Customers travelling on Premium Plus will get additional legroom, elbow room and recline compared to Economy Plus and economy seats, as well as upgraded dining options on custom dinnerware with complimentary alcoholic beverages. Customers will also receive upgraded amenities including a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and plush pillow, and noise-reducing headphones. Prior to boarding, passengers also receive complimentary standard checked bags, as well as discounted United Club access, Premier Access check-in and priority boarding.

“Hong Kong has always been one of the most important international markets for United Airlines in Asia-Pacific,” said Dias. “We proudly launched the first ever non-stop service between Hong Kong and New York City in 2001, and we are delighted to enhance our offering in the market with a product and service upgrade for travellers from Hong Kong to our popular New York hub.”

“Customers, now more than ever, have the opportunity to choose their preferred flight experience. This product refresh is clear evidence of our long-term commitment to the promising Hong Kong market, as well as in response to the growing travel demand among business and high-end leisure travellers.”

Dias added: “Our decision to upgrade Hong Kong’s services connecting to the US is very timely as it answers the demand from business and leisure travellers from Hong Kong and the surrounding cities of the Greater Bay Area.”

United is offering a fare promotion for roundtrip Premium Plus airfares between Hong Kong and San Francisco, Newark, Los Angeles, Seattle and Boston. The airline says fares can be purchased for as low as HK$9,710 (US$1,237), subject to applicable taxes and surcharges, when travelling between April 1, 2019 and July 4, 2019. However, getting a fare as cheap as that may be rather difficult.

A flight to Los Angeles departing and returning on Tuesdays (May 7 to May 14) came out at HK$15,218 (US$1,938).

Aside from Hong Kong, United will also be rolling out Premium Plus on a number of its Asia-Pacific routes at the end of this month, including its Newark-Tokyo service, as well as flights between San Francisco and Taipei, Tokyo, Auckland and Beijing.

See where else United will be rolling out its Premium Plus offering between now and the end of May.