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<p>British Airways doubles its schedule to include two daily fleets – an Airbus A350 and a Boeing 787 jet – from Hong Kong to London and two from London to Hong Kong.</p>



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<p>According to the airline’s current timetable, the flights will take off from Hong Kong International Airport at 23:10 HKT and 23:20 HKT and land at London Heathrow Airport at 06:40 BST (13:40 HKT) and 06:50 (13:50 HKT) respectively.</p>



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<p>Simultaneously, the aircraft flying from LHR to HKG will depart from London at 18:00 BST (01:00 HKT) and arrive in Hong Kong at 13:40 HKT while the second LHR-HKG flight will depart at 20:55 BST (03:55 HKT) and arrive at 16:35 HKT.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top-class Amenities</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_21686651344722.jpg" alt="club suites" class="wp-image-76685" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_21686651344722.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_21686651344722-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_21686651344722-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>With all four trips being non-stop long-haul flights, travellers expect unhinged comfort throughout their journey and British Airways delivers the same with its Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 jets having Club Suites in their business class cabins or as British Airways calls it, Club World.</p>



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<p>Each Club Suite offers top-class amenities that ensure that each passenger’s trip goes beyond their satisfaction. Such features include a vanity unit with a mirror, a set of a cosy pillow and a quilt, a USB and power slots and a WIFI connection. The suites also have separate doors for each of them, thus offering a private and undisturbed flight.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="583" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216861073136055.jpg" alt="british airways" class="wp-image-76686" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216861073136055.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216861073136055-369x280.jpg 369w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216861073136055-200x152.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>Moreover, with the Club World following a 1:2:1 seating arrangement, it is perfect for both solo travellers and passengers flying with someone to accompany them, and it also allows every flyer to have direct access to the aisle. Best of all, the seats can be adjusted to become a 6-feet bed making it easy for people to stretch and relax during their journey.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Delectable Food and Wine</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216864160412641.jpg" alt="british airways" class="wp-image-76687" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216864160412641.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216864160412641-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216864160412641-200x133.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>As expected from a well-established airline like British Airways, the dining experience in the Club Suites is also guaranteed to be amazing, especially with the airline introducing four English sparkling wines to its menu. This includes Digby Fine English Brut NV, Balfour Rosé de Noirs, Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, and Wiston Estate Brut NV which will all be served on a rotational basis, with British Airways picking two of these four bubblies for each flight and switching the options every three months. In addition to these sparkling wines, passengers also enjoy the Heidsieck &amp; Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne.</p>



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<p>As for the food, each meal will come with a main course of the passenger’s choice along with a starter, a dessert and cheese.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sustainable Flying</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="536" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216862102108247.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76698" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216862102108247.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216862102108247-401x280.jpg 401w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/britishairways_216862102108247-200x140.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>British Airways is also determined that its flights are friendly to the environment. As a result, its fleets will produce less noise which is said to be reduced by 40 per cent; emit less CO2 and burn 25 per cent less fuel.</p>



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<p>Click <a href="https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to book your next flight.</p>


British Airways’ Club Suites are the perfect way to travel between Hong Kong and London

<p><div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-61273-1" width="640" height="360" autoplay="1" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://www.igafencu.com/video/2110/2110_GMHK_Interview_MeiMeiSong.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://www.igafencu.com/video/2110/2110_GMHK_Interview_MeiMeiSong.mp4">https://www.igafencu.com/video/2110/2110_GMHK_Interview_MeiMeiSong.mp4</a></video></div></p>
<p>The sky’s no longer the limit for leading airport-lounge operator Plaza Premium Group, as Mei Mei Song steers their global brand of luxury and convenience to train journeys, too.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What is the story behind the Plaza Premium Lounges? How did it all start?</strong><br />
In the ’90s, my father [globetrotting Malaysian entrepreneur Song Hoi-see] found it frustrating that international airports were not equipped with functional places for economy-class travellers to utilise their time efficiently between long-haul flights. A safe place, accessible to all, to rest and unwind, prepare for meetings before hopping on the next flight – perhaps for a fee; there was a clear gap in the market for that kind of experience. An opportunity came when both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur were building new airports, and he pitched the idea of a pay-per-use lounge for all travellers to the authorities. After a lot of initial hiccups, the world’s first independent lounge opened at the Hong Kong International Airport in July 1998. We’re going to celebrate our 25th anniversary soon.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment_61274" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61274" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-61274" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1.jpg" alt="Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-61274" class="wp-caption-text">Scarf, top and pants by Shanghai Tang; Heels by Mach &amp; Mach, courtesy of Lane Crawford</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><strong>After starting your career in the media, you are now Global Brand and Product Transformation Director at Plaza Premium Group. Was it always your plan to join the family business?</strong><br />
I studied economics and politics [at the University of Edinburgh] and toyed with the idea of becoming a politician. But I grew up in the aviation space, and airports always fascinated me. The passion that my parents have for the business is truly inspiring, and it rubbed on to me. The exact moment I knew I wanted to join the family business was when I was travelling to London for Fashion Week. I was scheduled to land at 5am and had back-to-back meetings at 9am, 10am and 11am, but the hotel check-in wasn’t until 3pm. I desperately wanted a place to shower and freshen up before the start of a workday. I wanted to jump into the family business and expand it so people could fully utilise their long layovers and benefit from a calm, luxurious lounge environment.</p>
<p><strong>What have you learned from working with your father who is credited with transforming the global air-travel experience?</strong><br />
My father started this business from scratch through relentless hard work, grit and determination. He brings a strong foundation and the viewpoint of a different generation to the table. Everyone wants to succeed but does sustainability fit into your growth plans? Do you put customers’ needs ahead of everything else? One of the most important things he taught me was how to be a good leader, and that founding a successful business is not enough. How you conduct that business and the strength of your vision and values are key.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment_61281" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61281" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-61281 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8.jpg" alt="Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-61281" class="wp-caption-text">Sweater by Joseph; Skirt by Pleats Please Issey Miyake; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><strong>How challenging has Covid-19 been for a company in the business of aviation?</strong><br />
Extremely challenging. It’s no secret that aviation has been the hardest hit global industry in this crisis. At one point, travel came to a complete halt – 95-percent of our lounges were closed. That said, as a business we are agile, dynamic and entrepreneurial, and we took this period to revamp, regroup and reinvent. How you rise from adversity is very telling of the nature of your company. So, we took this opportunity to rebuild and recentre ourselves. We are currently at 230-plus lounges and by 2025 our goal is to have 550 lounges around the world.</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;">“I’m most pumped about our foray into train lounges – people are increasingly travelling by rail and sea, and that’s an untapped market for us”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As a mother of a three-year-old, how did you balance work and the home front at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic?<br />
It was hard for everyone during this period. But I’m very grateful for the incredible family support, a tight network of mums, friends and even amazing colleagues. It’s not easy for parents to do the balancing act of work and home on their own, especially at a time of global crisis. It really does take a village, doesn’t it?</p>
<p><figure id="attachment_61277" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61277" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-61277 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4.jpg" alt="Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-61277" class="wp-caption-text">Dress by Maje, courtesy of The Outnet; Heels by Gianvito Rossi</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><strong>What is the reality on the ground for the travel industry right now? Are Plaza Premium’s lounges fully functional?</strong><br />
Economic recovery is slowly setting in for our industry. The road is long, but the silver lining is the rising vaccination rate – as that picks up, we see an upswing in air travel. Factors like the length of quarantine and government policy in different countries also play a role in getting travel back on its feet, but as far as Hong Kong is concerned, the last two months have seen a massive uptick in travellers. We are a busy transit hub and university students from China are now flying back and forth. The European markets are on the road to recovery as well – the UK, Finland, the US and Canada have all experienced a surge in leisure travel and this is an encouraging trend.</p>
<p><strong>Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?</strong><br />
We’ve just opened a lounge in Africa, which is an exciting development and a first for us on the continent, so growth possibilities are endless. China is touted to be the world’s biggest air travel market in the next decade and we have strong expansion plans there. I’m most pumped about our foray into train lounges – not everyone travels by air; people are increasingly taking rail and sea routes and that’s an untapped market for us. We’ve launched two premium train lounges in China – it’s a game-changing opportunity and a new benchmark of hospitality in the travel sector.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment_61278" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61278" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-61278 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5.jpg" alt="Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-61278" class="wp-caption-text">Blazer by Paule Ka, courtesy of Lane Crawford; Dress by Pleats Please Issey Miyake; Heels by Bottega Veneta</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><strong>Will travel ever rebound to pre-Covid levels?</strong><br />
Travel has changed, for better or worse. Many aspects of it might have changed for good. Expectations around health and safety are at the forefront. People want a digital, seamless, touchless experience when they travel. As technology blurs the work-life boundaries, ‘bleisure’ travel (blending business and leisure) is a rising trend – conducting business from a beach in Bali or extending a work trip for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. We’re optimistic about travel picking up again, but a lot depends on vaccination rates and how quickly governments roll back travel restrictions and open borders.</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Founding a successful business is not enough. How you conduct that business and the strength of your vision and values are key”</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>You are an avid traveller. What’s your favourite holiday memory?</strong><br />
I am not your average traveller. I love airports, stopovers and transits – rootless, functional places without identity and a confluence of different identities and cultures. One time I did Singapore, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Dubai and London in seven days, just to visit all our lounges. That’s my most memorable, exciting travel memory.</p>
<p><strong>And your least favourite travel memory?</strong><br />
Once I became a mother and resumed my robust travelling schedule with an infant in tow, I realised that services and facilities are not geared towards young mums. It was frustrating not to have diaper changing stations, feeding rooms and kids’ rooms when you need them the most. That’s when we made systemic changes to include a kids’ room, highchairs and children’s cutlery in all our lounges. We also have changing tables in men’s toilets as well as women’s because dads are now doing the parenting, too.</p>
<p><strong>Thank you.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h6>Interview by: Nikita Mishra;&nbsp;Photographer: Jack Law;&nbsp;Videographer: Kingsley Lau;&nbsp;Art Direction &amp; Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma;&nbsp;Hair &amp; make up: Joenny Lau;&nbsp;Location: Plaza Premium Lounge (Near Gate 35, Departures) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)</h6>

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British Airways’ Club Suites are the perfect way to travel between Hong Kong and London

Plaza Premium Group’s Mei Mei Song on Covid-19 challenges faced by the aviation industry