Hong Kong Airlines Business Class Hong Kong ⇌ Bali

It's been a while since I last flew with them. In early March, I took a round trip to Bali, departing from Hong Kong 🛫 HX707 ⇌ HX706. The outbound flight was a red-eye, allowing me to sleep overnight and arrive in the morning. The return flight departed early in the morning, giving me time to nap and arrive in the afternoon—perfect timing without disrupting any plans. The flight routes were decent. The only hiccup was negotiating an early check-in with the hotel. Hong Kong Airlines has its own dedicated check-in counters at [location]. After check-in, you take a shuttle train to their self-operated lounge. Compared to its heyday when it first opened, the lounge has significantly declined. At one point, even Priority Pass members could access it. From what I gathered, due to massive flight cancellations during the pandemic, even their flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport was only half operational, with no shower facilities and a noticeable drop in food and beverage quality. The round-trip flights to Bali both used Airbus A330 aircraft, with business class configured in a forward-facing staggered layout. The cabin, interior, and even the entertainment system were identical to Hainan Airlines—arguably not as up-to-date as Hainan's equipment. Hong Kong Airlines didn't provide slippers, Wi-Fi, or amenity kits for overnight flights, which was disappointing, though the service was still decent. On the return flight from Bali, the airport counter automatically recognized my Fortune Wings Club membership. Hong Kong Airlines uses a shared airport lounge at Ngurah Rai International Airport, which had very basic facilities. However, by late April, Hong Kong Airlines had rolled out a comprehensive upgrade to its in-flight and ground services, introducing a series of enhancements covering baggage policies, onboard dining, online check-in, airport lounge facilities, and signature products and services—all aimed at elevating the travel experience. Now, "The Club" lounge has fully reopened, returning to its former glory. The onboard dining has also partnered with "Ming Court," a Michelin-starred restaurant under the Langham Hospitality Group, and business class slippers are now provided. Looking forward to my next flight!