Flying to Hong Kong shall I risk the cheap airlines?

dpbadger · 9 Sep 2024 at 12:54

I'm planning to fly London to Hong Kong in March next year. I've found tickets cheap tickets with Air China, Eastern China airlines via Beijing for about £360 return. Is it worth the risk or should I just stump up the £600 to go direct with Cathay? I'm going from London so if I can find a cheap European airline provider I'd rather do that ie Swiss or Lufthansa. I'm taking hand luggage only so they can't lose my baggage.
I don't want to be stuck in Beijing for hours if they cancel the onward flight. Has anyone used the cheaper Chinese carriers?

dpbadger · 9 Sep 2024 at 15:32

Rotty said:
I know someone who does (to Vietnam), says they aren't great but still continues to use them so can't be that bad

I might keep my eye on the prices. The £200 saved would be a lot of my spending money there as I'll have free accommodation.

dpbadger · 9 Sep 2024 at 15:34

Raymond Lin said:
It will get you there. I've personally only ever flown Cathay on that route, I doubt in economy it is twice as nice on Cathays. It is still like a bus. Less amenities, less snacks, less of everything?

Take your own entertainment and then cross your fingers.

I'm on my own so I'm sure I can rough it for 18 hours. I just don't want to get stuck in Beijing as I'm only away for 7 days and I don't want to spend two days in the airport.

dpbadger · 10 Sep 2024 at 18:15

Raymond Lin said:
I can make £200 last a week for food in HK, quite easily.

3 meals a day, 21 meals, £9 each? Easy. I can probably do it on half that.

I'm hoping my friend takes me on a street food mission as all my youtube feed is street food videos.

dpbadger · 2024-09-29T00:02:14+0100

I went with Cathay direct in the end, £639. I thought I didn't want to get stuck in Peking if the connecting flight was late or cancelled. I found a Swiss air flight from London city via Zurich for £320 but I got all the way to the final checkout and it went up to £670.