Originally supposed to fly on Monday, the day of the city-wide general strike, I had expected the worst when the Airport Authority announced the night before that ATC workers will call in sick and only 1 runway will operate. My flight's official cancellation came on the morning. No hard feelings, as I wasn't going into the office in support of the strike anyway. I was put on Tuesday's flight instead, but because I couldn't cancel my online check-in since the system doesn't provide that option, my travel agent had to make a few calls to the airline to release my ticket back for amendment. The online check-in functionality is definitely far inferior to Cathay Pacific in both the look, feel, and use.
The online check-in interface is a bit clunky to use but provides quite a lot of detail on the key do's and don'ts.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/ca106-checkin.gif)
With the prospect of squeezing 2 flights into 1, I was worried of crowds at the airport and a full load for the long flight to Dalian in Economy. So I decided to arrive almost 2 hours before departure, which is unusually early for me, but I didn't want to take any chances. To my surprise, the Air China counters at row J were fairly empty, and I didn't have to wait at all to get processed. A classic boarding pass with color on glossy paper was given to me, and I was on my way to another quiet security line. 2 for 2 lucky today.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9351.jpg)
Air-side, I had about 45 minutes to plane spot before boarding. My flight would leave from the dreaded North Satellite Terminal today. Gate 509 is a bus ride away.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9358.jpg)
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9362.jpg)
Some nicer public-use computers have popped up around the terminal.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9364.jpg)
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9383.jpg)
What looked like foundation work for the bridge that will link it to the main terminal seems to be happening for real. I can't wait for the bus journey to become history.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9374.jpg)
After spotting a few interesting birds, I went downstairs to find the bus for my gate.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9401.jpg)
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9403.jpg)
With no air traffic on the tarmac, we smoothly and fairly quickly crossed to the North Satellite Terminal, only to be delayed by a few minutes so the bus ahead of us can move out for us to dock. These stoppages make the journey fairly annoying even though I wasn't in a particular rush today.
Upstairs, i headed to one corner's window to see the north runway's activity.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9405.jpg)
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9410.jpg)
What looks like the other support column for the upcoming bridge is being prepared at another corner of the terminal.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9411.jpg)
My plane had arrived early from Dalian already, so boarding seemed likely to be on-time today. The punctuality statistics for this flight are actually quite good for a PRC destination.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9414.jpg)
As arrivals and departures share the same floor, most window edges are blocked off as passageways, so spotting one of the narrowbodies parked here can be difficult.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9422.jpg)
Boarding was timely and we were all quietly seated well before departure. We waited about 15 minutes before pushing back slightly ahead of schedule. It was re-assuring to be able to depart on time!
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9423.jpg)
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9426.jpg)
Today's 737 is a visibly older jet although it has been fitted with winglets. With an empty seat next to me, I was quite comfortable and stretched out for the 3 hour flight.
Even if you are not a smoker, do venture out the terminal's smoking lounge, which opens up right to the north runway. You can see the little outdoor smoking box as we taxi past.
![](http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/2019/0806/IMG_9429.jpg)