Cathay Pacific to Double New York, SFO Nonstops

Cathay Pacific Airways will double the frequency of its nonstop flights linking Hong Kong with New York and San Francisco to two a day when it starts taking delivery in September of 18 Boeing 777-300ER long-haul aircraft it has ordered. Cathay also serves Los Angeles three times daily and operates a third flight to New York via Vancouver. Credit: Boeing Photo

HONG KONG (AP) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said Monday it will double its nonstop passenger flights to San Francisco and New York in the next few months as it increases capacity by taking delivery of new long-haul aircraft.

The increase in flights to the U.S. is driven by strong passenger demand, said Philip Chen, the airline's chief executive. Cathay also plans to strengthen connections from its Hong Kong hub, home to its China-focused unit, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd., he said.

Last year, Cathay recorded the biggest rise in passenger yields on its flights to North America, up 5.3 percent. Passenger yields, calculated by dividing the airline's total revenue by the total number of kilometers passengers paid to be flown, is an important measure of airline profitability.

By this fall, Cathay Pacific will operate two daily nonstop passenger flights each to New York and San Francisco, up from one a day. The airline also operates one flight a day to New York via Vancouver, as well as three daily services to Los Angeles.

The airline hasn't given a start date for the additional flights, but the launch coincides with the arrival of new Boeing 777-300 extended range aircraft, with the first of 18 planes on firm order to be delivered in September.

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