Cathay Pacific is gearing up to bring back a fan favorite: direct flights from Hong Kong (HKG) to Brussels (BRU), slated to launch on August 3, 2025. After a five-year hiatus, this route’s return is a big deal for travelers craving a straight shot to Belgium’s buzzing capital. Announced on December 3, 2024, alongside their new Munich service, this relaunch promises to blend Cathay’s premium vibes with Brussels’ unique mix of politics, culture, and chocolate. Mark your calendars—Europe’s about to get a little closer!
Starting August 3rd, Cathay Pacific will fly four times a week—Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—connecting Hong Kong International Airport to Brussels Airport (BRU). The Airbus A350-900 will take the reins, offering 38 lie-flat business class seats, 28 premium economy spots, and 214 economy seats across its 5,970-mile journey. Here’s the scoop on the schedule (all times local, pending final approval):
- CX294 (HKG to BRU): Departs Hong Kong at 23:25 (11:25 PM), lands in Brussels at 05:55 (5:55 AM) the next day—12 hours and 30 minutes in the air.
- CX293 (BRU to HKG): Leaves Brussels at 16:15 (4:15 PM) from August 3–12, then shifts to 13:25 (1:25 PM) from August 13 onward, arriving in Hong Kong at 06:55 (6:55 AM) the next day—11 hours and 30 minutes.
The late-night departure from Hong Kong means you’ll wake up in Brussels, ready to tackle the day, while the afternoon return gives you flexibility to wrap up your Belgian adventure. Cathay’s A350-900 is a perfect fit—quiet cabins, better air quality, and those flat beds in business class make the long haul feel less like a slog.
Why Brussels?
Brussels is a powerhouse—home to the EU and NATO, it’s a hub for business and diplomacy, drawing suits from Hong Kong’s financial scene. But it’s not all work: think cobblestone streets, world-class waffles, and a beer culture that rivals Munich’s. In 2024, 35,000 Belgians visited Hong Kong, and this route’s relaunch will make that two-way flow smoother than ever. Plus, from Hong Kong, you can connect to 19 mainland China cities via Cathay and HK Express, or tap into Europe through oneworld partners like British Airways from Brussels.
This isn’t a new fling—Cathay first flew to Brussels in March 2018, but the route got grounded in 2020 amid pandemic cuts. Its return signals their confidence in a full rebound, just in time for late summer 2025 travel.
Cathay’s European Roadmap
The Brussels relaunch is part of Cathay Pacific’s European glow-up, targeting 93 weekly return flights to 11 cities by summer 2025, up from 78 now. Here’s their European lineup from Hong Kong as of this plan:
- London (LHR): 5 daily flights (35 weekly)
- Amsterdam (AMS): Daily (7 weekly)
- Frankfurt (FRA): Daily (7 weekly)
- Manchester (MAN): Daily (7 weekly)
- Milan (MXP): Daily (7 weekly)
- Paris (CDG): Daily (7 weekly)
- Zurich (ZRH): Daily (7 weekly)
- Madrid (MAD): 4 weekly
- Barcelona (BCN): 4 weekly (summer seasonal)
- Munich (MUC): 4 weekly (starting June 16, 2025)
- Brussels (BRU): 4 weekly (starting August 3, 2025)
Brussels will round out the list as the 11th destination, joining Munich’s June debut. It’s all part of Cathay’s push to hit 100 global destinations by year-end, a milestone that’s looking well within reach.
Why It’s Worth the Wait
This relaunch isn’t just a nostalgic nod—it’s a smart move. Brussels has been off Cathay’s radar since 2020, forcing travelers to detour through other hubs. Now, it’s back with a direct line, cutting the hassle and boosting options for business and leisure alike. The A350-900’s comfort will make those 12-hour flights a breeze, and Cathay’s Hong Kong hub ties it all together with seamless Asian connections.
Bookings are already open, so if you’re plotting a late summer 2025 trip—maybe a Belgian beer crawl or a quick hop to Bruges—this is your cue. Cathay Pacific’s bringing Brussels back in style, and August 3rd can’t come soon enough. Stay tuned for liftoff!
I’ve flown Cathay a few times, see a list of my reviews of the flights here:
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