Hong Kong Airlines brings Panda Friends experience on board
Hong Kong Airlines and Ocean Park mark the Panda Friends Livery Aircraft Themed Flight
Hong Kong Airlines and Ocean Park have expanded the Panda Friends livery aircraft experience with new themed cabin interiors and bespoke collectibles, bringing Hong Kong’s six giant pandas further into the passenger journey.
The Panda Friends-themed cabin experience debuted onboard Hong Kong Airlines’ flight to Chengdu, the hometown of the giant panda. The launch builds on the Panda Friends livery aircraft, which debuted in mid-March and has since carried Hong Kong’s conservation message to passengers around the world.
The aircraft features Ocean Park’s panda characters An An, Ke Ke, Ying Ying and Le Le, alongside Hong Kong-born giant panda twins Jia Jia and De De. In the aircraft artwork, the six pandas travel from Ocean Park with passports and cameras, acting as tourism ambassadors for Hong Kong.
Panda Friends-themed cabin interiors
Hong Kong Airlines and Ocean Park welcomed government, airport and company representatives to the Panda Friends Livery Aircraft Themed Flight Preview, including Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture; Sports and Tourism, Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong; Bruce Wang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Airlines, Jeff Sun; President of Hong Kong Airlines, Paulo Pong; Chairman of the Board of Ocean Park Corporation, and Ivan Wong, Chief Executive of Ocean Park Corporation.
Wang said the aircraft represents more than a themed livery, positioning Hong Kong Airlines as a cultural bridge for the city.
“Giant pandas symbolize warmth, connection and cultural exchange, values that resonate deeply with Hong Kong, a city that has long stood at the crossroads of East and West,” said Wang. “This one-of-a-kind panda livery aircraft is a calling card of Hong Kong in the skies.”
Hong Kong Airlines and Ocean Park’s limited-edition Panda Friends collectibles
The onboard experience includes panda-themed boarding passes, ceiling and overhead bin designs, headrest covers, trolley wraps and catering items. Hong Kong Airlines said the details are designed to create a multi-sensory journey that begins when passengers board.
The airline has also extended the Panda Friends experience to Club Autus, its lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), with a panda media installation highlighting the animals at Ocean Park and the importance of giant panda conservation.
Pong said the expanded collaboration brings Ocean Park’s conservation message into the cabin.
“Through meticulously designed cabin decorations, themed food and beverage offerings and exclusive merchandise, we are creating an all-encompassing, immersive panda-themed experience for passengers,” said Pong.
The airline has also launched a limited-edition Panda Friends collectibles series, co-developed by Hong Kong Airlines and Ocean Park. The collection includes 1:400 and 1:200 die-cast aircraft models, Panda Friends Cabin Crew Surprise Blind Box Figurines, a Jia Jia and De De Sweet Dream Eye Mask, a Pilot × Cabin Crew Luggage Tag and an Aviation Webbing Key Chain.
Pre-orders opened June 24 through HKA Collection, with items available in limited quantities.
The launch forms part of Hong Kong Airlines’ 20th anniversary year. Since its founding in 2006, the airline has continued to expand its role in promoting Hong Kong as an international aviation hub, including its relocation of check-in counters to Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport and the unveiling of a refreshed corporate visual identity.
Hong Kong Airlines said the Panda Friends livery aircraft reflects its mission of being “Rooted in Hong Kong, Connecting the World,” while carrying the city’s cultural, tourism and conservation stories to global passengers.
