"Air Hongkong"

A joint collaboration with n.x.w.m.
IATA: HK | IACO: AHK | CALLSIGN: REDSAIL

After World War II, Hong Kong’s aviation scene was booming, with global airlines coming back to serve the Pearl of the Orient after three dark years under Japanese occupation. In 1946, British Global Airlines announced its intent to create a feeder carrier in Hong Kong to transport passengers from its London to Hong Kong service to destinations in China and the Far East. After teaming up with the Cheung Wong Banking Corporation (張王銀行), also known as CWBC, a world-renowned banking corporation based in Hong Kong (which, to this day, maintains majority control of the airline), Air Hongkong was born, flying an ex-BGA Douglas DC-3 between Hong Kong and Shanghai three times a week.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the airline grew exponentially, becoming the world’s first airline to operate international flights to cities in Japan outside of Tokyo, and acquired its first jet aircraft in 1960, a De Havilland Comet 4 on lease from BGA. Starting in 1969, the aircraft were replaced with Boeing 707 jets, delivered straight from Boeing. In 1976, the airline received its first Boeing 747-200 jet; Air Hongkong celebrated 40 years of continuous 747 service in 2016.

In 1981, the airline began non-stop service to North America; by the end of the 1980s, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Vancouver would see Air Hongkong’s “Red Sail Tails” on a scheduled basis. In the 1990s, Air Hongkong was a launch customer of the Boeing 777 program, and established its new hub at Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong.

Flashing forward to today, Air Hongkong’s award winning service continues to reach the minds and hearts of its passengers every day. With flights to all six continents and a modern fleet of over 150 wide-body aircraft, we invite you to fly the Spirit of Hong Kong on your next trip through Asia!