This is my second inaugural trip report for the week and I have the fortune to fly Hong Kong Airlines’ new long-haul service from Vancouver to Hong Kong, and the return was a normal flight, but I will report on it since it is a new flight. Hong Kong Airlines, with the strong financial support of its mother company Hainan Airline Group, has been very aggressive on its growth for the past few years, especially Cathay Pacific is suffering from a rough patch. This Vancouver launch is definitely an aggressive move and it is clear that North America is going to be the focus point. Vancouver is just the beginning and three additional A350s arriving later this year will definitely mark another growth spur. I also sort of want to put the politics aside (and yes, I hate Jackie Chan and was happy that he did not make any speech, which prevented any gaffe). While I feel that the money invested in Jackie Chan’s salary can perhaps use in better catering and in-flight amenities, Jackie Chan will provide the much-needed name recognition in the North American market. Jackie Chan in some way is a recognizable name here and the gossip about his personal life and his political orientation has never made it here. This inaugural party was a success and I was happy for both YVR and HX team in pulling off a great celebration. While it is still not SQ or Virgin America’s level, it is definitely better than CX’s sometimes subdue inaugurals. Jackie Chan will certainly bring headlines to many local Vancouver and Canadian papers tomorrow. Back to the service, HX has to use these A330-200s for now and the business class suites, while dated, still have direct aisle access. The hardware including the entertainment programs is weak, but the software is good. The highlight of the trip is the service provided by some top-notch crews. Their flight attendants are friendly and personable. While it is clear that more senior and experienced groups of F/As are operating these long-haul flights, they sort of bring much passion to the service that is missing from Cathay Pacific and Dragon. I still don’t think HX is a major threat for now, but both AC and CX need to keep an eye out. When the new A350s arrive with a brand-new cabin and better amenities (perhaps copied Hainan Airlines), Hong Kong Airlines can provide an affordable option especially in the premium cabin.

Full Album Link:
Outbound YVR-HKG
http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...KG%20Inaugural

Link to notable local press articles
http://vancouversun.com/entertainmen...30-jackie-chan
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...ines-1.4186957

Good explanation why some folks found using Jackie Chan a controversial move
https://www.biv.com/article/2017/6/h...tnership-jack/

June 30, 2017
HX 81 YVR-HKG Lv1210 Arr1650+1 Airbus A330-200 B-LNJ

Booking:
One of the weakest aspect of Hong Kong Airlines is its website, which is just difficult to use. While booking the tickets is relatively easy and you can now select seats too, you can “manage” your booking afterward. You can’t access the full record, even as a Fortune Wings Member. However, I am quite grateful for the online chat function but some agents had poor English written skill. You have to read through the Chin-glish or google translate. For this ticket, I have to use yayama because they were the only one still had the discounted business class seats. Subsequently I chatted with someone online to get the seats and to enter my Fortune Wing Number. I actually asked for a printout but it was not available.

Check-in:




Hong Kong Airlines uses Swissport as their ground agent here in Vancouver and Gate Gourmet provides the catering. They used the space next to Air Canada’s international economy check-in area. It was a very busy day especially the queue from Air Canada actually spilled over. The agents here spoke fluent Cantonese, English, and Mandarin, and lots of staffs from both HKG and YVR were here monitoring the situation. There was a queue manager and she was very helpful. Two HX F/As were passing out gifts to inaugural passengers and I think only J passengers got the full bag, while Y got some postcards.




Jackie Chan’s promotional stuffs – I guess HX is forced to buy a bunch of its merchandises.



There were separate queues for business class & elite passengers, online check-in, and full-service check-in. The wait was quite long because it was the first day. The staff was very apologetic. Unfortunately, my pre-booked seat 16A was gone, and I was unhappy. I was actually happy that I checked in earlier than normal because the agent literally told a fellow agent to stop the “standby.” The agent managed to find me 17H, which was not ideal, as it was next to the sky bar and mid-galley. The agent also tried to attach a transfer tag, instead of priority tag, to my bag. I had to say something because I did not want my bag to be transferred. This was their first day so I did not blame her. Things were actually quite disorganized and I guess this is just the consequence when airlines outsource their ground services these days. One of the HX supervisors immediately asked for a duplicate copy of my boarding pass and she would try to make sure that they got me a window seat for the return to Vancouver. I am happy to report that HKG check-in desk had no problem seeing my original assigned seat, 16K. I don’t know what happened here. Either the supervisor fixed it or something happened at YVR. I doubt we will know the truth.

HX Counter


Lounge:
Sorry no report on the lounge, as I went straight to the gate for the special celebration. However, I can report that Hong Kong Airlines, unsurprisingly, uses Plaza Premium Lounge here in Vancouver. Plaza Premium really needs to expand its space especially with all these new Chinese carriers are flying into Vancouver now.

Gate:





Hong Kong Airlines used gate 65 today and when I arrived, they were setting up the stage.
There was a Hong Kong theme here and HX hires the “Tap Snap” to take pictures of guests with a HX background. They printed out some copies but also gave you printouts too. It was a nice touch.







Food wise – it is Hong Kong themed with Baked Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun, pan-fried Japanese dumplings, and of course Hong Kong style waffles, which are called “mini eggs.” These mini eggs are also staples of Hong Kong Airlines’ Club Bauhinia in HKG.










Cupcakes


Soon B-LNJ arrived in YVR and here was a series of photos. Not the greatest, as the windows were not in great conditions and the light did not work in my favor. There was a water canon salute but the gate did not allow any view of this event. You can refer to the newspaper articles.










Please note the Canada 150 sticker. Hong Kong Airlines is the official international airline partner of the “Canada 150” celebrations in Vancouver.





The big anticipation is the arrival of Jackie Chan, but of course many dignitaries have to make their speech including consulate staffs from the PRC, Hong Kong tourism board representatives, BC Minister of International Trade, Teresa Wat, Craig Richmond, CEO of YVR, and CMO Chief Commercial Officer George Liu.



Rumble at YVR – another great promo made by Craig Richmond, CEO Director, challenging Jackie Chan



In the end, there were no rumbles but of course, Jackie had to make a few moves.

There was a “chop board” ceremony but I did not see it. But here was the evidence of a “rumble”.

Here is a link to the photo:
http://www.richmond-news.com/news/ja...yvr-1.20863562

Then they exchanged gifts – Jackie gave Craig a white martial arts jacket and Hong Kong Airlines provide a captain uniform to Jackie.


I have to say that it was a nice celebration here in Vancouver and was much better than I have expected. Craig, the CEO of YVR, seems to be doing his job right in bringing more airlines to YVR. He played his part well. BTW, he was also on the inaugural HKG-YVR flight with Jackie Chan and George Liu.





Media time: CMO George Liu speaking with press


Crews arriving at gate – they flew in two days ago (and I overheard them saying that they flew on AC!)




Nearby planes
Air China Boeing 777-300ER to Beijing


Air Canada Boeing 787-9 to Tokyo Narita


Boarding:
There were basically five different zones here and they were all well-marked. One of the staffs went around the gate area warning passengers that boarding would begin soon. At 11:35am, business class passengers were invited to board.


Down the jetway


A familiar cabin






Business class was full and economy was almost full with only 30+ empty seats. As I was eavesdropping from the SKYBAR, there was a huge family with many children in J that was heading to Bali tonight. So even HX has to rely on the connecting passengers and maybe that is a hint for them to release more connecting fares. In some ways, I sort of wish that Hong Kong Airlines flies to Singapore, as I overheard a number of passengers asking the F/As if HX flies to Singapore and why not! Of course, HKG-SIN market is so saturated now but if HX can start a once daily HKG-ICN flight, it can consider a daily HKG-SIN flight that will work good with the YVR and future North America flights.

My seat 17H – not a great choice – last in everything and next to SKYBAR and I was overhearing two PRC passengers talking now. Okay for a daytime flight but not good for the overnight segment.


Economy Class cabin – Yellow headrest cover means “extra legroom” seats and Purple headrest covers are regular seats.





Evian water and headsets in the cabinet


Pre-takeoff slippers and newspapers – Vancouver Sun is the only Canadian English selection




They also passed out orange juice and water, but I forgot to take a picture.

Boarding went pretty smoothly but cargo loading was a bit slow this afternoon, as expected. The staffs kept us informed about the slight delay but with a shorter flying time of twelve hours and forty –five minutes, we should arrive early, which will depend on ATC traffic control.

We pushed back at 12:28pm.


Spotted a few interesting planes – including this Air Transat’s A330 arriving from Paris CDG
It was waiting for our gate.


China Southern Airlines’ Dreamliner


China Eastern Airlines’ A330-200


Air North landing


Lining up in R/W26L


We took off at 12:54pm.



Beautiful day here in Canadian West Coast




Today’s routing took us along the Canadian coat, passing Comox, Port McNeil, Suquash, Port Hardy and Bull Harbor before reaching 34,000ft. Then we passed Chiniak, Alaska, and then gradually climbed to 38,000ft before passing Iwaki and Utsunomiya, and then climbed to 40,000ft before passing Toyota, NGO, Kochi, Sukumo, Kagoshima, and then Makung in Penghu Island, Taiwan.




Entertainment:
J passengers still got its own personal TV. The movie selection is typical, but the television selection is weak. There is no sitcom at all and most programs are Chinese. It is just bad. There is only streaming entertainment option too. Economy class got the iPad Minis, as these three A330-200s used on the YVR routes do not have personal televisions in economy. I am sure someone in the management regrets not putting back the PTVs, when they reverted these all-business-class A330s into a regular two-cabin A330s.

Magazines – Aspire, HX’s own in-flight magazine with two duty free catalogs – one typical and one for “home delivery” service








Seats:
For business class, they are still lie flat “suites” with individual access.

Power outlet


Seat Control Panel and removable headset


Personal Lamp & Literature pocket


Another literature pocket but you can’t fit anything here except safety card or the menu


Shoe Storage


Seat in “reading” mode


Seat in full flat mode


Seat in full flat mode with bedding – you got a nice thick pillow and soft duvet (but too short). You are flying to North America now and your passengers will be taller.