Cathay Pacific Launches Flights Between Boston And Hong Kong, Expanding North American Gateways To Eight

BOSTON, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cathay Pacific Airways yesterday launched a new four-times-weekly service from Boston Logan International Airport to Hong Kong with a first flight celebration that included a traditional lion dance and traditional roast pig cutting ceremony, which is meant to bless and wish the new flight good luck. Special guests included Kenneth Brissette, Director of Sports Tourism and Entertainment for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Todd Smith, Director of Aviation Operations for Massport.

The new non-stop service links New England and Hong Kong directly for the first time, and marks Cathay Pacific's sixth gateway in the United States, and eighth in North America. The airline already serves Chicago (daily), Los Angeles (four times daily), New York JFK (four times daily), Newark (daily), San Francisco (moving from twice daily to 17 flights per week in June), Toronto (10 flights per week) and Vancouver (twice daily).

"The importance of the only nonstop Boston - Hong Kong service goes beyond just linking Boston with this key Asian business and tourism World City," said Cathay Pacific Senior Vice President, Americas, Tom Owen. "We are also opening up the greater New England region to connect with numerous Asian cities, including over 23 destinations in Mainland China, as well as key economic and tourism hubs throughout Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bali, and Hanoi. This new service cuts over four hours from the current one-stop flight time to Hong Kong via JFK or Chicago and even more to some of the key Asian cities. With our award-winning product and services, New England customers may now experience a truly premium international travel experience, whatever their class of travel."

"In addition to passenger demand, there is also an opportunity for increased freight from New England to Asia, due to the Boeing 777-300ER belly capacity, and connectivity through our new Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong to Cathay's extensive Asian freighter network," Owen added. "New England has strong business, educational and cultural ties with Hong Kong, China and Asia as a whole, and with the support of our partners at the Massachusetts Governor's office and Massport, Cathay Pacific looks forward to making this new route a success and then growing it further."

"By adding this flight and this prestigious airline to our roster, it proves that Boston Logan has become a player on the world stage," Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn said. "The entire New England region will benefit, as this nonstop flight to Hong Kong opens the door to Asia and can create new business connections and improve existing ones. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Cathay Pacific."

Boston is the largest U.S.-Hong Kong market without nonstop service. More than 53,000 passengers flew between Logan and Hong Kong in 2013.

The Boston service will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft featuring Cathay Pacific's renowned cabin products, including the newly-refreshed First Class; awarding-winning Business Class; the newest cabin class, Premium Economy; and the new long-haul Economy Class. Together with the exceptional service provided by Cathay Pacific's award-winning cabin crew and a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system in all classes, passengers will be provided with the best possible travel experience when they fly between Boston and Hong Kong.

The flight schedule for Cathay Pacific's Boston (BOS) service, is as follows (all times local): 

Summer 2015

Winter 2015

About Cathay Pacific:
The international flag carrier of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways operates 115 flights per week to Hong Kong and beyond, including over 23 destinations in Mainland China, from six cities in the USA and two in Canada: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto; and offers cargo flights to 17 cities across the Americas using the latest 747-8 freighter fleet. Cathay Pacific is a member of the oneworld alliance.

More information, including current fares and availability, may be found by visiting the airline's website at cathaypacific.com/us, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cathaypacificus, or Twitter handle @CathayPacificUS. For North American reservations, dial toll-free: 1-800-233-2742.

About Massport:
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.

Contacts:
Julie Jarratt                                                                                        
Communications Manager, Americas                                              
415.848.2006                                                                                     
[email protected]                                                    

Jennifer B. Mehigan
Asst. Director Media Relations, Massport
617.568.3100
[email protected]

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SOURCE Cathay Pacific Airways