Hong Kong Airlines Ltd., controlled by HNA Group, will begin an all-premium class service to London's Gatwick Airport next year as it challenges larger competitor Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

The carrier will use three Airbus SAS A330 aircraft on the route starting March 7, it said in an e-mailed statement today.

Customers can purchase a round-trip ticket for as low as HK$16,640 (US$2,136) when booking 28 days before departure from Dec. 1, the carrier said. The published fare for a round trip will be from HK$46,840.

Hong Kong Air is adding long-haul routes in competition with Cathay. The carrier also plans to start services to Paris and Sydney, spokeswoman Eva Chan said in an interview last week.