper does operate in both directions
It's been a while since you've reviewed EgyptairI think you should do that on your way back
Please try RÙN, the Chinese restaurant in the St. Regis Hong Kong, when visiting the hotel! It's delicious and totally worth the money!
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
The CCP is not fond of homosexuals.
They have been known to hang them or stone them to death.
Enjoy the trip!
And we are not fond of homophobes, Ho
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.
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!
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.
I’m loving the itinerary too even if it’s a bit straight forward! . Can’t wait to hear about all of it
Now if it involved TAAG - then I think we’re all in!! Haha
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 .
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.
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!
I love the current itinerary. Bogota and the others can wait.
+1