Direct air service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) will resume next week, marking a pivotal step in the ongoing revitalization of the transpacific air service market at the world’s second busiest airport, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and Cathay Pacific announced today. 

“From one world-class global hub to another, I’m proud to welcome direct Hong Kong service back to Chicago,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “The return of business and leisure travelers will strengthen both of our cities and bolster O’Hare’s position as a leading gateway to the world.”

"We welcome Cathay Pacific back to Chicago with this frequent service to Hong Kong International Airport," said Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee of the CDA, which owns and operates both O'Hare and Midway International Airports. "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.”

Service, which starts Tuesday, Oct. 3, will depart Chicago at 4:05 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Hong Kong at 8:45 p.m. the following day. The return flight will leave Hong Kong at 12:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Chicago at 2:25 p.m. the same day.

“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,” said Chris van den Hooven, Senior Vice President, Americas at Cathay Pacific. “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.” 

"I am thrilled to welcome Cathay Pacific back to Chicago and encouraged to see more international routes coming to our airports," said Lynn Osmond, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. "Direct international service is key to our ability to market Chicago as a premier global destination for business and leisure travel. O'Hare's status as the most connected airport in the world is an invaluable asset to our city and I look forward to welcoming more visitors from Hong Kong and around the world.” 

Cathay Pacific will fly the route on the carrier’s A350 aircraft, which are equipped with comfortable seating, an enhanced inflight entertainment system and Wi-Fi connectivity across Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes. As the home carrier of Hong Kong, the flavors of Hong Kong feature prominently on any journey with Cathay Pacific, and the airline’s new local culinary delights and refreshed plant-forward meals — the result of collaborations with Hong Kong restaurants — are menu highlights on flights departing Hong Kong.

The carrier’s A350-1000 is a passenger-configuration jet, but it is also a cargo-friendly aircraft, with room to accommodate 14 pallets in its belly, enhancing the significant volume of freighter capacity that Cathay Pacific already operates to O’Hare. More than $1 billion is traded between Hong Kong and the Chicago region every year. 

"In reaffirming our connection with Hong Kong through this direct air service, we not only celebrate the continued growth and resiliency of Chicago as a global city but also underscore the significance of the Chicago-China relationship,” said Michael Fassnacht, President & CEO, World Business Chicago. “China remains a top trading partner for the Chicagoland region as well as a region where Chinese companies prefer to invest and expand. With this renewed connection, we are poised to bolster economic development, elevate tourism experiences, and explore even greater collaborative opportunities between our two vibrant regions." 

The new route further solidifies Chicago’s strength in the returning international travel market. With the addition of the Hong Kong route, O’Hare will offer direct service to 59 international destinations next month, compared to 57 international destinations in October 2019. 

For additional details on Cathay Pacific or to book, visit www.cathaypacific.com/us.

About Cathay Pacific 

Cathay Pacific is the home airline of Hong Kong, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to destinations throughout Asia, North America, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company is a member of the Swire group and is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Cathay Pacific has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading global transportation hubs. Cathay Pacific is a founding member of the oneworld global alliance and earned a coveted spot in both the Condé Nast Traveler 2022 Reader’s Choice Awards and Travel+Leisure 2022 “World’s Best Awards” for best international airlines. In February 2023, Cathay Cargo was named Cargo Airline of the Year at the 49th annual Air Transport World (ATW) Airline Industry Achievement Awards. 

About the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) 

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 250 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 47 foreign countries, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve more than 105 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region. The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit flychicago.com.