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As we came up from the escalator from the lounge a good sized crowd was starting to collect around the gate. The gate agents were not sharing much information and after waiting about 15 minutes they called business class to board. We made way down a crisscrossed connecting hallway into the jetway and through the first door of the plane.
The Setup: Unforeseen Events
Introduction: Planning for Thailand
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge SFO
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong
Review: The Pier, Hong Kong International Airport
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Hong Kong To Phuket
Review: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Deluxe Seaview Suite
Boat Transfer & Check-in: The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai – Ocean View Pool Villa Suite
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort
Day Trip: National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago
Final Thoughts & Monkey Business – Santhiya Koh Yao Yai
Review: Thai Royal Orchid Lounge – Phuket
Review: Lux Pay In Lounge – Phuket
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Phuket To Hong Kong
Review: Regal Airport Hotel – Superior Room
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago
Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Chicago
Review: American Airlines Domestic First Class – Chicago To San Francisco
Dragonair 214
Hong Kong (HKG) – Phuket (HKT)
Monday, January 25th 2016
Departure Time: 2:45pm
Arrival Time: 5:25pm
Flight Time: 3hr21min
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Seat: 16G, International Business Class
Our flight this afternoon
Dragonair A330 business class cabin
Our gate 65 right next to the Pier
The gate area was fairly crowded
Business class called
Jetway
A female flight attended smiled and was friendly when she greeted us. She was wearing a bright red jacket and she gestured the direction to our seat. The business class cabin is comprised of 42 seats in a 7-row 2-2-2 configuration. The seats colors were charcoal gray and they were accompanied by burnt orange pillows.
The seat felt roomy and looked brand new. It had several storage area’s and for a recliner style was well designed. I thought the cabin looked clean, spacious and professional, at least as much as an airplane cabin can. It was accented by the orange pillows and female only flight attendants in bright red jackets cheerfully working the cabin.
First look at the business class cabin
I liked the A330 wide-body with the 2-2-2 configuration
Getting settled
Our seats – love the burnt orange pillows
The flight attendants passed out blankets, came by with a trolley of newspapers and then passed out packaged hand towels. They offered a light cream juice drink which tasted wonderful. After about 25 minutes we pushed back from the gate 15 minutes behind schedule. The Capitan had what sounded like a Hong Kong English accent. He indicated that do to the previous flight being delayed we were leaving a few minutes late, and also that we should be having a good weather and a smooth flight. A few minutes later we headed for the runway and took off.
Pre-departure beverage
Ascent was trouble free and 25 minutes into the flight the seatbelt signs came off. The flight attendants started working the cabin and passed out packaged antiseptic towels and took beverage orders. I had Champaign and Susan had club soda. They also handed out dinner menus.
Offerings for lunch and drinks
I requested the chicken and Susan had the seafood. Both were good. We also partook in the Haagen-Dazs for desert. After dinner Susan enjoyed coffee and I had the port. It was a fine meal for a 3½ hour intra-Asia business class flight.
Refreshing
Tastes better than it looks 🙂
Can’t go wrong
The inflight entertainment had essentially the same variety as our Cathay Pacific flight. The screen was about the size of an iPad and also included the moving map function. I enjoyed watching the “Wedding Crashers” among some other things.
Inflight entertainment screen with moving map – good storage below
The flight attendants were not particularly friendly, but they were also never rude. They were efficient and professional at taking care of the needs of the business class cabin. My perception may have also been influenced by the fantastic job done by Sandy and Satomi on our previous flight.
Before long the flight attendants were finishing up and we were descending into Phuket. Landing was without incident and soon we were walking down the corridor to the immigration hall.
The immigration hall was a disaster. Everyone was pressed against one another trying to find a que in one of the numerous but endlessly long long lines. It looked like a mob. The space was not air-conditioned, and it was hot, muggy, and uncomfortable. When we first walked into the immigration area Susan gave me a deer in the highlights look. I grabbed her hand and said follow me. I found what I thought would be a working line and after an hour of waiting we had our turn. We’ve traveled to a number of countries both together and separately, and both commented that we’ve never seen such a poorly run operation.
Immigration queues
In Summary
Our Dragan Air business class flight from Hong Kong to Phuket was quick, enjoyable and an easy way to get to our destination in Thailand. The flight attendants were efficient and did a good job, although not that personable. That may have been a reflection of the high standards from our previous flight. The food was enjoyable and the seat was especially nice for a recliner style. Dragon Air has a great business class cabin in their Airbus A330. I recommend this connection flight to anyone considering on traveling to Phuket.
