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Exclusive | Cathay Pacific to launch direct flights from Hong Kong to Washington, with journey taking under 17 hours

The new flight, on an A350 aircraft, is expected to cut at least two hours from the current route served by multiple airlines, where there is at least one stopover

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Cathay Pacific will use A350 aircraft to fly the non-stop route from Hong Kong to Washington. Photo: Shutterstock
Travellers between Hong Kong and Washington can from next year enjoy a non-stop journey of under 17 hours, as Cathay Pacific Airways is expected to announce next week its direct service to the US capital.

The new flight, on an A350 aircraft, will be the first commercial direct flight to Washington from Hong Kong. It will cut at least two hours from the current route served by multiple airlines, where there is at least one stopover.

It will also be the city’s longest non-stop air route and the longest flight for Cathay Pacific, its No 1 airline.

Two different sources familiar with the matter confirmed the news of Cathay’s Washington flight with the Post on Wednesday, saying it would boost Hong Kong trade and tourism links with the rest of the world.

Loss-making Cathay Pacific extends HK$900 million annual outlay on pilots’ homes

Cathay previously announced new connections to European destinations Brussels, Copenhagen and Dublin next year but the Post understands that two more new destinations are also in the works, with one being a mainland Chinese city.

Its sister airline Cathay Dragon, which largely focuses on regional flights, earlier said it would add Nanning to its list of destinations.
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