Category: USA

14hr ex-HKG flight: Back in Toronto

That 14 hour HKG-ORD turned out to be rather OK. Lucked out with an empty middle seat next to me (good seat selection and changing it a few hours beforehand helped)

Lunch early in the flight, sandwich and vanilla ice cream in the middle (I skipped the former but the latter was great timing as my throat was parched) and breakfast before landing.

No free adult beverages at all anymore. Personal TV and power outlet though B777-200, unlike on their B747). I watched 2 movies, then slept for about half the flight, and watched 2 more movies.

Note: economy plus really comes in handy as the extra 4 inches legroom also translate into being able to rest my head on a pillow on the tray table (mercifully the lady in front of me did not recline, adding to that sleeping room). And I don’t personally recline unless I’m sleeping (and not leaning forward).

So I actually feel pretty refreshed and in the correct timezone, since I timed my sleep to coincide with night time in Toronto.

Two unfortunate things in HKG airport (the second one applying to US bound flights only): you can’t bring any water on board (unlike SIN where they have fountains in the individual gate area after that security check) and I was told by 2 people that you can’t take Dutch free liquids onto the plane either.

Flight cancelled 14 hours ahead of schedule

When I arrived back in HK yesterday morning, my flight to Guam that night was cancelled 14 hours in advance, turning my half day in HK into another full day and night.

The initial auto rebooking had me flying the next day HKG-GUM-PVG-ORD-YYZ, inc. an overnight and half day in Shanghai (PVG) but arriving 28 hours later, which was briefly tempting but I opted instead to get myself rebooked onto HKG-ORD-YYZ the next day, which gets me in the same time as original 4 flight return itin HKG-GUM-HNL-EWR-YYZ.

I can still get my original frequent flyer miles credited since it was an involuntary change (it’s called Original Routing Credit). I just need to call United after the trip is over to get it corrected.

Added bonus: about 7 fewer hours in an airplane seat.

Back in the lounge this morning, looking a little scruffy…

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Flights 6 of 10 done… Back in HKG

After a short 3.5hr flight to SIN in which I kicked out a guy trying to muscle in on my empty row, i slept well.

But then I couldn’t sleep in the lounge (only 4 hours in middle of night), ended up chatting with a guy (there were only 6 people in there) about travels…

Then the early morning flight back to HKG was pretty empty so I had a row of 3 seats to myself again…

Now I have 13 hours in HKG,  heading into the city on another overcast day.

In Thai Lounge before HKG – SIN flight

This is the emptiest I’ve ever seen it. Chowing down after a refreshing shower (and yes, clean underwear and shirt). Even though the 4hr flight leaves at 21:45, dinner is served. I plan on skipping it to sleep, hopefully the 2 seats next to me will stay empty so I can stretch out (I gambled and picked a middle seat a few hours ago)

I still find it odd that I know exactly how to move through HKG airport and to this lounge…