Hong Kong Airlines recently celebrated its 18th anniversary by unveiling its strategic development plan, which includes a return to the longhaul market in early 2025.
Following a successful restructuring last year, the airline has demonstrated strong recovery through strategic planning, optimising its route network and fleet structure. Hong Kong Airlines now serves over 30 destinations.
In 2024, Hong Kong Airlines has fully recovered to pre-pandemic flight levels, with an 85 per cent passenger load factor – it expects to exceed five million passengers for the year.
As part of its longhaul expansion, Hong Kong Airlines will resume its Gold Coast direct service on January 17, 2025, operating four times weekly. This will provide enhanced connectivity between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Australia’s Gold Coast. Additionally, the airline will resume its Vancouver route on January 18, 2025, operating twice weekly, marking its official return to the international longhaul market.
Bookings for the Christmas and Lunar New Year period are strong, with ski resort routes in North-east Asia at 90 per cent capacity. To meet demand, the airline will increase flight frequencies in December, like launching its Sendai route and increasing flights to Seoul (twice daily) and Tokyo (five times daily), with Sapporo becoming a daily flight.
To support its growth, Hong Kong Airlines has expanded its fleet in 2024, adding multiple Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft for medium to longhaul routes. The airline has also introduced its first A321, configured with 220 all-economy seats, to boost capacity and operational efficiency. By year-end, the fleet is expected to grow to around 30 aircraft, with further expansion planned to increase capacity. Additionally, the airline will continue strengthening its codeshare network through partnerships.
Other airline enhancements include recruitment efforts, optimisation of aircraft cabins and airport lounge services, and an upgraded in-flight dining experience for business class passengers through collaborations with Michelin-starred restaurants. Additionally, in-flight entertainment systems are being restored on multiple A330 aircraft, with full service expected by 2025.
Hong Kong Airlines also reopened its VIP lounge, Club Autus, in 2023 at Hong Kong International Airport’s midfield concourse. The lounge offers exclusive services such as massage chairs and traditional Hong Kong-style delicacies.
