Growing up with a father who founded a business in an airport, I guess I was destined to be a professional traveller. Plaza Premium Lounge emerged from the pain points experienced by my dad, Song Hoi-see, who needed a quiet space to rest and work as a startup road warrior who didn’t have front-of-the-plane benefits.
Well, 25+ years later, and with a global airport hospitality business that’s growing rapidly, I find myself in the air frequently, and when I’m not, waiting for the journey to begin from my home hub of the Hong Kong International Airport. My transits give me a lot of time to observe the travel behaviours of my fellow passengers.
Yes, I am that person gazing when you’re checking in, threading your way through security and immigration, and browsing in the shops. And because Plaza Premium Group also operates dining outlets at airports, I may also be hovering nearby, trying to peek at your food order.
Just as my dad came up with the idea of serving the 85% of air passengers who don’t have lounge privileges through premium class tickets, I find that observing pain points at airports often leads to brainstorming ways to make travel better. In fact, it led to PPG starting up conveniences such as buggy services for those traveling with children or the elderly, as well as other services to smooth out airport frictions.
We saw the need for meet-and-greet for arrivals, particularly at some of the crowded, large airports, for VIP security and immigration clearance, and for luggage assistance. These are all the airport processes that fill many of us with dread.
Fortunately for me, I’m not doing this alone. The PPG global team also travels a lot, and are a rich source of insider tips and observer of travel trends. I believe in crowd sourcing wisdom, and hope you enjoy the collection of travel hacks that we will be sharing. First, some tips for your departure, and look out for in-flight and arrival suggestions in the next installments. Feel free to DM me with your thoughts and suggestions, and please like, share, comment and follow me.
DEPARTURE
“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go” – Leaving on a Jet Plane song lyrics
Check your Check-In!
You’re eager to get going, but your airline check-in desk may not be open. Some airports only open their check-in desk 2.5 hours before departure.
– But consider travel surges post-pandemic and at peak holiday times. If that’s the case, you should plan to get to the airport early, as there will be long check-in lines. Many airports have not recovered to pre-pandemic staffing levels, so this could lengthen wait times.
Bagging the bag
My hand carry is a 4-wheel ‘rolly’ suitcase that fits in the overhead bin. For business travel, the name of the game is to travel light, and if you have no check-in bags, in most airports you’re able to sail out of the destination airport.
You’ll be thankful for the rolly at bigger airports that can mean a 20-minute walk to the gate. Plus you can hitch that extra bag with your book, laptop, passport, wallet, random shopping, travel vanity kit on top of the rolly.
It’s a wrap
If you want to keep that new bag look, consider wrapping your check-in luggage. PPG offers this service, with plastic that can be broken down and upcycled.
Power up
• Is there anything more annoying or terrifying than your phone battery running low? That power bank will save you, but remember to put it in your hand carry, not check-in.
Put a sock on it
• Going barefoot into a plane bathroom is a different category of “ick” but I strongly recommend having a barrier between your feet and the airport floor at security. Believe me, you’ll hate that ‘walk of shame’. In Japan, they offer slippers for the sockless, but that’s an exception.
• You (should) know the drill – so before you go through security scanners, think about what you need to take out, throw away, put in the tray (clear bags for toiletries), remove from your pockets, keep in your hand. There is nothing more annoying than a person who panics and is figuring out the rules on the spot – hurrrrrrrrry upppppp.
• Rule of thumb, you ALWAYS have to go through security, you only have to go through immigration if you are crossing borders (the exception is the EU). This is good to remember because some airports only do security at the gate, so you should prepare for it (see above)
Immigration
• If you don’t have a fast pass via premium class, an APEC card or diplomatic access, the processing time can be downright dangerous especially if you have a mini marathon to the gate. Besides relying on the goodwill of those in line, consider flashing your boarding pass at an airport worker or your airline staffers to seek help.
• Airlines hate having to rebook stranded passengers, so they’ll try their best to get you through. I advise everyone to give themselves no less than an hour to get airside, unless you want to live with the stress of ‘almost missing’ your flight.
OK, take a breath!
• Congrats! You made it through the biggest airport hurdles.
• You can now think about relaxing and maybe getting a bite to eat. Shameless plug – try our Plaza Premium Lounge and/or the many dining establishments we created and manage at many airports. Leave those restaurants near the check-in counters to friends and family who’ve trekked out to see their loved ones off.
• Just want to get to the gate? If it’s super far, you have cumbersome carry on, or cranky kids, consider ordering a buggy. And yes, we can help you order this at our lounge. And you don’t have to be an A-lister or a high ranking politician to use one.
• But don’t get too comfy… unless you’re confident of getting overhead luggage space or don’t mind storing your stuff under the seat in front of you, boarding on time will raise the chances you don’t have to gate check your bag, or tuck that bag in a bin behind you.
I am always looking for ways to make travel better and for me, I feel the best way is by way of observation, listening and partnering. Feel free to DM me with your travel tips too. Safe travels!
Growing up with a father who founded a business in an airport, I guess I was destined to be a professional traveller. Plaza Premium Lounge emerged from the pain points experienced by my dad, Song Hoi-see, who needed a quiet space to rest and work as a startup road warrior who didn’t have front-of-the-plane benefits.
Well, 25+ years later, and with a global airport hospitality business that’s growing rapidly, I find myself in the air frequently, and when I’m not, waiting for the journey to begin from my home hub of the Hong Kong International Airport. My transits give me a lot of time to observe the travel behaviours of my fellow passengers.
Yes, I am that person gazing when you’re checking in, threading your way through security and immigration, and browsing in the shops. And because Plaza Premium Group also operates dining outlets at airports, I may also be hovering nearby, trying to peek at your food order.
Just as my dad came up with the idea of serving the 85% of air passengers who don’t have lounge privileges through premium class tickets, I find that observing pain points at airports often leads to brainstorming ways to make travel better. In fact, it led to PPG starting up conveniences such as buggy services for those traveling with children or the elderly, as well as other services to smooth out airport frictions.
We saw the need for meet-and-greet for arrivals, particularly at some of the crowded, large airports, for VIP security and immigration clearance, and for luggage assistance. These are all the airport processes that fill many of us with dread.
Fortunately for me, I’m not doing this alone. The PPG global team also travels a lot, and are a rich source of insider tips and observer of travel trends. I believe in crowd sourcing wisdom, and hope you enjoy the collection of travel hacks that we will be sharing. First, some tips for your departure, and look out for in-flight and arrival suggestions in the next installments. Feel free to DM me with your thoughts and suggestions, and please like, share, comment and follow me.
DEPARTURE
“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go” – Leaving on a Jet Plane song lyrics
Check your Check-In!
You’re eager to get going, but your airline check-in desk may not be open. Some airports only open their check-in desk 2.5 hours before departure.
– But consider travel surges post-pandemic and at peak holiday times. If that’s the case, you should plan to get to the airport early, as there will be long check-in lines. Many airports have not recovered to pre-pandemic staffing levels, so this could lengthen wait times.
Bagging the bag
My hand carry is a 4-wheel ‘rolly’ suitcase that fits in the overhead bin. For business travel, the name of the game is to travel light, and if you have no check-in bags, in most airports you’re able to sail out of the destination airport.
You’ll be thankful for the rolly at bigger airports that can mean a 20-minute walk to the gate. Plus you can hitch that extra bag with your book, laptop, passport, wallet, random shopping, travel vanity kit on top of the rolly.
It’s a wrap
If you want to keep that new bag look, consider wrapping your check-in luggage. PPG offers this service, with plastic that can be broken down and upcycled.
Power up
• Is there anything more annoying or terrifying than your phone battery running low? That power bank will save you, but remember to put it in your hand carry, not check-in.
Put a sock on it
• Going barefoot into a plane bathroom is a different category of “ick” but I strongly recommend having a barrier between your feet and the airport floor at security. Believe me, you’ll hate that ‘walk of shame’. In Japan, they offer slippers for the sockless, but that’s an exception.
• You (should) know the drill – so before you go through security scanners, think about what you need to take out, throw away, put in the tray (clear bags for toiletries), remove from your pockets, keep in your hand. There is nothing more annoying than a person who panics and is figuring out the rules on the spot – hurrrrrrrrry upppppp.
• Rule of thumb, you ALWAYS have to go through security, you only have to go through immigration if you are crossing borders (the exception is the EU). This is good to remember because some airports only do security at the gate, so you should prepare for it (see above)
Immigration
• If you don’t have a fast pass via premium class, an APEC card or diplomatic access, the processing time can be downright dangerous especially if you have a mini marathon to the gate. Besides relying on the goodwill of those in line, consider flashing your boarding pass at an airport worker or your airline staffers to seek help.
• Airlines hate having to rebook stranded passengers, so they’ll try their best to get you through. I advise everyone to give themselves no less than an hour to get airside, unless you want to live with the stress of ‘almost missing’ your flight.
OK, take a breath!
• Congrats! You made it through the biggest airport hurdles.
• You can now think about relaxing and maybe getting a bite to eat. Shameless plug – try our Plaza Premium Lounge and/or the many dining establishments we created and manage at many airports. Leave those restaurants near the check-in counters to friends and family who’ve trekked out to see their loved ones off.
• Just want to get to the gate? If it’s super far, you have cumbersome carry on, or cranky kids, consider ordering a buggy. And yes, we can help you order this at our lounge. And you don’t have to be an A-lister or a high ranking politician to use one.
• But don’t get too comfy… unless you’re confident of getting overhead luggage space or don’t mind storing your stuff under the seat in front of you, boarding on time will raise the chances you don’t have to gate check your bag, or tuck that bag in a bin behind you.
I am always looking for ways to make travel better and for me, I feel the best way is by way of observation, listening and partnering. Feel free to DM me with your travel tips too. Safe travels!
Growing up with a father who founded a business in an airport, I guess I was destined to be a professional traveller. Plaza Premium Lounge emerged from the pain points experienced by my dad, Song Hoi-see, who needed a quiet space to rest and work as a startup road warrior who didn’t have front-of-the-plane benefits.
Well, 25+ years later, and with a global airport hospitality business that’s growing rapidly, I find myself in the air frequently, and when I’m not, waiting for the journey to begin from my home hub of the Hong Kong International Airport. My transits give me a lot of time to observe the travel behaviours of my fellow passengers.
Yes, I am that person gazing when you’re checking in, threading your way through security and immigration, and browsing in the shops. And because Plaza Premium Group also operates dining outlets at airports, I may also be hovering nearby, trying to peek at your food order.
Just as my dad came up with the idea of serving the 85% of air passengers who don’t have lounge privileges through premium class tickets, I find that observing pain points at airports often leads to brainstorming ways to make travel better. In fact, it led to PPG starting up conveniences such as buggy services for those traveling with children or the elderly, as well as other services to smooth out airport frictions.
We saw the need for meet-and-greet for arrivals, particularly at some of the crowded, large airports, for VIP security and immigration clearance, and for luggage assistance. These are all the airport processes that fill many of us with dread.
Fortunately for me, I’m not doing this alone. The PPG global team also travels a lot, and are a rich source of insider tips and observer of travel trends. I believe in crowd sourcing wisdom, and hope you enjoy the collection of travel hacks that we will be sharing. First, some tips for your departure, and look out for in-flight and arrival suggestions in the next installments. Feel free to DM me with your thoughts and suggestions, and please like, share, comment and follow me.
DEPARTURE
“All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go” – Leaving on a Jet Plane song lyrics
Check your Check-In!
You’re eager to get going, but your airline check-in desk may not be open. Some airports only open their check-in desk 2.5 hours before departure.
– But consider travel surges post-pandemic and at peak holiday times. If that’s the case, you should plan to get to the airport early, as there will be long check-in lines. Many airports have not recovered to pre-pandemic staffing levels, so this could lengthen wait times.
Bagging the bag
My hand carry is a 4-wheel ‘rolly’ suitcase that fits in the overhead bin. For business travel, the name of the game is to travel light, and if you have no check-in bags, in most airports you’re able to sail out of the destination airport.
You’ll be thankful for the rolly at bigger airports that can mean a 20-minute walk to the gate. Plus you can hitch that extra bag with your book, laptop, passport, wallet, random shopping, travel vanity kit on top of the rolly.
It’s a wrap
If you want to keep that new bag look, consider wrapping your check-in luggage. PPG offers this service, with plastic that can be broken down and upcycled.
Power up
• Is there anything more annoying or terrifying than your phone battery running low? That power bank will save you, but remember to put it in your hand carry, not check-in.
Put a sock on it
• Going barefoot into a plane bathroom is a different category of “ick” but I strongly recommend having a barrier between your feet and the airport floor at security. Believe me, you’ll hate that ‘walk of shame’. In Japan, they offer slippers for the sockless, but that’s an exception.
• You (should) know the drill – so before you go through security scanners, think about what you need to take out, throw away, put in the tray (clear bags for toiletries), remove from your pockets, keep in your hand. There is nothing more annoying than a person who panics and is figuring out the rules on the spot – hurrrrrrrrry upppppp.
• Rule of thumb, you ALWAYS have to go through security, you only have to go through immigration if you are crossing borders (the exception is the EU). This is good to remember because some airports only do security at the gate, so you should prepare for it (see above)
Immigration
• If you don’t have a fast pass via premium class, an APEC card or diplomatic access, the processing time can be downright dangerous especially if you have a mini marathon to the gate. Besides relying on the goodwill of those in line, consider flashing your boarding pass at an airport worker or your airline staffers to seek help.
• Airlines hate having to rebook stranded passengers, so they’ll try their best to get you through. I advise everyone to give themselves no less than an hour to get airside, unless you want to live with the stress of ‘almost missing’ your flight.
OK, take a breath!
• Congrats! You made it through the biggest airport hurdles.
• You can now think about relaxing and maybe getting a bite to eat. Shameless plug – try our Plaza Premium Lounge and/or the many dining establishments we created and manage at many airports. Leave those restaurants near the check-in counters to friends and family who’ve trekked out to see their loved ones off.
• Just want to get to the gate? If it’s super far, you have cumbersome carry on, or cranky kids, consider ordering a buggy. And yes, we can help you order this at our lounge. And you don’t have to be an A-lister or a high ranking politician to use one.
• But don’t get too comfy… unless you’re confident of getting overhead luggage space or don’t mind storing your stuff under the seat in front of you, boarding on time will raise the chances you don’t have to gate check your bag, or tuck that bag in a bin behind you.
I am always looking for ways to make travel better and for me, I feel the best way is by way of observation, listening and partnering. Feel free to DM me with your travel tips too. Safe travels!
