Cathay Pacific just announced new service to Brussels, Copenhagen, and Dublin ignoring the U.S. for expansion routes.
Rival Hong Kong Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350 and unveiled a new premium lounge on Friday. And they announced plans to fly to San Francisco, New York, and London.
Credit: Hong Kong Airlines
They already launched Auckland and Vancouver this year and they plan to launch Los Angeles on December 18th.
This represents significant new competition for Cathay Pacific, which flies to New York, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Auckland already.
Hong Kong Airlines is owned by HNA Group, which also owns Hainan Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Lucky Air, Tianjin Airlines, Urumqi Air, and others as well as 25% of Hilton, 29% of NH Hotels, and at 9.9% is the largest shareholder in Deutsche Bank among other businesses.
Wyndham Rewards points transfer to Fortune Wings Club the frequent flyer program of HNA’s airlines and which partners with Etihad, Virgin Australia, and Alaska Airlines. (Alaska miles, for instance, can be redeemed for travel on Hainan Airlines, but not on Hong Kong Airlines.)
(HT: René S.)
Are the planes made in China??? If so, no competition to Cathay one of the best airlines in the world. Will hope though that the threat they may pose will bring down some of Cathay’s prices.
This is fantastic news. More competition to Hong Kong will only bring better service and more reasonable fares. The big losers will be United and AA who have lousy service and over priced premium cabins. Now that both UA and AA have gutted their mileage programs there is no need for brand loyalty anymore. In the past I wouldn’t have even considered anyone but United. These days I look for the best premium product at the most reasonable cost. Welcome HongKong Airlines!
AA’s LAX-HKG flights are already flying pretty empty. This certainly won’t help.
HNA mainline is also starting JFK-CKG next month.