London – Hong Kong Airlines launched its first ever service between Hong Kong and London on Wednesday at London Gatwick Airport, to address increasing demand from business passengers for this route.

The airline operates the Airbus A330-200 in a unique all club class seating configuration (with no economy class seats), which is a first-timer in the history of Hong Kong Airlines and Gatwick Airport.

Gerard Clarke, UK General Manager for Hong Kong Airlines, justified the decision saying there is "strong business links" between the two cities, both of which are "financial centres".

"We're not surprised by the very strong level of initial interest in this product, especially for customers who want an all business class product at a competitive pricing, and the convenience of a daily service," Clarke said.

 

Club Classic cabin [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The aircraft is divided into a Club Premier cabin, which includes 34 'suites’ with fully flat 6'1" beds, and a Club Classic cabin, will feature 82 cradle seats. Return fares cost from ￡1,800 for Club Class and ￡2,850 for Club Premier, including taxes and charges.

Clarke said that the all Club Class aircraft will "provide passengers with a private jet style ambience and an exceptional crew to guest ratio."

 

A bar on the aircraft for networking opportunities [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The aircraft provides Wi-Fi and two bars for networking opportunities.

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport said that Gatwick is committed to matching the premium Hong Kong Airlines service with "a premium service at the airport."

Gatwick is investing ￡1.2 billion to transform the airport to provide new and modern facilities. This includes the offering of family and premium lanes at security, the installing of luxury retailers in the airport and minimising the use of buses to aircraft.

Although London's largest airport Heathrow is more well-known in Asia, it is currently operating at near-full capacity, making further expansion difficult.

Gatwick, London's second largest international airport, saw this as an opportunity to attract airlines from emerging markets where demand for quality flights is growing.

Guy Stephenson, Gatwick's Chief Commercial Officer, said that Gatwick currently has more than 20% spare capacity. Furthermore, the airport has capacity to offer early morning arrival time slots and late evening departure time slots, which is what Asian Airlines demand.

Hong Kong Airlines' flights will arrive daily in London at 5.55 in the morning and leave for Hong Kong at 21:30 at night.

Upon arriving in Hong Kong, the airline will also offer connection flights for onward destinations across China, Japan and Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Tokyo and Singapore.

Stephenson said it is very "significant" for Gatwick to be chosen by Hong Kong Airlines. "The fact they've chosen Gatwick demonstrates that a business class product can work just as well at Gatwick."

Gatwick’s attempt to attract Asian airlines has so far been successful. Vietnam Airlines launched flights from Gatwick to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City last December, Korean Air will be launching a London-Seoul service this April, and Air China a London-Beijing service this May.