Sunday, June 22, 2025
Cathay Pacific is set to resume direct flights from Hong Kong to Adelaide on November 11, 2025, re-establishing vital long-haul links for travelers from Singapore and New Zealand just in time for the northern winter season. The restored route will offer enhanced access to South Australia via Cathay Pacific’s extensive global network, while strategic expansions by United Airlines and American Airlines further strengthen international connectivity across the Asia-Pacific and Americas. This multi-airline growth signals renewed momentum in global travel and increased demand for seamless connections through Adelaide Airport.
Cathay Pacific to Resume Adelaide Flights from November 2025
Cathay Pacific will resume its non-stop service between Hong Kong and Adelaide in November 2025, reconnecting South Australia with the airline’s international network after a four-year suspension. The service was initially suspended in 2021 due to widespread travel restrictions brought on by the global COVID-19 crisis.
The Hong Kong-based carrier will operate three weekly flights between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Adelaide Airport (ADL) during the northern winter season, which coincides with peak inbound travel demand to Australia. This move reinforces Cathay Pacific’s commitment to expanding its network in the Australia-Pacific region.
Flight Operations and Aircraft Details
Service to Adelaide will resume on November 11, 2025, with Cathay Pacific deploying its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the route. These aircraft are designed for long-haul operations and feature modern cabins with a three-class configuration: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Each A350-900 can carry up to 280 passengers, offering a blend of comfort, fuel efficiency, and range capability.
Flights will operate three times weekly, departing from Hong Kong and arriving in Adelaide. While the specific schedule and departure times will be announced closer to the launch, the route has been strategically timed to align with the northern hemisphere winter travel season, a period of strong demand for travel to southern destinations like Australia.
Through this route, Cathay Pacific passengers will gain access to a wide range of international connections via the carrier’s hub at Hong Kong International Airport. The network includes numerous destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America, enabling one-stop travel to Adelaide from major cities worldwide.
Adelaide Rejoins Cathay Pacific’s Australia Network
Adelaide will become the fifth city in Australia to be served by Cathay Pacific, joining Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The airline also serves Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand, with Christchurch flights operating on a seasonal basis.
Australia has long been an important market for Cathay Pacific. The airline leverages its strategic position in Hong Kong to serve as a connecting hub for passengers traveling between Europe and Australia, often referred to in the aviation industry as the Kangaroo Route. The reintroduction of the Adelaide service strengthens Cathay Pacific’s presence in this corridor and offers travelers in South Australia greater access to long-haul international travel.
Overview of Cathay Pacific’s Long-Haul Fleet
The Airbus A350-900 is one of the newest additions to Cathay Pacific’s long-haul fleet. According to the latest fleet data, the airline currently operates 30 A350-900s, which are primarily used on medium and long-haul routes. The aircraft features a modern design, lower noise levels, and improved fuel efficiency, making it ideal for international routes such as the Hong Kong–Adelaide service.
In addition to the A350-900, Cathay Pacific also operates 18 Airbus A350-1000s, the larger variant in the A350 family, which can carry up to 334 passengers. Both aircraft types are used across the airline’s expanding intercontinental route map.
Cathay Pacific’s fleet also includes:
16 Airbus A321neos43 Airbus A330-300s17 Boeing 777-300s35 Boeing 777-300ERs
The airline has further aircraft on order, including 14 Airbus A321neos, 30 Airbus A330-900s, and 21 Boeing 777-9s, reflecting its long-term investment in fleet modernization and expansion.
Global Network Expansion in 2025
The return to Adelaide is part of a broader expansion plan for Cathay Pacific in 2025. The airline has recently added several new destinations to its route network, including:
Hyderabad (HYD) – IndiaDallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – United StatesÜrümqi (URC) – ChinaBrussels (BRU) – BelgiumMunich (MUC) – GermanyRome (FCO) – Italy
Among these, the Dallas/Fort Worth route has become the longest in the airline’s history, covering over eight thousand one hundred miles. Operated by the A350-1000, the route connects with the extensive network of American Airlines, Cathay Pacific’s oneworld alliance partner, offering seamless access to cities across the Americas.
Post-Pandemic Recovery and Growth
Cathay Pacific, like many global airlines, was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the suspension of numerous international services. Since then, the airline has made steady progress in restoring its route network. The reinstatement of the Adelaide route contributes to Cathay Pacific’s ongoing recovery, bringing its total number of destinations served from Hong Kong to over one hundred for the first time in its history.
Adelaide Airport’s Expanding International Role
Adelaide Airport (ADL) ranked as Australia’s fifth-busiest airport in 2024, handling more than eight point two million passengers throughout the year. While most of its traffic is domestic, international services are gradually increasing. As of 2024, approximately ninety-one percent of the airport’s traffic was domestic, with international travel steadily rebounding.
Top international destinations from Adelaide Airport include:
Denpasar (DPS) – 279,000 passengersSingapore (SIN) – 240,000 passengersDoha (DOH) – 193,000 passengersKuala Lumpur (KUL) – 136,000 passengersAuckland (AKL) – 64,000 passengers
The return of Cathay Pacific’s service will re-establish Hong Kong as a vital addition to Adelaide’s expanding international network, strengthening South Australia’s connection to global destinations.
Increasing Airline Interest in South Australia
Cathay Pacific will resume flights to Adelaide from November 2025, boosting connectivity for travelers from Singapore and New Zealand, as United Airlines and American Airlines expand their international networks into South Australia.
United Airlines is also set to introduce a seasonal route connecting San Francisco to Adelaide, with services commencing in December 2025. The arrival of multiple international carriers underscores Adelaide’s growing significance as a regional travel hub.
