DALLAS — Welcome aboard Cathay Pacific’s (CX) latest route, from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). 

The inaugural flight, CX876, took off on April 24, bound for the Texan mega hub. Today’s flight is the second to connect the two cities non-stop after American Airlines (AA) stopped its route in 2020. 

Cathay operates the flight four times weekly: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Operated by the Airbus A350-1000, the return flight is the longest in Cathay Pacific’s network, and one of the longest A350-1000 flights in the world.

A Developing International Network

Cathay’s international network is on the rise. In addition to DFW, CX’s sixth destination in the U.S., the airline’s passenger network in North America includes New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Vancouver (YVR), Toronto (YYZ), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Boston (BOS). Cathay Pacific is also increasing frequencies on its North America passenger services in 2025, and by May, it will operate 108 return flights per week.

On October 15, 2024, CX announced a new route, allowing passengers to continue their journey deep into the East Coast of the United States and South America through the Texas hub. DFW occupies the last step on the podium of the busiest airports in the world, with over 87 million passengers travelling through the airport in 2024.

The airport serves as American Airlines’ and oneworld’s hub, and has been attracting more ultra-long-haul non-stop flights after CX’s announcement.

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At the Airport, On Board

Few cities in the world are so tightly connected to aviation as Hong Kong. In 2024, CX’s hub welcomed over 53 million passengers, registering a year-on-year growth of 34.3%. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Hong Kong arguably more than any other global hub, and as a result, its aviation recovery is still ongoing.

I arrived at the airport after connecting from another long-haul flight, landing from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) early in the morning. After an enjoyable lounge-hopping experience, which will be featured in a separate article soon, it was finally time to board the B-LXH, an Airbus A350-1000 that would fly us for almost 15 hours to the heart of the U.S.

Flight CX876 is scheduled at 14:50 hours, taking off from HKG at 4:05 pm local time and landing in DFW at 5:55 pm on the same day. I preselected seat 23A, the last window seat in the 46-seat business class cabin. 

The large A350-1000’s business class cabin spans between the first and second doors on the aircraft and is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Behind, the premium economy class houses 32 seats in a 2-4-2 layout. The economy class cabin has 256 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration with 32” of pitch.

CX received its first A350-1000 in 2018, featuring increased passenger and cargo capacity compared to the -900 variant. Together with the Boeing 777, the A350 is Cathay’s long-haul workhorse. The airline operates 48 units, divided between 30 A350-900s and 18 A350-1000s. 

At my seat, I found the Bamford amenity kit, bedding kit, the menus, a large pillow, a bottle of water, a pair of slippers, and the headset. We were then offered a welcome drink, and I opted for a Cathay Delight, one of the airline’s signature mocktails, and a glass of champagne.

The seat, a Safran Cirrus III, features green upholstery, an adjustable armrest, and a “bed extender” pad to increase the lie-flat space. The tray table is stored under the cocktail table, which also houses a small storage compartment for water and headphones. 

The seat’s controls are conveniently positioned together with the IFE remote and reading light above the fixed armrest. Last but not least, each window seat comes with two windows and a nicely sized privacy partition.

Take-off, Dining

We taxied to runway 07R, taking off with a fantastic view of Hong Kong’s terminal and traffic. After being surrounded by clouds, we could undo our seatbelts and connect to the complimentary WiFi in business class. This worked consistently throughout the whole flight, allowing me to post on social media and keep in touch with friends and family.

Passengers travelling in business class can pre-select their meals up to ten days before departure. On flights departing from Hong Kong (HKG), the “Cathay Signatures” selection is available, which includes off-menu dishes in collaboration with renowned restaurants such as Louise and Duddell’s. 

Before my flight, I spent a considerable amount of time checking the menu options, which included eight Cathay Signature dishes and five in-flight seasonal meals. The meal selection menu also features an extensive range of dietary options, with 19 different choices catering to all needs. The beverage menu features a wide selection of tea, coffee, cocktails, and drinks, as well as a good variety of wines.

On today’s flight, a dinner and breakfast were served, together with more options from the all-day dining menu. First, an amuse-bouche was served with a glass of champagne, followed by the appetizer, a pork terrine, served with CX’s signature beer, Betsy. The beer is named after CX’s first aircraft and was brewed for in-flight consumption. 

I pre-selected the main course from the Cathay Signatures menu, the lamb shoulder confit, which was surprisingly tender and flavourful. While cheese and desserts would also be available, I decided to convert my seat into a bed and sleep as we flew into darkness over Japan. All in all, the meal quality and service were superb.

IFE, Amenities

As I woke up, the cabin crew asked if I wanted to try the signature Hong Kong egg tart, which I gladly accepted. I also grabbed a few snacks from the galley. After a truly spectacular sunrise, I explored the in-flight entertainment. The movie and TV selection is outstanding. The interface is easy to navigate and features thousands of hours of content, including live TV and games. 

The A350 also features two cameras, accessible via the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, as well as a highly responsive in-flight map. I took advantage of live TV to watch Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome. The livestream worked flawlessly, and it was unique to witness this historic moment from an aircraft flying south of Alaska.

The touchscreen IFE offers a simple and effective interface, packed with entertainment options. Photo: Simone Chellini/Airways

The Bamford amenity kit is packed into one of the nicest cases I’ve seen on an aircraft. The pouch comes in four different colors and is well-assembled. The content includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, pillow mist, lip balm, hydrating cream, earplugs, and face mask. 

More amenities are available in the lavatories. The business class cabin features three lavatories, two of which are at the front and come with the iconic window. Snacks and beverages are available in the galley, along with additional dining options from the all-day menu, including the famous Cathay Burger.

Breakfast, Landing

We flew above Salt Lake City, enjoying some breathtaking views of the snowy mountains in clear sunlight. 

Around two hours before landing, breakfast was served, and I opted for the shrimp and pork dumpling noodle soup instead of any option from the breakfast menu. I rarely have breakfast, and I was more than happy that my request was possible. 

Welcome to Dallas-Fort Worth

Cathay Pacific was established in 1946 by co-founder Roy C. Farrell, a native Texan and former U.S. Air Force Pilot. Driven by a passion for aviation and a vision to connect the world, Farrell saw an opportunity to transport essential goods from Australia to China.

This progressive thinking and determination laid the foundation for what would become Cathay Pacific.

Roy Farrell Jr., son of Cathay Pacific Founder Roy C. Farrell and a fellow Texas native, commented on the milestone moment: “My father was fearless, dreamed ‘Texas big’ and would let no obstacle stand in his way. His ultimate vision was to create an international airline that flies throughout Asia and to the U.S., which is clearly demonstrated in its namesake, Cathay Pacific.

This new destination embodies CX’s post-pandemic relaunch quite well, highlighting the commitment to a true intercontinental network and an excellent in-flight experience. The cabin was almost packed on this particular segment, with people connecting from other destinations in Asia.

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