Hong Kong: November 2016
Quick early morning run, then off to the airport for a day full of airports and airplanes.
I know some love the Singapore Air SilverKris Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 1, but while the food is the best of the lounges (that said, still... just ok at best), the lack of windows killed me. United Club is airy with awesome views of airplanes and the terminal, although with somewhat worse food. And they're trying hard to catch up, complete with a noodle/congee station now, although the food is best described as indifferent.
The customary United 747-400 flight back to SFO was next. Did a once-in-a-lifetime splurge on a BusinessFirst upgrade (!!!) since it'd be one of my only chances to experience the upper deck of a 747 before they retire them all over the next two years. The upper deck is indeed very private, and the ability to be served food-that-looks-and-tastes-kinda-like-food with actual plates, glasses, and silverware is a novelty compared to the other 99.99% of my flying, which is in cattle class. But while the amenity kit and stuff was nice, the biggest benefit was, of course, actually having some space to stretch out and lie flat-- to get some actual sleep on a plane!
Not that it was good sleep, considering it was on a plane, but you can't complain. Is it worth the $3,000+ each way to upgrade? I'm not sure, but was it worth the 30,000 miles I burned? Ummm... that's not quite as bad a deal, but it's still pricey. Can't forget the airplane geek in me either, which appreciated the views of Hong Kong in front of the wing of a 747 after takeoff!
A surprisingly quick 12 hours to SFO due to a nice tailwind, a cramped United Club at SFO for a quick breakfast, and then back to Los Angeles, complete with some beautiful photo opportunities of SFO and LAX.