The flight I fear the most is United Airlines from Hong Kong to the U.S. in economy. Bear with me.
Hong Kong isn’t an ally in the War on Water. There’s no liquids check as you go through security.
So for flights from Hong Kong to the U.S. and to Australia, a secondary screening is done before you board the plane.
That means any water you may have purchased at the airport to bring on board will be confiscated (if they find it).
Often I’ve departed from a cordoned-off gate, where you’re searched as you enter the gate area. Probably the gate I’ve departed Hong Kong for the US from the most is gate 1 which is done this way.
From most gates, the searches are done on the jetway.
If you’re flying United from Hong Kong — to San Francisco, Chicago, or Newark — you cannot bring your own water onboard.
For as much as 15 hours you’re forced to rely on United flight attendants to keep you hydrated.
I’ve flown in and out of Hong Kong on airlines like Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Asiana, Thai Airways, Dragonair, and United.
I’d probably rather fly Hong Kong – Seoul and then back to the U.S. than fly directly back on a U.S. airline, purely for water reasons.
Of course all things equal I’d fly Cathay Pacific. Up front. …
In fact, since Hong Kong – New York JFK on Cathay Pacific is my favorite flight in the world, the two greatest extremes both depart the same airport.
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