Greater Bay Airlines: From Underdog to Ambitious Contender

Greater Bay Airlines has always felt like one of Hong Kong’s quietest carriers.

They launched operations in July 2022, right in the aftermath of pandemic-era border chaos. Back then, their website was clunky, the route map felt like guesswork, and scheduled flights often disappeared with little warning. At times, it felt like a paper airline—more rumor than reality.

But they’ve stuck with it. And now, three years on, Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) is quietly building something interesting.

✈️ Fleet: 8 Aircraft Today, More on the Way

As of June 2025, GBA operates 8 Boeing 737-800s, all in an all-economy layout. These aircraft fly a variety of short- and medium-haul regional routes, primarily within Asia. While the onboard product is basic, early reviews note good reliability, friendly service, and better legroom than expected.

But more exciting is what’s coming next:

• 15 Boeing 737 MAX 9s are on order, with deliveries scheduled to begin later in 2025 and continue into 2027. These will enable the airline to fly farther and more economically.
• Even more ambitious: GBA has also signed a letter of intent for long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliners, potentially marking the airline’s entry into intercontinental markets in the years ahead. If finalized, this could open the door to Europe, Australia, or even North America.

For an airline that once felt like a mystery, this is a major vote of confidence in its future.

🌏 Network Snapshot: Asia’s Underserved Cities

Greater Bay’s current destinations lean heavily toward secondary cities in Japan and mainland China, along with a few Southeast Asian favorites.

In Japan, the airline skips over tourist-saturated Kyoto and Sapporo to instead serve:

• Yonago, known for Mt. Daisen and Tottori’s sand dunes
• Tokushima, a cultural hub on Shikoku Island
• Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region

This strategy mirrors their mainland China network, where GBA offers direct flights to scenic but less internationally known places like Zhangjiajie, Yichang, and Huangshan.

They also serve more familiar destinations like Tokyo Narita, Osaka Kansai, Seoul, Bangkok, Manila, and (starting July 16) Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

By targeting underserved leisure markets and avoiding congested trunk routes, GBA has managed to grow without stepping directly on the toes of Hong Kong’s larger players.

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💺 Will I Fly Them?

Absolutely. I’ve been following Greater Bay Airlines since the beginning, and watching them evolve into a real regional player has been fascinating. Now that they’ve got a more stable schedule and a clearer vision, it’s time for me to try them out for myself.

When I do, the full experience will be covered on my airline review page, where I share insights from a wide range of carriers flying in and out of Hong Kong.

If you’d like to support future flight reviews and help me cover more up-and-coming airlines like this one, feel free to visit my Patreon page.

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Have you flown Greater Bay Airlines recently? Did any of their off-the-beaten-path routes catch your eye? Let’s chat in the comments.