Cathay Pacific returns to Cairns

CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 777-367 B-KPD (MSN 36155)

It is only for a short time, but Cathay Pacific resumes service to Cairns (CNS/YBCS) today, operating seasonally from the 17th of December 2024 to the 29th of March 2025. In addition to the appeal of Hong Kong itself, these flights will provide convenient connections to London, Europe, the Chinese mainland, India, and even North America.

Hong Kong can serve as a comfortable stopover en route to any of Cathay’s destinations in the US or Canada, eliminating the need to first fly south from Cairns to Brisbane or Sydney.

Departing thrice weekly every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday on an Airbus A330, the schedule is as follows: 

• CX147 departs from Hong Kong at 1:05 AM, arriving in Cairns at 10:30 AM.
• CX146 departs from Cairns at 12:00 PM, arriving in Hong Kong at 5:15 PM.

In Hong Kong, lounge-worthy travelers can choose from Cathay’s five lounges: The Wing First (which features private cabana suites), The Wing Business, The Pier First, The Pier Business, and The Deck, in addition to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, which will remain open until late evening.

The only final missing component in Cathay’s Australian network is Adelaide, which is expected to remain off the map until at least 2025. “While Adelaide is under consideration, we do not have a definitive timeline for a return to the city,” a Cathay Pacific spokesperson said.

B-LAL, Airbus A330-343, MSN 1222 was the inaugural aircraft.