Cathay Pacific plans Hong Kong-Washington DC flights
Expect flights four times weekly from September 2018.
Hong Kong 5-star airline Cathay Pacific has announced it plans to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Washington DC from 15 September 2018.
Flights will be serviced by the new airbus A350-1000 and are expected to operate four times weekly, departing from Hong Kong on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 6:35pm for an arrival time of 10:20pm.
The return flights will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing at 1:15am to touch back down in Hong Kong by 5:10am +1.
This will be Cathay Pacific's longest route in terms of distance, clocking up 7,085 nautical miles – or 13,122 kilometres. It continues the airline's long-haul network expansion which already reaches as far east in the US as Boston and New York City.
Similar to the smaller A350-900, the new aircraft features three cabin classes: business, premium economy and economy, and features enhanced entertainment and Wi-Fi compatibility.
For Australians flying up to Washington DC this offers an added chance to travel to the US capital with minimal stopovers on a full-service 5-star airline. Optimal flights from Sydney and Melbourne include a 3-hour layover, from Adelaide there's a 4-hour layover and from Perth, Brisbane and Cairns you're looking at around a 10-hour layover. Those seeking to double-down on their holiday plans and either extend or take advantage of this layover period can cash in on the airline's free stopover extras in Hong Kong which can include transfers into the city and sightseeing tours.
Fares have yet to be confirmed, though. If the airline wishes to remain competitive, it will have to keep flight prices out of Sydney under $1,500 return, which is what Qantas is currently offering via Expedia.
Alongside this new route, Cathay Pacific plans to increase services to Brussels, Dublin, Barcelona and Tel Aviv in 2018.
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