Cathay Pacific will resume nonstop service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport in October. The service will operate thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays onboard the airline’s new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

“It is with great pride that we announce the return of Cathay Pacific’s nonstop service from Chicago to Hong Kong, demonstrating our continued growth and commitment to connecting our passengers to our home city following its reopening to international tourism earlier this year,” says Chris van den Hooven, Cathay Pacific Senior Vice President.

“As our industry continues to recover—and flourish—this is a major step forward for our airline, and we look forward to welcoming passengers onboard.”

Photo: Business Class, Airbus A350-1000. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

While onboard, passengers will enjoy an ultra-luxe experience onboard the airline’s new flagship, the A350. The aircraft is among the most environmentally friendly and is equipped with an advanced inflight entertainment system, a whole slew of comfortable seating options, and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the cabin.

Since Cathay Pacific is the home carrier of Hong Kong, the flavors onboard reflect the destination. Most recently, the airline launched new plant-forward meal options in collaboration with restaurant VEDA by Ovolo, a highlight in the Economy and Premium Economy Cabins.

Photo: Premium Economy, Airbus A350. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson, we welcome Cathay Pacific back to Chicago with this frequent service to Hong Kong International Airport,” says Jamie L. Rhee, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA).

“The return of direct air service to Hong Kong is further evidence of O’Hare’s continued strength as a global travel hub, and we look forward to serving as a key gateway for business and leisure travel between our two global cities for many years to come.”

Hong Kong Lounge Reopening

The flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, reopened its business class lounge known as ‘The Deck’ earlier this year after a three-year closure.

Photo: The Deck. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

The lounge, along with all other Cathay Pacific lounges, was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. It remained closed for three years as Hong Kong imposed some of the world’s toughest travel restrictions.

The luxurious lounge offers business class travelers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the busy airport. It has indoor or casual outdoor seating on its namesake Deck, an L-shaped terrace with panoramic views of the runway.

When Hong Kong reopened in January, Cathay Pacific rushed to reopen its first class lounge, dubbed The Deck, and the Pier business class lounge at its home airport.

Photo: The Pier. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

The carrier has also worked progressively to reopen its global lounges this year. It reopened its lounges at Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). It also has plans to relaunch its lounges in Bejing (PEK), San Francisco (SF), Taipei (TPE), and Vancouver (YVR).

Photo: The Wing. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

With an expected resurgence in traveler numbers, Cathay Pacific relaunched lounges for travelers. The Hong Kong flag carrier intends to operate at around 70% of its pre-pandemic passenger capacity by the end of 2023. In 2024, the airline plans to return to pre-pandemic levels.