What is exactly the message that you're trying to pass with this post?

He's being sarcastic. For the record I'd do my homework before working on a package like this. Hong Kong is a very very expensive place to live, especially if you have a family here. I don't work for Hong Kong Express but I do work in Hong Kong. As a westerner here, the cost of living isn't for the faint hearted.

Hi Volare,

id really appreciate if you had some idea of current LHS numbers ?

Can I PM you, well versed in HKG costs.

Cheers

If someone can share any updates, I’d also appreciate it. How’s the company for an expat point of view, as Captain.

thanks in advance!

Hello, has anyone been invited to interview after completing the online assessment recently? How long does it take to wait?

I've been invited to an interview next week Tuesday 8th April. We'll see how it goes.

Wait was about a month from the online assessment.

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?

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.

I heard similar comments from an ex easyjet captain contacted over linkedin a couple of years ago. HKE is out for me.

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

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.

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

Fisting each other? Perhaps that has a different meaning where you are...:eek:

The Spanish will be the gmf when the Belgian piece of —— retires.

I’m happy to be out, worst professional experience of my life

Anyone here joining 6th jan 2026 batch ?

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...)

HKE DESO
 

Hi, anyone has any insight on if HKE is still looking for DESO?

Does this include FO's with previous jet time or low time no jet SO's?

In December, I applied for their SO position. No response so far. Anybody else got one?