Tag: hong kong travel

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Hong Kong Airlines Will Also Birth a Baby Budget Carrier in 2012

December 1, 2011 at 8:40 AM | by | Comments (0)

Asia seems to be the breeding ground for LCCs with announcements about Peach, Scoot, and Jetstar Japan. Last week the chief at Hong Kong Airlines announced that they'd be doing a regional subsidiary as well. Hong Kong Express will be re-branded and operate as a low-cost carrier to compete with the slew of budget airlines popping up all over the region.

The full transition will take place middle of 2012 and flights will serve mainland China, South Korea, Japan and southeast Asia. Airbus A320s will hit the skies, but what the livery will look like (or even the airline's name), we can't yet be sure.

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Video Interlude: One Night as a Hong Kong Taxi Driver

Where: Hong Kong
November 28, 2011 at 2:19 PM | by | Comments (0)

Have you ever been to Hong Kong? If your answer is "yes," HIGH FIVE! If your answer is "not yet," then that's one place that should be moved toward the top of your list for 2012. We can't say enough good things about it, but perhaps one of the best is that, while the US is in the blustery throes of winter, Hong Kong is usually sitting pretty with 72-degree weather and sunshine.

And when that sun isn't shining, it's all about the dining and nightlife. the energy of which is captured by a new AFP time-lapse video, following a Hong Kong taxi driver on a typical graveyard shift.

Their YouTube settings don't allow for us to post it here, so you'll have to watch the brilliant video over at YouTube, but trust us that it's worth it. Just try to stay away from checking out flight deals to HKG after it.

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Cathay Pacific Rethinks 'Flight Attendant Service' Campaign After Cockpit Sex Pictures Scandal

August 24, 2011 at 4:27 PM | by | Comments (0)

Cathay Pacific has long emphasized its reputation for comfort, style and especially customer service. Aside from constructing decadent space-age lounges and providing flyers with delicious cocktail after delicious cocktail, the airline has especially tried to highlight the pampering provided by its flight attendants.

Those branding efforts have been going on at least since 2009, when its corporate blog announced a campaign highlighting the bios of staff "who consistently go the extra mile to make sure our passengers enjoy an exceptional travel experience."

The Hong Kong airline intended to continue its "People and Service" campaign this year with a new slogan: "Meet the team who go the extra mile to make you feel special." The tagline was supposed to provide a theme for hundreds of pilot and flight attendant stories, all emphasizing the unique services provided by Cathay Pacific's employees. That service-oriented campaign is now on indefinite hiatus, however, after pictures surfaced—and there's no way we're not going to make this joke, so prepare yourselves—after pictures surfaced of a flight attendant orally servicing a pilot in a Cathay Pacific cockpit.

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Get Your Butt to Tokyo for This Fall's Very First Flights of ANA's Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Where: Tokyo, Japan
August 24, 2011 at 8:15 AM | by | Comments (0)

DRUMROLL PLEASE! The first destination to get regular, scheduled service on the very first Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be...Okayama, Japan! Why Okayama? Well, the airline with the pleasure of introducing the 787 to the traveling public is Japanese airline ANA, and after a few fun flights to show off the shiny new plane, she'll be put into domestic service between Tokyo-Haneda and Okayama.

Okay so this is literally yesterday's news, but we got a little wrapped up in the East Coast Earthquake drama, so chillax.

Finally, some dates: the very first scheduled flight will happen on November 1, to be immediately followed by the start of Tokyo-Haneda to Hiroshima service on the 787. Want to go international? You've got to wait a tad bit longer, but Tokyo-Haneda to Beijing begins as soon as December, with Tokyo-Haneda to Frankfurt kicking off the long-haul routes in January, 2012.

Here's the official schedule, straight from ANA:

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Inside and All Around CX City: Cathay Pacific's World Headquarters

May 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM | by | Comments (0)

Have you ever stood in the modern glass atrium of the headquarters of one of the world's top airlines? It's an impressive experience, to say the least, as it was for us recently when we spent an afternoon touring CX CIty, aka the home of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific just outside of Chek Lap Kok Airport (HKG) on Lantau Island.

On the outside, CX City (or Cathay City, whichever), is a quiet and seemingly calm business block. Step inside, however, and you're immediately engulfed in the energy of a company that's got places to go and airplanes to fly. Flight attendants in their sharp red skirt suits powerwalk past, desk workers grab a candy bar from the atrium shop before going back to tweaking graphic design on an in-flight meal napkin, and pilots grab a post-flight beer in the pub.

It's an electric place, and the international ease is obvious; these people you see now could be in the sky over the Arctic in several hours, serving ramen noodles to anxious passengers on their flight long-haul. Can you tell we were kind of in heaven?

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Hong Kong Airlines' Flight Attendants Get Their Kung Fu On, Now in Video!

May 5, 2011 at 11:02 AM | by | Comments (0)

OMG. Remember when we told you that Hong Kong Airlines was beginning a program to teach their flight attendants Kung Fu? Well, now there's video!

Above, thanks the Wall Street Journal, you can watch as the newest and youngest FAs at HK Airlines use their hands for other things than pouring you tea and demonstrating safety procedures. This learning Wing Chun—a form of Kung Fu that works well in confined spaces—is, for a change, totally in the name of their own safety. The fact that they're looking for press (and getting it) is totally forgiven because this is the awesomeness. We took a self-defense class once, but we didn't get to wear a flight attendant uniform for it. Do over?

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Hong Kong's Very First Restaurant Week Begins in a Few Days

Where: Hong Kong
April 25, 2011 at 2:11 PM | by | Comments (0)

We probably don't have to remind you of our obsession with Restaurant Weeks, but we'll all excited again—and you should be too—because the concept of wallet-friendly, prix-fixe meals at the best restaurants in town is spreading...to Hong Kong. HK will begin their first restaurant week, annoyingly named "Springalicious," in a couple days—April 27 thru May 3.

Like any city's restaurant week, Hong Kong is starting their selection kinda small; more than 30 restaurants have altered their menus for the Springalicious diners. Check out the full list of participating restaurants here and to book a table, call their reservation phone numbers directly. We'd suggest Bo, g.e. at The Luxe Manor, Domani, Cépage or Whisk at The Mira.

The main event will be an all-you-can-drink specialty cocktail night at the Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay on April 30. For this, you'll need more than a reservation; purchase tickets for it here, on the official website.

[Photo: Springalicious]

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Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting on Hong Kong Airlines

Where: Hong Kong
April 18, 2011 at 12:28 PM | by | Comment (1)

Don't mess with the cabin crew onboard Hong Kong Airlines, because they're about to become martial arts masters. No, really! After a flight attendants trained in close-range combat found her skills helped her deal with unruly and heavy passengers, the airline has now made such training compulsory for all flight crew, with other HK Airlines staff invited to learn as well.

According to the AFP, the flight attendants will specifically learn Wing Chun, a form of Kung Fu ideal for up-close combat in confined spaces.

Flight crew won't just be using it to chop troublesome passengers into submission; it'll also aid with overweight passengers. The Wing Chun-trained FA who inspired all this actually found her strength allowed her to better deal with an overweight man who was feeling ill onboard a flight. Those who are currently in the program say they're enjoying it, since being able to defend themselves is a valuable skill.

Perhaps now some American airlines will consider makes Pilates part of their crew training?

[Ip Man photo: alternativechronicle]

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On the Helipad and Inside the China Clipper Lounge at The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong

February 22, 2011 at 9:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

A couple months ago we took you inside a place very few get the privilege to see: The Peninsula Tokyo's Helicopter Lounge. Although the hotel doesn't have the go-ahead quite yet to begin helicopter transfers, that didn't stop them from looking ahead and building the space, complete with vintage airplane parts and Japanese aviation memorabilia.

Today however we have something perhaps even better—a tour of the Peninsula Hong Kong's functioning dual helipads and helicopter departure lounge, which sees actual passengers paying actual hundreds of dollars for either sightseeing tours or super-quick flights straight from their hotel to Hong Kong International Airport. In fact, while we were checking out the place, two ladies were awaiting the arrival of their heli pilot before taking off on a snappy spin around Victoria Harbour.

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Go Around the World, for Free, for 80 Days with Cathay Pacific's New Contest

January 26, 2011 at 11:46 AM | by | Comments (0)


A seatback TV map of Cathay Pacific's New York-Hong Kong route

Two months ago (omg, has it been that long already?), we ventured out to one of our favorite favorite world destinations, Hong Kong, to check out all the fun stuff happening at Hong Kong's official airline, Cathay Pacific. Were you jealous a little bit? Doesn't Hong Kong sound awesome? Maybe that's because it really, really is. And now Cathay Pacific is launching a worldwide contest to give one person, one very lucky person, the chance to travel to Hong Kong and then—the world—on unlimited flights for 80 days, including 4- or 5-star hotels, a daily allowance and travel insurance.

There is no excuse for not entering this contest. The prize is just...heart-archiningly awesome. Even if you don't win, the top 8 finalists will be flown to HK for the final judging anyway, so hey—you still get to hang out in Hong Kong.

The contest is open now and the entry period ends on March 6. Here's how to enter:

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Inside Cathay Pacific's The Cabin Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport

Where: Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
December 24, 2010 at 1:47 PM | by | Comments (0)


Our lust for the wonders of airport lounges is far from a secret. Thus, during our recent trip to Hong Kong, we spent the time right before a 15-hour flight not chilling with a book and a tea, but running all around the ginormous terminal, hitting all three of the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounges.

Finally, after taking you inside both The Wing and The Pier, we're now inside The Cabin the newest and shiniest of the lounges, as it only just opened in fall 2010. We shot all of the pictures either right as the lounges were closing or opening, so just know that you'll rarely ever see them this empty.

Right Now: Inside The Cabin lounge at HKG.

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Inside Cathay Pacific's The Pier Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport

Where: Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
December 24, 2010 at 9:05 AM | by | Comments (0)


One of the many sitting areas in the lounge

Our lust for the wonders of airport lounges is far from a secret. Thus, during our recent trip to Hong Kong, we spent the time right before a 15-hour flight not chilling with a book and a tea, but running all around the ginormous terminal, hitting all three of the Cathay Pacific Business Class lounges.

Finishing up today, we'll show you all we discovered in Cathay's The Wing, The Pier, and finally—the newest and shiniest—The Cabin. We shot all of the pictures either right as the lounges were closing or opening, so just know that you'll rarely ever see them this empty.

Right Now: Inside The Pier lounge at HKG.

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