Hong Kong Airlines returns to the Gold Coast

Looking to swap the sun and sand of the Gold Coast for the colour of Hong Kong, and especially its epic Chinese New Year celebrations?

Then Hong Kong Airlines could just be your ticket, quite literally, with direct flights between the Gold Coast and Hong Kong Airlines taking off on 17 January, 2025.

And unlike Hong Kong Airlines’ previous Gold Coast flights, which were scrapped six years ago and involved a cumbersome stopover at Cairns, these will be direct flights on the nine-hour route.

However, they’re also seasonal flights, running for just the four weeks through to 15 February, timed for Chinese New Year and underwritten by the Queensland state government (whose

Attracting Aviation Investment Fund has also drawn new flights from US giants American, Delta and United, China Eastern Airlines, VietJet and many others).

“The launch of the route will mark the start of our re-entry into the long-haul market and expand our network to provide passengers with more international and diverse travel options,” says Hong Kong Airlines chairman Jeff Sun.

There’ll be four Hong Kong Airlines flights each week, on an Airbus A330 with 32 lie-flat business class seats:

• HX015 departs Hong Kong at 10pm, arriving into the Gold Coast at 8.55am the following morning
• HX016 leaves the Gold Coast at 10.25am, reaching Hong Kong at 5.20pm

Hong Kong Airlines A330 business class.

Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy said this provided the perfect opportunity for Australians to experience the Chinese Lunar New Year period while also renewing their acquaintance with Hong Kong.

“These seasonal, Lunar New Year flights to the Gold Coast will provide a real festive season boost for local tourism operators and hospitality providers and is critical in helping us build an $11 billion international visitor economy by the 2032 Olympic Games,” he said.

Queensland Airports CEO Amelia Evans added the flights would “be our first direct connection to Greater China since 2018.”

“We are hopeful the seasonal service will elevate the Gold Coast as a destination of choice in our key markets of Hong Kong and mainland China, and if successful, will translate into longer-term services.”