The airline can trace it roots back to 2001, when Robert Yip, the chairman of China Rich Holdings, established CR Airways in Hong Kong on 28 March 2001. The airline received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department with a Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter in early 2002.

It started passenger charter operations to Laoag, Philippines on 5 July 2003, with a Bombardier CRJ200 leased from GE Capital Aviation Services. In September 2003, the airline applied for traffic rights to operate scheduled passenger services to Laoag and Chinese cities of Jinan, Naning, Meixian and Wenzhou. By March 2004, the airline had added Siem Reap, Cambodia to its charter network.

In April 2005, the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) granted a five-year licence to transport passengers, cargo and mail to China; the airline was free to apply for traffic rights to 10 cities in China. On 5 July 2005, the airline announced the purchase of two Bombardier CRJ700s from Danish carrier Maersk Air, scheduled to arrive in July and mid-August, respectively. In addition, the airline had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s and 30 Boeing 737–800s (However the Dreamliners never arrived since the airline was taken over, see below).

On 27 June 2006, Hainan Airlines purchased a 45 percent holding of the airline and the holdings would be transferred to Grand China Air, a new holding company of Hainan Airlines. Two months later, Mr Mung Kin Keung acquired the remaining 55 percent of the airline and became the controlling shareholder on 7 August. On 22 September 2006, CR Airways Limited officially changed its name to Hong Kong Airlines Limited and a launch ceremony took place on 28 November 2006. 

That year the airline also continue to receiving its Boeing 737-800 which it placed back a few years earlier before the buyout, the aircraft wore the early livery of the Airline. Which represents a bauhinia flower, the symbol of Hong Kong where the airline is anchored. The airline made the biggest aircraft order in its young history on 21 June 2007, by ordering 51 narrow- and wide-body aircraft from Airbus, which would replace all the Boeing 737 aircraft. 

On 8 June 2010, Hong Kong Airlines completed their flight certification from Hong Kong to Beijing earning their Air Operating's Certificate for the Airbus A330 which was Introduced the same year. It opened up new routes between Hong Kong Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok. On 28 June 2010, scheduled flights to Moscow were launched. 

In 2011, Hong Kong Airlines was awarded a 4-star rating by Skytrax. On 8 March 2012, Hong Kong Airlines launched daily flights from Hong Kong to London Gatwick airport with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft. However, this route ended on September 10 the same year.

In 2012, it introduced the first Airbus A320 passenger aircraft and the airline opened up a new route to Taipei. In 2013, one new route was established when Hong Kong Airlines launched a new passenger route between Hong Kong and Maldives. Also, during this time, all Hong Kong Airlines' Boeing aircraft were replaced by an Airbus fleet. In 2014, Hong Kong Airlines launched new passenger routes between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh, Tianjin and Kagoshima; they also increased four flights to Beijing and five flights to Shanghai daily.

On 28th November 2016, Hong Kong Airlines commemorated its 10th Anniversary with a grand celebration with distinguished guests that included government officials and business leaders. The momentous anniversary celebration was used to launch the next phase of growth and expansion. ″Flying Beyond″ was a sign of further route expansion to current and new markets, fleet growth, expansion with the Airbus A350, enhanced customer service, amenities and facilities. It also revised its logo with a more elegant colourful scheme. On 26th April 2017, air split air cargo business in Hong Kong was set up as an independent subsidiary cargo airline of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Cargo Airlines). 

On 1st September 2017, Hong Kong Airlines received its first A350-900 and started operating the new VIP lounge "Club Autus" in the Hong Kong Airport. On 10th September 2017, the first new Airbus A350-900 aircraft was put into commercial operation to and from Bangkok. In December 2017, Hong Kong Airlines started operating a direct flight to Los Angeles with the A350-900, as well adding San Francisco in March 2018 as more A350-900 arrived to the fleet.

Source: Wikipedia.org + Hong Kong Airlines