[quote quote=1366541]If I remember correctly that 1000 departure from HKG could be an hour earlier depending on UK or HKG clock times.
Another reason why daytime flights HKG-LON are niche is because of the early start (if not staying at the airport) which might mean the tourist or (visiting) business traveller having to spend money on an extra night’s accommodtion.[/quote]
Not just Air New Zealand, Qantas also used to have a simultaneous morning departure HKG-LHR. These flights were immensely popular, and when both stopped Cathay started a similar morning flight, and then added another noon departure too.
So we had Air NZ flying AKL-HKG-LHR, Qantas flying MEL-HKG-LHR & Virgin flying SYD-HKG-LHR, prices on these three were very competitive and significantly lower than HKG-LHR flights of BA & CX.
Apparently they could not generate enough year round Economy traffic ex NZ and AU and did a poor job in generating other than expat traffic ex HKG.
Also to say Qantas and Cathay are not close would be an understatement.
ANZ stopped flying the route because they entered into a joint venture arrangement on the HKG – NZ route with Cathay (which still exists but is up for renewal soon) as far as HKG. They closed their total UK operation.
I did hear a while back that the very successful Fiji Airways was considering flying to LHR via HKG using its A350s. ( their HKG route is very successful for them)
It makes sense as Fiji is a very successful tourist destination already for Americans and perfect for Brits.
I have read or heard nothing for some time though and the A350s are still stored it seems.
How about AKL-DRW-LHR going the other way.
DRW-LHR non-stop on QF proved itself during covid when PER was locked-in.
Currently DRW-LHR is via changing at SIN.
