Cathay Pacific Expands U.S. Flight Network with New Dallas-Fort Worth Route
Cathay Pacific is set to significantly expand its U.S. network in 2024 by launching a new route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and increasing frequencies on existing routes to the U.S. Starting on April 24, 2024, the Hong Kong-based airline will introduce four weekly flights to Dallas, marking its sixth U.S. passenger destination alongside Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
Cathay Pacific will operate the new Dallas route using its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, providing passengers with a comfortable and efficient long-haul travel experience. DFW serves as a major hub for American Airlines, Cathay’s Oneworld alliance partner, offering travelers convenient connections to 190 domestic destinations across the U.S. and 11 cities in Latin America.
This new service is expected to fill the gap left by American Airlines, which previously operated a direct route between Dallas and Hong Kong before suspending the service in early 2020 due to the pandemic. American Airlines has not yet resumed flights on this route, giving Cathay Pacific an opportunity to meet growing demand for travel between Asia and the U.S.
In addition to the new Dallas service, Cathay Pacific plans to increase the frequency of flights on its existing U.S. routes. The airline currently operates 88 return flights per week to North America, including routes to Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. By May 2024, Cathay’s North American network will expand to 108 flights per week, further enhancing its presence in the region.
Cathay Pacific has experienced strong demand on its U.S. routes, particularly driven by transit traffic between the U.S. and mainland China. With direct flights between the U.S. and China still limited, Cathay has positioned itself as a key player in facilitating connecting traffic between these markets. The airline has previously emphasized the importance of building its connecting traffic as part of its growth strategy for 2024.
Data from CAPA and OAG indicates that Cathay Pacific’s weekly seat capacity in the Hong Kong-U.S. market has grown by 23% year over year as of the week of September 23, 2023. This recovery has brought the airline’s seat capacity back to 65% of pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. Cathay currently holds a 72% market share of seat capacity on routes between Hong Kong and the U.S., with United Airlines accounting for the remainder.
The expansion of Cathay Pacific’s U.S. operations reflects the airline’s recovery from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By increasing its footprint in North America, particularly through strategic partnerships with American Airlines and the Oneworld alliance, Cathay Pacific aims to strengthen its position in the competitive trans-Pacific market.
As Cathay Pacific continues to rebuild and expand its global network, the addition of the Dallas route and increased flight frequencies will provide travelers with more options for seamless travel between the U.S. and Asia, reinforcing its role as a leading international airline.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Cathay Pacific