Future of United at HKG
Jun 4, 2019, 7:01 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,452
Several *A airlines are paying for contract lounges. CA, LH, OZ, LX, ...
Jun 4, 2019, 7:43 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
Unless more routes are added, I just don’t see UA installing a Polaris Lounge in HK unless LH, LX and other *A partners are willing to pay for it.
HK is not as profitable as it used to be. Even CX has had to cut fares and lower on board amenity to drum up traffic and lower cost. There a lot of competition now in HK than ever before.
HK is not as profitable as it used to be. Even CX has had to cut fares and lower on board amenity to drum up traffic and lower cost. There a lot of competition now in HK than ever before.
Jun 4, 2019, 7:51 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
IIRC PVG was the far more important one for Apple, but surely HKG can't be too far behind in terms of importance/value.
Jun 4, 2019, 7:58 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 77
When on a Polaris class seat, I head directly to the United Club. (again walking over to gate 60). As I do have access to the Global First Lounge, I enjoy the seating, shower, made-to-order breakfast and their buffet food selections until take off. No massage chair, but I'll manage with the lay flat on the plane. lol ;P
Jun 4, 2019, 8:00 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA MP (1K, 1MM)
Posts: 268
I got to experience the Wing (or the Pier, can't remember which) last year and it was amazing! Curious, though. I know that UA allows for some flights on CX to credit to your UA MP account, but have never figured out how to actually book one of these. Do you do it through United.com or otherwise? Or am I completely wrong here?
Jun 4, 2019, 8:13 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,370
Jun 4, 2019, 8:16 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
The SFO AMEX lounge is also a zoo at times, which makes me yearn for my IAH lounge that is actually relaxing - if only it were a tad more conveniently located.
Jun 4, 2019, 8:30 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 753
Not to hijack the thread, but I've wondered why UA hasn't switched the timing of the SFO flight to a redeye westbound, or even go double daily. The current flight timings seem extremely inefficient with 3 widebody aircraft sitting overnight in HKG. It might be more difficult to make the flight times work from ORD/EWR, but CX seems to manage it to/from SFO.
For example, CX873 leaves SFO at 00:25 arriving at HKG 06:10+1. If UA switched to a similar flight time, this would be way better for travelers originating anywhere in North America since you're not losing a whole day on the way over. That flight could also connect all traffic originating east of SFO and return at the same time from HKG with only 4-5 hours on the ground instead of 15+.
For example, CX873 leaves SFO at 00:25 arriving at HKG 06:10+1. If UA switched to a similar flight time, this would be way better for travelers originating anywhere in North America since you're not losing a whole day on the way over. That flight could also connect all traffic originating east of SFO and return at the same time from HKG with only 4-5 hours on the ground instead of 15+.
Jun 4, 2019, 8:39 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,122
When not on Polaris class seat, my HKG departure routine usually includes Singapore lounge (before renovations) to snack on the asian food (dim sum, tofu dessert) and get a sparkling water. The showers have been under construction for over a year, so I typically plan for time to get to the area near gate 60 for a shower. I usually enjoy the walk over to gate 60 area rather than take the train. Once near gate 60, my next stop is usually Thai lounge for dragon fruit, croissant and shower as United's shower availability is 50/50. Also while I'm there I spend 10-15 minutes in the massage chair. Time permitting I may hit the United Club for a hot breakfast and sit above the gates to monitor the flights.
When on a Polaris class seat, I head directly to the United Club. (again walking over to gate 60). As I do have access to the Global First Lounge, I enjoy the seating, shower, made-to-order breakfast and their buffet food selections until take off. No massage chair, but I'll manage with the lay flat on the plane. lol ;P
When on a Polaris class seat, I head directly to the United Club. (again walking over to gate 60). As I do have access to the Global First Lounge, I enjoy the seating, shower, made-to-order breakfast and their buffet food selections until take off. No massage chair, but I'll manage with the lay flat on the plane. lol ;P
Jun 4, 2019, 8:45 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,122
Not to hijack the thread, but I've wondered why UA hasn't switched the timing of the SFO flight to a redeye westbound, or even go double daily. The current flight timings seem extremely inefficient with 3 widebody aircraft sitting overnight in HKG. It might be more difficult to make the flight times work from ORD/EWR, but CX seems to manage it to/from SFO.
For example, CX873 leaves SFO at 00:25 arriving at HKG 06:10+1. If UA switched to a similar flight time, this would be way better for travelers originating anywhere in North America since you're not losing a whole day on the way over. That flight could also connect all traffic originating east of SFO and return at the same time from HKG with only 4-5 hours on the ground instead of 15+.
For example, CX873 leaves SFO at 00:25 arriving at HKG 06:10+1. If UA switched to a similar flight time, this would be way better for travelers originating anywhere in North America since you're not losing a whole day on the way over. That flight could also connect all traffic originating east of SFO and return at the same time from HKG with only 4-5 hours on the ground instead of 15+.
Jun 4, 2019, 9:39 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,879
Not to hijack the thread, but I've wondered why UA hasn't switched the timing of the SFO flight to a redeye westbound, or even go double daily. The current flight timings seem extremely inefficient with 3 widebody aircraft sitting overnight in HKG. It might be more difficult to make the flight times work from ORD/EWR, but CX seems to manage it to/from SFO.
For example, CX873 leaves SFO at 00:25 arriving at HKG 06:10+1. If UA switched to a similar flight time, this would be way better for travelers originating anywhere in North America since you're not losing a whole day on the way over. That flight could also connect all traffic originating east of SFO and return at the same time from HKG with only 4-5 hours on the ground instead of 15+.
For example, CX873 leaves SFO at 00:25 arriving at HKG 06:10+1. If UA switched to a similar flight time, this would be way better for travelers originating anywhere in North America since you're not losing a whole day on the way over. That flight could also connect all traffic originating east of SFO and return at the same time from HKG with only 4-5 hours on the ground instead of 15+.
I too am curious why SFO has not gone up to 10-11 X per week like ICN, but UA knows better than us what the demand is.
Last edited by uanj; Jun 5, 2019 at 9:52 am Reason: corrected airport
Jun 4, 2019, 9:45 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 77
The Global First Lounge is the located to the right after you walk in the sliding doors. You check in a the desk as you normally would, and then turn as if you are exiting and you will see a set of doors to the left of the sliding doors.
Jun 4, 2019, 9:53 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: BWI/DCA/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titan., Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres
Posts: 143
Guys, you are more likely to see PZ9 on EWR-HKG than any other US-Asia route. And for leisure travelers, R/T K/L fares are well below $1K. Do not complain too loudly about UA operations in HKG.
Jun 4, 2019, 10:23 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,133
As much as I like to see it happen, I think UA would probably try adding a HKG flight from one of its other hubs that currently doesn't serve HKG before the return of LAX-HKG with CX now running 3 or 4 daily flights.
LAX
LAX