On April 24, Cathay Pacific?launched nonstop service from its global hub at Hong Kong¡¯s Chek Lap Kok International Airport (HKG) to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).?

The route is Cathay Pacific¡¯s longest by distance, at some 8,123 miles nonstop.

It¡¯s also something of a roundabout homecoming for the airline, which was founded in 1946 by Australian Sydney de Kantzow and Texan Roy Farrell. Farrell sold his interest in the airline to Hong Kong's Swire Group (which remains the airline's majority shareholder today) and returned to Texas two years later, but his descendants were in attendance at the launch gala in Fort Worth and the airport celebrations for the first flight's departure.

Cathay¡¯s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau noted at the gala that the route was a natural fit for Cathay Pacific¡¯s network, linking two major hubs for Cathay and oneworld Alliance partner American Airlines. "It's the perfect gateway for us," she said, noting that the DFW service is essential for connecting traffic between Asia and Latin America, in addition to connection options across the United States.?

Dallas is Cathay¡¯s eighth North American gateway, joining Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver.?

Onboard Experience

But how does the airline plan to keep passengers comfortable, fed, and entertained onboard a flight that can last more than 16 hours??

I joined the first flight from DFW to Hong Kong on April 24 to find out.?

The route is operated four times weekly with the Airbus A350-1000 during summer. Cathay plans to fly the slightly smaller A350-900 during the slower-demand northern winter. The flight departs DFW at 10:55 PM, arriving in Hong Kong at 4:35 AM two days later. Although the early morning arrival time might seem rough, it's ideal for quick connections to points across Asia, including destinations served only once or twice daily.?

The A350 is an ideal aircraft for long-haul flights. Like the Boeing 787, the cabin is pressurized to a lower altitude than other jetliners, providing higher quality air, which is more humid and helps combat jetlag. In Business Class, seating is pretty standard for an international carrier¡ªlie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with a large entertainment screen with one of the largest selections of movies and TV shows I¡¯ve yet seen (non-US carriers are sometimes lacking in US entertainment titles, but that certainly isn¡¯t the case with Cathay).?

Two minor complaints: there aren¡¯t individual air conditioning vents, and the window shades aren¡¯t the electronic dimmers found on other A350 and 787 aircraft¡ªthey¡¯re the old-fashioned window shades, providing a somewhat outmoded "all-or-nothing" approach to controlling the light coming through the windows.?

Onboard the inaugural DFW-HKG flight. (Photo Credit: Scott Laird)

When it comes to food, Cathay is rather spectacular, focusing on Hong Kong¡¯s vaunted global and Cantonese culinary scene to round out their inflight menus. Business Class passengers can pre-order their entr¨¦e on the app before the flight, but for the first meal, there are four main course options, ranging from light cream of mushroom soup to spicy Cantonese shrimp.?

Some meal options have also been created with top Hong Kong restaurants. On the return flight from Hong Kong, some entr¨¦e and dessert options were provided by the Michelin-starred restaurant Duddell¡¯s, such as my sauteed chicken with Sichuan pepper. From the French restaurant Louise was an Iberico Pork Pluma with Jus. For dessert, Duddell¡¯s provided a chrysanthemum and longan jelly, while Louise offered a delicious espresso and amaretto tiramisu.?

Throughout the flight, hot options are available on demand from the flight attendants, including beef brisket noodle soup, risotto, or Cathay's famous cheeseburger, served with French fries.?

Cathay also offers four breakfasts: Chinese, Western, Wellness, and Lighter. I feasted on toasted banana bread with apricot compote and whipped ricotta, with fresh fruit, pastries, orange juice, and Illy coffee, but I could have had congee with dim sum, chia seed pudding, or an omelet.

In Economy and Premium Economy, meals are more than your typical standard airline fare, focusing on Cantonese cooking. Between meal services in those cabins, Cathay also offers snacks or instant noodles for passengers who find themselves hungry.

When it's time to bed down in Business, passengers get a mattress pad, 400-thread-count duvet, and comfy pillow. To complete the sleep experience, there¡¯s an eye mask in the Bamford amenity kit, pillow mist, cooling gel, and a multi-purpose soothing balm.

Cathay also focuses heavily on the lounge experience. At DFW, Business Class passengers can access American's Flagship Lounge, which has a well-stocked bar and an extensive snack and hot food buffet. In Hong Kong, there are two business-class lounges, and I tried the one at The Pier, where there's a cooked-to-order noodle bar and a tea lounge, plus relaxation areas and showers.

I also spent some time in The Pier's First Class lounge. While there¡¯s no First Class on Cathay¡¯s DFW flight, that lounge is open to oneworld Emerald cardholders. Here, passengers have a more elevated menu, including a tasting menu from Hong Kong restaurant Mott 32 and a dining room with table service, craft cocktails, and champagne.?

Dignitaries from Cathay Pacific and DFW Airport officially open the route. (Photo Credit: Scott Laird)

The Takeaway

Cathay Pacific¡¯s service from DFW shaves off several hours for many clients traveling to Asia, especially with its conveniently timed outbound arrival to Hong Kong. As for comfort, Cathay¡¯s onboard product is competitive with the high service standards airlines based in the region are known for.?

When de Kantzow and Farrell first founded the airline, they chose "Cathay"¡ªan ancient name for China¡ªand, at the Texan's insistence, added "Pacific". It was the American who envisioned the airline once reaching across the Pacific. Cathay Pacific has flown to North America for decades, but now, as the only airline with a nonstop global connection between Hong Kong and its founder's home state, it's almost as though it has fulfilled its destiny.?

And I can¡¯t think of a more comfortable way to do it.

---

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore