Hong Kong Airlines restarts direct flights to Vancouver
Hong Kong Airlines has officially resumed its direct flights to Vancouver.
The long haul service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) was reinstated on January 18.
Celebrations were held at HKG ahead of the relaunch.
Celebrations were held at HKG ahead of Hong Kong Airlines resuming its service to Vancouver on January 18. (Hong Kong Airlines)
In a press release, Hong Kong Airline’s chairman, Yan Bo, highlighted that the relaunch of Vancouver flights also marks its return to the North American market.
“Vancouver was Hong Kong Airlines’ first North American destination, which was first launched in June 2017 and has always been popular,” said Bo.
He added that this demonstrates the carrier’s confidence in expanding its global route network.
The airline previously operated frequent flights between HKG and YVR from June 2017 to February 2020. It also leveraged Jackie Chan’s star power to promote the route; he boarded the inaugural flight to Vancouver and participated in the Canada Day 150 celebrations at Canada Place.
The cancellation of the airline’s international routes occurred before the pandemic’s impact became apparent. In December 2019, the airline announced it would cease operations on its Vancouver and Los Angeles routes in February 2020 due to mounting financial issues.
The airline indicated it was interested in restarting its Vancouver route last summer and in December, it announced that it would resume its service to YVR.
To enhance its customer experience, the carrier said it will be offering a new selection of Hong Kong-style in-flight meals on the route, which include a variety of Chinese, Western, and vegetarian options for economy and business-class passengers.
Multiple meal choices are available for business class passengers. (Hong Kong Airlines)
An example of the new meals available to economy passengers. (Hong Kong Airlines)
The route is operated by Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Flights depart YVR on Wednesdays and Sundays at 1:50 am and arrive at 7 am the next day, while return trips will depart HKG on Tuesdays (depart at 10:10 pm, arrive at 6:10 pm the same day) and Saturdays (depart at 11:50 pm, arrive at 7:50 pm the same day).
Hong Kong Airlines now flies to over 30 destinations, demonstrating its “strong recovery,” stated the carrier.
It noted that in 2024, its flight numbers fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with over five million passengers being served.
The airline added that it will continue expanding its fleet size to increase its capacity to destinations across Asia, Australia, the US, Canada, and Europe.
With files from Kenneth Chan.
YVR Airport new flights 2023-2025
- February 7, 2023: Toronto, Ontario (YYZ) — Porter Airlines, 3x daily
- May 17, 2023: Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) — WestJet, 4x weekly (seasonal)
- May 19, 2023: Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) — WestJet, 2x weekly (seasonal)
- June 1, 2023: Washington, DC (IAD) — Air Canada, 5x weekly (seasonal)
- June 15, 2023: Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) — JetBlue, daily (seasonal)
- October 28, 2023: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB) — Air Canada, 4x weekly
- March 13, 2024: Tokyo, Japan (Narita; NRT) — Zipair, 5x weekly
- April 3, 2024: Singapore (SIN) — Air Canada, 4x weekly
- April 11, 2024: Montreal, Quebec (YUL) — Porter Airlines, daily
- April 28, 2024: Detroit, Michigan (DTW) — WestJet, daily (seasonal)
- June 5, 2024: Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) — American Airlines, daily (seasonal)
- January 18, 2025: Hong Kong (HKG) — Hong Kong Airlines, 2x weekly
- April 2, 2025: Manila, Philippines (MNL) — Air Canada, 4x weekly
- May 1, 2025: Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) — Air Canada, 4x weekly (seasonal)
- June 3, 2025: Tampa, Florida (TPA) — Air Canada, 2x weekly
- June 4, 2025: Raleigh, North Carolina (RDU) — Air Canada, 3x weekly (seasonal)
- May 11, 2025: Austin, Texas (AUS) — WestJet, 3x weekly (seasonal)