Why you should fly Qantas next time you head to Australia – not only does the airline’s Hong Kong lounge match Cathay’s, but on-board cuisine by Neil Perry and amenities by Li’Tya seal the deal

How does Qantas compare to fellow Oneworld airlines Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways?

If you’re a frequent traveller based in Hong Kong, you would probably agree that Cathay Pacific, the city’s flagship carrier, has seen better days. Both its fleet and its service are not what they used to be, which is why savvy fliers and members of Marco Polo (Cathay’s loyalty programme) often opt for partner airlines such as Qantas and Qatar Airways, which offer the same perks, such as priority boarding and lounge access – and mileage points – often at much lower prices than Cathay. The business class pods on Qantas flights are in much better shape than those on most Cathay flights, and while they’re not as luxurious and private as Qatar Airways’ Qsuites, they’re spacious and comfortable, and the seats easily turn into fully flat beds.

What about the business and first class lounges?

Needless to say, the Qantas first class lounges in Australia are simply fabulous, offering fine dining and beautifully appointed private rooms for extra privacy, not to mention massages and facials in Sydney and Melbourne. The biggest surprise of the Qantas experience, however, was the Hong Kong lounge. As someone who has for more than a decade used all the Cathay lounges, including The Wing and The Pier, I always assumed that they were the best ones in Hong Kong, given Cathay’s prominence at Hong Kong International Airport. Located on the same floor as The Wing, the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is on a par with – if not better than – all of Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong lounges.

A formal dining section with a buffet stand and an à la carte menu sits next to a welcoming and airy seating area overlooking Hong Kong’s famous Sky Bridge. Created by a Hong Kong chef formerly of The Peninsula, the Cantonese dishes – which you can also sample at the dim sum trolley that circulates at peak hours – are extremely good, so make sure you go in hungry; it will be worth it.

What about the food and amenities on the flight?

After the Cantonese feast I indulged in at the lounge, I didn’t consume any food on the overnight flight to Sydney. I watched a film, changed into the pyjamas provided to all business class passengers and fell fast asleep. I woke up just before my arrival in Sydney, feeling quite rested in spite of the relatively short flying time. On the daytime flight from Melbourne back to Hong Kong, the in-flight menu in collaboration with Australian chef Neil Perry included meals to suit all tastes. There were Asian dishes such as prawn and kimchi dumplings with marinated cucumbers, and seared snapper with ginger and shallot dressing, steamed bok choy and egg fried rice. The Western options, meanwhile, included buffalo mozzarella salad with balsamic roasted capsicum, pickled onions and hazelnut vinaigrette, and Bannockburn roast chicken with soft polenta, green beans, tomato and caper salsa – all served with premium Australian wines. The amenity kits came with Li’Tya skincare products.

How was the domestic flight?

The Sydney to Melbourne route is one of the busiest in the world, with flights departing pretty much every hour every single day. The flight was short and sweet (a little over an hour) and offered complimentary Wi-fi. On the day of my departure, I happened to arrive at the airport early, and when I inquired about the possibility of switching to an earlier flight, the Qantas team was very accommodating and flexible (good luck trying that in Europe or the US, no matter your status). The lounge at the domestic terminal in Sydney is designed with busy travellers in mind. Luxurious and comfortable, it offers all the amenities of a world-class airport lounge and is a great place to unwind before a flight to any destination in Australia.

What’s the final verdict?

Because of its wide array of direct flights to Europe, the US and the rest of Asia, Cathay Pacific will always be the preferred airline for most Hong Kong-based travellers, but when flying to Australia, Qantas is definitely a better choice. As a Oneworld member, you can still get the benefits and perks of flying Cathay while experiencing a service that is authentically Australian and second to none. Qantas operates daily services from Sydney and Melbourne to Hong Kong and back so you have plenty of options. The overnight flight to Sydney is perfect as it arrives just in time to start the day in Australia’s most beautiful city. Wi-fi is still not available on the Hong Kong routes but fret not, as it will be introduced starting from next year.