How do you usually get to the airport? I guess it depends on the city that you are in and the proximity of the airport to where you are staying as well as the cost of taxis versus public transport routes. And if you have lots of bags, then sometimes it is a sanity saving measure to hop in a taxi rather than wrangle multiple or heavy bags onto a train. At Hong Kong Central Airport Express Station, you can self check in your baggage all the way to the plane (and your subsequent destination) so all you need to do is carry on whatever you don’t want to check through. The train, which many locals swear by to get to the airport, is clean and fast and it doesn’t take long to arrive at the airport.
We’re boarding the Virgin Atlantic VS200 flight which leaves Hong Kong at 7:20pm and we have access to the Virgin Business Class lounge. There is a small buffet with sandwiches as well as a menu that offers a la carte options.
Chicken Laksa
The chicken laksa is probably not going to fall into the category of traditional laksa but the spicy noodles, okra, egg, fried shallots and quartered boiled egg still hits the spot with Mr NQN.
Chicken vermicelli salad
At first I had to do a double take. There wasn’t much chicken at all in this chicken salad and I much preferred Mr NQN’s choice.
Champagne in coupe glass and in flight pyjamas
Before we know it, the flight is being called. Boarding through a business class queue is quick. They quickly hand out the sleep suits or pyjamas which are a long sleeved top and bottoms in black fleece. They’re comfortable and come in their own little pouch. I don’t know if you’re meant to reuse them but we still sleep in these at home! The only criticism is that the pants could come with some elastic in the waistband. Otherwise they’re nice and warm for in flight PJs, especially since some flights are Arctic cold.
The food comes out quickly so that people can sleep which helps given the early hour at which we will land. The appetiser is a grilled zucchini, bocconici and tomato skewer. It’s nice enough but I preferred the other one with pesto which gave it more flavour.
Although perhaps not the best presentation, the prawns were succulent and the mushrooms and cubes of tofu full of flavour.
I tend to really like soups on flights as I get dehydrated and the clear soup is flavoursome and warming.
Mr NQN’s filled pasta was really quite good. I recalled the pasta dish in the Sydney to Hong Kong route also being good and I think that’s possibly why they always seem to run out of the pasta (I heard some people behind us being told that they were out of it). The vegetables are perfectly cooked and the sauce was just right and large filled pasta pillows like this seems to translate well onto planes.
I have to admit that I found this dish a little strange. The prawns had a sweet, fruity glazed sauce on top of them and some shredded vegetable noodles and rice. Rice doesn’t seem to go so well on flights and this dish left me wanting some of Mr NQN’s pasta selection.
I have a bit of an obsession with two things on planes: Virgin Marys (to clear blocked sinuses) and cheese and crackers. I’m not sure why I like the latter and cheese is often too cold on planes. The crackers could be crisper and the cheese closer to room temperature.
I don’t eat cheesecake often but when I do see it on a menu, I go for it. This had a mango sauce with it and a nice thin crust to it. The cheesecake was light with a little bit of tang.
And how much did I enjoy sleeping in the pyjamas? Enough to sleep through breakfast apparently! 
So tell me Dear Reader, how do you usually get to the airport? By taxi or by train or car?
NQN and Mr NQN tested out the flight as guests of Virgin
Virgin Atlantic Airways
www.virgin-atlantic.com
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50 Comments | Add your own
I never had a flight like that. I used to flight on business or first class normally to the US or within US, but nothing can be compared with this one.
I stumbled across your blog yesterday, and kid you not (and not to sound creepy!), ended up staying up a whole night just ooh-ing and aah-ing over all the pretty pictures of food and places. Hong Kong sounds like it was wonderful, particularly the dim sum. I admit, I was quite tempted to book a plane ticket for Hong Kong immediately after reading about the char sui bao at Tim Ho Wan– if only he would expand over to the United States! Just wondering, what would you consider was your most memorable/best culinary experience in Hong Kong? And how did you land your travel deal?
First off, if this is a repeat post, I apologize; for some reason, when I initially posted, my comment did not show up and I’m not sure why :/ If not, well insert awkward pause and let’s just move on
Your trip to Hong Kong sounds like it was absolutely amazing! I love Chinese food, particularly Cantonese (though I won’t say no to a hearty Beijing street breakfast)and your pictures of the sights you saw and the foods you ate in Hong Kong had me ooh-ing and aah-ing instead of sleeping as I should have been at 2 AM. What would you say was your most memorable eating experience in Hong Kong? How would you compare the dim sum to what’s available in Australia? I admit, when I saw the picture of the Tim Ho Wan’s char sui bao, I nearly went online and booked a ticket to Hong Kong, so good it looked. And how did you ever land a foodie deal like the trip? :O
The plane looks great! Looks Mr like NQN got most the better dishes. I normally go by public transport if it’s very early or late as there won’t be as much trouble with luggage and taxi middle of the day and always when we get back because we have so much more.
It really depends what city I am in (and how much luggage I have!) but when I am departing from home in Adelaide, I catch a taxi if no-one will drop me off
The public transportation to the airport is not the best (i.e. the last time I tried it out, it took me 1hour and 45minutes to get home on a 45minute trip!!! Never again!). Thanks for your comment on my blog 
. To answer your question, I found FSOG a good page-turner and easy to read, but I didn’t like it enough to want to bother reading the other two books in the trilogy…I may be the only one!
Wow! That was impressive. I’ve been using economy class for far too long. Pajamas? Yes! What an idea! Food looks nice as well. Of course, Asian-based airlines have always had the best food…
I often use shuttle services to get to the airport (Paris, Marrakech, Istanbul), but in Mexico, it is often a bus straight to the airport if flying from Mexico City, almost 4 hours away or a shuttle if a closer airport.
We are an hour away from our home in Hew Hampshire to the Boston airport and take a limo. We had PJ’s on our American flight and the small were about a foot long. It is nice not to have to sleep in your clothes though.
I am wearing my Qants pajama bottoms as I write this. Find the top too hot so match the pants with a singlet. The Qantas pants have an elastic waistband.
We usually get to the airport by car. Love the look of the plane!
I think I can safely say that the next few months will see me getting to airports in all the ways!
Just once in my life, I’d like to fly business. Even just once.
Ahh- so funny you should write this post Lorraine. I’m just shopping around airlines to review their menus for an upcoming trip! It’s a big deal to me- a bad meal is a wasted meal!!
I have to say I don’t think that food looks too appetising at all so now I’m very worried for the people at the back of the plane and I’m wondering what they ended up with. And that was definitely a noodle salad – not a chicken salad! xx
As I have not flown with the airline, was glad to be able to compare notes. Pleasant, and the food seemed a tad better than ‘normal’ airline fare. As some others have mentioned, the Asian airlines always seem to have made an extra effort
! The PJs are a good idea, methinks: I used to take a noncrushable kaftan along for all long flights and change immediately when the seatbelt signs were off. How to get to the airport: either family/friends helping out or a prebooked taxi: travelling with small children, as we usually did, no way would we struggle with 3-4 suitcases +++ onto public transport, however good 
!
He he he so cute you still wear the PJs! Sounds like you both travelled in style….makes it hard to ever go back to economy again I bet!
Oh to join the ranks of Business Class air travel…..maybe one day!The food didn’t exactly excite me though but it has to be better than Economy. I want to try Emirates, everyone gives it a thumbs up!
Our last O/S trip was back in June when we travelled (economy I’m afraid) as a family of 10 to India for our niece’s wedding. Now I’m the type of person that loves to fly, just put me on a plane and I’m happy but the flight from KL to Chennai was a nightmare and I imagined opening the door and exiting the plane I was that desperate to get off the flight. The seats were appropriate for Pygmies, one could barely move sideways and it was packed to capacity.My worst flight ever!!!
This trip was the first time we booked an Airport Shuttle and it was the best decision ever, no hassles, no worrying about trying to fit ALL of the suitcases, no stressing in the traffic, no parking. Especially if you travel in a group I would highly recommend this way. If hubby and I travel alone we park at the Long Term Carpark but it’s a pain if you’re on an International flight because you have to shuttle from Domestic to International so give yourself ample time.
Oh btw, NO AIRPORT FOR WILTON!!!
I was seriously considering saving up money to fly first class long distance on Virgin to anywhere, and turned around to come right back because that would be all of my budget for the vacation. LOL
I love in flight pjs. I still have a pair from Qantas business class from 2010 which I used for my hospital stays over 10 months in 2010/11. They’re enormous – but then everything from ore-October 2010 is now enormous on me – lol!
As to transfers to the airport – we’ve recently had bad experiences with booked limo transfers not turning up for international flights twice in Adelaide, so resorted to taxis, until we had to tell the taxi driver where one of the main roads was to get us home (he had satnav but didn’t use it!) and we are only 20 minutes from the airport! So we found a new reliable limo company. If we have manageable amounts of luggage we will use the trains in Sydney, London and Tokyo. Otherwise we just bite the bullet and get taxis. If you’re staying in an apartment in a non English speaking country there’s an additional level of stress about airport transfers! Just get me to the airport on time
I usually drive since we are very far from the airport and it is cheeper to park the car than catch a taxi both ways. I loooovvee Business class travel when I am lucky enough to get an upgrade or have enough points to upgrade. I don’t get much sleep though as I hate to miss out on all the goodies! By the way I have been really enjoying Sydney, 9 trips since March but non now till Sept.
Ooooh VIP treatment my friend that is the coolest
I don’t think I would mind flying virgin
Coolest style of review!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The train to the airport in Hong Kong is great, I use it always. I never get to travel business class, I’m too cheap to pay for it and I never managed an upgrade.
By car!
Some of my friends fly Virgin airline and they have a great experience each time. I may try it some day, thanks for the review. I love those Chicken vermicelli salad, although I would prefer it without chicken.
The prawn dish does look a bit strange doesn’t it? We take the car, or arrange a friend to take us, the airport its only 20 minutes away from anywhere here!
Always use public transport or shuttle buses in all parts of the world. Refuse to be ripped off by taxi drivers, out to rort the tourist!
Here in Sydney I live on the East Hills Airport line plus am 6 mins walk from our station. So definitely the Rail link, I love it. We have been known to rumble our suitcases down the road to station in pitch black at 5 a.m. on our way to another holiday adventure!
Try to avoid airline food at all costs or only eat vegetarian meals if pushed!
In KL, we usually drive or take the taxi, depending on how many days we stay at our destination (parking can be expensive).
I’ve flown business twice and first class once – and gosh it’s lovely!
Last time I was on a plane I was literally carried to the airport.
Kinda apprehensive about flying. Probably wouldn’t be so bad in complimentary pj’s though!
Lorraine you have the best job. No really!
Business class is something I’ll only ever dream of unfortunately.
My parents use Virgin upper class reasonably regularly for visits to India (and have upgraded my husband and I a couple of times, when they’ve kindly bought us flights using their airmiles). I have so many pairs of those PJs in my wardrobe, I love them as house lounging wear…
The pants have a tie string instead of elastic, probably more adjustable than elastic given how many sizes they need to accommodate?
I love the London Virgin lounge, is the most amazing space!
I’m on the Gold Coast and get the Airtrain to Brisbane International… it’s easy as.
Oh, and my favourite airline is Emirates. Even flying economy I found it to be really comfortable and the service was excellent. And the food… it was actually not only edible (which can be a big thing for economy meals) but was fresh and had flavour. Definitely my preferred airline
Oh my.. I can’t believe that this is Airline food! Amazing!
Very classy…not only is the lounge gorgeous, but the plane’s cabin is as well! Sounds like the food was good for the most part too. That’s what I call traveling in style.
An interesting insight. Personally, I prefer public trsnsport as it is generally cheaper and if it’s a train, you avoid the traffic.
so that is what business class is all about – Nice PJ’s. Thanks for showing us cattle class frequent flyers, what business class is.
Love your work!
When going to HK we book a car through the hotel for pick up from the airport and then again to return. We used to get the shuttle bus but realised getting a car wasn’t that much more expensive. I always forget to wear my sleep suit, mainly because once I am in my seat I tend to stay there unless nature calls. Haven’t tried a Virgin Lounge yet, usually Qantas and BA lounge or the Priority Pass lounge.My husband raves about the Qantas First Class lounge here in Sydney.
I love cheese and crackers on the plane too. No idea why!
I’m a taxi girl. I’m not good with public transport at the best of times but add suitcases to that and it can be a disaster!
After experience the business class flight once, now it’s really hard for me to go back for the economy class cos I know what people are getting in that previlege area…
Oh wow, this looks so lush! I’ve never flown business class before, but i’d love to!
We always have a family friend drop us to the airport, however, when I was younger and we’d go on Disneyland vacations we’d have so much luggage we’d have to get a limo! It always made our trip even more special
taxi every time.
Given a choice, I’ll travel in the pointy bit of the plane every time.
i like this post because i’ve always had a fascination with airline food. Now i will be saving up those frequent flyer points for business class–i like the idea of complementary pjs!!
Liking the idea of in flight pjs! Whenever I’m on an overnight flight, one of the first things I do when I’m seated comfortably is to ask for a blanket ^^” Seems like Mr NQN had all the right choices of food!
What a great way to fly! We live so close to the airport that taxi drivers get very annoyed at us for such a short trip, so we usually try to get someone to drop us there!
You slept through breakfast?? :-0 Oh no!
We usually take a cab to the airport because my case is often too heavy for me to lug around. I’ve never flown first class before so it would be such a treat. We were just talking about how long a flight from Sydney it is to Hong Kong, long enough to sleep, I guess!
Recently flew to Phuket and Kuala Lumpur and had some wonderful meals, as to getting to the airport, were dropped off at Melb by car, picked up by car in phuket and back, but then tried the train from KLIA to the city and i swear we need something that quick running in Melbourne. Planning on flying business on my own in November to Hong Kong, to see my brother and new nephew so will give their train a go, and let you know how it went
Lorraine, I took this Virgin Upper Class flight to HK last June, it was gorgeous and I too slept through brekky! I LOVED the PJs SOOOO much! I still have them and the socks and bags from both ways! What was really cute was my partner and I ate at the same table, the foot stool turned into a dining chair to sit together nice and cosy! I foudn the whole experience super romantic but maybe it was just me & the trip itself being swept away for 4 nights! I pre-ordered a cake from Mrs B’s Cakery and had it waiting in our room for our arrival with champagne & strawberries, I chose the cake “Better Than Sex” and it was devine! Considered the Marie Antoinette but thought the cotton candy might not hold up. I loved your restaurant reviews, the edible art dinner experience I have noted to try next time! Thank you again!
Cathay Pacific solves the problem of poorly reheated steamed rice by having rice cookers installed in their more premium cabins
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Wow Lorraine I m SO jealous that you flew to Hk in business class! I ve done it a couple of times and it’s SO much better!
I m very fortunate and am able to sleep on the plan so that sure makes time go a lot quicker
when we flew back from NYC to Hk we slept for 14 hours out of 16 hours lol
Again playing catch up! We now splurge on a chauffeured car to & from the airport, we get picked up and dropped off exactly where we need to go, takes all the stress out and the need to drive home when you are jet lagged. Sure it’s a bit extra, but well worth it! Btw: I keep my Qantas Business Class pjamas!
Yep I still sleep in my qantas business class pj’s nearly a year on.
We usually book a taxi but for my anniversary trip to Paris my hubbie booked a chauffeur for trip to the airport and to the accommodation at arrival.
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