Hong Kong Airlines to London confirmed

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From March 2012.

Premium product, flying to LGW.

Don't know how that is going to work, unless they fly in and out of LGW North, considering LGW South is mainly for package tourists.

Hong Kong Airlines Launches Hong Kong – London Gatwick Premium Service from Mar 2012 | Airline Route

[hullexile]

We've been here before with Oasis haven't we? Why is it a "premium" service? It has 32 business class and 84 economy plus. Like any other airline surely? They will have to be extremely competitive on price to make this work out of Gatwick.

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We've been here before with Oasis haven't we? Why is it a "premium" service? It has 32 business class and 84 economy plus. Like any other airline surely? They will have to be extremely competitive on price to make this work out of Gatwick.

Oasis and HK Airlines are two different kettle of fish.

Oasis was a one trick pony serving a couple of destinations.

HK Airlines is already pretty established and is backed by Hainan Airlines.

Further, the product is all business class, not premium economy and business class.

You have the option of lie flat seats or cradle seats. Something very similar to what BA is doing from London City to New York.

[PDLM]

Further, the product is all business class, not premium economy and business class.

You have the option of lie flat seats or cradle seats. Something very similar to what BA is doing from London City to New York.

And so were about 3 other airlines (premium only across the pond). They all folded.

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And so were about 3 other airlines (premium only across the pond). They all folded.

Were any of them backed by a major airline?

[hullexile]

Oasis and HK Airlines are two different kettle of fish.

Oasis was a one trick pony serving a couple of destinations.

HK Airlines is already pretty established and is backed by Hainan Airlines.

Further, the product is all business class, not premium economy and business class.

You have the option of lie flat seats or cradle seats. Something very similar to what BA is doing from London City to New York.

Um, from the link you yourself gave:

"The A330-200 aircraft on this route will be operating as “Club” service, featuring 34 “Club Premier” (Business Class) and 82 “Club Classic” (Premium Economy Class) seats."

So they can make this pay with a maximum 116 passengers most of whom are premium economy?

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Um, from the link you yourself gave:

"The A330-200 aircraft on this route will be operating as “Club” service, featuring 34 “Club Premier” (Business Class) and 82 “Club Classic” (Premium Economy Class) seats."

So they can make this pay with a maximum 116 passengers most of whom are premium economy?

That's how that website is describing things. HK Airlines themselves are calling it an all premium cabin:

"Hong Kong Airlines will be bringing its service focus, expertise and style to its new route between London and Hong Kong.

A dedicated fleet of brand new Airbus A330-200s will be introduced. Each of these ultra-modern aircraft will feature two premium cabins: ‘Club Premier’ and ‘Club Classic’.

Both Clubs have been created to deliver Hong Kong Airlines' acclaimed signature service."

I can't find HK Airlines itself calling the product Premium Economy. Could be wrong though.

[TheBrit]

I can't find HK Airlines itself calling the product Premium Economy. Could be wrong though.

Hong Kong Airlines: The Club Experience - Seating plan

The seat config looks identical to "Premium Economy" type offerings from other airlines - the bucket type seat rather than the bed-type seats you get in Business/First.

[hullexile]

Though this site seems to be describing a Business and a "premium business" (my words).

Can Hong Kong Airlines make long haul premium-class only service work - Bangalore Aviation

Good discussion on this site btw.

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Discussion on Flyertalk about it:

This F+J only service is going to shake up CX and others - FlyerTalk Forums

BTW, TheBrit, many airlines still don't have lie flat in business class, even for long haul.