...What sort of fanfare happens on these inaugural flights? It's been a while since they have launched anything major.
It varies by airline.
Some have a display of dancers at the departing terminal. Most have speeches, with a few airline and airport (and on occasion a - perhaps State or equivalent - Government Minister) dignitaries invited.
Usually a cake is cut. Passengers may receive a slice, or a box or small bag of goodies, and perhaps the general waiting area may have (non alcoholic?) drinks available for free.
At the other end (in this case HKG) there will presumably be the water cannon salute from fire trucks.
You can also expect Mr Borghetti and associated VA-hangers on to be on the flight.
There will probably be a special menu.
The flight and cabin crew will presumably be hand picked. You may receive more attention than normal. There will be travel 'journalists' and bloggers up the front in J, no doubt gushing later in writing about the 'service levels' even though it's not reflective of the everyday experience. These individuals will all be on freebies, of course, and salivating at the thought of it.
Perhaps you could ask them why it is that VA has such an odd VAi strategy, and whether this airline will ever either turn a true profit, or even better, one that is judged 'satisfactory' in terms of exceeding the cost of capital.
And will it ever pay long suffering shareholders a dividend? Hmmm.
