Thread: HKG on Northwest/United in January

Hi everyone,

I've been wanting to see Asia for a while, and I think Hong Kong would be a nice place to visit for my first time there. I also want to take NW before they start to really be integrated into DL, just to have the "memory." I wanted to combine these two desires into my o/b leg of this trip. I was thinking of flying LGA-DTW-NRT-HKG, to break up such a long flight. Admittedly, the idea of being on a plane (whether or not in coach) all the way from NYC-HKG isn't as terrible as the idea of nicotine cravings while I'm all the way up in the air. I fly back and forth between Europe a few times a year, so ~10 is doable for me.

Anyway, I just have a few questions.

Does NW allow OAL employees to upgrade? I know at US, if it's available, an OAL employee can buy an upgrade. (On domestic I hardly ever charge as a gate agent, but that's me sending out "non-rev karma!") I wouldn't mind purchasing an upgrade in addition to the ZED ticket, but I don't even know it's an option. Again, I wouldn't mind flying in coach because I'm happy to get any seat, but I definitely wouldn't mind sitting in a more comfortable seat. Is the upper deck business or coach? The upper deck is something tempting and would be awesome, whether they were business or economy. How are the loads for around the 18 Jan?

I was thinking of coming back on UA, since they are ZED low, and thus cheaper. HKG-ORD, since it gives me the option of taking US for free ORD-PHL-SJU, as I might have to meet a friend there while I'm on vacation and flying around the skies. I know UA has been nice with upgrades on domestic legs, but I've never taken them internationally. How are these loads? It's easier for me to get an idea of UA loads in SHARES, but the system isn't terribly reliable.

If anyone has any other ideas for non-revving to HKG, let me know!