Hey from Japan, as I simply flew Hong Kong Airways’ Airbus A330-300 enterprise class on the 3hr30min flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Tokyo Narita (NRT). My purpose was to get to Japan, however with the Lunar New Yr vacation interval, flights on All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airways, have been both completely bought out, or had outrageous fares and no award availability.
Happily I discovered a fare I used to be snug with for Hong Kong Airways enterprise class, which introduced a enjoyable alternative to fly with the airline once more. Hong Kong Airways has the identical homeowners as China’s Hainan Airways, and the airline has had a tough a few years. For a short while, the airline was making an attempt to develop globally and compete extra with Cathay Pacific, and even acquired A350s (I reviewed the service’s A350 enterprise class). Nevertheless, amid main monetary challenges, the corporate shrunk, dumped all of its A350s, and many others.
So, how is Hong Kong Airways’ A330 enterprise class these days? On the plus facet, the crew was pleasant, and it’s good to get a flat mattress on a flight inside Asia. Nevertheless, if you’re competing in Hong Kong, the product is decidedly second fee in comparison with Cathay Pacific, when it comes to cabin look and upkeep, facilities, leisure, (lack of) Wi-Fi, and many others. On this publish I’d wish to share some preliminary ideas, after which quickly I’ll have a full journey report.
Hong Kong Airways’ lounge doesn’t set an incredible tone
Earlier than I even speak in regards to the onboard expertise, let me point out that I visited Hong Kong Airways’ Membership Autus, which is the service’s solely airport lounge. The lounge simply doesn’t set an incredible tone for the expertise, on many ranges:
- The lounge simply wasn’t effectively maintained, with two of the three urinals damaged, one of many three toilet stalls damaged, and the showers closed; c’mon, you’ve gotta do higher than that, for optics, if nothing else
- The design simply feels tremendous tacky, with the pillows within the lounge having silly phrases on them, like “Revenge Journey”
- The food and drinks choice was reasonably restricted; there was no fruit, cereal, pastries, and many others., and there wasn’t even milk for espresso, however as a substitute, simply little containers of creamer
So discuss fairly a distinction to Cathay Pacific’s floor expertise. I had visited the lounge previously, so I wasn’t completely stunned. Nevertheless, it looks as if some small investments may go a good distance, and that lounge maintenance isn’t a precedence.
Hong Kong Airways’ A330 enterprise class seats are okay
Hong Kong Airways’ A330 enterprise class consists of staggered seats, with a complete of 32 seats taking on the house between the primary and second set of doorways. The A330’s fuselage isn’t notably broad, in order you’d count on, these seats are undoubtedly on the tight facet, and specifically, the aisle is de facto slender (my bag struggled to squeeze via).
Okay, I can’t say the cabin finishes are my favourite, however that’s clearly additionally impressed by the guardian firm, provided that the colours match Hainan Airways (the identical is true of the livery — this was even an ex-Hainan aircraft, as you may see based mostly on the best way the airline identify was painted on the livery).
I managed to get a “true” window seat, which is the best seating choice on this configuration.
What stood out to me most is how drained and beat up the cabin felt. For instance, my studying gentle was being held collectively by tape.
For a 3.5 hour flight, this was in fact greater than enough, and completely snug. In any case, Cathay Pacific partly flies regionally configured planes to Japan. Nevertheless, this is identical aircraft the airline makes use of for the 14-hour flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong, and I’d be a lot much less proud of this product on that flight.
Hong Kong Airways’ A330 enterprise class leisure is dangerous
Hong Kong Airways has seat again screens at every seat. Whereas any leisure is best than nothing, I discovered the choice to be actually restricted. We’re speaking dozens of films and TV reveals, in order that’s lower than ideally suited. The airline additionally doesn’t provide Wi-Fi on any planes.
Once more, none of this can be a big difficulty on a brief intra-Asia route, however with the airline beginning to fly A330s on longer missions, these issues turn out to be extra noticeable.
Hong Kong Airways’ A330 enterprise class smooth product is respectable
I do should say, the crew in enterprise class on this flight have been very pleasant. They possibly weren’t fairly to Cathay Pacific’s degree, however nonetheless pleasant and accommodating, so I’ve nothing unfavorable to say there (effectively, apart from them insisting on conserving the cabin darkish your complete manner on a daytime flight, however I digress).
By way of facilities, every enterprise class passenger acquired a pillow and blanket, plus a pair of slippers, which is sweet for a flight of this size.
Breakfast was served on this flight, and menus have been distributed earlier than takeoff.
There have been three breakfast choices, and I selected the Chinese language meal, which consisted of congee with shredded hen, dried scallop, and mushroom, served with fruit, yogurt, and a range from the bread basket.
Whereas there have been no espresso-based drinks, the filtered espresso was respectable, and tasted even higher after a glass of champagne (the airline pours Charles de Cazanove Brut Champagne). 😉
Backside line
I’m completely happy I had the prospect to fly with Hong Kong Airways once more, on the service’s solely lengthy haul plane sort. In the end the largest difficulty with Hong Kong Airways is that it’s going head-to-head towards Cathay Pacific, one of many world’s finest airline manufacturers. Cathay Pacific’s floor expertise and inflight service are stellar, so in fact by comparability, Hong Kong Airways simply doesn’t ship the identical degree of expertise.
I’d fly Hong Kong Airways once more if the airline had the most effective schedule or worth, as was the case right here. Nevertheless, I’d keep away from the airline on lengthy haul flights (resulting from lack of Wi-Fi), and in addition would select Cathay Pacific in a heartbeat, all else being equal.
What’s your tackle Hong Kong Airways’ A330 enterprise class?
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