Hong Kong Airlines has set its sights on the United States.
Following its successful tapping of the North American market by way of its Vancouver to Hong Kong route, the award-winning airline is now gearing up to launch flights from the U.S.
On December 18, Hong Kong Airlines (airline code: HX) will debut non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, servicing the country's biggest western international hub. The LAX to HKG service will mark the Hong Kong-based carrier's entry into the continental United States.
Here's what we know about Hong Kong Airline's Los Angeles non-stop route so far:
Initially, Hong Kong Airline's non-stop service to and from LAX will operate four times a week-every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday-for four weeks from until January 15. It will then switch to a daily schedule on January 16, 2017.
From December 18 through March 10, 2018, Los Angeles departures will leave LAX at 10:45 a.m. and arrive in Hong Kong at 6:20 p.m.
The Skytrax 4-star rated carrier is gradually introducing 21 new Airbus A350s into its fleet, three of which will service the Los Angeles route. According to the airline's Chief Marketing Officer George Liu, these new planes promise 25 percent more fuel efficiency, better air circulation, shorter flight times, added passenger comfort and more cabin space.
The LA to Hong Kong routes will boast 33 business class, 108 Economy Comfort (Premium Economy) and 193 economy class seats.
While there are already quite a few airlines that connect the two gateway cities, Hong Kong Airlines promises to bring that special Hong Kong brand of hospitality, a passion for service and delivering more for less.
"Our cabin crew is really passionate and really personable. We're trying to bring the fun and human touch back to air travel," says Liu of their service. "(And) we always try to deliver more for less."
That means those extra features that travelers wouldn't normally get when flying with other carriers, including amenity kits for business and economy class passengers, Hong Kong travel guides for visiting passengers and complimentary protective boxes for proper storage of music equipment.
Also on offer on all Hong Kong Airline flights are its in-cabin above and beyond services like:
-On-board birthday parties (added fee)
-In-flight marriage proposals (added fee)
-Flight crew members skilled in taking care of babies to assist parents and give them a bit of respite during flights
Along with the new Airbuses are other features to be launched with the LA flight. These include a new set of tableware featuring dim sum-shaped salt & pepper shakers, in-flight food to highlight local LA cuisine along with meal pre-order and pre-selection options for business and economy class passengers respectively.
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Additionally, to commemorate the linking of the Hollywoods of the East and the West, Hong Kong Airlines is also upgrading their in-flight entertainment system from 67 to a whopping 100 movies.
The carrier is proudly Hong Kong and brings to the L.A. and U.S. market that warm yet sophisticated East-meets-West Hong Kong experience. It has been named the 24th top airline in the world and the second-best regional airline in Asia.
Additionally, it offers global quality service starting with its friendly, trilingual flight crew, its wide and fast-growing destination network and its 18 new codeshare partners, connecting it to even more destinations in the mainland Asia and the Pacific regions.
Best of all, its corporate social responsibility program, Embrace the World, awards kids from local primary and secondary schools with outstanding performance to fly with the airline for free to see the world, experience other cultures and broaden their horizons.
Ahead of its first U.S. route, the carrier has also launched its state-of-the-art lounge, Club Autus. The VIP lounge, located in the new Midfield Concourse at the Hong Kong International Airport, boasts film industry-themed dcor; the longest food line at the airport; family, business and premier zones and even a foldable 3D virtual mobile theater.
Next year will see Hong Kong Airlines also launching new routes in San Francisco, New York City, London and the Maldives, effectively hauling it into the global landscape.
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