Last week Centaur Media's travel portfolio director Paul Robin flew on the new budget airline that plans a whole series of long haul destinations from its Chek Lap Kok base. After an aborted first flight, due to a lack of Russia over fly permissions, the airline is now operating four times per week from Hong Kong to London Gatwick Airport. From Friday November 24 it goes daily. Prices start at ”141($268) one way economy, with a top fare of just ”556 ($1,059) fully flexible. These prices include all taxes and security charges. Oasis joins British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas and now Air New Zealand on a major international long haul route that is second only to London - New York in terms of competition.
Robin writes:
I have been travelling to Hong Kong for the last ten years on a regular basis, usually flying with Cathay Pacific, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from London. However, the temptation to try the latest low fare long-haul airline proved too much and I decided to give Oasis a go one-way from Hong Kong back to London Gatwick.
Arriving at the impressive Hong Kong International airport via the first rate Airport Express from Kowloon (20 minutes), I was in good heart as I entered the departures hall. The display screens directed me to check in area E, where to my surprise no counters with the Oasis Hong Kong logo could be seen. It transpired they were setting up the counters in hurried fashion much to the bemusement of my fellow passengers.
It wasn”t long before I was in front of the desk, which proudly displayed a sign saying, ”Why Not Experience Business Class: Special Offer”. So I enquired what the cost would be for my impending one-way trip. At a mere HK$1,500 ($192/”101), I decided to go for it. ”You can”t pay here, please go to customer services in check in area J.” It”s a bit of a trek.
As I arrived, a chap called Ted was also attempting to pay for an upgrade for his partner Lucy Jane and was asking for the manager. ”I am not going back to the check in area again. I have been to and fro twice, get me the manager!” Apparently his only mistake was checking in online in advance, which seemed too much for the Oasis staff to cope with. ”We cannot upgrade you as you have already checked in.”
While he was asking for the manager, I was asked for my credit card and email address. After my details were taken, I was directed back to check in area E, where I queued in the Business Class line. The only people in front of me were cabin crew. One politely enquired: ”Can I help?” I explained I was in Business Class and they immediately let me pass.
It took a further 10 minutes of verification before I was issued with my boarding pass. After mooching around the airport, I headed for gate 31 at the designated time, only to find there was no plane waiting. The pilots and the crew sat with passengers, all staring out at the many planes visible searching for the Oasis Hong Kong branding.
It duly arrived 15 minutes before departure time to be greeted at the air bridge by the cleaning crew. We finally boarded about 25 minutes after scheduled departure time. There was no announcement, no explanation and no apology.
Once on board I was pleasantly surprised to find the environment, space and seat (although not fully flat reclining) to be of Business Class standard. I was offered a drink before we departed by one of the all-friendly and competent cabin crew.
The inflight entertainment was limited but acceptable and there was an either/or choice for lunch and dinner. It was edible economy class cuisine. Overall this is not Business Class as we know it, but a perfectly acceptable way to travel to and from Hong Kong at a fraction of the usual price.
By the way, if you are wondering how successful Ted was with regard to securing an upgrade for Lucy Jane, she was sitting very comfortably across the aisle from me and Oasis didn”t even charge the extra fare for the hassle.
In Summary:
Food: Economy class
Inflight Entertainment: Limited but acceptable
Seat: Comfortable but not completely flat.
Cabin environment: Excellent
Time: Take off was a bit late.
What we liked: Plenty of space in the cabin
What could be improved: Pre-flight communication. I only learnt the flight time had been brought forward 2 hours by email. Fellow passenger Lucy Jane only learnt the night before via a phone call.
Overall experience: Good
Value for money: Excellent
I didn't try the economy food but if you are worried, Chek Lap Kok is one of the world's finest airports with plenty of sandwich outlets. As it is a 13 hour flight, first time users might want to spend HK$50 (”5/$9.50) just in case.