Cathay Pacific to Bring Back Seattle Nonstop Service in 2026

(SEATTLE, WASHINGTON) Cathay Pacific will restore non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Seattle on March 30, 2026, returning to the Pacific Northwest nearly six years after pandemic-era suspensions. The carrier plans five weekly flights using the Airbus A350-900, with service on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The move places Seattle back on the airline’s North American map as its ninth passenger destination in the region, reinforcing both business and family travel ties across the Pacific.

Schedule and flight times

The airline’s schedule is tailored for daylight transpacific westbound crossings and an afternoon arrival into Hong Kong eastbound.

• From March 30 to May 31 and September 16 to October 24, 2026:
  • Hong Kong → Seattle: Depart 13:30, arrive 10:10 (approx. 11h 40m).
  • Seattle → Hong Kong: Depart 11:50, arrive 16:45 next day (approx. 13h 55m).
• Peak period June 1 to September 15, 2026:
  • Seattle arrival shifts to 10:35.
  • Return departs 12:15, still arriving 16:45 next day.

These timings aim to provide comfortable daytime crossings and convenient same-day connections at both ends.

Aircraft and cabin configuration

Cathay Pacific will operate the route with the Airbus A350-900, configured as follows:

The A350-900 offers long-haul comfort, improved cabin pressure and humidity, and modern in-flight connectivity—important on 12–14 hour sectors. For many travelers, seat selection and cabin choice significantly affect the experience on these ultra-long flights.

Fares and sale window

The airline is launching special fares from US$691, on sale September 22 to October 22, 2025, for travel during:

• March 30 – May 24, 2026
• August 15 – December 7, 2026

Families visiting relatives, students heading to semesters abroad, and small business owners will watch these sale windows closely. According to VisaVerge.com analysis, promotional pricing tied to route resumptions often spurs early bookings from price-sensitive travelers who delayed trips during previous capacity shortages.

Why Seattle now: market context

Seattle’s profile as a tech and travel gateway helps explain the timing:

• Hosts global companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
• Serves as a convenient jump-off point for travelers across the United States, aided by partnerships with Alaska Airlines.
• A Hong Kong arrival that syncs with over 100 Cathay Group destinations enables smoother same-day links to Southeast Asia, Mainland China, India, and beyond.

For immigrants who split lives between Puget Sound communities and Asian cities, fewer stops mean less stress, safer baggage transfers, and more predictable arrival times for children and elderly relatives.

One fewer stop can mean one less barrier to keeping lives on both sides of the Pacific moving forward.

Network expansion and cargo lift

The Seattle restoration is part of a wider North American plan.

• Cathay Pacific also announced new daily service to Dallas-Fort Worth starting October 26, 2025, signaling confidence in long-haul demand to and from the central U.S.
• Leadership is pursuing a measured rebuild, focusing on routes with strong corporate contracts, resilient diaspora travel, and dependable cargo demand.

Freight impacts:

• The new flights boost belly cargo capacity for electronics, healthcare goods, and e-commerce shipments.
• Shippers in the region, including suppliers to major cloud and retail operations, gain faster access to Hong Kong’s logistics hub and onward Asian markets.
• That reliability helps small exporters and start-ups in the Seattle area reach customers in Shenzhen, Singapore, and Mumbai without extra transload risks.

Immigration and travel readiness

The return of non-stop flights affects everyday immigration and travel planning.

• Students (F-1 visas) will regain a one-plane option home for breaks.
• Spouses and family visitors can better time trips around school calendars.
• Tech workers (H-1B) benefit from fewer connections, reducing the risk of missed consular appointments or tight layovers.

Key preparation steps and reminders:

• If you’re from a Visa Waiver Program country, you’ll likely need ESTA authorization. Apply at the official portal: ESTA application. Apply at least 72 hours before departure when possible.
• Visitors needing a visa should check interview wait times and prepare for possible document requests.
• Keep passport validity in mind—many airlines require at least six months validity beyond travel dates.
• On the Hong Kong side, many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for short visits, but rules can change. Travelers with residence permits elsewhere (e.g., U.S. permanent residents) should carry originals or proper digital proofs when transiting.
• Families with children on different passports should carry birth certificates and parental consent letters where applicable.

Practical travel tips:

1. Book early if you need specific seating for medical or accessibility reasons.
2. Notify the airline in advance for special meals or mobility assistance.
3. Pack medications in carry-on luggage with original labels.
4. If traveling for immigration appointments or consular renewals, schedule buffers—even reliable non-stop flights can face weather or air traffic delays.

Connections and convenience

Cathay Pacific’s Seattle service integrates with Alaska Airlines’ domestic network, allowing same-day connections to many West Coast, Mountain West, and Midwest cities. Benefits include:

• Easier onward travel for international students and professionals without managing separate tickets.
• In Hong Kong, Cathay’s connection bank covers regional business centers and family destinations, offering continuity compared to previous routings through California or British Columbia.

The midday departures from Hong Kong and late-morning departures from Seattle may help reduce jet lag by aligning sleep hours across time zones. Late-morning flights can also be easier for parents managing school schedules and bulky baggage.

Booking notes and contact info

• Launch fares can disappear quickly on popular weekends, especially around spring graduations and autumn homecomings.
• Watch the September 22–October 22, 2025 sale window and consider holding seats early if plans are firm.
• If booking with miles, premium cabin award availability on A350-900 routes may be better far in advance but can tighten as corporate demand rises.

For in-person or airport-related questions, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport lists:
– Phone: (206) 787-4923
– Email: [email protected]

Note: The airport can guide you to airline counters and on-the-ground services but cannot provide immigration advice.

Final takeaways

Seattle’s restored link to Hong Kong is more than a schedule update—it’s a reconnection for families, students, and workers who have relied on complex routings since 2020. With competitive fares, a comfortable long-haul aircraft, and strong connection banks at both ends, Cathay Pacific’s return offers new options as Asia–North America travel demand grows. For many in the Puget Sound community, this service reduces friction and helps keep lives on both sides of the Pacific moving forward.