(ABU DHABI) Hong Kong Airlines will resume its codeshare partnership with Etihad Airways in November 2025, aligning with Etihad’s relaunch of passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong on November 3, 2025. The move restores a pre-pandemic link that connects one of Asia’s major financial hubs with the Gulf, and reopens a broad web of onward routes to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East via Abu Dhabi.
Tickets are already on sale on both carriers’ websites, with the codeshare set to place Hong Kong Airlines’ “HX” code on Etihad-operated flights.
Service overview
Etihad will operate the Abu Dhabi–Hong Kong route five times weekly using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with service every day except Tuesdays and Saturdays. According to the published schedule:
- Departures from Hong Kong leave at 19:25 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 00:15 the following day.
- The return leg departs Abu Dhabi at 21:45, arriving in Hong Kong at 08:40 the next morning.
These overnight timings in both directions offer practical connections across Etihad’s growing network for travelers planning long-haul trips.
Route and schedule details
- Start date: Etihad resumes Abu Dhabi–Hong Kong passenger service on November 3, 2025
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
- Frequency: Five times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays)
Timings from November 3:
– Hong Kong (HKG) 19:25 → Abu Dhabi (AUH) 00:15+1
– Abu Dhabi (AUH) 21:45 → Hong Kong (HKG) 08:40+1
- Codeshare: Hong Kong Airlines will place its HX code on Etihad flights, enabling bookings through either airline and combined frequent flyer benefits.
What the codeshare means for travelers
A codeshare is more than a shared flight number. Under this agreement, customers can:
- Book with either Hong Kong Airlines or Etihad Airways
- Access integrated itineraries and through-ticketing
- Receive joint after-sales support
- Earn and redeem miles on codeshare flights through both airlines’ loyalty programs
The return of Etihad brings fresh competition to Hong Kong’s long-haul market. Additional seats often create more fare options and greater flexibility, especially for travelers connecting to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Examples of traveler benefits:
– A student in Hong Kong can book Hong Kong → Abu Dhabi → European university city on one ticket with checked bags through to final arrival.
– A small business owner traveling to North Africa may get faster same-day connections via Abu Dhabi.
– Families visiting the Middle East can plan a single itinerary with through-check and mileage accrual across both carriers.
Important: Travelers should still plan for entry rules at each point on the journey. Requirements can change by nationality and passport type. Before booking, check official government guidance for visa and entry permits.
For Hong Kong entry and transit information, consult the Hong Kong Immigration Department: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html
For Abu Dhabi and other connecting destinations, verify rules with the relevant government sources ahead of travel.
Connections and timing advantages
The scheduling supports both local and connecting markets:
- Evening departures from Hong Kong feed Etihad’s late-night wave in Abu Dhabi.
- The AUH evening departure allows arrivals into Hong Kong the next morning.
For travelers heading onward to European gateways—such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, or Frankfurt—the Abu Dhabi connection helps avoid very early starts or awkward layovers. The same applies for trips to Africa and the Middle East, where Etihad’s schedule offers a range of same-night connections.
The codeshare’s timing also helps those who want to avoid overnight hotel stays on connections. With arrivals into Abu Dhabi just after midnight from Hong Kong, many European-bound flights depart within a few hours, keeping total travel time reasonable. In the other direction, the evening Abu Dhabi departure supports working a full day in the Gulf before flying to Hong Kong and arriving in time for morning commitments.
Market and network impact
Etihad’s 2025 network build-out—ten new destinations and broader links across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe—adds context to the Hong Kong return.
- Abu Dhabi’s position as a transfer hub allows Hong Kong-origin passengers to reach more than 20 European cities and multiple points in the Middle East and Africa on one ticket.
- For Hong Kong Airlines, the renewed codeshare fills long-haul gaps without deploying its own aircraft to Europe or Africa, while offering customers premium cabin options to distant markets.
Industry observers will watch how fares evolve as capacity returns. More seats typically introduce more price bands, which can help moderate costs on peak travel weeks. On corporate travel, additional premium-class inventory can ease pressure when flights book up, while loyalty program reciprocity simplifies company travel policies. For leisure travelers, the codeshare opens more weekend-friendly combinations—especially important given the five-times-weekly pattern that avoids Tuesdays and Saturdays.
As of September 30, 2025, both airlines confirm the codeshare resumption for November 2025, with bookings open. Schedules can shift before launch, so travelers should review updates as the start date nears.
Practical tips for travelers
- Book early if traveling on Mondays or Fridays, which often see stronger demand.
- If you need through-checked bags across Hong Kong Airlines and Etihad Airways, book a single ticket under the codeshare to keep handling simple.
- Keep loyalty numbers on the reservation to ensure mileage accrual posts correctly; save boarding passes until miles appear.
- Recheck entry and transit conditions a few days before departure through official sites like the Hong Kong Immigration Department: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html
- Consider changeable fares or travel insurance if your trip relies on tight connections or specific travel days.
Key takeaways
- The Hong Kong–Abu Dhabi corridor’s revival under a codeshare gives travelers more choice and smoother journeys across continents.
- The partnership restores a valuable Gulf hub option for passengers in Hong Kong, improving connectivity to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
- Stay informed: schedules can change, and entry requirements vary—check official sources before you travel.
This Article in a Nutshell
Etihad Airways will restart passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong on November 3, 2025, operating five times weekly with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Hong Kong Airlines will resume a codeshare partnership, placing its HX code on Etihad-operated services and enabling bookings through either carrier. Scheduled departures from Hong Kong are at 19:25 with arrivals in Abu Dhabi at 00:15 the next day; returns depart Abu Dhabi at 21:45 arriving Hong Kong at 08:40. The codeshare restores a direct transfer option to more than 20 European cities and expanded connections to Africa and the Middle East via Abu Dhabi, offering through-ticketing, joint loyalty benefits, and increased seat capacity. Travelers should verify entry requirements and monitor schedules before booking.
