FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I have flown Dragonair several times in the past and it never fails to amaze me how its check-in queue always moves so quickly, which it did again the morning I checked in for flight KA360. The staff seem to have gotten their time management procedures down pat, without losing the personal touch. Before I rushed off, they reminded me that since my gate (40) was some distance away from the executive lounge (opposite Gate 16), it would be best to watch the clock. I proceeded immediately to immigration but was held up for a few minutes at security check where there was a bit of a bottleneck.
Dragonair flies between Hongkong and Tokyo, six times weekly. The Monday to Thursday services leaves Chek Lap Kok at 0915, arriving in Tokyo at 1400 (Japan local time, which is one hour ahead of Hongkong), while on Friday, departure is 0910 with arrival at 1355, and on Sunday, departure is 0750 with arrival at 1225.
Departures from Japan are 1455 on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1500 on Monday, Thursday and Friday, 1530 on Sunday, all arriving in Hongkong past seven in the evening. Other airlines operating between these two cities are Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, ANA and Northwest among others.
THE LOUNGE: The best feature of this room is its ample layout. Seats are not cheek by jowl as in some airports, which is a relief for someone like me who values her private space. I admit looking forward to the tasty cocktail sandwiches (a choice of cheese or ham) that are offered, managing to down quite a few even though I know there are meals waiting on the aircraft. Hunger pangs appeased, I gravitated to the computer corner where I dashed out that absolutely last brimming-with-instructions email for Renee back at the office. Wi-Fi still has to be installed in this facility. To maintain the zone’s quiet nature, staff alert passengers of the boarding time with the use of a hand-held notice board.
BOARDING: I remembered the check-in lady’s warning and arrived at the gate to see boarding in full swing. With no one in the Business Class queue, I was instantly processed, and soon sauntered down the aerobridge and into the waiting Airbus A330.
THE SEAT: This was my first time to fly Dragonair aircraft outfitted with the new Business Class seats. I was excited to try out the product, which has by now been installed throughout the fleet. Configuration in this section is 2-2-2.
In collaboration with Swiss design studio Luke Design and manufacturer Recaro, the airline has come out with quite a stylish and user-friendly, lie-flat seat. The control pad on the right arm rest – which can be adjusted to the passenger’s height – is easy to read (baby boomers take note), and its buttons comfortable at the punch. The positions for take off and landing (upright), relax, lounge and sleep are similar to other high-tech models in the market, so no surprises here. Besides the overhead lamp, there was also a “wee” reading light by one’s right shoulder (for those by the window). The headpillow can also be moved by lifting it up. Storage for eyewear, pens and other personal sundries was beside th 10.4-inch personal TV as well as below the right armrest. (Be sure to scoop them out before disembarking unless you want the cleaning lady to have them. I remembered just in time!)The power socket for laptops is located in the seat centre console.
THE FLIGHT: Dragonair has been working with well-known establishments in Hongkong to reinforce the city’s reputation as a food mecca. On this flight, lunch was courtesy of Super Star Seafood Restaurant and Sabatini (in the Royal Garden Hotel in Kowloon). Feeling the need to go light, I chose the Steamed Silver Cod with white rice over the Roasted Lamb Chop on White Bean with Mediterranean Vegetables and the Braised Seafood with Vegetarian Chicken. I didn’t hold back though when they handed out the Haagen-Dazs ice cream. A gentleman near me asked and got two cups – unfair!
With scanty English reading material – I’ve noticed this on several Dragonair flights – I contented myself watching Christmas with the Kranks and the uninspired spin-off of the sitcom Friends –Joey.
ARRIVAL: It was mid-afternoon when we touched down gently in wintery Japan. Once out of the plane, passengers seemed to have caught a bad case of rush fever, some dashing madly to catch the train to the main building, which houses immigration, baggage claim and customs. Whether you liked it or not, you were forced to go with the flow. Things simmered down at passport control where conscientious marshals kept the lines moving. Then it was to the carousel where my bag was already there to greet me.The Narita Express got me to the Ginza area in under an hour.
VERDICT: A top flight all the way
PRICE: A promotional fare of HK$1,950 (US$251.27) is available until March 31.
CONTACT: www.dragonair.com
Margie T Logarta
