Hong Kong Airlines’ relaunched Vancouver flights set to be cheapest among rivals

Hong Kong Airlines’ relaunch of direct flights to Vancouver in January is expected to offer the most competitive option among carriers operating similar routes. The airline said on Monday that the twice-weekly Vancouver routes, to start on January 18, would provide passengers with more travel options between the two cities. The Vancouver-bound flights will depart on Tuesday and Saturday evenings, and the return services to Hong Kong will leave on Wednesday and Sunday in the early hours. The route, which was first launched in June 2017 but suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, was the carrier’s first North American destination. “We are thrilled to welcome Vancouver back as Hong Kong Airlines’ first North American destination,” said Yan Bo, the carrier’s chairman. “The route will further strengthen our Asian network and offer global passengers more diverse and convenient travel options, connecting Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, Oceania, and North America.” A check by the Post of the three airlines’ websites showed that economy class return tickets in January offered by Hong Kong Airlines cost HK$9,491 (US$1,220), while Cathay Pacific Airways was HK$13,281. Air Canada’s fare was HK$15,661, or 65% more expensive than Hong Kong Airlines. A spokesman for Hong Kong Airlines said the number of flights had fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels this year, with an average passenger load factor – or the rate of seats filled – of about 85%.<br/>