Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines currently sells business class tickets from Amsterdam to Hong Kong for a great price. While a stop in Istanbul is necessary both ways and maybe a downside, Turkish Airlines exclusively uses long haul planes between Amsterdam and their hub in Istanbul. So you’re going to enjoy a proper lie-flat-seats on all four flights!
Worldwide travel restrictions are in place to slow the spread of Covid-19. We strongly recommend gathering detailed information about the travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to your desired origin and destination.
A good start is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website. It provides current updates on a country’s immigration policies. Even better, the Covid-19 Travel Regulations Map is one of the most useful tools you can find.
Between Amsterdam and Istanbul, you’ll probably fly on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The long flight to Hong Kong is operated using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a 2-3-2 seating arrangement in business class.
We expect further shakeups in the airline industry over the following months. Some services might be cancelled, aircraft changed or downgraded. The schedule we describe may very well change.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, tickets are on sale for this price until September 12, 2021. You have to stay at least two days or one night from Saturday to Sunday to get the lowest price. Further, you need to leave Europe before May 15, 2022.
You can find suiting flight dates easily with Google Flights, but you can also simply use our own calendar above, which will redirect you to Turkish Airlines’ booking site.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
All flight segments are booking class J. Star Alliance frequent flyers can earn the following mileage without tier bonuses:
- 25,400 Miles on TAP Miles&Go
- 19,052 Miles on Avianca LifeMiles
- 17,432 Award Miles + 480 Points on Miles&More
- 17,146 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 16,510 Miles on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 15,874 Miles on Egyptair Plus
- 13,970 Miles on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 12,700 Award Miles + 2,120 PQP on United MileagePlus
- 12,700 Miles on Asiana Club
- 12,700 Miles on ANA Mileage Club
- 12,700 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 12,700 Miles on Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 12,700 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 12,700 Miles on Singapore KrisFlyer
- 12,700 Miles on Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- 12,700 Miles on Aegean Miles+Bonus
- 12,700 Miles on Azul TodoAzul
- 12,700 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is probably the best option to credit these flights, even if Thai Royal Orchid Plus would directly give you the (rather worthless) Star Alliance Silver status for this booking.
Information & Tips for Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an Asian city-state and a vital trading metropolis in the Pearl River Delta not far from the Chinese coast. The city has long been a center for trade and business. Hong Kong is one of the largest air traffic hubs in Asia and therefore offers excellent connections to the rest of the world, hence the good deals that various airlines often provide. Flights in economy class usually are between 400€ and 500€ sometimes for even less than 400€.
Best Time to Visit
Winters are mild and dry, whereas summers are hot with rainfall and high humidity. The best time to travel is from October to early December when the weather is sunny, cool and therefore very pleasant.
Entry & Visa
Entry is possible for most EU citizens without a visa, and only a passport is required. A permit for 90 days is issued upon entry. For further information, please visit the website of your countries Ministry of foreign affairs.
Currency
The local currency is the Hong Kong Dollar ($, HKD, HK$). One Euro is approximately HK$8. Many credit cards may charge a foreign currency fee (up to 2% for payment) in Hong Kong Dollars.
Getting from the airport to the city centre
The fastest and most convenient way into the city is by Airport Express. This train will take you to the city centre within 24 minutes and will cost you around €12 per trip. Alternatively, you can also get into a taxi and pay approximately €35.
→ All Dealz for Hong Kong
Cover Picture: © Turkish Airlines