- Cathay Pacific has launched a nonstop flight between Dallas and Hong Kong.
- Business class on the new A350 1000 plane features lie-flat seating, excellent entertainment and delicious meals.
- Cathay’s newest route, which flies 4 times a week on average and is Cathay’s longest route in terms of length, will fly four flights a week.
Cathay Pacific’s inaugural flight, CX875, was launched on April 24. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Hong Kong International Airport HKG. The only direct flight between Texas Hong KongIt is, however, the longest distance flight within the Cathay Pacific Network. I was lucky to score a seat.
Cathay Pacific’s first passenger flight was in April, after 20 years of cargo flights. “The U.S. Market is very Important to Us.” Cathay’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lavinia La, said Travel + Leisure. “Texas’ economy is booming. It makes sense commercially.”
I knew that I was going to be in for a real treat. The airline is known for its top-notch service and special dining. It lived up to all my expectations.
The Admiral’s Club in DFW is available to business class passengers of Cathay Pacific and American Airlines thanks to their partnership. The lounge has plenty of seating, a food buffet and a self service bar.
It was only a few minutes walk to my gate. I attended the celebrations, which included speeches, ribbon-cutting, traditional lion dancers, food, and Cathay merchandise. After the celebrations, I boarded my Airbus A350-1000 shortly after. This vessel is the newest addition to Cathay Pacific’s long-haul aircraft fleet. It is equipped with features such as adjustable air pressure, which is supposed to reduce jet lag.
I was met with a welcome drink to hold me over as I found my business-class seat—a comfy window cubicle with a lie-flat seat, stocked with bedding, slippers, a bottle of water, and an amenity kit from Bamford. The amenity kits included classics like earplugs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sleep masks, cooling gel for the body and pillow, along with a few extras. I also had a cubby to keep my personal belongings and shelves in the cubicle.
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
The incredible meal service helped me get through the first hours of jet lag after our departure at 11 pm. Cathay’s culinary offerings include Hong Kong classics such as shrimp wonton, and the burger that is a passenger favorite.
The burger was huge and lived up to its hype. I couldn’t even take my first bite. I paired it up with its Betsy BeerFor dessert, I indulged in a double chocolate nougat souffle. Breakfast was the “Wellness Breakfast”, which included warm pastries, fruit and chia pudding. (Cathay Pacific partners up with famous Hong Kong Restaurants Louise You can also find out more about the following: Duddel’s To cater for the HKG to DFW leg.
The amount of entertainment on the flight was impressive. There were so many shows, movies, and games available that I made a list of what I wanted to see. (Cathay won an award for the best in-flight entertainment from airline rating company SkyTrax.)
The bedding kit included a seat cushion for extra comfort, as well as a large blanket that was extra warm. The bed was comfortable and I could easily adjust it to my desired position.
After 17 hours, it seemed like they flew by. Before I knew it, the plane landed at 5 am local time in Hong Kong. I went through security and checked in at the Rosewood Hong Kong. I usually stay there to take advantage of the amenities and harbor views to help me recover after a long trip. The choice was mine this time: I had recovered so well from my long flight that I didn’t have to choose between the beautiful hotel and the busy city.
The Dallas-to-Hong Kong route flies four times a week with plans to increase the route to a daily service. Cathay Pacific won’t stop there. Dallas isn’t just Dallas for us. Dallas is a hub that we want to use to expand into other parts in the U.S. as well as Central and South America. Lau said. “This is our perfect gateway.”