Cathay Pacific launches Hong Kong-Seattle flights to shake off competition and fly new routes not served by rivals
Move by loss-making carrier follows an announcement by Delta Air Lines that it will stop flying the route, paving the way for a new entrant
Seattle will be Cathay Pacific Airways’ next long-haul destination, starting next March, as Hong Kong’s flagship carrier launches more new routes to avoid direct competition with rivals on existing flight destinations.
The loss-making airline teased social media users on Wednesday with a crossword puzzle featuring the names of American cities, accompanied by the question: “Where are we going next?”
Cathay Pacific’s ongoing expansion is designed to boost revenue from new markets. Existing destinations in Europe and the United States have been the subject of intense competition through cheaper air fares offered by rivals.
Seattle, dubbed the “Emerald City”, is home to the headquarters of major corporations including Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks, and is also a major manufacturing centre for aerospace giant Boeing.
The latest move by Asia’s largest international airline follows an announcement by Delta Air Lines, one of the big three US carriers, that it will stop flying between Seattle and Hong Kong, paving the way for a new entrant.