This is part of the Hong Kong 2023 trip and is an overview of the airport experience travelling between Sydney and Hong Kong.
Sydney to Hong Kong QF127
Qantas Sky Spritz (white wine spritz with finger lime and Davidson plum) and Do Good Labs Happy Hour (salted corn, baked pretzels, roasted almonds and soya crisps). This pairing is the same as the items we received during our flight to Seoul earlier in the year.
Char kway teow style rice noodles with tofu and beansprouts
For lunch, D chose their plant-based dining option. The noodles were quite thick and the dish overall lacked seasoning. The rosemary, garlic sea salt and olive oil focaccia — a standard for Qantas economy flights out of Sydney it seems — was as unremarkable as ever, being dense and dry.
Black pepper beef with oyster mushrooms and jasmine rice
My option fared better with generous pieces of (albeit, tough), beef, a good selection of greens, and mushrooms, with the sauce pairing well with the rice. Overall, this was one of the better in-flight meals we’ve eaten.
Streets Splice Pine Lime
We’re amused that this was chosen as the ‘iconic Australian ice cream’. We would’ve given the title to a Weis Mango or Street Golden Gaytime.
Fried rice with chicken and soy sauce.
This was both our choice for dinner. The soy sauce was served separately, and the dish sorely needed the seasoning, so perhaps it was doubling up for a gluten-free option. D enjoyed the warm nuttiness of the wattleseed brownie.
New Territories to Hong Kong International Airport
The airport is well connected to various districts in Hong Kong via airport buses that have dedicated racks for holding large suitcases, and are scheduled to run reasonably frequently (up to 3 an hour).
Hong Kong International Airport
Qantas Hong Kong Lounge
The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge entrance is located in Terminal 1 near gate 5, directly right after north immigration. The lounge was refurbished and reopened in May 2023 after closing during the pandemic and continues to overlook panoramic views of the airport’s Sky Bridge. The back exit to the lounge provides direct access to many of the gates used by Qantas, including Gate 10.
Drinks Menu
Elderflower Spritzer (elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda): The fresh floral notes of elderflower enhanced the grape undertones of the white wine, which remained distinctly present.
Jasmine Fizz (orange juice, sparkling water, jasmine green tea, syrup, orange slice): The dewy floral notes of jasmine mellowed the sharpness of the orange juice, while the green tea introduced a fresh, grassy quality without imparting astringency.
Coconut Dream (coconut milk, pineapple juice, vanilla syrup, lime juice, soda, mint): This drink boasted robust tropical notes, harmoniously balanced with a subtle creaminess, and a well-balanced interplay of sweetness and acidity, complemented by the refreshing touch of mint.
All Day Dining
Plate of the Day
Housemade BBQ pork with steamed rice, smashed cucumber salad, cabbage and radish pickles.
The BBQ pork had a delightful juiciness and tenderness, creating a perfect harmony with the crispness of the vegetables.
Braised beef brisket noodle soup and greens
Steering clear of phở comparisons, this bowl offered a satisfying blend of noodles in beef broth, enhanced by the pleasing crunch of broccolini.
Yum Cha Trolley
Pork and mushroom dumplings
Among our top favourites, these dumplings boasted a thin yet generously filled wrapper with a mixture of pork mince, carrot, wood ear, and mushrooms. We couldn’t resist indulging in seconds.
Later on, the trolley returned with bites of deep-fried calamari, providing a satisfying end to our meal.
In addition to the beverages and food offerings, we especially valued the high-end private shower suites, providing us with the opportunity to refresh before our flight.
Hong Kong to Sydney QF128
Braised Pork with baby corn, boy choy and jasmine rice
The pork pieces were generously portioned but somewhat tough; nevertheless, we enjoyed the simple vegetables.
Lemon, rosemary and thyme butter soft roll
In contrast to the dry and dense focaccia on the outbound flights from Sydney, this bread roll was soft, fluffy, and complemented well by the herby butter.
Appolo Mango Pomelo Sago Ice Bar.
These ice bars, inspired by the dessert of the same name, provided a distinctly Hong Kong conclusion to the dinner service of our trip. The vibrant and fresh mango flavour, along with the bits of nata de coco and sago, offered delightful textural interest.
Seasonal fruit plate and banana muffin
D opted for this simple and refreshing breakfast. Unfortunately, the muffin was overly sweet and artificial, and we did not enjoy the inclusion of raisins.
Scrambled egg with baked beans, bacon, hashbrown and cherry tomatoes and banana muffin
The bacon added a strong flavour to wake up the palate, while the baked beans maintained their texture. The hash browns were a bit soft but still edible. However, the ‘scrambled’ eggs were a letdown.
QF127, Qantas Hong Kong Lounge & QF128 was part of the Hong Kong 2023 trip.