Cathay Pacific Enhances Global Connectivity with New Seattle Route and Increased North America Flight Capacity

(IN SHORT) Cathay Pacific has launched a new non-stop route between Hong Kong and Seattle, operating five times per week and becoming the only direct connection between the two cities. The addition expands the airline’s North American network to nine destinations and supports nearly 120 weekly return flights across the region. The launch is part of Cathay Pacific’s 80th anniversary celebrations and broader investment in enhancing customer experience and global connectivity. Operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the service caters to both passenger and cargo demand while strengthening ties between two major centres of innovation and commerce.

(PRESS RELEASE) HONG KONG, 2026-Mar-30 — /Travel PR News/ — Cathay Pacific has officially launched a new non-stop passenger service between Hong Kong and Seattle, marking a significant expansion of its North American network. The route, operating five times per week, establishes the only direct connection between Hong Kong and Washington State’s largest city, further strengthening links between two major global hubs.

The introduction of the Seattle service brings Cathay Pacific’s total North American destinations to nine, with the airline now operating close to 120 return flights per week across the region. This expansion forms part of the airline’s broader strategy to enhance connectivity and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a leading international aviation hub.

The inaugural flight was operated using a specially branded Airbus A350 aircraft featuring the airline’s commemorative “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery, created to celebrate Cathay Pacific’s 80th anniversary. The milestone underscores the carrier’s long-standing commitment to connecting Hong Kong with key global markets since its founding in 1946.

Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer at Cathay Pacific, highlighted the significance of the new route, noting the strong economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Seattle. She emphasized that both cities share a dynamic spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, making the connection particularly relevant for both business and leisure travellers.

The Seattle route is operated using the airline’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering a full range of cabin experiences, including lie-flat beds in Business Class, enhanced comfort in Premium Economy, and award-winning Economy seating. The service is scheduled to run five times weekly throughout most of the year, with slight seasonal adjustments to departure times.

In addition to passenger travel, the new route also supports cargo operations. The belly cargo capacity on these flights complements Cathay Pacific’s extensive cargo network, which includes approximately 40 weekly freighter flights to North America during peak summer periods.

Cathay Pacific’s North American network now includes destinations such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver, offering customers a wide range of travel options and seamless onward connections through Hong Kong to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

About Cathay

Cathay is a premium travel lifestyle brand that brings together all that we love about travel with everyday lifestyle. The range of products and services includes flights, holidays, shopping, dining, wellness and payment. All our travel lifestyle offerings are designed to bring customers exciting offers, rewards, experiences and hand-picked partners.

Flights are provided by Cathay Pacific, the home airline of Hong Kong and a founding member of the one world global alliance. The Cathay Group also comprises low-cost carrier HK Express, express all-cargo carrier Air Hong Kong and various subsidiaries. We are a member of the Swire Group and are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) as a public company.

For eight decades, Cathay Pacific has been connecting our home city of Hong Kong to the world. Now we’re bringing that connection to more of our customers’ lives. The new era of Cathay elevates their every bite, tap, step, stay and flight to greater heights. www.cathay.com

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SOURCE: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited