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-   -   Beijing in Style (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1561978-beijing-style.html)

hkskyline Mar 20, 2014 10:22 am

Beijing in Style
 
Dragonair and Air China offer the most frequencies on the Beijing route. Cathay Pacific only has 2 flights a day but I picked them anyway for the superior in-flight product. I chose this early flight for a chance to ride on the 747, which is being slowly phased out. Yes, it was worth waking up early on a Sunday.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8600.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8611.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8599.jpg

I headed to the renovated Wing lounge, which looked very small and not particularly impressive. The food selection was so-so and nothing spectacular. I had expected a few more selections in this buffet and a noodle bar. Perhaps there was one but I didn't see it in the big pit. The chairs were quite nice - like those at the Cabin.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8605.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8604.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8603.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8606.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8609.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8610.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8608.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8607.jpg

I headed back to the terminal for some plane spotting, and found my flight - the beautiful 747 with the uneconomical 4 engines. I woke up so early for you.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8616.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8622.jpg

Air Astana has launched a fairly new direct service to Hong Kong. Some tour groups use them for exotic trips to Kazakhstan and even Turkey.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8625.jpg

Boarding was orderly, since Business Class goes first and uses its dedicated bridge. Today, I have booked a seat on the quiet upper deck, my favourite to relax but at the expense of window access. The curvature on that part of the plane makes taking aerial photos difficult. Add to that the old herringbone seats are configured to restrict window access entirely.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8636.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8640.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8643.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8645.jpg

hkskyline Mar 20, 2014 10:23 am

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8648.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8653.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8652.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8655.jpg

We took off heading towards the east, and I was ready to capture some aerials. Here is the suburb of Tuen Mun.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8657.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8663.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8669.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8671.jpg

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http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8674.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8676.jpg

This part of Kowloon north of Kowloon City is a middle and lower-class residential area, with quite a lot of greenery in between.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8677.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8678.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8681.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8688.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8690.jpg

We turned north after leaving the harbour and looped around to get into the right flight path. Too bad the skies were not too clear, but the skyline view is spectacular nevertheless.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8691.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8696.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8698.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8703.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8706.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8709.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8712.jpg

Madone59 Mar 20, 2014 2:29 pm

Great photos of HKG. Did you opt of the 744 home too - hope you put up those pictures too.

Top of climb Mar 20, 2014 4:28 pm


Originally Posted by hkskyline (Post 22557850)
I headed to the renovated Wing lounge, which looked very small and not particularly impressive. The food selection was so-so and nothing spectacular. I had expected a few more selections in this buffet and a noodle bar. Perhaps there was one but I didn't see it in the big pit.

You did realise there was an upstairs? :confused::confused::confused:

hkskyline Mar 21, 2014 1:22 am


Originally Posted by Madone59 (Post 22559291)
Great photos of HKG. Did you opt of the 744 home too - hope you put up those pictures too.

I had to taken Dragonair back for scheduling reasons. :(


Originally Posted by Top of climb (Post 22559895)
You did realise there was an upstairs? :confused::confused::confused:

Oh no!!! How come I didn't see the stairs??

chinatown Mar 21, 2014 10:52 am

I hate to troll, but where's the style?

Madone59 Mar 21, 2014 11:21 am


Originally Posted by chinatown (Post 22563966)
I hate to troll, but where's the style?

A premium cabin seat on CX - seems stylish to me :D

AhogZ Mar 21, 2014 12:54 pm

Incredible photos of HKG :) thx for posting.

themapelligroup Mar 21, 2014 1:28 pm

Superb pictures of Hong Kong!

mkjr Mar 21, 2014 8:11 pm

Great tr. too bad you missed out on lots of the lounge. Funny, after griping about the coffins, they are not so bad.

Jay K Mar 22, 2014 12:37 am

Amazing Photos
 
Like the others said, "Amazing photos." I'd not been back to HK since long before '97, and didn't realize the extent to which the city is comprised of so many high rises. I showed your pictures to the wife, who grew up in Tokyo, and she was likewise amazed.

hkskyline Mar 22, 2014 8:34 am

Business Class was fairly full today and as we entered Chinese airspace, I focused on some short TV comedies to pass the time.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8717.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8723.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8724.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8725.jpg

I stretched to the window every now and then to see what scenery awaited. Not bad.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8734.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8739.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8771.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8749.jpg

Breakfast consisted of premium yogurt, fruits, and a Western selection. It was a standard menu but tasted good. It's hard to vary breakfast foods anyway.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8745.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8743.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8744.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8751.jpg

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http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8759.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8760.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8762.jpg

Business Class is split between the two decks. The upper deck is quieter and feels more private. Guess the A380 has reduced the novelty of being upstairs these days, given some operators even have Economy Class on the upper deck.

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8764.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8765.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8768.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8777.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8772.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong...3/IMG_8783.jpg

stevie Mar 22, 2014 10:13 am

Nice photo's. What is the golf course - Discovery Bay?

hkskyline Mar 22, 2014 9:44 pm


Originally Posted by stevie (Post 22568723)
Nice photo's. What is the golf course - Discovery Bay?

I suspect it is the Jockey Club facility in Sai Kung.

avm2806 Mar 23, 2014 12:32 pm

Amazing shots! Love the photography... thanks for posting


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