From 1 July 2025, Cathay Pacific will offer daily return flights between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and Hong Kong – an upgrade from its current five-weekly schedule.

• This development comes as Hong Kong’s flagship carrier doubles down on its commitment to connecting South Africa to Asia and beyond.
• Passengers will now have more flexibility, comfort, and connectivity aboard the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
• Cathay Pacific remains a leader in inflight entertainment with a product that’s won numerous design awards for its intuitive, customer-centric experience.
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The route expansion means travellers flying from Johannesburg will enjoy seamless connections to Cathay Pacific’s extensive network of destinations throughout Asia-Pacific. This includes key cities in the Chinese Mainland and Greater Bay Area, as well as Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Whether flying for business or leisure, passengers will benefit from the airline’s increased frequency and world-renowned hospitality.

This increase in flights between Johannesburg and Hong Kong reflects our commitment to meeting the growing demand for travel between South Africa and Asia. With the expanded schedule, we are offering our customers greater flexibility and convenience. Hong Kong remains a vibrant hub for global connectivity, providing seamless onward connections to key destinations across the world. We look forward to welcoming more customers on board and delivering the exceptional service that Cathay Pacific is known for.

// Regional General Manager for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, Rakesh Raicar

The added frequency also brings a significant boost to cargo operations, providing enhanced belly capacity for shipments originating in South Africa. This is particularly impactful for time-sensitive cargo such as perishables, mail, and courier services. The increased capacity allows Cathay Cargo to offer more priority shipment solutions, ensuring timely and reliable delivery across its global network.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, where Cathay Pacific was named one of the Top Three Best Airlines in the World, moving up two places from the previous year. The airline also clinched the coveted titles of World’s Best Economy Class Airline (for the second year running) and World’s Best Inflight Entertainment. These accolades are a resounding endorsement of Cathay’s relentless drive to enhance customer satisfaction at every touchpoint.

These accolades underscore our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and enhancing the customer experience across every part of their journey. We are grateful for the incredible support of our customers, and the dedication of our people across Cathay. These awards inspire us to keep raising the bar as we strive to become one of the world’s greatest service brands.

// Cathay Pacific CEO, Ronald Lam

Cathay Pacific’s ambitions don’t stop at daily flights and awards. The airline is currently investing over HK$100 billion into improving the passenger experience and reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a global aviation hub. This includes acquiring next-generation aircraft, introducing redesigned cabin classes, upgrading inflight entertainment, and launching revamped lounges worldwide.

Last year saw the debut of Aria Suite Business Class, a refined Premium Economy, and a refreshed Economy Class onboard Cathay’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet. These upgrades are currently available on selected long-haul routes, including flights to London, Vancouver, and Sydney, and will be progressively rolled out to other destinations.

Cathay has also raised the culinary bar at 35’000 feet by partnering with Michelin-starred restaurants such as Louise, Duddell’s, and Yat Tung Heen, offering tailored menus that combine international flair with refined Cantonese cuisine across all cabin classes.

In April 2025, the airline launched a new inflight dining initiative titled “Chinese Classics,” showcasing traditional regional dishes from across China, further enhancing Cathay’s already popular “Hong Kong Flavours” and “International Favourites” selections. These menus debuted in Business Class on selected routes from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland.

As of August 2025, Cathay will become one of the only airlines worldwide to offer 100% seatback entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity across every cabin and aircraft.

Cathay was the first airline globally to introduce 4K and HDR10 inflight content, offering a stunning visual experience with a richer colour range. Its onboard entertainment library – the largest in the Asia-Pacific – is updated monthly and features everything from Hollywood blockbusters, award-winning Asian cinema, Disney+ Originals, and exclusive Cathay Originals, to popular podcasts, music albums, and interactive games.

The airline’s service excellence extends to the ground. In May 2025, Cathay Pacific reopened its redesigned The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, the latest in a series of lounge upgrades. Future plans include the unveiling of new flagship lounges in Beijing, New York, and a significant expansion of offerings at Hong Kong International Airport.

With daily flights launching this July, Cathay Pacific strengthens its bridge between South Africa and Asia, reaffirming its position as a premium global carrier that combines innovation, service excellence, and strategic connectivity.

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