T RIED AND TE ST E D FL IGHT
P R ICE
Hong Kong Airlines A350 business class
LOS ANGELES–HONG KONG
A return business ticket in mid-May starts from HK$21,992 (US$2,813) including taxes, fees and charges.
F L IGHT TIME 15 hours 35 minutes
AIR CR AF T T YP E A350-900
C ONF IGUR A TION 1-2-1
S E AT R E CL INE 180 degrees
S E AT WID TH 23in/58cm
S E AT P ITCH 44in/112cm
BED L ENG TH 84in/213cm
76 C ONT A C T
B A C KGROUND As part of its ambitious and aggressive expansion plans, Hong Kong Airlines took delivery of its first A350 in September 2017. After launching on short-haul routes to Bangkok, Taipei and Shanghai, the aircraft made its long-haul debut on the new route to Los Angeles, which launched in December. Services to London, New York and San Francisco are expected to follow this year.
C HEC K - IN My shuttle arrived at Tom Bradley International Terminal B at around 0730 for my 1045 flight to Hong Kong (HX69). The terminal was very busy that morning, but there was a short queue in the business class lane in Hong Kong Airline’s check-in area A. TSA passenger screening is on departure level 4, which can be reached via the escalator next to the Hong Kong Airlines counters. Again, there was hardly a queue, and I was airside by 8am.
THE LOU NGE Hong Kong Airlines business class passengers can use the LA International Lounge located on level 6, a three-minute walk from security (there were very clear directions printed on the Lounge Invitation ticket). This is a spacious
AP RIL 2 0 18
lounge with plenty of seating and power points (including USB ports), a modern design and an indoor balcony with views of the terminal. The morning food choice felt rather limited (cup noodles, sandwiches and pastries) but there was Starbucks coffee and alcoholic beverages for those so inclined.
BO A RDING I left the lounge at 10am and it was just a one-minute walk to gate 148. Boarding began five minutes later.
THE SE A T The 334-seat A350 has 33 business class seats from rows 11 to 21 (without row 13 or 14). The seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and each passenger enjoys direct aisle access. The seat product is similar to that on
the A330, with a generous 44-inch seat pitch – but there are also some new details, like the carpets, the pillows and blankets (already on the seat when you board), which are now a modern grey colour instead of purple. The airline has dispensed with the
massage function in the seat, but the touch panel control has been improved with more straightforward preset options and better responsiveness. The in-seat magazine rack
hongkongairlines.com
The fully flat bed is generously long – I am 192cm tall and still had room to spare when lying down. I slept very well for six hours
has been moved to seat level to allow more space in and around the side table, where there are two USB ports (international charging points are under the seat). Another highlight is the sturdy work/ dining table, housed vertically in the seat- back panel and which, usefully, can be pushed away so you can leave the seat without having to clear it first.
THE FL IGH T As I settled down in my seat (16A), a cabin crew member offered me a welcome drink of orange juice or water. I was also given a menu and my pre-meal drink order was taken. We pushed back at 1045 before taking off at 1100. After the seatbelt sign was switched off, slippers
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
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