Hong Kong Express
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Australia
I did the online assessment with HKE at the end of February and haven't received a response since then. However, my application status is still showing under review. I contacted the HR people several times but didn't get a reply. Does that mean I have failed already?
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Samoa
Just a heads-up for anyone considering a move to HK Express: several new joiners have noted that the training environment can be quite challenging—not necessarily due to the content, but because of the conduct of a few trainers.
There appears to be a subset of trainers who, possibly due to limited experience and confidence in the aircraft, come across as overly critical or dismissive during line training or sim sessions. The feedback shared suggests a lack of basic cockpit civility at times, which can make an already stressful period feel unnecessarily hostile.
This isn't a blanket statement about all instructors at HKE—some are genuinely supportive—but it’s an issue worth being aware of. If you're currently in a stable and respectful training culture elsewhere, think carefully before making the jump.
There appears to be a subset of trainers who, possibly due to limited experience and confidence in the aircraft, come across as overly critical or dismissive during line training or sim sessions. The feedback shared suggests a lack of basic cockpit civility at times, which can make an already stressful period feel unnecessarily hostile.
This isn't a blanket statement about all instructors at HKE—some are genuinely supportive—but it’s an issue worth being aware of. If you're currently in a stable and respectful training culture elsewhere, think carefully before making the jump.
Joined: May 2017
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: São Paulo
Some friends flying there. Last month, 4 captains were terminated during the line training. Earlier this year, management was proud to announce they have fired 10. The way to survive is to quickly adapt to the 'tailored' extremely picky SOPs and get the feed back about these 'Top Gun' trainers. Outside of these few very questionable arrogant trainers attitude, it is becoming more and more an Ultra Low Cost airline, productivity paid, hence very large wages variation. Senior captain, between 85 (0h) and $190k (95h). Good bonus though. 3 years contracts only, Some captains were not renewed for obscured reasons. No education allowance. Good for a mercenary pilot waiting for a real contract. Actually recently only attracts Asia Low Cost airline captains, commuting and making there double salary but cannot afford bringing family in HK.
Very high turnover but still attracts hundreds of applications every month with this expected salary paid at 90h+. Not for everyone indeed. CX jump is blocked by HR now, people leave to EK
Very high turnover but still attracts hundreds of applications every month with this expected salary paid at 90h+. Not for everyone indeed. CX jump is blocked by HR now, people leave to EK
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Jakarta
I am preparing for the type rated FO test at HK Express next month and Could you please share what kinds of tests are conducted during the selection process? Also, I would appreciate if you could tell me some common interview questions and any tips or tricks?
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Samoa
World class Airline
Just a few months since my last post, and believe it or not, things at HK Express have actually managed to get worse. Quite an achievement, really. This place could have been a decent gig, but the training department has turned it into something else entirely. A few good guys are still around, but they’re basically spectators now—outnumbered and outshouted by the self-appointed “mafia” that runs the show. Professionalism? Nowhere to be found. What’s on the menu these days is open vendettas against certain nationalities. Because nothing says “world-class airline” like playground-level politics in the sim. If you’re thinking of joining: don’t. Toss a dart at a map and pick anywhere else—you’ll be better off. I’m out soon myself, and I suspect I won’t be the last.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 6
From: NZ
You have to cut off the head of the snake 🐍
As long as there’s guys at the top, walking around high fiveing, fisting eachother, getting their willys out and whirling them around like a firecracker celebrating every time they fail or fire someone, nothing will change
As long as there’s guys at the top, walking around high fiveing, fisting eachother, getting their willys out and whirling them around like a firecracker celebrating every time they fail or fire someone, nothing will change
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 285
From: Moved beyond
You have to cut off the head of the snake 🐍
As long as there’s guys at the top, walking around high fiveing, fisting eachother, getting their willys out and whirling them around like a firecracker celebrating every time they fail or fire someone, nothing will change
As long as there’s guys at the top, walking around high fiveing, fisting eachother, getting their willys out and whirling them around like a firecracker celebrating every time they fail or fire someone, nothing will change
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Hong Kong
You have to cut off the head of the snake 🐍
As long as there’s guys at the top, walking around high fiveing, fisting eachother, getting their willys out and whirling them around like a firecracker celebrating every time they fail or fire someone, nothing will change
As long as there’s guys at the top, walking around high fiveing, fisting eachother, getting their willys out and whirling them around like a firecracker celebrating every time they fail or fire someone, nothing will change
I’m happy to be out, worst professional experience of my life
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Macau
Attention to the new joiners. Last year batches had many failed and fired trainees during the line training. 50% failed and fired trainees sometimes.
This alined with the training department history. Alike the passing rate for the command upgrade is only 10%. Reported by the deputy GMT few days ago.
Do not forget productivity pay. No flight hours pay during Line Training and therefore very low basic, especially for SO, definitely not enough to live in HK for an expat.
Prepare for it. The target salary given is real but only after very long months of training for the lucky ones not fired.
HKE is a LCC and has absolutely nothing similar to CX HR salary package. Benefits are basically the minimum legal. (Pension scheme, medical is very poor. No education allowances...)
This alined with the training department history. Alike the passing rate for the command upgrade is only 10%. Reported by the deputy GMT few days ago.
Do not forget productivity pay. No flight hours pay during Line Training and therefore very low basic, especially for SO, definitely not enough to live in HK for an expat.
Prepare for it. The target salary given is real but only after very long months of training for the lucky ones not fired.
HKE is a LCC and has absolutely nothing similar to CX HR salary package. Benefits are basically the minimum legal. (Pension scheme, medical is very poor. No education allowances...)
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: The oldest state
Attention to the new joiners. Last year batches had many failed and fired trainees during the line training. 50% failed and fired trainees sometimes.
This alined with the training department history. Alike the passing rate for the command upgrade is only 10%. Reported by the deputy GMT few days ago.
Do not forget productivity pay. No flight hours pay during Line Training and therefore very low basic, especially for SO, definitely not enough to live in HK for an expat.
Prepare for it. The target salary given is real but only after very long months of training for the lucky ones not fired.
HKE is a LCC and has absolutely nothing similar to CX HR salary package. Benefits are basically the minimum legal. (Pension scheme, medical is very poor. No education allowances...)
This alined with the training department history. Alike the passing rate for the command upgrade is only 10%. Reported by the deputy GMT few days ago.
Do not forget productivity pay. No flight hours pay during Line Training and therefore very low basic, especially for SO, definitely not enough to live in HK for an expat.
Prepare for it. The target salary given is real but only after very long months of training for the lucky ones not fired.
HKE is a LCC and has absolutely nothing similar to CX HR salary package. Benefits are basically the minimum legal. (Pension scheme, medical is very poor. No education allowances...)
Joined: Jan 2026
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong