The troubled Hong Kong Airlines has confirmed that from 5th October the carrier will suspend its scheduled services between its Hong Kong home base and San Francisco.
The airline says axing the San Francisco route is following a review of its network and a change in business plan for USA market. Hong Kong Airlines remains committed to operating its link between Hong Kong and Los Angeles in the USA. However, following a series of its top brass being forced out and a battle for ownership, the airlines future is on an unsound footing.
The airline also operates flights to Canada's Vancouver International Airport and confirmed this service will also continue to operate as it continues to gain impressive load factors and revenues.
The last Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco will be HX060 and the last flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong will be HX061 on 4 October 2019 (all times local).
The airline says it will be assisting passengers who are hold confirmed tickets on the Hong Kong - San Francisco flights with alternative arrangements, including:
· Free change of travel date for flights between Hong Kong and San Francisco before 5 October 2019
· Full refund of unused sectors to passengers who will travel on or after 5 October 2019 and wish to cancel their trips
· Free change to any destination operated by Hong Kong Airlines (applicable fare and taxes difference may apply)
· Free transfer to other partner carriers to be arranged by Hong Kong Airlines (subject to seat availability)
Whilst the airline may be cancelling the San Francisco service, it is adding more flights to Haikou, Hangzhou and Sapporo from September this year.
Hong Kong Airlines will add more flights to the following destinations:
· Operate three daily flights between Hong Kong and Haikou from 2 September 2019, giving our customers more flexibility in planning their travel.
· Four additional weekly flights between Hong Kong and Hangzhou from 8 September 2019, offering our passengers more choice and convenience with a total of 14 flights per week between the two cities.
· Two additional flights per week between Hong Kong and Sapporo from 28 September 2019, bringing the total number of services between the two destinations to 11 flights per week.
Hong Kong Airlines is committed to offering a sustainable travel service. It says it will continue to explore opportunities to improve the network, however, local commentators have expressed huge doubt that the airline's route network will escape without further cuts before September starts.
Hong Kong Airlines recently introduced new decorative amenity kits series that highlights Hong Kong’s vibrant culture through a collaborative partnership with four Hong Kong artists. The amenity kits feature the distinctive designs and styles of Lock Lai, founder of TinBot™ local toy company; Li Han Kong Kai Font creator Lee Kin Ming; tattoo artist Lily Cash and illustrator Jane Lee. These kits have proved very popular that they are changing hands for an impressive amount of money in Hong Kong.
Lock Lai
Lock Lai’s design showcases a TinBotTM collection of toy designs, featuring Hong Kong Airlines pilot, flight attendant and the latest Airbus A350 aircraft. Founded in 2013, homegrown toy brand TinbotTM has been creating unique collections of magnetic action puzzle figures inspired by iconic elements of Hong Kong.
Lee Kin Ming
Lee Kin Ming has inherited and digitalized over 5,000 Chinese calligraphy characters left by his father’s late business partner Li Hon, and created the “Li Hon Kong Kai Font”. The bag features prints of signboards and characters in the special font, presenting a unique cultural characteristic of Hong Kong.
Lily Cash
Thinking out of the box, Lily’s colourful Mandala motifs are infused with Hong Kong elements such as the Maan Sau Mou Geung “boundless longevity” pattern, Cheung Chau lucky bun and the iconic Bruce Lee, showcasing the uniqueness of the city.
Jane Lee
Jane’s highly imaginative and creative style is captured on the colourful drawing that busily links up those eye-catching Hong Kong elements such as skyscrapers, milk tea, dim sum, etc., showcasing the vibrancy and energy of Hong Kong Airlines and the city.
Lock Lai Lee Kin Ming
Lily Cash Jane Lee
The eye-catching reusable bag includes contents that bear motifs of items synonymous with Hong Kong. The city’s iconic elements are visually infused into a set of head-to-toe customer care products, including eyeshades and comfortable cotton socks, along with L'OCCITANE’s shea butter ultra-rich lip balm, hand cream, and earplugs.
Hong Kong Airlines Acting Director of Service Delivery Mr Chris Birt welcomes the collaboration and said: “As a strong advocate for Hong Kong art and culture, Hong Kong Airlines is delighted to incorporate the work of our local creative talents into our inflight products. Their designs are not only truly Hong Kong, but exude the love and pride they have for their art and home. As one of the Hong Kong carriers ourselves, we are proud to promote Hong Kong art and culture globally.”
The new amenity kits are currently being offered to Hong Kong Airlines’ Business Class passengers on long-haul flights between Hong Kong and North America, including Vancouver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The four designs will be rotated on a quarterly basis inflight. In addition, passengers will enjoy the comfort of long-haul flying with the airline’s newest Airbus A350 aircraft, equipped with the latest inflight entertainment system. Gourmet Business Class dining curated by popular USA chef Chris Cosentino is also available to passengers travelling from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Airlines was awarded the 4-Star Airline rating last week following a “detailed, professional analysis of the airline’s quality standards” by Skytrax’s audit office. Between 500 and 800 product and service delivery items across the airline’s airport services and onboard standards across all applicable cabins or aircraft types were rated to determine the final result. Hong Kong Airlines has maintained the 4-Star Airline rating since 2011 and remains committed to delivering its best services to all passengers.
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