The sense of excitement, of exhilaration is almost unbearable. After 18 years of flying, it was time to move past the commonality of air travel and enter a world of refinement and pleasure. Of course, nothing really gets you excited for your trip than to receive an online check in boarding pass not just in the dull green, or blue, or even red color. But rather gold, signaling the beginning of something that’s more remarkable than I’ve ever experienced before.
I checked in at the Kowloon Station around 4 hours before departure, wanting to garner sufficient time to use the lounges at the airport. Initially, because the flights were booked into two separate itineraries, I mentally prepared myself with the hassle of re-checking in at San Francisco Airport. However, with some miraculous tap into his computer, the check in agent managed to check my bag all the way to the final destination. Of course, I was delighted. “I’ve got 99 problems but the bags ain’t one”. Haha!
Unfortunately, it also created a very long line, which was slightly embarrassing. The fact that he kept yelling out “you’re our first class passenger, we want to try to assist you as best as possible” in front of the others standing in line did not make things any better for me.
With that issue tackled, it was time for me to move on to the airport and do a bit of lounge hopping. My first stop after going through security was the United Global First Lounge. I had some expectations for this lounge, not much, but some, it being one of the best in the system.
I was pleasantly surprised. The lounge itself wasn’t huge in terms of size, but it was completely empty when I arrived. The lounge attendant presented me with a menu that had a list of items ranging from salad and satay to linguine with clams. I wasn’t particularly hungry, so I ordered a plate of satay.
On one side of the lounge was a food and beverages area, with a good variety of snacks such as siu mai and chicken kiev. On the other was the shower area, which I took a peak in, and found it to be of good size and in decent shape. Overall, not bad for a United lounge, but of course it leaves much to be desired.
The reading corner, with so many types of newspapers and article.
The satay was reasonably delicious, not bad, not great either.
