Asia seems to be the breeding ground for LCCs with announcements about Peach, Scoot, and Jetstar Japan. Last week the chief at Hong Kong Airlines announced that they'd be doing a regional subsidiary as well. Hong Kong Express will be re-branded and operate as a low-cost carrier to compete with the slew of budget airlines popping up all over the region.

The full transition will take place middle of 2012 and flights will serve mainland China, South Korea, Japan and southeast Asia. Airbus A320s will hit the skies, but what the livery will look like (or even the airline's name), we can't yet be sure. ]]> jetflyboy 2011-12-01T08:40:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/11/27/213044/47

Have you ever been to Hong Kong? If your answer is "yes," HIGH FIVE! If your answer is "not yet," then that's one place that should be moved toward the top of your list for 2012. We can't say enough good things about it, but perhaps one of the best is that, while the US is in the blustery throes of winter, Hong Kong is usually sitting pretty with 72-degree weather and sunshine.

And when that sun isn't shining, it's all about the dining and nightlife. the energy of which is captured by a new AFP time-lapse video, following a Hong Kong taxi driver on a typical graveyard shift.

Their YouTube settings don't allow for us to post it here, so you'll have to watch the brilliant video over at YouTube, but trust us that it's worth it. Just try to stay away from checking out flight deals to HKG after it.]]> JetSetCD 2011-11-28T14:19:22-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/24/142154/428

Cathay Pacific has long emphasized its reputation for comfort, style and especially customer service. Aside from constructing decadent space-age lounges and providing flyers with delicious cocktail after delicious cocktail, the airline has especially tried to highlight the pampering provided by its flight attendants.

Those branding efforts have been going on at least since 2009, when its corporate blog announced a campaign highlighting the bios of staff "who consistently go the extra mile to make sure our passengers enjoy an exceptional travel experience."

The Hong Kong airline intended to continue its "People and Service" campaign this year with a new slogan: "Meet the team who go the extra mile to make you feel special." The tagline was supposed to provide a theme for hundreds of pilot and flight attendant stories, all emphasizing the unique services provided by Cathay Pacific's employees. That service-oriented campaign is now on indefinite hiatus, however, after pictures surfaced—and there's no way we're not going to make this joke, so prepare yourselves—after pictures surfaced of a flight attendant orally servicing a pilot in a Cathay Pacific cockpit. ]]> Omri 2011-08-24T16:27:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/23/225418/341

DRUMROLL PLEASE! The first destination to get regular, scheduled service on the very first Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be...Okayama, Japan! Why Okayama? Well, the airline with the pleasure of introducing the 787 to the traveling public is Japanese airline ANA, and after a few fun flights to show off the shiny new plane, she'll be put into domestic service between Tokyo-Haneda and Okayama.

Okay so this is literally yesterday's news, but we got a little wrapped up in the East Coast Earthquake drama, so chillax.

Finally, some dates: the very first scheduled flight will happen on November 1, to be immediately followed by the start of Tokyo-Haneda to Hiroshima service on the 787. Want to go international? You've got to wait a tad bit longer, but Tokyo-Haneda to Beijing begins as soon as December, with Tokyo-Haneda to Frankfurt kicking off the long-haul routes in January, 2012.

Here's the official schedule, straight from ANA: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-08-24T08:15:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/5/19/231851/548

Have you ever stood in the modern glass atrium of the headquarters of one of the world's top airlines? It's an impressive experience, to say the least, as it was for us recently when we spent an afternoon touring CX CIty, aka the home of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific just outside of Chek Lap Kok Airport (HKG) on Lantau Island.

On the outside, CX City (or Cathay City, whichever), is a quiet and seemingly calm business block. Step inside, however, and you're immediately engulfed in the energy of a company that's got places to go and airplanes to fly. Flight attendants in their sharp red skirt suits powerwalk past, desk workers grab a candy bar from the atrium shop before going back to tweaking graphic design on an in-flight meal napkin, and pilots grab a post-flight beer in the pub.

It's an electric place, and the international ease is obvious; these people you see now could be in the sky over the Arctic in several hours, serving ramen noodles to anxious passengers on their flight long-haul. Can you tell we were kind of in heaven? ]]> JetSetCD 2011-05-20T10:37:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/5/3/21200/38251

OMG. Remember when we told you that Hong Kong Airlines was beginning a program to teach their flight attendants Kung Fu? Well, now there's video!

Above, thanks the Wall Street Journal, you can watch as the newest and youngest FAs at HK Airlines use their hands for other things than pouring you tea and demonstrating safety procedures. This learning Wing Chun—a form of Kung Fu that works well in confined spaces—is, for a change, totally in the name of their own safety. The fact that they're looking for press (and getting it) is totally forgiven because this is the awesomeness. We took a self-defense class once, but we didn't get to wear a flight attendant uniform for it. Do over?]]> JetSetCD 2011-05-05T11:02:22-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/4/24/214340/893

We probably don't have to remind you of our obsession with Restaurant Weeks, but we'll all excited again—and you should be too—because the concept of wallet-friendly, prix-fixe meals at the best restaurants in town is spreading...to Hong Kong. HK will begin their first restaurant week, annoyingly named "Springalicious," in a couple days—April 27 thru May 3.

Like any city's restaurant week, Hong Kong is starting their selection kinda small; more than 30 restaurants have altered their menus for the Springalicious diners. Check out the full list of participating restaurants here and to book a table, call their reservation phone numbers directly. We'd suggest Bo, g.e. at The Luxe Manor, Domani, Cépage or Whisk at The Mira.

The main event will be an all-you-can-drink specialty cocktail night at the Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay on April 30. For this, you'll need more than a reservation; purchase tickets for it here, on the official website.

[Photo: Springalicious]]]> JetSetCD 2011-04-25T14:11:47-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/