Celebrity Life

At 15 hours and 30 minutes in duration and nearly 13,000 kilometres in distance, the flight from Hong Kong to Newark (one of three airports servicing New York City) isn't for the faint of heart. Coming third on the list of longest flights departing from Hong Kong -- behind Washington, D.C. and Dallas -- this is a seriously long-haul flight, which calls for the ultimate in in-flight comforts. So for our latest visit to the Big Apple, we documented our business class experience with United Airlines to give New York-bound travellers the details they ought to know before booking their next flight to the other side of the world.

Airline: United Airlines

Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Class: Business

Checked Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces at 32kg each

Flight Duration: 15 hours, 30 minutes

Route: Hong Kong (HKG) to Newark (EWR)

Mileage Program: Star Alliance

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Check-in: 10/10

Checking in for a flight has never been as convenient as it is now thanks to technology. The online check-in system is literally at your fingertips and and can be accessed via the United website or app. At Hong Kong International Airport, the United Airlines counter is located in aisle G, where you can conveniently drop off your checked luggage and pick up your Polaris Lounge pass.

Lounge: 10/10

Having visited the United Club and Polaris Lounge, it's safe to say that the lounge in Newark is one of the best lounges you'll come across in any airport in the world. There, you can freshen up in the spacious shower suite while your clothes are steamed by professional valets. Afterward, head over to the bar overlooking sweeping views of Newark and enjoy full bar service, with professional mixologists stirring up an extensive cocktail list to take the edge off the upcoming flight. Make sure to grab a quick nibble either at the international buffet or private dining area before heading to your gate.

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Space & Comfort: 9/10

With four seats per row, every seat has aisle access, making it easy to move in and out of your seat without disturbing anyone, and vice versa. The highlight of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is that everything has been designed to give business class passengers optimal sleeping conditions, so surprise given that the airline claims to “put the legacy of weary business travellers to bed”. The 180-degree lie-flat seats and mood lighting offer a great sense of privacy in the individual suite-like pods, which allows for some quality shut eye.

Food & Beverage: 7/10

As far as in-flight business class meals go, we know what to expect. The choices available were limited as per usual, and the food itself was probably as good as it will ever get. However, there's a treat for those on board with a sweet tooth. United is known for its extremely over-the-top, made-to-order ice cream sundae. A large scoop (or two) of ice cream is topped with all the bells and whistles you can imagine that come with it: peanuts, sprinkles, gummy bears, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream.

Service: 9/10

Upon boarding, we were welcomed by the friendly flight attendants with a menu, pre-flight drink, hot towel and pyjamas to change into. As we eased into our seats, we munched on some snacks before the flight attendant returned to take our orders for the flight. Meals were served in a professional and attentive manner which made the lacklustre food slightly more enjoyable.

Entertainment: 7/10 

The entertainment system on board isn’t exactly something to write home about. The 16-inch high-definition screen is operated by touch, though it would be nice to also have the option of using a remote control as even sitting up and fiddling with the controls is too much effort when you’re all cozied up in your blanket. When it comes to the offering of movies, television shows, music and games, it's comparable to other airlines, especially in terms of variety and audio/visual quality.

Amenities: 9/10

With a good night’s sleep in mind when designing the aircraft, it only makes sense that the best bedding is on offer. We were not disappointed as we tucked ourselves into the lush Saks Fifth Ave custom bed equipped with duvets, day blankets, mattress pads and gel-cooled pillows for a proper deep slumber -- not to mention comfy slippers and pyjamas you can slip into to get you feeling right at home. We were also given an amenity kit, and not just any amenity kit, but a Spider Man: Far From Home amenity kit. The little blue pouch embossed with the Marvel superhero designs fit all the in-flight essentials: Spider Man motif sleeping mask and flight socks; ear plugs; dental kit; and lip balm, face cream, hand cream, and facial cleansing cloth by eco beauty brand Sunday Riley.

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Facilities: 7/10

For those looking to get some work done en route, there are multiple surfaces available and storage areas for laptops, gadgets and cords. In-flight WiFi is also available for a small fee, but do bear in mind that the connectivity level is low, so only expect to access basic email and light browsing.

Verdict: 8.5/10

In a nutshell: So comfortable you’ll sleep and wake up with little to no sign of having just stepped off a 15-hour flight.

The post Airline Review: United Airlines’ Business Class Brings Supreme Comfort to the Sky appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

If you've ever met a Kiwi  -- a New Zealander, not the bird -- then you already know that they're some of the most laidback, welcoming and friendly people you'll ever come across. Translate that into the service that you get in Business Premier with Air New Zealand and you have something that all business travellers should take note of. From dedicated check-in services and curated selections of New Zealand wines and beers to the lie-flat bed you'll need for every long-haul flight from now on, read on for our review on the airline that gave me an amazing sleep in the sky.

Airline: Air New Zealand

Aircraft: Boeing 777-200

Class: Business Premier

Checked Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces at 23kg each

Flight Duration:  11 hours, 40 minutes 

Route: Auckland (AKL) to Hong Kong (HKG)

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Check-in: 10/10

If, like me, you're not fond of waiting, then you'll likely enjoy the extreme swiftness of the private Business Premier check-in. Friendly staff assisted us as soon as we walked into the terminal, and it was only a few short minutes before they handed over my boarding pass and fast-track priority screening. It's quick and seamless. You can even take a private elevator through to immigration and bypass what would usually be a much longer wait.

Lounge: 9/10

After doing a little duty-free shopping, it's worth stopping by the Air New Zealand Auckland Lounge -- after all, it is their flagship lounge. The lounge features tailored seating zones with plenty of space to relax, take a shower, or even get some work done with the free WiFi. Personally, it was definitely a good decision to visit the lounge as the flight was delayed and I had an hour or so to spare. First order of business: Make use of the fully stocked bar of New Zealand wines and craft beers, which I absolutely did, and found them to be fantastic. I also enjoyed the hot food buffet which included a mushroom risotto and chicken stew, alongside a salad bar and lots of different cheeses.

Space & Comfort: 8/10

The Business Premier cabin is configured with 26 seats in a 1-2-1 herringbone layout and fitted with fully lie-flat beds. Upon entering the plane, the rows from 1 to 7 were softened with mood lighting for passengers to wind down for the night flight. The diagonal seating felt odd at first as I was facing the aisle and other passengers, so despite the curved back wall, it didn't feel very private. I was also angled away from the window, which meant no fluffy cloud views. However, the seat's saving grace is the lie-flat bed mode and turndown service with a memory foam mattress pad, duvet and pillows. It was the best sleep I've ever had on a long-haul flight and probably the most comfortable, too.[inline_related_article article_id="152660"]

Food & Beverages: 8/10

The food menu was interesting and featured New Zealand accents. Highlights included prosciutto with pomegranate and black pepper paste, Fiddlers Hill goat cheese and pistachios, as well as the warm bread and Hawke's Bay extra virgin olive oil. Next up was the main dish of Marlborough salmon with rose harissa saffron sauce; created by New Zealand chef Peter Gordon, it came with baby potatoes and seared zucchini with capers. The most noteworthy aspect, though, was the selection of fine New Zealand cheeses, quince paste and crackers that went down beautifully with a glass of local wine.

Service: 9/10

Since boarding was delayed, it was nice to be able to get on the plane in a speedy manner. Business class passengers were filed through a separate door and flight attendants were ready to greet, assist and serve Business Premier guests. Next, a hot towel and pre-departure drink were offered and while I sipped champagne, I was asked what I wanted for my meal to follow. Service was quick and attentive: snacks and drinks were offered quietly while I watched a movie and my fellow passengers slept soundly. When I finally decided to retire, my bed was made while I freshened up in the bathroom.

Entertainment: 7/10

The screen was definitely on the smaller side at just 12.6 inches wide. It was however, smartly stored in the seat wall. I was also fairly impressed by the wide entertainment offering with a good selection of movies, TV shows and box sets, including some recent releases, too -- not to mention the classics such as Lord of The Rings, naturally.[inline_related_article article_id="98215"]

Amenities: 8/10

A compact amenities kit was offered on board the flight, and it had all the essentials inside: toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, earplugs, eye mask, flight socks, moisturiser and lip balm. The toiletries are from local Auckland brand Ashley & Co. and though I didn't use much of it (I brought most of my own), my chapped in-flight lips were extremely grateful for the lip balm.

Facilities: 7/10

The main facility is definitely the lie-flat bed complete with memory foam mattress, duvets and pillows. Other than the separate business class bathroom and the free 10 minute WiFi pass that all Air New Zealand passengers can make use of, there's not much else of note on this carrier.

Verdict: 8.25/10

In a nutshell: This was the best sleep on a long-haul flight we've ever had, and the service was attentive from start to finish.

The post Airline Review: Air New Zealand’s Business Premier Offers Great Service and Sleep appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

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