Booked HKA at the holidays HKG-YVR return, the price was just under HK$22k per ticket in business class, lie-flat bed. Same days on CX, the price was just under HK$30k per ticket in business class. Air Canada was just under HK$33k per ticket. A lot of HKA pilots in my complex in TC, none seem to have a deathwish or even seem outwardly bothered in any real way, so I felt comfortable.
The problem with the idea around the opening poster, is that there are not enough people in HK that are willing to pay for the premium service, so the model has to be built around connecting traffic + premium service. I agree that the CX service is really strong, but not US$1k per ticket strong. Until HKA has a serious safety incident (I hope never because I wish this on no one), people will not pay substantially more to fly with KA/CX--except maybe those that are a slave to miles. But I do believe they would pay more for perceived better safety.