Hong Kong Airlines Returns to the North American Market – First Flight to Vancouver, Canada

Hong Kong Airlines resumed direct flights to Vancouver, Canada, on 18 January. Celebrations were held at Hong Kong International Airport and Vancouver International Airport to mark the relaunch.

Before the flight took off, senior management from Hong Kong Airlines and senior representatives from the Airport Authority Hong Kong attended a ceremony at the boarding gate, interacted with the first flight’s passengers, and distributed bespoke souvenirs.

Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Yan Bo said: “We are delighted to reinstate the Vancouver service, offering passengers more flight choices. Vancouver was Hong Kong Airlines’ first North American destination, which was first launched in June 2017, and has always been popular. Resuming this route not only marks our official return to the North American market but also demonstrates the progress of our strategic transformation from a regional to an international airline earlier this year and boosting our confidence in expanding our global route network coverage.”

To further enhance the passenger experience, the airline has curated a selection of Hong Kong-style in-flight meals for this route, offering a variety of Chinese, Western, and vegetarian options for both business and economy-class passengers.

Hong Kong Airlines President Jeff Sun said, “Our Hong Kong-Vancouver route is operated by Airbus A330-300 aircraft, providing a high-quality and unique long-haul flight experience. Passengers from both Hong Kong and Canada can experience our attentive service and delicious meals, reflecting Hong Kong Airlines’ customer-centric service approach and commitment to serving passengers in North America and around the world. This also underscores our vision of becoming a leading full-service airline in the region and internationally.”

As a full-service airline, Hong Kong Airlines has actively improved its services and expanded its operations in recent years. Through strategic route network optimisation and fleet adjustments, it now serves over 30 destinations, demonstrating a strong recovery. Last year, flight numbers fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with an average passenger load factor of approximately 85% and over 5 million passengers carried. To support business growth, the company will continue to expand its fleet size as needed to further increase its capacity. By then, a fleet with diverse configurations will enhance operational flexibility and coverage.