Cathay Pacific’s Dallas Route Takes Off: Two Days In and Texas-Sized Success!

Cathay Pacific’s new direct flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) blasted off on April 24, 2025, and two days in, it’s already a Texas-sized triumph! The inaugural Flight CX898 soared out of Hong Kong at 4:05 PM last Thursday, landing in Dallas at 5:55 PM right on schedule—a smooth 14-hour-50-minute hop across the Pacific. The return leg, CX897, took off from DFW at 11:55 PM that night, touching down in Hong Kong at 5:05 AM Saturday, April 26th, as planned. It’s sweet like a lemon with a big Texas kick, and travelers are loving this transpacific treat!

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Cathay brought their biggest bird—the Airbus A350-1000—to the party. This beast, roomier than its A350-900 kin, flew in with 46 lie-flat business class seats, 32 premium economy spots, and 256 economy seats—334 total, packed with happy passengers. The launch went off without a hitch, showcasing Cathay’s signature comforts: oversized windows, a whisper-quiet cabin, Wi-Fi, and an entertainment lineup zinging with Hollywood hits and Disney+. Passengers raved about the same-day Dallas arrival—perfect for diving into Texas—and the early Hong Kong landing for a fresh start. It’s Cathay’s longest passenger route at 8,123 miles, and they nailed it right out of the gate.

Dallas: Big Wins and Bigger Dreams

This route’s a game-changer, marking Cathay’s first southern U.S. passenger hub. DFW, one of the world’s busiest airports (73 million passengers in 2023), hooks travelers up with over 190 U.S. domestic connections and 11 in Latin America via oneworld partner American Airlines. Hong Kongers are now a direct flight away from Texas’ oversized economic vibe—tech, energy, trade—and its big BBQ joints, cowboy swagger, and Deep Ellum arts scene. Plus, SpaceX’s Starbase launch site near Brownsville is just a road trip south, firing up rockets like the massive Starship!

Cathay’s North American Squeeze

Dallas is the zest on Cathay Pacific’s North American expansion, pushing their weekly return flights to 108 by May 2025, up from 88. Here’s their full North American lineup from Hong Kong, bursting with flavor:

• Boston (BOS): Daily (7 weekly)
• Chicago (ORD): Daily (7 weekly)
• Los Angeles (LAX): 3 daily (21 weekly)
• New York (JFK): 3 daily (21 weekly)
• San Francisco (SFO): 3 daily (21 weekly)
• Dallas (DFW): 4 weekly (since April 24, 2025)
• Toronto (YYZ): 13 weekly (mix of daily and extra flights)
• Vancouver (YVR): 2 daily (14 weekly, resumed January 18, 2025)

That’s eight destinations with a Texas-sized punch, from the triple-daily heavy hitters (New York, LA, San Francisco) to Vancouver’s double-daily comeback and Dallas’ fresh four-weekly kick. It’s a network that’s been zinging since 1983, now juiced up with southern flair.

Why It’s a Zinger

This route’s got bite and sweetness aplenty. The A350-1000’s Texas-sized perks—lie-flat beds, a chill cabin—make the 15-hour westbound trek a smooth sip. The 4:05 PM Hong Kong takeoff lands you in Dallas by evening, ready for action, while the 11:55 PM DFW departure gets you to Hong Kong for a crisp morning. It’s a perfect mix for business linking Hong Kong’s finance hub with Dallas’ big economic clout, or leisure travelers like me craving a transpacific twist.

Personal Note: I’m over the moon about this route—I’ve always dreamed of watching a SpaceX Starship launch live, and with launches from Texas’ Starbase, this makes it so much easier! I’m already plotting a trip: fly Cathay to Dallas, then head south to catch a rocket blast off in person. Texas is delivering big, and I can’t wait to be there!

Bookings are hot, and two days post-launch, this route’s squeezing every drop of excitement out of spring 2025. Cathay Pacific’s planted a Texas-sized flag in Dallas—think of it as a lemon drop in their North American glass, served up big and bold. Where’s your next adventure?