Hong Kong Airlines will launch services on the Hong Kong-Los Angeles route on 18 December, using its incoming Airbus A350s.

The service will have a four-times weekly frequency in its first month of operations, before expanding into a daily service.

"Following the success of the Vancouver route, we are excited to set up the first destination in the continental United States to further expand our international network. The launch of the Los Angeles route will strengthen the connection with our well-developed Asia Pacific network," says chief commercial officer Li Dianchun.

FlightGlobal schedules data shows that the airline will compete with American Airlines and Cathay Pacific on the route.

Hong Kong Airlines has 15 A350-900s on order, and is due to take the first of the type this year. The carrier had previously said that besides launching long-haul services, the A350 could also replace the A330 on services to destinations such as Auckland.

Source: Cirium Dashboard