BOOKED: I’m Headed To Hong Kong, Flying Cathay Pacific & More!

I just booked a last minute review trip, which will be my first trip of 2025. In this post I want to share the details, as I hope this will make for some interesting content. I actually initially wrote about this a few hours ago, but I just added another element to the trip that I think most readers will appreciate.

I’m flying to Hong Kong on British Airways & Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific recently launched its new Aria Suite business class product, and it’s now available on a daily flight between London (LHR) and Hong Kong (HKG). I’m always excited to check out new premium cabin seats, so obviously I’ve had my eye on this, especially since I haven’t taken a long haul Cathay Pacific business class flight in many years.

Award availability is quite good on the frequency with the Aria Suite product, since the plane operating the flight has an increase in business class capacity. So, how did I book my ticket? Well, this is where Cathay Pacific’s frequent flyer program is actually pretty useful.

Cathay Pacific lets you route from the US to Asia via Europe on an award ticket. So for 115,000 Cathay Pacific miles I was able to book a ticket from Washington to London in British Airways’ 777 Club Suites, and then from London to Hong Kong in Cathay Pacific’s 777 Aria Suite. I’ve also been wanting to finally review British Airways’ 777 Club Suites, so I’m very much looking forward to this.

You can expect a ton of lounge reviews as well — I plan to check out most of the credit card and Priority Pass lounges at Washington Dulles, as well as publishing new reviews of all the amazing oneworld lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3.

I’m staying at the St. Regis Hong Kong (finally)!

When I take these review trips, my goal is often to be away from home for as little time as possible. Often I don’t even leave the airport, or at best, stay at an airport hotel. This time around I decided to stay for a bit. For one, Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I haven’t properly visited since before the pandemic.

Second, the St. Regis Hong Kong is one of the points hotels I most want to stay at, and with my new Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador status, I figure this is as good of a time as any to give the property a try. I’m looking forward to both spending time in Hong Kong, and giving this hotel a try.

I’m returning to the US on Cathay Pacific & Korean Air

My return itinerary also consists of two airlines. First, I’m flying from Hong Kong to Seoul Incheon on Cathay Pacific’s A321neo, in business class. Cathay Pacific is increasingly flying these narrow body jets, and I’m curious to see what the experience is like.

During my last trip through Hong Kong, I checked out all the Cathay Pacific Lounges, the Qantas Lounge, and the Chase Sapphire Lounge, so this time around I plan on checking out the Amex Centurion Lounge and the new Kyra Lounge, accessible with Priority Pass.

Then from Seoul Incheon, I plan to fly Korean Air first class back to the United States. Korean Air is once again opening up first class award space, and I have Korean Air SkyPass miles I need to redeem, so this is a perfect opportunity.

Initially my plan was to fly the Kosmo Suite 2.0 on the 777. However, I’ve decided on a different itinerary, which works better for my schedule. I’ll instead be flying Korean Air’s A380 first class. While this is a more outdated product, I look forward to once again checking out the onboard bar and duty free shop! Since I still have quite a SkyPass miles to redeem, you can bet that I’ll be reviewing the 777 first class soon as well.

I’m adding on a little Delta One adventure as well

So, why did I switch from the Korean Air 777 to the Korean Air A380? Well, because I’d like to end my journey in New York. The reason? It allows me to check out another experience I’ve been meaning to have. From New York, I booked Delta One business class on the 767 from New York to Los Angeles.

Not only am I looking forward to checking out the onboard product, but most exciting of all is that I plan to visit the Delta One Lounge JFK and the Delta One Lounge LAX, which are the two lounges in the US I’m most looking forward to visiting (I’m able to do this because Delta One passengers can use these lounges on arrival). I’ve been meaning to check these out, and I figure I should just rip off the band aid and have this experience already. Premium, premium, premium, I can’t wait!