Key Takeaways
• Cathay Pacific expands to nearly 100 weekly flights between Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong starting late October 2025.
• New double-daily flights begin for Brisbane and Perth; Auckland, Christchurch, Adelaide, and Cairns gain seasonal services.
• Upgraded in-flight amenities and codeshare with Air New Zealand enhance flexibility and connectivity for travelers.
Cathay Pacific’s Major Expansion: What It Means for Australia and New Zealand Travelers
Cathay Pacific is making big changes for travelers in Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿. Starting from late October 2025, the airline will offer nearly 100 flights each week between these countries and Hong Kong. This is the highest number of flights ever for the region, and it comes just in time for the busy Southern Hemisphere summer. The move will give travelers more choices, better connections, and improved services, while also boosting tourism and business links across the region.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters, and how it affects different groups—from families planning holidays to business travelers and the tourism industry.
What’s Changing: More Flights, More Cities, More Options
Cathay Pacific’s 2025 expansion is the biggest in its history for Australia and New Zealand. The airline is not only bringing back routes that were paused during the pandemic but also adding new flights and increasing how often planes take off from key cities.
Key Flight Increases
- Brisbane and Perth: Both cities will have double-daily flights (14 per week each) to Hong Kong all year round, starting 26 October 2025. This is a big jump from the 12 and 11 weekly flights before, and for Perth, it’s a 40% increase compared to before the pandemic.
- Auckland: Flights from Auckland to Hong Kong will go from once a day to 11 times a week between 2 December 2025 and 28 March 2026. This gives travelers more flexibility and better connections.
- Christchurch: Seasonal flights will start earlier, from 3 November 2025, with up to four flights per week during the busy summer months and three per week in November and March.
- Adelaide: After four years without service, Cathay Pacific will resume seasonal flights from 11 November 2025.
- Cairns: New seasonal flights will start on 10 December 2025.
- Sydney and Melbourne: These cities will continue to have multiple daily flights, keeping strong links to Hong Kong.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes show Cathay Pacific’s confidence in the Australia and New Zealand markets and its goal to be the top airline connecting Oceania to Asia and beyond.
Official Flight Schedule Highlights
| Route | Frequency (from late 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane–Hong Kong | 14/week (double daily) | Year-round, from 26 Oct 2025 |
| Perth–Hong Kong | 14/week (double daily) | Year-round, from 26 Oct 2025 |
| Auckland–Hong Kong | 11/week | 2 Dec 2025 – 28 Mar 2026 |
| Christchurch–Hong Kong | 3–4/week (seasonal) | 3 Nov 2025 start, 4/week Dec–Feb, 3/week Nov & Mar |
| Adelaide–Hong Kong | Seasonal | Resumes 11 Nov 2025 |
| Cairns–Hong Kong | Seasonal | Starts 10 Dec 2025 |
| Sydney/Melbourne–Hong Kong | Multiple daily | Ongoing |
Why Now? The Story Behind the Expansion
Cathay Pacific’s network in Australia and New Zealand was strong before the pandemic, but like many airlines, it had to cut back during COVID-19. Now, with travel demand bouncing back, the airline is not just restoring old routes—it’s adding even more flights and cities.
Frosti Lau, Regional General Manager, Southwest Pacific for Cathay Pacific, explained, “We’re incredibly proud to be increasing flights from Auckland, which reflects the strong demand from this important port. Every new route and additional frequency opens more doors for our customers. This growth is a credit to our dedicated team and comes as we celebrate a major milestone of reaching 100 travel destinations as the Cathay Group.”
This expansion is part of a bigger plan. In 2025, Cathay Pacific reached 100 passenger destinations worldwide, adding 18 new cities in just one year. The airline is also growing its cargo business and adding new routes to places like Dallas, Urumqi, Rome, Munich, and Brussels.
How Does This Affect Travelers?
More Choices and Flexibility
With more flights, travelers can pick from a wider range of departure times and dates. This makes it easier to plan trips that fit work, school, or family schedules. For example, if you miss a morning flight from Brisbane, there’s another one later that day.
Better Connections
Hong Kong is a major hub for flights to Asia, Europe, and North America. With more flights from Australia and New Zealand, it’s now easier to connect to cities like Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok. This is great news for people visiting family, going on holiday, or traveling for business.
Improved Services
Cathay Pacific is also upgrading its planes. Starting August 2025, all flights will have seatback screens for every passenger and high-speed Wi-Fi. This means you can watch movies, play games, or work online during your flight.
Special Offers
The airline has been running promotions, such as up to 15% off fares and free eSIMs for round-trip bookings to Australia. These deals help make travel more affordable, though blackout dates may apply.
Codeshare with Air New Zealand
Cathay Pacific works closely with Air New Zealand, sharing some flights. This partnership gives travelers even more options and flexibility when booking trips between the two countries and beyond.
What About Immigration and Travel Documents?
Travelers must still follow the usual entry and visa rules for Australia 🇦🇺, New Zealand 🇳🇿, and Hong Kong. It’s important to check the latest government advice before booking, as rules can change. For official information on visa requirements for Australia, you can visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
Cathay Pacific’s website also provides travel updates and guidance on what documents you need for each destination. Always make sure your passport is valid and check if you need a visa before you fly.
Impact on Tourism and Business
Boost for Local Tourism
More flights mean more visitors. Airports and tourism groups in both Australia and New Zealand have welcomed Cathay Pacific’s expansion. Ryan Both, Executive General Manager Aviation at Brisbane Airport, said, “Cathay Pacific’s move to double daily flights to Brisbane is fantastic news for Queensland’s tourism industry, delivering more choice and convenience for travellers and strengthening our state’s global connectivity.”
This increase in flights is expected to bring more tourists, which helps hotels, restaurants, and attractions. It also creates jobs and supports local businesses.
Support for Business Travel
Business travelers benefit from more flexible schedules and better connections to Asia and beyond. This can make it easier to attend meetings, conferences, or trade shows. Kate Holsgrove, Chief Commercial & Aviation Officer at Perth Airport, said, “Our long-standing partnership with Cathay Pacific has connected Western Australia to Hong Kong and beyond for decades. And our partnership continues to grow, which highlights the airline’s ongoing commitment to Perth as a destination.”
Cargo and Trade
It’s not just about passengers. Cathay Pacific is also increasing its cargo flights, with nearly 40 return freighter flights each week to North America. This helps businesses move goods quickly and supports trade between Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the world.
Booking and Customer Support
Booking flights is easy. You can use the Cathay Pacific website or go through a travel agent. The website shows real-time prices, special offers, and available seats. If you need help, customer service numbers are available for both Australia (1800 441 614) and New Zealand (0800 441 289).
For those who prefer to book through a travel agent, the increased number of flights gives agents more options to create custom itineraries for their clients.
The Bigger Picture: Cathay Pacific’s Global Growth
Cathay Pacific’s expansion in Australia and New Zealand is part of a larger plan to rebuild and grow after the pandemic. The airline is adding new routes around the world and investing in better services for passengers.
Aviation experts say this move shows Cathay Pacific’s strong belief in the future of travel between Oceania and Asia. It also puts pressure on other airlines to improve their own services and prices, which could mean even better deals for travelers.
What’s Next? Future Developments
The Cathay Group has said more route announcements are coming in 2025. This could mean even more flights, new destinations, or better services for both passengers and cargo. As competition heats up, travelers can expect more choices and possibly lower fares.
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Check Visa Requirements: Before booking, make sure you know what visas or travel documents you need for Australia, New Zealand, or Hong Kong. Use official government websites for the latest information.
- Book Early: With more flights, you have more options, but popular dates can still fill up fast—especially during holidays or school breaks.
- Look for Deals: Cathay Pacific often runs promotions. Check their website for the latest offers.
- Stay Updated: Travel rules can change quickly. Always check for updates before your trip, especially regarding health or entry requirements.
- Use Codeshare Options: If you’re traveling within New Zealand or connecting to other cities, ask about codeshare flights with Air New Zealand for more flexibility.
Multiple Perspectives: What Stakeholders Are Saying
- Airports and Tourism Bodies: Welcome the expansion, saying it will help local economies and make it easier for people to visit Australia and New Zealand.
- Cathay Pacific: Sees the move as a way to meet strong demand and strengthen its position as a leading airline in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Travel Industry Professionals: Say the extra flights give them more ways to serve customers, whether they’re booking family holidays or business trips.
Summary: A New Era for Travel Between Oceania and Asia
As of July 2025, Cathay Pacific is leading the way in connecting Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿 to Hong Kong and the world. With record numbers of flights, new and resumed routes, and better services, the airline is making it easier than ever for people to travel, do business, and explore new places.
For travelers, this means more choices, better connections, and the chance to take advantage of special deals. For the tourism and business sectors, it means more visitors, stronger trade links, and new opportunities for growth.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this expansion is a clear sign that international travel is back and growing stronger. Whether you’re planning a holiday, a business trip, or visiting family, Cathay Pacific’s new schedule offers more ways to get where you want to go.
For the latest updates, flight schedules, and booking information, visit the Cathay Pacific official website. Always check official government sources for visa and entry requirements before you travel.
Action Steps:
– Visit the Cathay Pacific website to see new flight options and book your trip.
– Check visa requirements for your destination using official government links.
– Watch for special offers and promotions to save on your next journey.
– Stay informed about travel updates and entry rules to ensure a smooth trip.
With these changes, the future of travel between Australia, New Zealand, and Asia looks brighter than ever.
Learn Today
Codeshare → An agreement where two airlines share the same flight, offering passengers more route options and easier connections.
Seasonal flights → Flights scheduled only during specific times of the year, often to meet holiday or peak travel demand.
Visa requirements → Official permissions and documents travelers must obtain to enter a foreign country legally.
Hub → A central airport where an airline bases operations, enabling efficient connections to many destinations.
Cargo flights → Flights that primarily transport goods and freight instead of passengers to support trade.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting October 2025, Cathay Pacific will offer nearly 100 flights weekly from Australia and New Zealand to Hong Kong, adding routes and seasonal services. Travelers benefit from improved connectivity, more choices, and upgraded amenities. This expansion boosts tourism and business, marking the airline’s biggest regional growth ever.
— By VisaVerge.com
