Pet cabin available only on Japan routes for now

For the first time, passengers can fly with their furry companions right beside them, rather than placing them in the hold. This unique offering is currently available only on select routes to Japan, including Tokyo (NRT), Osaka (KIX), and Nagoya (NGO).

However, on the way back to Hong Kong, all pets will be kept in the plane’s climate-controlled cargo, and there are different rules to follow regarding the booking of the tickets, the bag requirements, and the weight limit, currently set at 8 kilos. Check this page to see all the rules.

What other upgraded services can passengers expect?

The pet travel service is just one part of Hong Kong Airlines’ wider upgrade plan. The new baggage policy offers Economy Class travellers 23kg checked baggage (plus 7kg carry-on) and Business Class passengers a generous 64kg (two pieces, 32kg each) plus 15kg of cabin baggage.

Inflight dining has been elevated with signature Cantonese dishes crafted in collaboration with Michelin-starred Ming Court. Meanwhile, the Club Autus lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, upgraded in partnership with Plaza Premium Group, now provides an enhanced premium experience.

Passengers also benefit from improved online check-in, with free adjacent seating for children under 12 and more complimentary seat selection options.

Looking ahead, Hong Kong Airlines is expanding fast. Daily non-stop flights to Sydney should be launched on June 20, marking its second Australian route this year.

Meanwhile, has climbed back to ninth place among the world’s busiest airports, showing strong recovery even if operations remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels. One last thing for travellers to keep in mind, since April 7, power banks are banned on flights, so make sure your devices are fully charged before take-off.

Header Image Credit: Andy Blackledge (Flickr) / Melv_L – MACASR (Wikimedia Commons)

What are the busiest international airports in 2024?

The rankings are based on international airline capacity, meaning the number of seats airlines scheduled on international routes for the entire year. This capacity is calculated using scheduled one-way flights, offering a clearer view of how much international traffic an airport can handle.

To put this year’s numbers into perspective, the data compares capacity with 2019 and 2023, showing how airports are recovering or growing beyond pre-pandemic levels, and here is the top 10:

While the rankings highlight international airport capacities, they are based on the number of seats scheduled on international flights, not the number of passengers who actually flew. This means the figures represent the airport’s potential traffic rather than confirmed traveller that have actually landed in the SAR.

More international connections from Hong Kong airlines coming this year

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has maintained its spot as the world’s busiest international airport in 2024, with 60.2 million scheduled seats, continuing its leading position since 2019. London Heathrow (LHR) followed in second place, offering 48.4 million seats, a 4% rise compared to the previous year. Incheon International Airport (ICN) climbed four places to secure third, thanks to a 24% increase in capacity from 2023.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) made an impressive recovery, posting a 40% jump in capacity from 2023 and securing 9th place, though still operating 23% below its 2019 figures, according to OAG. This might suggest the airport has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic capacity, despite showing stronger growth than many other airports.

With more international routes reopening, and Cathay Pacific and HK Express expanding their international network to 100 routes by the end of 2025, Hong Kong International Airport’s role as a key hub is set to strengthen. HK Express is also launching new flights to China, Korea, and Japan in May and June, adding even more connections across Asia.

Earlier this year, HKIA also ranked as one of the world’s top 10 airports in 2025. In another news, travellers should also be aware of the upcoming increase in departure tax this October, the first rise in over 20 years.

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An initiative to attract more international tourists

The scheme has been used in past years as a way to stimulate tourism, similar to campaigns rolled out in 2024 and earlier in 2023, when free rides and special promotions helped boost visitor numbers after travel restrictions eased.

Other initiatives like the “buy one get one free” promotion in 2023 for Hong Kong residents were also proposed to encourage visitors to cross the sea. With Hong Kong ranking as the 9th busiest international airport in 2024, welcoming 34.6 million passengers, Macao sees a real opportunity to attract more travellers stopping over in the region.

Last year, over 310,000 international visitors took advantage of the offer between February and December, according to the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). Officials are hoping to build on that success in 2025 by once again partnering with Hong Kong ferry and bus operators to provide the complimentary rides.

How to get free transportation to Macao

International visitors arriving in Hong Kong can enjoy free travel to Macao by bus or ferry under this scheme between May 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. This scheme does not apply to visitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Free bus from Hong Kong International Airport

Visitors arriving at Hong Kong International Airport can claim a free one-way bus ticket at the designated counter inside the restricted area. This ticket allows direct transfer from the SkyPier Terminal to Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Visit www.macauhkairportbus.com for details.

Free ferry tickets from Hong Kong

Visitors can secure a free ferry ticket by showing valid travel documents and proof of arrival in Hong Kong within seven days. Advance booking is required via the official websites of the ferry operators. Free tickets are subject to seat availability and operator terms and conditions that you can review using the links below.

Header Image Credit : Canva

Starting on 23 May 2025, HK Express will launch direct flights to Changzhou in Jiangsu Province. Travellers will be able to discover this vibrant city, mixing traditional Jiangnan beauty with modern energy, with three flights a week and just over two hours of flight time. Then, from 29 May 2025, the airline will add three weekly flights to Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, known for its lively markets and business opportunities.

As for Japan, HK Express will bring back its seasonal flights to Miyako (Shimojishima) starting on 27 June 2025. This relaxing island escape will be served with four round-trip flights a week until 24 October 2025, perfect for summer holidays.

For those dreaming of Korea, two new direct flights are on the way with flights to Cheongju that will start on 5 June 2025, followed by Daegu flights on 6 June 2025. Both cities offer a glimpse into Korea’s culture, history and popular K-drama settings, with an easy three-hour journey from Hong Kong.

With these new routes, HK Express keeps making travel more flexible and exciting for everyone, offering new adventures just a short flight away.

Header Image Credit: 袁勇博, Travel and Still life photography via Canva

Why is Thailand introducing the TDAC?

Thailand welcomes between 30 and 40 million tourists every year. To better manage this growing number of visitors, the government is moving towards a paper-free process that helps speed up immigration, improve public health tracking, and strengthen border security. The TDAC is part of this effort.

It also allows officials to screen travellers more efficiently and avoid long queues at immigration counters.

Who needs to complete the TDAC?

All non-Thai nationals entering Thailand are required to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. It applies to travellers coming by plane, land border, or sea. Thai citizens are exempt.

When and how to submit the TDAC

Travellers must submit the form within three days before arrival in Thailand. The process is done online through the official Immigration Bureau website and here is what you need to know about the process:

• Submissions are free of charge
• A QR code is sent by email once the form is submitted
• The QR code must be shown upon arrival in Thailand

You can submit the form individually or as part of a group (up to 10 people per submission). You can also update your information before you arrive, but some personal details cannot be changed once submitted (such as name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth).

What information do you need to provide?

To complete the TDAC, travellers must fill in the form in English only. You can choose to enter the information manually or scan the MRZ (machine-readable zone) of your passport to auto-fill details.

The required information includes:

• Passport details (upload or manual entry)
• Personal information (name, date of birth, nationality)
• Travel itinerary and flight number
• Accommodation details in Thailand
• Health declaration (especially if travelling from a flagged country)

If you’ve been in a high-risk country within the last 14 days, or your flight is on a watchlist, the system will prompt you to provide extra health details as required by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

What happens after submission?

Once you’ve submitted your TDAC:

• A confirmation email with a QR code will be sent to you
• Keep a digital or printed copy of the QR code with you
• You’ll need to show this at immigration when you arrive

If your travel plans change, you can return to the system and update your TDAC, as long as your core personal data stays the same.

Important notes

• The TDAC is not a visa – if you need a visa, apply separately
• The form is available in English only
• You cannot update the following once submitted: Full name, Passport Number, Nationality, Date of Birth
• Group submissions allow up to 10 people

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is now a must for all foreign travellers starting 1 May 2025. It’s free, easy to complete, and helps speed up your arrival at Thai borders. Make sure to submit your TDAC within 3 days of your arrival, and keep your QR code ready. For full details or to submit your card, visit https://tdac.immigration.go.th.

Header Image Credit: BiG-FOTOSKIT from pixabay

New Hong Kong Rules on Power Banks and Portable Batteries

According to a government notice issued on Monday, the Civil Aviation Department has said that local airlines will not allow fliers to use power banks to charge any other portable electronic devices, or even recharge them, once they board their flights. And while there is no ban on carrying these gadgets in hand baggage, they cannot be placed in overhead compartments. 

The city’s aviation regulator’s current rules state that spare lithium batteries, which covers power banks, are not permitted in checked-in luggage. They can only be packed in cabin bags as long as they contain no more than 2 grams of lithium and do not go over a watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100. Travellers are allowed a maximum of two batteries rated 100Wh-160Wh in their carry-ons, and none exceeding 160Wh.

Why Airlines Are Cracking Down on Power Banks

Earlier this year, an Air Busan flight set to depart for Hong Kong caught fire at Gimhae International Airport, with media stating that the cause was a battery placed in a carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. This resulted in South Korea prohibiting passengers from keeping batteries and e-cigarettes in cabin storage units. More recently, a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou had to divert to Fuzhou after flames broke out in the cabin, also believed to be linked to an external battery pack.

Singapore Airlines’ new rules from April 1 ban passengers from charging power banks using onboard USB ports or using them to recharge other gadgets for the duration of their flight. Other regional carriers like Thai Airways, Eva Air, Air Asia, and China Airlines have similar rules.

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Thailand’s Property Market is up to 85% Cheaper Than Hong Kong 

Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s priciest cities, with everyday expenses and housing costs ranking among the highest globally. The city’s rental market continues to outpace most of the region, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many residents. The territory also emerged as the most expensive city in the world for expatriates for the third year running, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living City Ranking for 2024. 

Given these factors, it is hardly surprising that investors and expatriates from Hong Kong prefer Thailand’s residential property market. Even in the vibrant capital of Bangkok, real estate remains far more affordable, with prices per square metre at about one-fifth of those in the territory. According to data from Numbeo, Phuket is an even more attractive investment option as it costs 85% less per square foot to buy a flat in the island’s commercial centre than in Hong Kong’s CBD.

Phuket’s Real Estate Boom: Investment and Holiday Trends

The Phuket holiday home market has seen massive growth in recent years, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to global real estate services firm CBRE, condominium sales at the end of 2024 skyrocketed by over 201% compared to the previous year, and villa sales shot up by 148%. This growth is largely driven by strong demand from investors looking to cash in on the province’s booming tourism and property sectors. Whether you’re renting a villa in Phuket for your summer holiday or exploring investment opportunities, the market remains highly dynamic.

CBRE also revealed that 75% of vacation homes were bought for investment, and the remaining 25% are for owner occupancy. The island’s rental residential market has also shown impressive returns, with annual yields surpassing 10% in 2024. Prime areas like Bang Tao and near Laguna Phuket — where demand is particularly high thanks to foreign buyers looking for vacation getaways and business professionals relocating to the island —  offer even higher rental income. Key developments like new highways and luxury tourism will also play a major part in enhancing the coastal paradise’s attractiveness to high-net-worth individuals.

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Kimpton Hong Kong Address and Facilities

Kimpton Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui, as it will be officially called, is being developed by Empire Group, the firm behind numerous residential, commercial, and hospitality properties in the territory — most notably the  Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong. When the hotel opens in Q3 2025 at 11 Middle Road, guests can choose from 492 sea-facing rooms overlooking Victoria Harbour, and have access to a 50th-storey rooftop pool, a sprawling wellness centre, and a sky garden.

According to the amenities list, the hotel will offer the complimentary Kimpton Kids Program, which includes family-friendly dining, bunk bed rooms, kids’ happy hour, and accredited babysitters for young children. Families with infants and toddlers can request for child safety kits with devices like outlet covers, toilet latches and nightlights, as well as cribs and playards. Pet parents will pay no additional charge for their furry friends and can avail facilities like plush pet beds in the guest room, food, water bowls, and mats.

History of the Tsim Sha Tsui Location

The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group is a San Francisco-based hotel and restaurant brand owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts, which also operates InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East, and Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hong Kong. Kimpton has locations in Los Angeles, London, and Bangkok, among other cities, but its Hong Kong property will be the largest in its portfolio.

The hotel has come up where the Tsim Sha Tsui Mariners’ Club had been since 1967. The 12-storey building, which was run by the Sailors Home and Missions to Seamen, provided affordable accommodation to seafarers in Hong Kong until 2018 when it was brought down. The club will reopen on the same site and take up the first eight floors of the structure with facilities like seamen’s rooms, a church, restaurants, conference rooms, and a lounge. The Kimpton will occupy floors nine to 42 of the building.

Image credits: Empire Group and IHG

Etihad’s Hong Kong Flights Schedule

The first Etihad flight to Hong Kong in almost six years will take off on November 3, 2025, departing at 9:45pm and arriving at 8:40am in the SAR the next day. The return flight to Abu Dhabi on November 4 will take off at 7:25pm and land at 12:05am in the UAE capital the following day. The service to Hong Kong will run every day of the week except Tuesday and Saturday, while the Abu Dhabi return will operate daily other than Wednesday and Sunday.

Etihad suspended flights to Hong Kong in February 2020 in the initial days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The resumption of its Hong Kong service is part of the airline’s plans to expand its Asia network, which includes direct non-stop flights to Chiang Mai, Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh, Taipei, and Hanoi.

Will Etihad Reopen In-Town Check-In Counters?

However, there’s no word yet about whether Etihad will reopen its in-town check-in counters at the Hong Kong and Kowloon MTR stations, which they closed during the pandemic. The service gives passengers the option of checking in and dropping at their bags off before they head to the airport, and is currently available to Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Qantas fliers at both stations, and Singapore Airlines travellers only at the Hong Kong station.

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Departure Tax Changes: Increase, Exemptions, and Refunds

Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced the increase when he unveiled the 2025-2026 budget last week, and authorities confirmed that the Air Passenger Departure Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be gazetted on March 7. This is the first time since the 2003-2004 financial year that this charge has been raised, and authorities estimate it will bring in HK$1.6 billion of revenue every year.

However, not all passengers need to pay this fee. This includes children under 12 years old, direct transit fliers, and those taking a connecting flight. Travellers who arrive and leave Hong Kong on the same day by plane are also exempt, as are those who enter the airport by vehicle on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge or by ship and then fly out without leaving the restricted area. There are certain passengers who can also get a refund on the tax at the airport, as long as they have proof that they’ve paid the charge and other supporting documents, such as ID and boarding passes.

Passenger Numbers and Flight Capacity on the Rise

Earlier this month, the city’s airport authority said that Hong Kong airport’s passenger numbers returned to pre-Covid levels in January 2025, with the terminal handling an average of 170,000 travellers every day during this time. The aviation hub also landed on a spot in a list of the world’s 10 busiest international airports after increasing its flight capacity by 40% between in 2024. 

The number of flights into and out of the city are also set to rise, thanks to the new runway that opened at the airport last year. Hong Kong-based carriers like Cathay Pacific and HK Express plan to expand their networks to include more passenger routes by the end of 2025, while Hong Kong Airlines has started flying to Australia and North America again.

Image credits: Connecting Flights Guide via Pexels

Easier Cross-Border Travel with Octopus’ New Tourist Card

According to media reports, the new Octopus tourist card will make it easier for visitors to use mass transit within Hong Kong, Macau, and 336 Mainland cities. It will tie in with the China T-union card — a contactless payment system used for bus, ferry, and subway rides in the Mainland. All users need to do is buy the pass and recharge it in Hong Kong dollars, after which it will instantly convert to the local currency when tapped on readers. Octopus officials have said the card will be available within the third quarter of 2025.

Last year, Octopus launched a Mainland travel pass for Hong Kong residents to use on mass transit during their travels north of the border. The card covers public transit systems in 336 cities and 1,759 counties in Mainland China, and can be picked up at all Circle K and 7-Eleven stores in Hong Kong, as well as at specific MTR Customer Service Centres in the city. It can store up to HK$3,000, with fares deducted in Renminbi based on the prevailing foreign exchange rate.

App Updates for Mainland Ride-Hailing and Money Transfers

Hong Kong visitors to the Mainland who prefer to take taxis will soon be able to book cabs there using their Octopus apps. The company recently revealed that they will soon add a new feature to allow users to call online-ride hailing vehicles in China . This development comes along with the news that Hong Kong tourists can use the Octopus app to make payments in Japan, possibly by the end of 2025.

In addition to the slew of travel-related updates, Octopus officials also said they will introduce a new person-to-person payment avenue in the second half of the year by which Octopus app users will be able to tap to transfer money to each other’s accounts through their mobile phones.

Image credits: Aleksandr Buynitskiy via Unsplash

How Octopus Payments in Japan Will Work

According to media reports, Octopus users will get direct currency conversions and automatic deductions from within the app when they scan QR codes to pay Japanese merchants. The feature will likely be similar to Octopus’s tie-ups with PromptPay in Thailand and ZeroPay in South Korea, by which users must first top up their e-wallets from which payments are deducted from their balance.

Japan saw record-breaking visitor arrivals in 2024, with 36.8 million tourists entering the country during the year, of which 2.68 million were from Hong Kong. The SAR accounted for the fourth-highest Japan-bound travellers after South Korea, Mainland China, and Taiwan. In addition, Hongkongers spent ¥658.4 billion (about HK$34 billion) in Japan last year — making up about 8.1% of total visitor expenditure.

More Transport Transaction Options for Tourists and Residents

Octopus officials also revealed that they expect to introduce a card for tourists to use on public transport in Hong Kong, neighbouring SAR Macau, and 336 destinations in Mainland China by the end of this year, thanks to a tie-up with the China T-Union Card. This will be different from the current Octopus–China T-Union Card that Hong Kong residents can pick up at convenience stores for HK$68 to use for their travel within the Mainland. 

The company also aims to get more Hong Kong taxi drivers to install Octopus readers in their vehicles so that passengers can make cashless payments for their rides. Apart from their already 17,400 active cab driver accounts, the five new taxi fleets that will launch by mid-July will accept Octopus, Alipay, UnionPay and other non-cash transactions.

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Flight and Passenger Numbers Continue to Rise

According to a statement from the Airport Authority Hong Kong, more than 193,000 fliers went through the terminal on January 25, 2025, in the run-up to Chinese New Year. The airport also handled 5.28 million passengers throughout the month and 170,000 on average every day. Traveller figures also doubled across a variety of segments — Hong Kong residents, visitors, and transit passengers — compared to the same period the previous year, with significant increases in traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Mainland China, and Japan. 

Airport authorities also said that there were more passenger flights in and out of Hong Kong — an increase of 17% to 33,660 during the month. This is in part likely because carrier like Hong Kong Airlines added flights to Vancouver and Gold Coast and HK Express launched a new service to Sendai in January. 

Post-Pandemic Travel Boom in Hong Kong

Last month, a report from global travel data provider OAG found that Hong Kong International Airport was among the 10 busiest airports in 2024 as it increased its seat capacity by 40% during the year. More than 53 million fliers used the airport in this time — up 34.3% from 2023. There has also been a continuous upward trend in terms of tourist arrivals in Hong Kong, as the city emerged as the fourth-most popular city for tourists in 2024, and welcomed more than 4.7 visitors during the year — a post-pandemic record high.

Image credits: Hong Kong International Airport

Which Airlines Have In-Town Check-In Services in Hong Kong?

Four carriers now offer in-town check-in arrangements at the Hong Kong and Kowloon MTR stations: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines. Fliers bound for Singapore can use the counters every day from 9am-5:20pm only at the Hong Kong station. However, the service is not available for codeshare flights operated by other airlines.

Cathay passengers have been able to avail these services since June 2023 when the counters reopened at the Hong Kong station after the Covid-19 pandemic, and had to wait another year before these pre-flight services resumed at the Kowloon station. The benefits were also extended to Hong Kong Airlines travellers last year, and Qantas Airlines passengers earlier this month.

Who Can Use the Pre-Flight Counters?

Passengers can access the service from 24 hours up to 90 minutes before their scheduled departure. They can enter the In-Town Check-in Area with an Octopus card or Airport Express ticket and request the staff for help or directly proceed to the self-service kiosks and automated bag-drop stations. Remember that all baggage must stick to size and weight regulations — each item cannot exceed 145cm in length, 100cm in width, and 85cm in height, with a maximum weight limit of 32kg.

Only fliers with electronic travel documents can use the check-in counters at the two MTR stations. This includes holders of e-passports, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong Residents, and Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao. Once passengers are done with their pre-flight procedures, they can board the Airport Express at either of these stations, which will get them to the airport within 24 minutes. They should note that there are no check-in counters at Tsing Yi MTR Station, even though the Airport Express stops there.

Image credits: Singapore Airlines, Zhuimindt Heom via WikiCommons

How to Get the Free Seats

To get your hands on the tickets, all you need to do is visit the AirAsia website or download the carrier’s MOVE app and make bookings as usual. The Free Seats promo applies to travel dates between July 1, 2025 and June 15, 2026, and extends to peak seasons like the summer and year-end holidays, but may only be available for flights during certain times of day. Hong Kong travellers can head to Kota Kinabalu and Bangkok (only Don Mueung International Airport) using this deal, which only covers 7kgs of carry-on baggage. They will need to pay extra for optional services like check-in baggage, seat selection, on-board meals, and insurance.

If you can’t get tickets from Hong Kong to Bangkok, try booking from Shenzhen to the Thai capital as the limited-time fare applies to the Shenzhen-Bangkok (Don Mueung) route. Passengers can also get 20% off on opt-in features like check-in luggage, in-flight meals, and seat selection if they choose a Value Pack. But keep an eye out for mandatory airport construction fees, departure and arrival taxes, fuel surcharges, and other charges that aren’t included in the offer.

Other Discounted Fares from Hong Kong to Southeast Asia

The airline is also running a promotion on one-way flights from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), and Manila, which start at HK$410 and include taxes and other applicable fees. If you decide to fly AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur, Manila or Bali to the Maldives, Perth, Tawau, Kuching, and Boracay, you can also avail fares that start at HK$817, which also covers relevant taxes and fees.

Image credits: AirAsia

Hong Kong Airlines New Flights to Sydney 

According to a statement from Hong Kong Airlines, the direct flights to Australia’s commercial capital will depart every day, and will be about 8.5 hours long. Passengers will depart Hong Kong at 10:25pm and arrive in Sydney at 9:50am the next morning. Flights returning to the SAR will leave at 11:30am and arrive at 7:15pm the same day. 

This is Hong Kong Airlines’s second non-stop flight to Australia after the carrier began flying to Gold Coast again last month. However, unlike the year-round Sydney service, the Gold Coast flights will only operate four times a week during the Chinese New Year season.

More Long-Haul Flights Planned

Hong Kong Airlines hopes to connect the territory to more Australian and North American destinations — something the carrier has already started to work on by resuming its flights to Vancouver last month. Plans include expanding its network to include flights to Toronto, Los Angeles, and Seattle. In 2024, the airline added more flights to Vientiane, Sendai, Saipan, Xining, Da Nang, Chiang Mai, and Taichung and restarted their service to Kagoshima. 

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The Best Airlines for 2025

Korean Air surpassed 2024 leader Qatar Airways for the title of Best Airline for 2025. This year, Air New Zealand came in third, followed by Hong Kong at No. 4, and Singapore Airlines at No. 5. The entire list comprises 25 full-service airlines and included Asian carriers like Japan Airlines (No. 7), Taiwan-based EVA Air (No. 11), Japan-headquartered ANA (No. 14), and Thai Airways, among others.

The list was put together by considering factors like whether a carrier provides passengers “a comprehensive full-service experience”, which includes meals, snacks and beverages. There are also criteria for economy class. For instance, the seat pitch — the distance between a point on one passenger seat and the exact same point on the seat directly in front of it — should be at least 31 inches, and business class must have flat beds. Airlines must also have a seven-star safety rating, a modern fleet, consistent service across the fleet, and a sound financial footing to be in the running.

The Top Low-Cost Airlines for 2025

AirAsia was deemed the best budget airline out of the 20 in consideration for this year. Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar came in second, followed by Latvia-based airBaltic at No. 3, HK Express at No. 4, and UK-headquartered Easyjet at No. 5. There was less representation from Asia in this list, with Singapore’s Scoot taking the No. 8 position.

Only carriers that give passengers a mix of affordable on-board services — think meals, drinks, and snacks — and a seven-star safety rating were considered for this category. According to AirlineRatings.com, preference was given to “exceptionally low base fares and [the ability to] maintain an excellent route network” over paid services like Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment.

Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific and HK Express were among the safest airlines in 2025 in a previous report released by AirlineRatings.com. Global travel data provider OAG also recognised HK Express as the world’s fastest growing carrier after it boosted its flights by 46% in 2024.

Image credits: Hong Kong International Airport

Get 15-20% off on phones, TVs & more

The scheme, which was launched by the Mainland government, allows consumers who buy mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches priced up to RMB6,000 (about HK$6,400) to get a 15% rebate on their purchases. The discount is higher if you buy large appliances like TVs, air-conditioners, fridges, or washing machines as you can save up to 20% on your purchase, capped at RMB2,000. The subsidy will last until December 31, 2025.

How to get the discount

The initiative will only benefit Hongkongers who have a Home Return Permit — a document is issued to Chinese citizens with permanent residency in the SAR — along with a registered account on China UnionPay, a Mainland China mobile number, and a debit or credit card issued by a bank north of the border. If you meet all these criteria, follow these steps:

• Open the China UnionPay app and go to the “National Government Subsidised Zone section
• Pick a shopping district (eg., Shenzhen)
• Enter the details of your Mainland China mobile number and debit/credit card 
• Go to the “Vouchers” section and select the relevant home appliance or electronic gadget 
• Input your personal details (name, mobile number, Home Return Permit number, etc.)
• Selected the subsidised product, then sign and submit the electronic agreement to get the voucher
• Redeem the product at select stores within 24 hours by using the China Union app for the purchase

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