Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights

HONG KONG AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 B-LHG (MSN 1663)

Hong Kong Airlines will commence flights to Sydney on the 20th of June 2025, ending the long-standing Oneworld monopoly held by both Qantas and Cathay Pacific.

This service will increase the number of daily flights between the two cities from five to six, while boosting seat capacity by nearly 20%. This translates into not only more choices but also more competition, very likely, a wave of lower airfares.

HX17 will depart Hong Kong at 10.25pm, arriving into Sydney at 9.50am the following day
HX18 will depart Sydney at 11.30am, reaching Hong Kong at 7.15pm

Hong Kong Airlines will fly its Airbus A330 on the route, with 32 lie-flat business class seats in a very dated design. While not the latest and greatest business class – the IFE screen is small, and you can forget about any USB power outlets – it’s still much better than being in one of the 260 economy recliners for the 9+ hour trek – especially on the overnight leg from Hong Kong to Sydney.

Business class travellers will also enjoy access to the airline’s Club Autus lounge at Hong Kong airport’s Terminal 1 Midfield Concourse; the equivalent lounge to be used at Sydney is not yet known.

Tickets for Sydney-Hong Kong flights are now available, with business class return fares in mid-July priced at approximately A$4,500 and early-October at around A$5,200.

Those prices are not too far out of line with Qantas and Cathay Pacific, which both have markedly superior business class offerings, although it remains to be seen what low promotional fares Hong Kong Airlines may soon launch – and how Qantas and Cathay will respond.

The arrival of Hong Kong Airlines, which has previously flown only to the Gold Coast and Cairns seasonally, follows the recent expansion of bilateral air traffic rights between Hong Kong and Australia.