Tag: review

Flight Report: CATHAY PACIFIC CX 901 – Hong Kong to Manila – Homebound on a Once in a Lifetime $66 World-of-Winners Hong Kong Return Ticket [December 2023]

In December, my friends and I flew to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific after being one of the lucky winners of the Hong Kong International Airport Authority World of Winners Campaign. We got free base fare return tickets with Cathay Pacific, valid for travel until December 2023.

In early 2023, the Hong Kong International Airport Authority ran a worldwide campaign to lure people back to beautiful Hong Kong. They conducted giveaways in countries all over the world and specifically gave out over 20,000 return Cathay Pacific tickets in the Philippines.

Previously, I shared with you my first ever Cathay Pacific experience from Manila to Hong Kong on board flight CX 912. I wrote a detailed report about how that memorable flight went by quickly. Today, I will share with you the details and experiences of our flight back from Hong Kong to Manila on board Cathay Pacific flight CX 901. Join me as I run you through the airline’s hard and soft products, and I will let you know why you should consider the airline on your next trip to Hong Kong.

CATHAY PACIFIC

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, commonly known as Cathay Pacific, is Hong Kong’s flag carrier. According to the airline’s website, two ex-Air Force pilots founded the airline in Hong Kong in 1946. Five years later, the airline acquired its rival Hong Kong Airways and gained additional routes to Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. Since then, the airline has expanded to more routes in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. It has emerged as one of the world’s leading airlines and lifestyle brands, connecting the world through Hong Kong.

Today, Cathay Pacific is primarily owned by Swire Group, a diversified Hong Kong-based corporation, Qatar Airways, and Air China. The airline flies to over 80 international destinations using close to 180 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 60 more in order. It also has airline subsidiaries, namely Cathay Pacific Cargo, Air Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Express, the region’s budget airline. Cathay Pacific is based and headquartered in Hong Kong International Airport.

Cathay Pacific is a 5-star full-service airline. It offers a free checked luggage allowance, premium amenities, meals and snacks, and personal entertainment systems onboard. The airline is one of the founding members of Oneworld, a major global alliance with the likes of Qatar Airways, Qantas, American Airlines, and British Airways. It has a loyalty program called Cathay Membership Programme, where members can gain status points (previously Marco Polo Club) and Asia Miles when flying the airline or through its non-airline partners.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

AIRFARE & INCLUSIONS

As mentioned above, my friends and I got our complimentary tickets from the World of Winners campaign hosted by the Hong Kong International Airport Authority. We were rewarded with free return base fare tickets with Cathay Pacific, valid for travel until December 2023.

HKIAA sent out unique voucher codes to all winners. These codes need to be redeemed or booked within two months from the time they were sent out. My friends and I booked ours a few weeks after receiving our respective codes and paid US$66.30 worth of taxes and fees each. My bank charged me ₱3,638.99, including the 1.85% foreign transaction service fee.

The $66 return ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 2 x 23 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, inflight meals, inflight entertainment, and hospitable Cathay Pacific cabin crew service. The ticket was classified under the Economy Essential Fare Bundle, which included an additional 23 kilograms of checked luggage allowance (making it two) and complimentary standard seat selection in both sectors.

My friends and I were lucky to get picked for these free base fare tickets on a full-service airline like Cathay Pacific. We want to say thank you to the Hong Kong International Airport Authority for making this once-in-a lifetime chance and experience happen.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service and a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Philippine passport holders are only required to present their valid passports and the E-Travel QR code when entering the country’s borders. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to present other requirements, such as a valid visa or onward departure ticket. These requirements vary from one nationality to the next. It is always best to check with the relevant authorities regarding the updated entry requirements.

BEFORE THE FLIGHT

A few days before the flight, Cathay Pacific sent out a reminder about the upcoming flight to Manila. The airline also sent an email reminder 48 hours before the flight that online or web check-in is now available. The airline included reminders about checked luggage, the airline mobile application, and its useful features.

4 hours into the flight, the airline sent a final flight reminder, including the boarding time, scheduled flight time, and the assigned boarding gate. Props to Cathay Pacific for keeping their passengers informed.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Hong Kong to Manila Cathay Pacific flight CX 901 was operated by an 11-year-old Airbus A330 aircraft. The plane, delivered to the airline in December 2012, has 39 lie-flat business class sets on a 1-2-1 configuration and 223 economy class seats on a 2-4-2 layout.

Flight CX 901 flew out of Hong Kong International Airport at 9:26 a.m. and touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 11:06 a.m. The flight took 1 hour and 40 minutes in total.

GROUND & AIRPORT EXPERIENCE

Cathay Pacific operates from Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Cathay Pacific check-in counters are at the far-left end of the terminal at Counters A, B, and C. Counter check-in is available for those who want to check-in with Cathay Pacific staff. Self-check-in kiosks and automated bag drop counters are also available in these check-in areas.

During our time, the counter check-in had long and slow-moving lines. My friends and I used the self-check-in kiosks to check-in for our flight and to print our boarding passes and luggage tags. After checking in, we headed to the automated bag drop-off counters to leave our bags. We finished this whole process in less than 10 minutes.

PRE-DEPARTURE

We cleared security and immigration immediately after check-in and walked towards our assigned gate, Gate 12, in the main terminal building. We also had a quick morning snack from a fast-food chain while we waited for boarding.

BOARDING

Priority boarding commenced at 8:28 a.m. Business class passengers, Cathay Pacific Programme, and Oneworld Alliance status holders were asked to board the plane first. Passengers traveling with small children, persons with disabilities, and seniors boarded the plane next. All other economy class passengers boarded the plane by group or zone.

The boarding process finished at 9:00 a.m. The cabin crew closed the aircraft doors and waited for departure. The plane was pushed ashore at 9:09 a.m. and headed over to the runway for a 9:26 a.m. take-off.


INFLIGHT HARD & SOFT PRODUCT

SEAT FEATURES

This Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Manila flight was operated using one of the airline’s Airbus A330-300s with the regional two-class configuration. The plane has 39 lie-flat business class seats on a 1-2-1 layout and 223 regular economy class seats on a 2-4-2 layout.

According to our friends at SeatMaps, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 47 inches, a seat width of 21 inches, and a recline of 180 degrees. The seats feature spacious legroom with decent storage spaces and large entertainment screens. The business class section has 10 rows of lie-flat seats with direct aisle access.

The middle and rear sections of the aircraft have 223 standard economy seats on a 2-4-2 layout. Each economy class seat has a seat pitch of 32 inches, a seat width of 18 inches, and a recline of 3.5 inches. Each seat has a personal entertainment screen, a foldable tray table, a coat hook, a USB charging port, a power outlet under the seats, and a small under-screen stowage space. Each thick-padded seat also features an adjustable headrest and a seatback pocket with an aircraft safety card, magazine, duty-free pamphlets, and headphones. The seats do not feature individual air vents and pillows. Blankets are available upon request.

I got aisle seat 65H on this quick flight back to Manila. I find the airline’s thick-padded seats comfortable for a short haul flight. However, I do miss the individual air vents, which I can open or close whenever I want.

INFLIGHT BREAKFAST SERVICE

Cathay Pacific served a complimentary breakfast service on this flight to Manila. The airline only had one option for this flight: congee and stir-fry noodles with a bottle of water.

The cabin crew started serving breakfast as soon as the plane reached its cruising altitude. The crew finished serving the meals within 30 minutes after takeoff. They also went around for a second round of drink service and offered coffee or tea to those who wanted it.

This breakfast meal was alright. It was not as tasty or savory as the meal served on our Manila to Hong Kong flight. I still appreciate Cathay Pacific serving a complimentary meal service on this short flight to Manila.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Cathay Pacific’s entertainment system on the Airbus A330 offered a decent number of movies, television shows, and music options. The choices may not be as extensive as those in their Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft, but these are enough for short flights like this to Hong Kong. The entertainment system also features a moving inflight map that shows the flight’s exact whereabouts.

I did not watch any movies or television shows during this flight. Instead, I stared at the inflight map and geeked out the aviation enthusiast in me.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Cathay Pacific offers paid inflight wi-fi connectivity on selected flights. The cost can go as high as $12.95 for full-flight access on a short-haul flight. The airline offered a 1-hour pass for $9.95 and a full-flight pass for $12.95 on this flight from Hong Kong to Manila.

Unfortunately, I did not avail of this paid service. I find the flight too short to miss checking things out on the internet.

LAVATORY

This Airbus A330 aircraft has five lavatories shared by all 223 economy class passengers. These lavatories are found in the middle part of the aircraft. The lavatories on this aircraft were clean, fragrant, and spotless. It also had extra amenities like a bottle of hand soap and a bottle of antiseptic hand gel, which can be used by all passengers.

CABIN CREW ENCOUNTERS

Just like the Manila to Hong Kong flight, I had very minimal encounters with the cabin crew. I saw them doing the usual things like welcoming the passengers to the flight, saying goodbye during disembarkation, asking what drinks the passengers wanted during the meal service, and offering tea and coffee during the second drink service.

DISEMBARKATION & LUGGAGE CLAIM

The aircraft arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11:06 a.m. My friends and I went through disembarkation, immigration, baggage claim, and customs in about 30 minutes after landing.

Flight Experience

It was a fun and memorable once-in-a-lifetime $66 return flight with Cathay Pacific. I honestly do not think this promotion will happen again in the next decade or so.

Like in any other flight report, allow me to share with you what I liked about this flight. First, the free base fare ticket wins in every angle. My friends and I only paid $66 (around ₱3,600) in return for the airport taxes and fees. We paid this cheap for a full-service 5-star airline with baggage, inflight meals, and inflight entertainment. What a steal!

Second, Cathay Pacific made sure that all their passengers were informed of everything about the flight. The airline sent out numerous reminders about the online check-in, airport check-in process, flight requirements, and even the assigned boarding gate information. Third, the airline has a quick and efficient self-check-in process at Hong Kong International Airport. My friends and I finished our self-check-in and bag drop process in less than 10 minutes.

Third, Cathay Pacific still has a 2-4-2 seating configuration on its Airbus A330 aircraft. The said configuration offers more spacious seats compared to the current industry standard of 3-3-3. Also, the seats feature thick back padding, which makes them more comfortable to sit on.

Lastly, the airline served a complimentary hot meal on this short flight from Hong Kong to Manila. The meal may be a little bit bland to my taste, but at least it is available for passengers who want to have breakfast onboard.

One thing that I did not like about this flight was the absence of individual air vents in the aircraft. I sweat a lot, especially when the cabin temperature is on the hot side. I hope Cathay Pacific brings them back in their new or retrofitted aircraft.

This CX 901 Hong Kong to Manila flight is very much like our CX 912 Manila to Hong Kong flight we took earlier. I like that Cathay Pacific is consistent with their hard and soft products on this Manila-Hong Kong-Manila route.

I enjoyed my first flights with Cathay Pacific. I will consider flying them again in the future; I want to try their Airbus A321neo and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. I hope you also enjoyed my narration of this once-in-a-lifetime flight experience with Cathay Pacific. Again, I want to thank the Hong Kong International Authority for running the World of Winners campaign and for making this opportunity happen.

Curious about the specific details of this flight? Check out the geeky information below:

Airline: Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight Date: 12 December 2023
Flight Number: CX 901
Route: Hong Kong, SAR (HKG) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Seat Number: 65H (aisle)
Aircraft: Airbus A330-343X
Aircraft Registration: B-LAX
Engines: 2 x RR Trent 772B-60
Age: 11 years old
Delivered: December 2012

Have you flown Cathay Pacific recently? How was your experience? Will you fly them again soon? By any chance have questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to share your ground and flight experiences or post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: CATHAY PACIFIC CX 912 – Manila to Hong Kong – First-Ever CX Flight on a Memorable $66 World-of-Winners Return Ticket to Hong Kong [December 2023]

Early last year, the Hong Kong International Airport Authority (HKIAA) gave away thousands of free base fare tickets to people from all over the world to lure tourists back to the vibrant city. My friends and I joined the Philippines giveaway, answered 4 questions, and luckily made it to the first 21,000 people to get all 4 correct answers. The HKIA authority gave us a roundtrip free base fare ticket with Cathay Pacific valid for travel until December 2023.

We booked our tickets in April 2023 for a trip to Hong Kong in December 2023. We flew with the region’s flag carrier, Cathay Pacific, on both sectors. The Cathay Pacific CX 912 Manila to Hong Kong flight will be the topic of today’s flight report. Read on below to learn how my first ever Cathay Pacific flight went and why this flight became a memorable one.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, commonly known as Cathay Pacific, is Hong Kong’s flag carrier. According to the airline’s website, two ex-Air Force pilots founded the airline in Hong Kong in 1946. Five years later, the airline acquired its rival Hong Kong Airways and gained additional routes to Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. Since then, the airline has expanded to more routes in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. It has emerged as one of the world’s leading airlines and lifestyle brands, connecting the world through Hong Kong.

Today, Cathay Pacific is primarily owned by Swire Group, a diversified Hong Kong-based corporation, Qatar Airways, and Air China. The airline flies to over 80 international destinations using close to 180 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 60 more in order. It also has airline subsidiaries, namely Cathay Pacific Cargo, Air Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Express, the region’s budget airline. Cathay Pacific is based and headquartered in Hong Kong International Airport.

Cathay Pacific is a 5-star full-service airline. It offers a free checked luggage allowance, premium amenities, meals and snacks, and personal entertainment systems onboard. The airline is one of the founding members of Oneworld, a major global alliance with the likes of Qatar Airways, Qantas, American Airlines, and British Airways. It has a loyalty program called Cathay Membership Programme, where members can gain status points (previously Marco Polo Club) and Asia Miles when flying the airline or through its non-airline partners.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

As mentioned above, my friends and I got our complimentary tickets from the World of Winners campaign hosted by the Hong Kong International Airport Authority. We were rewarded with free return base fare tickets with Cathay Pacific, valid for travel until December 2023.

HKIAA sent out unique voucher codes to all winners. These codes need to be redeemed or booked within two months from the time they were sent out. My friends and I booked ours a few weeks after receiving our respective codes and paid US$66.30 worth of taxes and fees each. My bank charged me ₱3,638.99, including the 1.85% foreign transaction service fee.

The $66 return ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 2 x 23 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, inflight meals, inflight entertainment, and hospitable Cathay Pacific cabin crew service. The ticket was classified under the Economy Essential Fare Bundle, which included an additional 23 kilograms of checked luggage allowance (making it two) and complimentary standard seat selection in both sectors.

My friends and I were lucky to get picked for these free base fare tickets on a full-service airline like Cathay Pacific. We want to say thank you to the Hong Kong International Airport Authority for making this once-in-a lifetime chance and experience happen.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service and a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Regular Philippine passport holders are allowed to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region without a visa for 14 days. Anyone staying beyond the visa-free stay needs to apply for a visa to enter Hong Kong.

Locally, all passengers departing the country are required to fill out the online departure card and obtain a QR code from the E-Travel website.

Before the Flight

Just like any other airline, Cathay Pacific sent out several emails to its passengers, reminding them of everything about the flight. A week before our scheduled flight, I received an email from the airline reminding me that my flight to Hong Kong is a few days away. I also got a reminder about the travel documents and requirements needed, an offer to upgrade to business class, and/or to add additional checked luggage for the flight.

48 hours before the scheduled flight, Cathay Pacific sent another email announcing that online or web check-in is now available for our flight to Hong Kong. The airline included reminders about checked luggage, the airline mobile application and its access to online newspapers, the type of plug or outlet used in Hong Kong, and the weather forecast for our stay in the region.

4 hours into the flight, the airline sent a final flight reminder, including the boarding time, scheduled flight time, and the assigned boarding gate. Props to Cathay Pacific for keeping their passengers informed about their flights.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Manila to Hong Kong Cathay Pacific flight CX 912 was operated by a 10.2-year-old Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The plane, delivered to Dragonair (previously a Cathay Pacific subsidiary) in October 2013, has 42 lie-flat business class seats on a 2-2-2 configuration and 265 economy class seats on a 2-4-2 layout.

Flight CX 912 departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 8:26 a.m. and arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at 10:10 a.m. The flight took around 1 hour and 44 minutes in total.

Ground & Airport Experience

Cathay Pacific flies out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

CHECK-IN

My friends and I arrived at the airport a few minutes past 4:00 a.m. We headed towards Cathay Pacific’s check-in counters and asked if we could already check-in for our 8:00 a.m. flight.

The ground staff allowed us to check in early. She got our passports and issued our boarding passes. She was quick and efficient; she managed to finish the whole check-in process in less than 10 minutes.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, we lined up for immigration and final security for 1.5 hours. We dropped by the Marhaba Lounge to get some snacks before heading to our assigned boarding gate, Gate 109.

BOARDING

Priority boarding commenced 45 minutes before the flight at 7:15 a.m. The staff called all business class passengers, those traveling with children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities to board the aircraft first. After 5 minutes, the ground staff called regular passengers and instructed boarding by rows, starting from those seated at the back. My friends and I were seated in the last few rows. We were one of the first regular passengers to board the aircraft.

The boarding process finished at 7:52 a.m. The cabin crew closed the aircraft doors and waited for departure. The plane was pushed ack at 7:57 a.m. and headed over to the runway for take-off.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Cathay Pacific Manila to Hong Kong flight was operated using one of the airline’s high-density, two-class Airbus A330 aircraft. The plane sports the regional seat configuration with 42 angle-flat business class seats and 265 standard economy seats.

According to our friends at SeatMaps, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 47 inches, a seat width of 21 inches, and a recline of 9.5 inches. The seats feature spacious legroom with decent storage spaces and large entertainment screens. The business class section features 7 rows of seats formatted in a 2-2-2 configuration.

The middle and rear sections of the aircraft have 265 standard economy seats on a 2-4-2 layout. Each economy class seat has a seat pitch of 31 inches, a seat width of 18.1 inches, and a recline of 6 inches. Each seat has a personal entertainment screen, a foldable tray table, a coat hook, a USB charging port, a power outlet under the seats, and a small under-screen stowage space. Each thick-padded seat also features an adjustable headrest and a seatback pocket with an aircraft safety card, magazine, duty-free pamphlets, and headphones. The seats do not feature individual air vents and pillows. Blankets are available upon request.

I got aisle seat 72D for this quick hop to Hong Kong. I find Cathay Pacific’s thick-padded seats comfortable, but I also miss the individual air vents, which I can open or close whenever I want.

INFLIGHT BREAKFAST SERVICE

Cathay Pacific served a complimentary breakfast on this flight to Hong Kong. They only had one breakfast option for this flight: beef tapa with garlic rice and eggs. The cabin crew commenced breakfast service as soon as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude. They served the rice meal with a bottle of water and metal cutlery. They also went around for a second round of drink service and offered coffee or tea to those who wanted it.

The beef tapa meal was tasty and delicious. The garlic rice complimented the sweet and savory meat taste. 30 minutes before landing, my friends and I requested hot tea with milk, which the crew served in less than 5 minutes.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Cathay Pacific’s entertainment system on the Airbus A330 offered a decent number of movies, television shows, and music options. The choices may not be as extensive as those in their Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft, but these are enough for short flights like this to Hong Kong. The entertainment system also features a moving inflight map that shows the flight’s exact whereabouts.

I did not watch any movies because I knew I would not finish them. Instead, I made the aviation geek in me happy by starting at the inflight map throughout the flight.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

At the time of the flight, Cathay Pacific did not offer inflight connectivity services on their Airbus A330 aircraft. I read on the airline’s website that the inflight Wi-Fi service will soon be available on their A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

LAVATORY

This Airbus A330 aircraft only has four lavatories shared by all 265 economy-class passengers. These lavatories are found in the middle part of the aircraft. The lavatories on this aircraft were clean, fragrant, and spotless. It also had extra amenities like a bottle of hand soap and a bottle of antiseptic hand gel, which can be used by all passengers.

Cabin Crew Encounters

I had minimal interactions with the cabin crew on this flight. I noticed the crew on this flight were very serious during the breakfast service. I rarely see them smile at the passengers. I asked for hot tea with milk a few minutes before landing, and I got my request in less than 5 minutes. Quick service, eh?

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

Prior to landing, Cathay Pacific already displayed the assigned boarding gates of passengers with onward connecting flights with the airline. The flight landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 10:10 a.m. and reached the assigned gate at 10:28 a.m.

Passengers disembarked in an orderly manner. Business class and forward economy class passengers first left the plane. Rear economy class passengers, including our section, deplaned last. My friends and I finished the immigration and baggage claim process in less than 30 minutes. Our luggage was already in Belt 10 when we got to the arrival hall.

Flight Experience

It was a memorable and enjoyable first flight with Hong Kong’s flag carrier, Cathay Pacific.

This flight wins in a lot of aspects. First, my friends and I won complimentary base fare tickets in the Hong Kong Airport Authority’s World of Winners campaign. We only paid US$66.30, a little over ₱3,600, for taxes and fees for a full-service return ticket to Hong Kong. Winner indeed!

Second, the airline made sure that the passengers were well informed about the upcoming flight. They sent emails containing reminders about travel requirements, online check-in, and airport check-in reminders. Third, the airline’s mobile application is updated with all the necessary flight information. It contains the assigned gate, the airport terminal, and the flight status.

Fourth, the airline’s check-in counters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport opened as early as 4 hours before the flight. Fifth, the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft used here had more spacious seats arranged in a 2-4-2 economy class layout. The airplane’s seats also feature soft and thick back padding, which makes them more comfortable to sit on. Lastly, the airline offered a complimentary, tasty, and savory breakfast on such a short flight. This flight only had one breakfast option, but it was better than not offering breakfast at all.

The only feature I missed on this flight was the presence of individual overhead air vents. The cabin temperature was hot during boarding, and it took some time before it cooled down. The individual air vents could have addressed this issue.

Another thing I did not like during this flight was the long immigration line we had to endure. It was not the airline’s fault. The airport authorities underestimated the number of passengers flying out of the country during that time. I hope and pray for better airport facilities and experiences here in the Philippines.

Anyway, it was still a lovely first-time experience with Cathay Pacific. I will surely consider flying with the airline again in the future. I am keen on trying the excellent Cathay long-haul experience many are raving about.

Allow me to share with you more of a summary of this flight to Hong Kong:

Airline: Cathay Pacific Airways
Flight Date: 8 December 2023
Flight Number: CX 912
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Hong Kong, SAR (HKG)
Duration: 1 hour and 44 minutes
Seat Number: 72D
Aircraft: Airbus A330-343E
Aircraft Registration: B-HWM
Engines: 2 x RR Trent 772B-60
Age: 10.2 years old
Delivered: October 2013

Have you flown Cathay Pacific recently? How was your experience? Will you fly them again soon? By any chance have questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to share your ground and flight experiences or post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

 

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 246 – Brisbane to Singapore – Underwhelming Catering but Sensational Cabin Crew Service on an Overnight Flight to the Lion City [September 2023]

After spending over a week in Australia, it was time to go home. I, together with my parents, flew with Singapore Airlines from Brisbane to Manila, with a 3.5-hour stop in Singapore. Allow me to share with you in today’s flight report how the sensational cabin crew service saved the disappointing and underwhelming catering onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ 246 from Brisbane to Singapore.

In case you missed it, I wrote about our flights to Australia with Singapore Airlines. I hope you can check both SQ 921 from Manila to Singapore and SQ 231 from Singapore to Sydney. I also shared with you how our domestic Virgin Australia flight VA 943 from Sydney to Brisbane went.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. This award-winning world-class airline is based at one of the world’s best airports, Singapore Changi Airport. The airline started as Malayan Airways in 1947; it then rebranded, and commenced operations as Singapore Airlines in 1972. The airline has been a top contributor in terms of the world’s revenue passenger kilometers and the number of international passengers carried worldwide.

The airline currently flies to over 70 destinations in more than 30 countries across five continents. Singapore Airlines is one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot. The airline’s previous regional subsidiary, Silk Air, has been incorporated into SQ’s operations as of March 2021.

Singapore Airline flies a modern aircraft fleet consisting of the Airbus A350, Airbus A380, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 Max, and Boeing 737-800 NG. The airline is the world’s largest Airbus A350-900 operator, with 63 currently in service and two more on order. 7 of the 65 Airbus A350’s in service have the ultra-long range (ULR) premium (only business and premium economy class) configuration. These ULRs are mostly used on North American routes.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. It means that every flight includes all the necessary in-flight amenities and services you can think of. All SQ tickets include free check-in baggage, meals, and in-flight entertainment. The airline has a frequent flyer program called KrisFlyer & PPS Club. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance, one of the world’s biggest airline alliance networks.

Singapore Airlines is not a new airline on this website. In fact, it is the second-most-reviewed airline after Cebu Pacific Air.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare

Last year, I got lucky to score affordable tickets to Australia with one of the world’s best airlines, Singapore Airlines. Believe it or not, this return ticket from Manila to Sydney via Singapore and Brisbane to Manila via Singapore only cost me $497 (US dollars). I got charged by my bank ₱27,845.92, including the foreign transaction service fee.

This affordable SQ ticket includes 25 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, 7 kilograms of carry-on baggage allowance, inflight meals and snacks, personal entertainment screens on all flights, and a 5-star flight experience with a well-trained cabin crew. Considering the ticket was booked only 5 months before the intended flight date, this was a bang for the buck. It was definitely a steal.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service and a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders are only required to present their valid passports and the E-Travel QR code upon entering the country’s borders. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to present other requirements, such as a valid visa or onward departure ticket. These requirements vary from one nationality to the other. It is always best to check with the relevant authorities regarding the updated entry requirements.

Before The Flight

Unlike previous Singapore Airlines flights, I did not receive any business class upgrade offers for this SQ 246 flight. I only got a flight check-in reminder on the airline’s mobile application 48 hours before this flight.

Upon getting the said check-in notification, I immediately chose our seats for both Brisbane to Singapore and Singapore to Manila flights and checked-in for both flights. Singapore Airlines allows its passengers to choose their seats for free during mobile or web check-in.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Brisbane-Singapore SQ 246 flight was operated by a 3-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This plane, delivered in October 2020, features the airline’s regional configuration with 40 lie-flat business class seats and 263 economy class seats.

Flight SQ 245 took off from Brisbane International Airport at 12:04 a.m. and landed at Singapore Changi Airport 22 minutes ahead of schedule at 5:22 a.m. local time. The flight took 7 hours and 18 minutes, a few minutes shorter than its declared flight time.

Ground & Airport Experience

Singapore Airlines departs from Brisbane International Airport Terminal 1 (International Terminal).

CHECK-IN

Check-in opened 3 hours and 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. All passengers are asked to check in and print boarding passes and luggage tags via the self-check-in kiosks. After this, passengers need to drop their luggage at the bag drop counters.

I printed our boarding passes and luggage tags on the self-check-in kiosks. Then, together with my parents, I walked to the self-bag drop counters to leave our bags. An airline ground staff member approached us during bag drop and offered her assistance.

The check-in and bag drop process only took us 10 minutes. Fast and efficient!

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I went through security and immigration and spent the rest of the night in the pre-departure area. There is not much to do inside Brisbane Airport’s international terminal apart from enjoying the tropical vibe of the pre-departure area.

BOARDING

The ground staff announced boarding commencement at 11:08 p.m. They first called passengers traveling with infants and those needing special assistance. The ground staff then announced boarding for first class passengers, then for business class passengers and PPS Club members. They called in Star Alliance Gold and Krisflyer Elite members, followed by premium economy class passengers.

The staff called the economy class passengers last. They asked these passengers to board according to their assigned groups. The whole boarding process took 30 minutes.

The airline crew closed the aircraft doors at exactly 11:38 p.m. The aircraft pushed back two minutes later, at 11:40 p.m. and taxied to the runway for take-off.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Singapore-Brisbane flight was operated by one of Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The plane sports the regional seat configuration with 40 lie-flat business class seats and 263 standard economy seats. According to SeatGuru, each business class seat has a 60-inch seat pitch and a 28-inch seat width. The seats have a 1-2-1 configuration, with each seat having direct aisle access. All business class seats are equipped with a large personal entertainment screen paired with noise-canceling headphones. Each seat also includes a pillow, a blanket, several storage spaces, and a large tray table.

Economy class seats have a seat pitch of 28 inches and a seat width of 18 inches, slightly bigger than the Boeing 787-10’s 17.5-inch seat width. Each seat comes with a spacious leg room, an adjustable headrest, and a personal entertainment screen. Seats also feature a seat pocket with inflight safety cards, a foldable tray table, a coat hook, small storage space below the screen, a USB charging outlet, a comfortable pillow, and a universal power outlet in between seats. Blankets, face masks, and disinfectant surface wipes are available upon request.

I got aisle rear economy bulkhead seat 55D in the middle section on this 7-hour overnight flight to Singapore. I had more than usual leg room and did not worry about reclining seats throughout the flight. The only downside to having this seat is the frequent disturbance I get from people using the lavatory in front of me.

INFLIGHT MEALS

Singapore Airlines served supper and early morning refreshments on this Brisbane-Singapore flight. The dinner, snack, and drink options can be found in the airline’s inflight portal, Krisworld. The airline got rid of physical menus during the pandemic.

A little over an hour after take-off, the cabin crew served dinner. They offered two types of mains: wok-fried beef in oyster sauce with egg noodles and chicken and mushroom ragout. They served the mains with farro, corn and red bean salad, cheese and crackers, a bread roll and butter, a bottle of water, and a drink of choice – coffee, tea, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, or juice. The crew went around for the second time to serve iced cream for dessert and coffee, tea, or water to those who wanted.

2.5 hours before landing, the cabin crew commenced the refreshments service. They offered chicken pies and cheese and vegetable relish on ciabatta for snacks. They distributed these with coffee, tea, water, and/or fruit juice.

I went for the noodle option for dinner and got the chicken pies for refreshments. I was disappointed because both options tasted bland and lacked flavor. My parents had the same comments about the chicken and mushroom ragout dinner option. The only thing I enjoyed in the dinner service was the salted caramel ice cream.

An hour after dinner, I asked the crew if they had snacks, chips, or nuts. I told the crew I did not like the meal. Cabin crew Celine immediately said sorry and advised me she would find something for me. She came back after a few minutes and gave me two packs of biscuits, another serving of salted caramel ice cream, and a cup of water.

The catering on this flight was disappointing and underwhelming. A massive thank you to the salted caramel ice cream and to cabin crew Celine for saving the inflight meal experience.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, Krisworld, offers thousands of options for passengers to choose from. It has hundreds of movies, television series, and music albums from different parts of the world. It also has games and local Singaporean media for passengers to enjoy. It also features an inflight map, which shows the plane’s current position, its flight path, and other flight-related details. All these entertainment options can be accessed via the touch-screen personal monitors found in front of every seat.

The personal entertainment screen of rear economy bulkhead seat 55D is mounted on the wall. It still has the touch-screen feature but is mostly controlled using the remote due to its far and high position. It can still personalize the entertainment experience by logging in using your Krisflyer membership number. It has the same moving inflight map feature. The only thing it lacks is the presence of cameras, which passengers can view during the flight.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

In July 2023, Singapore Airlines started offering complimentary, unlimited onboard Wi-Fi access on all its flights, except for flights operated by Boeing 737-800s. Passengers are required to log in using their Krisflyer accounts to use the onboard Wi-Fi service. Those not registered with Krisflyer can register during the flight to access the said service.

The Wi-Fi connection onboard this flight worked well. It allowed me to post an Instagram story while cruising 30,000 feet above sea level. Props to Singapore Airlines for giving free access to its Krisflyer members.

LAVATORY

The middle economy class lavatories on this Airbus A350 aircraft were kept fragrant and clean throughout the flight. The cabin crew checked and cleaned these lavatories frequently. These also had amenities (dental kits and hand moisturizer) that passengers might need during the flight.

CABIN CREW SERVICE

The cabin crew service on this flight was sensational. In fact, the excellent service, paired with the salted caramel ice cream service, saved the flight experience against the disappointing inflight catering. The cabin crew assigned to our area, Celine, started the dinner service by asking how I was, what I wanted for dinner, and even offering her specialty drink (which was super good) as the drink option.

Celine also apologized when she found out that I was not happy with the dinner food. She gave me lemon crackers and another serving of salted caramel ice cream to make up for it. She made sure that my parents and I had an enjoyable flight to Singapore. A big shoutout to Celine, a wonderful SQ cabin crew member, for making our flying experience a memorable one.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

Upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport, the aircraft taxied to Terminal 3 Gate B9 for proper disembarkation. For some strange reasons, the inflight screens did not flash the onward assigned gates for passengers with connecting flights. The cabin crew announced which luggage belt number the checked bags would have available for claim. The luggage claim information was also flashed in the Singapore Airlines mobile application.

Disembarkation went by quickly. My parents and I found ourselves inside Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 in no time. We went to the nearby food court to get some breakfast because we were too hungry. We spent the rest of our layover in the food court and outside the assigned gate for our connecting flight to Manila.

Flight Experience

This pretty much sums up my Brisbane-Singapore SQ 246 flight with Singapore Airlines onboard their modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The flight may not be as ideal as my previous Singapore Airlines flights, but it still went smoothly. Allow me to share both the good and the bad about this flight.

First, the 4-sector ticket only cost me $497 (US dollars) or around ₱27,845.92 in local currency. The ticket itself was already a big win because it included 25 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, inflight meals, and personal entertainment screens on all four flights. It was definitely a steal.

Second, Singapore Airlines’ check-in system at Brisbane Airport was modern, quick, and efficient. The airline used automated check-in machines and bag drop counters for all passengers. Several ground staff were also present in case a passenger needed help or assistance during the process. Third, I got assigned to a bulkhead economy class seat for this overnight flight to Singapore. Thanks to this seat, I enjoyed extra leg room for the whole 7-hour flight.

Fourth, the aircraft’s Wi-Fi connection worked well during the flight. I managed to post a real-time Instagram story during the flight. Fifth, the salted caramel ice cream and the impressive cabin crew service saved this flight from the disappointing dinner and refreshment mains. The cabin crew assigned to my area, cabin crew Celine, gave sensational service throughout the flight. She embodied and showed me and my parents how SQ hospitality should be, despite the odds.

This flight was not all good; it also had its misses. First, both dinner mains and snack offerings were disappointing and underwhelming. The meals tasted bland and lacked flavor. Good thing the dinner service came with a tasty salted caramel ice cream for dessert.

Second, I noticed that the bulkhead economy personal entertainment screens were placed higher than the usual screens. I also saw that the screens were somewhat visible to the people behind me. Third, I might have missed it, but I believe the economy bulkhead seats do not have a cup holder or mirror in the seat features.

Lastly, I did not see the connections list on the personal entertainment screens when we were about to land at Singapore Changi Airport. I know the airline normally flashes the connecting flight information a few minutes before landing, but I did not see that usual feature on the screens before landing.

Nevertheless, I am glad that I chose to fly with Singapore Airlines for this Australian trip with my parents. I cannot wait to fly with them again in the future.

Here is a summary of the geeky details of this flight:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 3 September 2023
Flight Number: SQ 246
Route: Brisbane, Australia (BNE) to Singapore (SIN)
Duration: 7 hours and 18 minutes
Seat Number: 55D
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SHR
Engines: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB
Age: 3-years-old
Delivered: October 2020

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of how it is flying with Singapore Airlines on this intercontinental Brisbane to Singapore route.

Have you flown with Singapore Airlines in the past? How was your flight experience? Are you looking to book a ticket with the airline soon? If yes, let me know if you have questions so I can respond to them. post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines and other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: YESINN YOUTH HOSTEL @ YAU MA TEI – 4 Nights in Hong Kong’s Most Economical Quality Accommodation for Less Than ₱5,000 Each

Early last year, my friends and I won free roundtrip Cathay Pacific Airways tickets from Hong Kong International Airport’s World of Winners campaign. We used these free tickets in December 2023 and spent 5 days and 4 nights around Hong Kong.

Spending four nights in Hong Kong can be expensive given the high per-night costs of quality accommodations. Luckily, we came across Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei. We stayed at Yesinn for all four nights and paid less than ₱5,000 each.

Join me in today’s hostel of the day feature as I share with you why I think Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei is one of Hong Kong’s most economical accommodations.

Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei

Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei is an affordable accommodation located in a 25-story building in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Formerly known as Wing Shing Hotel, the property offers a wide range of room options for guests traveling alone, with friends, and/or families. The hostel has its central operations in the second-floor reception and has rooms scattered throughout the building.

Location & Access

Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei is located at 1B Wing Sing Lane, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. It is located within the busy Yau Ma Tei area, just a few meters by foot from the famous Nathan Road. It is about 5 minutes by foot to exit C of Yau Ma Tei MTR Station of the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan Lines, literally 1 minute by foot to the Temple Street Night Market, and about 15 minutes by foot to the Ladies Market and the Sneaker Street in Mongkok. The hostel is also near various local restaurants, supermarkets, shops, and convenience stores.

The property is one bus ride away (A21 bus) to and from Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Hong Kong Port. The bus fare costs HKD 34.6 per person, and the trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

The hostel’s location is an easy 10 out of 10. It is in a small and quiet street off Nathan Road but is close to everywhere. Its accessibility to the airport through the A21 airport bus makes it more attractive and convenient for its guests.

Room Options

Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei offers a long list of room options for those who want to stay. The property offers both shared dormitory rooms and private rooms.

The hostel offers the following dormitory room configurations: an 8-bed mixed dormitory room, a 4-bed mixed dormitory room, and a 4-bed female dormitory room. All these rooms feature bunk beds with individual reading lights, privacy curtains, shared bathrooms and ensuites, power outlets, air conditioning, and limited storage spaces. Rates start at HKD 99+ per night if you book directly with the property.

Yesinn’s long list of private room options is as follows: standard single room, standard twin room, standard triple room, comfort bunk room, comfort double room, and quadruple bunk room. All these private rooms feature in-room bathrooms (with heaters) and ensuites, air conditioning, bathroom amenities (towels and toiletries), desks and chairs, cable televisions, kettles, hair dryers, and power sockets. Rates start at HKD 199+ per night if you book directly with the property.

My friends and I booked our stay with Agoda and took advantage of Unionbank Visa’s 15% discount at the time of booking. We got 2 comfort bunk rooms and paid ₱19,954.57 for 4 nights. Each person only paid ₱4,988.64 for 4 nights. Cheapo, right?

We asked the ladies to pick their room, and we got the comfort bunk room on the 15th floor. We arrived with little to no expectations given the price we paid, but we were pleasantly surprised with how our room looked. We got a small bunk room with a surprisingly big (Hong Kong standards) shower and ensuite. I told my friend that I had seen a smaller room and toilet during our 2018 Hong Kong trip. My friends and I were happy and content with our rooms, given their location, inclusions, and the price we paid.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Guests of Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei enjoy the following facilities and amenities:

Complimentary Wi-Fi Access – Hostel guests have access to fast Wi-Fi connections both in common areas and inside the rooms.

Communal Lounge – The hostel has a communal lounge area beside reception where guests can chill, kill time, and talk to other guests.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – Guests can prepare food in the shared kitchen. There are also seats and tables that can be used while eating. The kitchen is also complete with cutlery, plates, glasses, and other kitchen or meal needs.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel staff goes around and cleans all rooms every day. Guests can opt out of this daily housekeeping service by putting the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on their room doors.

Vending Machines – There are vending machines in the common area. These machines have drinks and snacks that guests can purchase with cash or an Octopus card.

Friday Movie Nights – Yesinn Hostel @ YMT hosts free movie nights every Friday at 8:00 p.m. All guests are welcome to join this movie night.

Free Boardgame Rental – Guests can borrow boardgames and play with them in the common area.

Hostel Shop – The hostel has a shop that sells basic hostel amenities.

Concierge Services – Yesinn Hostel offers concierge services. Printing services are also available for a fee.

Luggage Storage – The hostel offers luggage storage to guests who need to leave their bags before check-in or after check-out. Please let reception know if you want to keep your bags with them before check-in or after check-out.

Long Reception Hours – Hostel reception hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Please let the hostel know if you are arriving earlier or later than the stated hours. The hostel’s reception is found on the second floor.

Express Check-Out System – The property adopts an express check-out system where outgoing guests only need to drop their keycards in the mail box near the vending machines.

Multi-Lingual Hostel Staff – The Yesinn hostel staff speaks multiple languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish.

Lift Access – All hostel guests have access to two lifts that run from the ground floor up to the rooms.

Secured Room Access – Room keycards are issued to guests upon check-in. These keycards only work on the assigned floor (in the lifts) and in the assigned room during the stay. It does not work anywhere else on the property.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel premises are equipped with security cameras and surveillance systems. The building entrance is also manned by security personnel all day.

Hostel Experience

I had an awesome stay at Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei. Knowing what affordable Hong Kong accommodations look like, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice this hostel is given the price we paid.

Yesinn Hostel is one of the most economical and value-added hostels in Hong Kong. My friends and I paid less than ₱4,988.64 each for 4 nights and got 2 comfort bunk rooms with private toilets and showers. We also liked the hostel’s relatively quiet location, but it was near everything. We were near Temple Street Night Market, Nathan Road, Ladies Market, Sneaker Street, and Mongkok. We were one ride away from Hong Kong International Airport. We were near Yau Ma Tei MTR station, supermarkets, shops, and local restaurants.

We also liked the number of amenities the hostel provided inside these comfort bunk rooms. We had bath and face towels, a television, a water kettle, a hair dryer, and toiletries inside the room. We also had a nice view of the city from our room windows. We also liked how the hostel kept the rooms clean and tidy every day. A massive thank you to the housekeeping staff who make up our room every day.

I, honestly, do not have anything to say negative or against the property. I have read reviews about a few things and experiences, but I have not experienced them. I will probably just warn the readers to manage their expectations regarding the room size. I can tell you the rooms are small to the point where one might not have space to open two medium- or large-sized suitcases.

Other than that, all is well with this amazing hostel. I will consider booking this again on my next Hong Kong trip, especially when I am on a tight budget. I hope I have given insights about the hostel, what they offer to their guests, and how our experience went. In case you have questions about the property, you may reach out through the following:

Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei
Address: 1B Wing Sing Lane, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Phone Number: +852 5608 9966 / +852 3703 7333
Email Address: ymt1@yesinn.com
Website: www.yesinn.com/en
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/YesinnYMT
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yesinn_ymt

This wraps up my stay with Yesinn Youth Hostel @ Yau Ma Tei. What do you think of the hostel? Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next hostel of the day feature!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: BACKPACKERS HOTEL TOYO – Osaka’s Most Affordable & High-Quality Accommodation

In April 2023, I flew to Japan for the first time since the pandemic. I spent the first night in Fukuoka at Fukuoka Hana Hostel. The following day, I flew to Osaka with Peach Aviation and based there for the rest of the trip. I initially planned on taking the bus from Fukuoka, but I ended up flying because of an affordable flight.

I spent my first night in Osaka in the city’s most affordable, quality, and high-rated accommodation, Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I have seen this accommodation a lot of times when I planned my previous Osaka trips, but I only stayed here for the first time on this trip. Join me as I share with you why you should consider booking today’s hostel of the day feature, Backpackers Hotel Toyo, on your next trip to Osaka, Japan.

In case you missed it, I have been to Osaka several times in the past. Here’s the list of blogs related to Osaka: The Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA (2015), Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA (2016), Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back to Being a ‘Kid’ Just for a Day (2019) and Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog (2023).

Backpackers Hotel Toyo

Backpackers Hotel Toyo is a hotel or hostel for budget-minded travelers. The property offers affordable, accessible, and comfortable accommodation options in the expensive city of Osaka and the country of Japan. The hostel is nestled in a multistory building in the quiet area of Nishinari Ward.

It has been operating for years, and it has maintained its good-quality accommodation. Backpackers Hotel Toyo is rated highly on booking websites such as Agoda (8.3/10), Booking.com (8.2/10), Hostelworld (8.7/10), and Traveloka (8.9/10). These ratings are as of early January 2024, based on over 7,400 reviews across all 4 sites.

Location & Access

Backpackers Hotel Toyo is located at 1 Chome-3-5 Taishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, Japan 557-0002. It may be a bit of a walk from the bustling Namba and Shinsaibashi areas, but it is close to Shinsekai, another popular area in Osaka. It is 2 minutes by foot to Exit 2 of Dobutsuen Mae Station of the Midosuji Subway Line, 3 minutes by foot to the East Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station of the JR Loop Line, and 5-10 minutes by foot to Shinsekai. It is approximately 40 minutes from both Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM).

The property is in a relatively quiet neighborhood but is practically near everything. It is 5-6 minutes away by subway to Dōtonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi; 20 minutes away to Universal Studios Japan; 30 minutes away to Nara Station; and about 45 minutes to an hour away from Kyoto Station.

The hostel is also near convenience stores, restaurants, and izayakas. Its location is perfect; it is an easy 10 out of 10.

Room Options

Despite being a budget accommodation, Backpackers Hotel Toyo only offers private Japanese tatami mat rooms with shared toilets and showers. They have four room types: a Japanese-style single room without air conditioning, a Japanese-style single room with air conditioning, a Japanese-style twin room, and a Western-style twin room.

The non-air-conditioned rooms come with a fan during the summer season. The single rooms came with a small monitor, clothes hanger, and curtained windows. The twin rooms also come with a small refrigerator. All guests have access to communal shower rooms and toilets. Room prices per night vary per booking platform.

Here are the hostel’s rates (back in April 2023) if you book with them directly: Single room without air conditioning (¥1,700 per night), Single room with air conditioning (¥2,100 per night), and Twin room (¥5,000 per night).

I booked my stay with Agoda and only paid ₱823.91 for a night in a Japanese-style single room with air conditioning. I got assigned to Room 212, which was near the far end of the second floor. The room came with a tatami bed, comfortable sheets, and a pillow. It also had a small monitor, hangers, and a small dust bin.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Free Wi-Fi Access – Hotel Toyo provides wi-fi access to all its guests.

Communal Lounge Areas – The property has two communal lounge areas on the ground floor, one near the reception and one near the kitchen and dining area.

Outdoor Terrace – The hostel has an outdoor terrace on the rooftop floor. It is a designated smoking area and clothes drying area.

Desktop Computer Access – Guests can freely use the desktop computers for whatever use they need them for.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The hostel has a shared kitchen and dining area complete with kitchenware and utensils.

Shared Shower Rooms & Toilets – There are shared toilets per floor. Shared shower rooms are on the first floor. The shower rooms have complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap.

Complimentary Water Refill – The property provides complimentary water refills to those who need to fill up their water bottles and tumblers.

Complimentary Morning Coffee & Tea – Hotel Toyo provides complimentary coffee and tea from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Complimentary Public Bath in Neighboring Hotel – Guests also have complimentary access to a public bath in a neighboring hotel. Please ask the receptionist if you want to check this out.

Vending Machines – There are two vending machines found near the reception booth. These vending machines have beers, coffee, soft drinks, and water.

Video Games, Consoles, & Boardgames – There are video games, consoles, and boardgames in the first-floor common area that guests can borrow and play with.

Ping-Pong Room – Guests can also play ping-pong in the ping-pong room on the 6th floor.

Laundry & Ironing Facilities – The laundry and ironing facilities on the first floor can be used for an additional charge. Please approach the receptionist if you want to wash or iron your clothes.

Luggage Storage – The hostel can keep your luggage before check-in or up to 10:00 p.m. after check-out. After 10:00 p.m., the luggage storage fee costs ¥300 per night, unless you have an upcoming booking within the next 2 weeks.

Long Reception Hours – Hotel Toyo’s reception is open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guests arriving beyond 11:00 p.m. need to contact the property before check-in for instructions on what to do.

Bicycle Rental – The property offers bicycle rentals for those who want to rent one during their stay.

Hostel Shop & Merchandise – Hotel Toyo has a small shop that sells trip essentials like razors and adapters. They also sell hostel merchandise such as shirts, tote bags, and even postcards.

Multilingual Staff – The hostel staff can speak in Japanese, English, and Chinese languages.

Secured Hostel Areas – The property is equipped with a 24/7 surveillance system. There are security cameras in the common areas and in the hostel communal areas.

Hostel Experience

I had a quick but valuable stay at Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I only stayed there for one night, but I already know why this property is highly rated by its guests.

Backpackers Hotel Toyo leads the game with its affordable and valuable price point. For less than ₱850 per night, the guest can enjoy a private room with a traditional tatami bed and air conditioning. This low nightly private room rate is rare in a first-world country like Japan.

The property does a good job of keeping their communal showers and toilets clean and well-maintained. They also provide bath amenities like liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner. The hostel may not serve any food, but it boasts complimentary morning tea and coffee and free water refills for all its guests.

The hostel vibe is fun and social. Guests easily mingle with other co-guests. They can easily find mates to join and go around the city with. Lastly, I find it nice that the hostel showcases and sells their merchandise to their guests. The hostel takes pride in their accommodation and offers souvenirs for those who want to remember the fun experience they had on the property.

During my stay, I noticed some areas in which the hostel could further improve. First, the place is already starting to show its age. Everything still works fine, but you can see that the place has been there for a long time and might need some renovation in the medium term.

Second, the hostel might need to monitor the cleanliness of the communal areas more. The living, kitchen, and dining areas were not so clean during my stay. There were leftover plastics in the living room and other misplaced stuff in the kitchen and wash areas. There is a big chance that these were left by other guests, but I believe the hostel can implement stricter measures to prevent this from happening.

Lastly, the property does not have lifts. Travelers who bring large suitcases or big luggage need to carry them up to the upper floors if they are assigned on the upper rooms. I know this can be out of the property’s control, but I am putting it here for future guests to see if this will be a factor for them or not.

Overall, it was a lovely stay at Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I will surely be back at this property for its price, location, and vibe. I hope you can consider staying in this affordable, valuable, and high-rated Osaka accommodation.

For any questions or booking-related inquiries, feel free to reach out to Backpackers Hotel Toyo on these platforms:

Backpackers Hotel Toyo
Address: 1 Chome-3-5 Taishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, Japan 557-0002
Phone Number: +81 6 6649 6348
Email Address: info@hotel-toyo.jp
Website: www.hotel-toyo.jp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hoteltoyo
Instagram: www.instagram.com/backpackers_hoteltoyo

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.