Hong Kong Airlines Ending San Francisco Flights

Published: July 27, 2019

Well that sure didn’t last long.

For quite a while Hong Kong Airlines looked like a promising airline that could give Cathay Pacific a run for their money. In the past couple of years the airline has taken delivery of some Airbus A350s, which has enabled them to offer nonstop flights between Hong Kong and the US.

Hong Kong Airlines’ A350 business class

The airline has added nonstop flights from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and San Francisco, both of which are also Cathay Pacific destinations. This has been great for consumers.

Unfortunately Hong Kong Airlines is in a really bad financial situation — the airline is owned by struggling HNA Group, which has largely been trying to sell off assets, and which has not been able to pay for many new Airbus planes, some of which are still sitting on the ground in Toulouse.

There had been talks of some serious restructuring at the airline, including the possibility of Hong Kong Airlines cutting their long haul flights to the US.

Well, it looks like this is now happening. Hong Kong Airlines has closed reservations for their Hong Kong to San Francisco route as of October 4, 2019. The airline only launched the route in March 2018, meaning the airline lasted in the market for about 18 months.

It’ll be interesting to see if the airline plans to cut their other US route as well, or if San Francisco specifically just proved too competitive. Looking at the Hong Kong to San Francisco market:

Cathay Pacific offers 3x daily flights, using a mix of 777-300s and A350-900s
United currently offers a once daily flight with a 777-300, but as of October 2019 will increase frequencies to twice daily flights using 777-200s
Singapore Airlines offers a once daily flight with a 777-300

United is doubling flights between San Francisco & Hong Kong

I’m not surprised that four airlines was too much for this market, especially with United increasing frequency in the market as of October.

Are you surprised to see Hong Kong Airlines cutting service to San Francisco?

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Alan C Guest

August 30, 2019, 9:46 pm

I must be the outlier. For a birthday trip in March of '19, I bought a ticket from SFO/HKG, and even after paying for a better economy seat with seat selection, I still only paid $550 RT. Check in was very easy in both airports. I was two rows behind business class on the aisle. Seats were very comfortable, and the cabin crew was great. Plenty of choices on the entertainment center to keep me busy for the 14 1/2 hour flight over, and the 111/2 hour flight back. As for the food? Very good, for airline food. I had no bad issues at all.

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Tanveer Jugpal Guest

July 28, 2019, 2:56 pm

Feeling confident that did my due diligence and didn't book with them for my YVR-BKK flights for next year. Flew them in economy and business earlier this year thanks to that China Airlines strike and was very happy with the service.

Mattej Guest

July 28, 2019, 7:34 am

I am an ID traveler and I had really great experiences from HKG-NRT. Flew them many times and their business class is new and fresh. I do hope they survive.

KC Guest

July 28, 2019, 5:10 am

Flew on HK Airlines HKG-YVR-YUL/ORD-SFO-HKG in last October, interline partners were WestJet and Alaska. The problem for SFO-HKG and other of its west coast departures is that they all depart around noon, so one must take a 6am flight on the East Coast (or 8am in my case) to get same day connection.

An Run Guest

July 28, 2019, 5:02 am

I've been flying them frequently LAX-HKG-BKK roundtrip. Other than not so good munchies at the back of the cabin, I like the airline for its low fares, good service, and ample leg room in Economy. I used to fly Cathay on this route but switched when HK Airlines came along as it saved me a lot of money. However, Cathay feels like a luxury airline compared to HKA. Finally, the food options in the HKA terminal in Hong Kong feel like a flea market compared to the Cathay terminal. In the end, it's the pocketbook that counts.

Hong Kong Airlines Ending San Francisco Flights

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