Flying nonstop from Texas to Asia just got a serious upgrade
I’ve flown Business Class on a few international flights, so I thought I had a good sense of what the experience would be like. But Cathay Pacific’s new direct route from Dallas-Fort Worth to Hong Kong still managed to blow me away. There are some BIG things that make this new flight so exciting.
As a Texan, I was extra excited to see what this flight meant for travelers in our region. A nonstop option to Asia from DFW is already a big deal. But it was the little details that surprised me most.
I take sleep seriously. With a health condition, the wrong flight can mess me up for weeks. Lie-down seats are a priority, but I can tell you I stress about energy optimization weeks before any long flight. But there were reasons I felt more at ease with Cathay Pacific.
In this review, I’m sharing my full experience onboard. From the lounge to the landing, here’s what you can expect when flying Business Class with Cathay Pacific on their newest long-haul route.
Flight Overview: DFW to HKG
I had the chance to be on the very first Cathay Pacific flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Hong Kong when it launched in April 2025.
Here’s what the route looks like:
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
- Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- Departure from DFW: 10:55 PM
- Arrival in HKG: 4:35 AM (two days later, local time)
- Flight Duration: About 16 hours and 40 minutes
- Typical cost:
- Business Class: $5,800–$7,000 round trip
- Premium Economy: $1,800–$2,400 round trip
- Economy Class: Starts around $850–$1,200 round trip (depending on season and promotions)
Non Stop Flight From DFW to Hong Kong
Nonstop was huge. I hate the feeling of getting off one flight tired just to hop on another and a second air pressure change. It takes a toll on your body.
This new nonstop service is a big deal for Texas travelers. Before this route launched, flying to Asia usually meant connecting through the West Coast or even further. Now, you can board at DFW and wake up over the Pacific, just a few hours from landing in Hong Kong.
What’s also exciting is that this is the longest nonstop flight for Cathay Pacific (meaning more time to enjoy all the amenities).
Arriving early morning in Hong Kong gave me a full day ahead without feeling like I’d lost time in the air.
Why the Airbus A350-1000 Matters
What makes this flight even better is the plane itself. The Airbus A350-1000 is one of the newest long-haul aircraft flying today and Cathay Pacific is one of the earliest adopters.
Here’s why that matters:
- It’s noticeably quieter. From takeoff to landing, there’s less engine noise and fewer random cabin sounds, which makes it easier to relax, sleep, or focus on your movie.
- The lighting is smart. The A350 uses dynamic lighting that shifts gently to help your body adjust to time zone changes.
- The windows are bigger and dimmable. You get better views, more light during the day, and the option to block it out when you need rest without pulling a scratchy window shade.
- Most importantly: The air pressure is higher and the humidity is better. That might sound technical, but it means your skin doesn’t dry out as fast and you don’t feel as drained after 16 hours in the air.
Better Humidity Control
Most traditional aircraft keep humidity at 10–15%, which is drier than the Sahara Desert. No wonder we all wake up with crusty skin and dry eyes.
The A350-1000 can maintain 20–25% humidity. That’s a huge jump.
What that means:
- Less skin dryness and chapped lips
- Fewer nosebleeds or sore throats
- Eyes don’t feel like sandpaper after a nap
- Sleep is more restful and natural
Better Cabin Pressure
Most planes fly at a cabin pressure equivalent to around 8,000 feet above sea level, which can leave you feeling more fatigued and dehydrated. The A350-1000 is pressurized to around 5,500 feet, which reduces strain on your body and helps you arrive feeling significantly better. Especially when paired with higher humidity and better air circulation.
Booking & Fare Info
Booking is easy through Cathay Pacific’s website or Oneworld partners like American Airlines and Alaska. You can also find the flight on most major platforms, making it easy to compare prices or check award availability across programs.
Business Class fares typically range from $5,800 to $7,000 round trip. Premium Economy averages $1,800–$2,400, and Economy generally starts around $850–$1,200. This route is also a strong redemption opportunity for Asia Miles, AAdvantage, Alaska Mileage Plan, and Avios. Upgrade bids via email are sometimes offered pre-departure, giving travelers a shot at a lie-flat seat without the full fare. Whether booking with cash or miles, skipping a connection and flying nonstop is a major value for comfort-focused travelers.
Lounge Experience at DFW
The American Airlines Flagship Lounge at DFW, accessible to Cathay Pacific Business Class passengers and Cathay Pacific Diamond Members, is my go-to before long-haul flights. I always take advantage of the clean shower suites and the quiet area with daybeds to reset before boarding.
The buffet includes a rotating selection of hot dishes, snacks, and drinks with more of an international flair. I also sometimes stop by the Centurion Lounge for their wide vegetable options or the Capital One Lounge for grab-and-go items Ismail prefers. It’s great having multiple options at DFW depending on your needs.
Business Class Cabin & Seat Experience
The moment I stepped into the Business Class cabin on the A350, I could feel the difference. Cathay Pacific is crazy about the understated luxury. It’s nice… super nice, without all the unnecessary bling bling.
The classic Business Class cabin improves on traditional 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layouts by keeping seats straighter and spacing them more generously. This orientation helps you face forward without turning your neck to look out the window or speak with a travel partner. The footwell is roomier, the surfaces are flatter for dining or laptop use, and the overall design feels more open while simultaneously giving more privacy.
Seat dimensions are generous, with a 20.2-inch seat width and a bed that extends to 75 inches when fully flat. The finish throughout the suite uses sustainable, matte materials that feel premium to the touch, and the adjustable armrest and retractable tray table give you more control over how you use your space. The one-touch presets for Sleep, Dining, and Lounge adjust the seat, lighting, and privacy wall in sync. There’s also a digital tech panel for seat settings and do-not-disturb mode, plus customizable mood lighting in the overall cabin that’s designed to gently align with your circadian rhythm.
Storage features include a soft-close drawer, hidden vanity mirror with earphone and storage space, a magazine area small enough for the menus and a few things to read, and space underneath the foot rest giving plenty of options to store belongings.
Amenity Kit & Extras
Each seat came with a kit stocked with a toothbrush, toothpaste, multi balm, pillow mist, cooling gel cream, earplugs, and an eye mask. The bag that comes in is actually something I plan to keep and different seats have different colored bags. The products were from Bamford, a wellness brand known for its spa-grade botanicals. I also really enjoyed the slippers!
Dining & Snacks
Shortly after takeoff, I was served a bright green non-alcoholic drink called the Cathay Delight. It’s a kiwi, coconut, and mint blend that’s exclusive to Cathay Pacific, and it ended up being my go-to drink. Light, refreshing, and not overly sweet, I asked for another later in the flight.
The main meals included both Western and Asian-inspired dishes. There was variety, and meal timing was flexible. Snacks were available throughout the flight, including fruit, packaged sweets, and noodle cups. I appreciated being able to request something small any time, not just during service windows.
Check out our full dining guide for a detailed look at each meal, ingredients, and menu inspiration from this route. (Coming soon)
Entertainment & Connectivity
Cathay Pacific’s in-flight entertainment system, StudioCX, is their custom-built platform for onboard entertainment. What sets it apart is the depth, curation, and interface. I loved seeing so many Asian film pieces I’ve never heard of and my husband was pretty excited for the anime.
- 18.5 in 4KHD Screen with a 4.3-inch Video handset: A standout feature for an immersive in-flight viewing comfort.
- Extensive Content Library: Over 1,500 movies and 500+ shows, including anime, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean titles, full-season TV binge boxes, indie films, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic (via Disney+), HBO exclusives, and arthouse films from MUBI.
- Live Content: Includes Sport 24 with live coverage of events like the Olympics, Formula 1, football, and global news channels like CNN and CNBC.
- Language & Subtitle Options: Toggle between multiple languages, switch subtitles, or listen in original audio.
- Search, Save & Resume: You can search by actor or genre, save content for later, and resume shows right where you left off.
- Curated Playlists & Local Content: Includes Hong Kong cinema, award-winning global films, destination-specific documentaries, and cultural previews.
- Interactive Flight Map: The classic Business Class cabin’s upgraded “My Journey” feature includes cinematic flyovers, terrain and weather overlays, real-time progress, and an animated kid-friendly version.
- Wellness Features: In addition to ambient soundscapes and breathing guides, StudioCX includes self-guided stretching videos, massage techniques, and Wing Chun demos to reduce fatigue.
- Ambient Display & Activity Modes: A secondary display shows travel time, time zone shifts, and cabin lighting syncs with screen content. One-touch presets let you switch between Entertainment, Dining, and Sleep modes.
- Accessibility: Customizable interface brightness, contrast, and simplified navigation help make the system more inclusive.
- Family-Friendly: A dedicated kids’ interface with curated content, easy navigation, and parental controls.
- Audio & Spoken Word: Beyond music, there’s a library of global podcasts, audiobooks, and spoken word programming.
- In-Flight Shopping & Travel Content: Destination previews, duty-free offerings, and travel guides are integrated into the system.
StudioCX is built for long-haul comfort, with zero lag and intuitive design. I never felt bored or restless. Whether I wanted to binge a show, explore cultural content, follow the map, or simply watch clouds drift by from the tail cam, the system helped make 16 hours feel manageable.
One of my favorite things was the Wing Chun in the sky and some of the travel videos about Hong Kong! It just kept bringing that Hong Kong travel experience to me!
Sleeping in the Classic Business Class Cabin on the A350
As someone who plans trips around sleep strategy, I can confidently say the classic Business Class cabin on the A350 was built with rest in mind. The seat converts into a full-length lie-flat bed at 78 inches long and is paired with a Bamford sleep set that includes a memory-foam mattress pad with a cooling layer and pressure relief that contours with the body (perfect for us side sleepers), a plush pillow with a supportive core, and a temperature-regulating duvet made of soft-touch layers designed for airflow and comfort. I would’ve liked an extra pillow, but overall I was well rested.
The floral relaxation spray you can add to your pillow are a nice touch. Sheets are 400-thread-count cotton, which felt soft against the skin and stayed breathable throughout the flight. The way that the pillow is plush but filled with support means no neck straining while sleeping for better neck alignment.
The sleep-friendly features go beyond the bedding. Preset lighting modes gradually dim and shift color temperature to simulate a sunset, supporting your natural circadian rhythm and easing the adjustment to a new time zone. The quiet cabin, intuitive light controls at the seat, and a dedicated sleep mode made it easy to settle in and disconnect. Other small touches like soft-close compartments, a privacy door, and subtle airflow circulation added up to one of the most restful long-haul experiences I’ve ever had.
Sustainability of the Airbus A350-1000
The Airbus A350-1000 is designed with a strong focus on sustainability, aiming for a 25% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to older aircraft through its advanced aerodynamics and lightweight composite materials. Cathay Pacific is committed to reducing its environmental impact through various initiatives. The airline aims to decrease passenger-facing single-use plastic items by 1.5 pieces per passenger by 2025, a significant reduction from the 7.7 pieces recorded in 2019.
Furthermore, Cathay Pacific is actively working towards a 30% reduction in cabin waste by 2030. The airline also focuses on sustainable sourcing, including using pillowcases and duvet covers made from 100% sustainable cotton and sourcing certified sustainable seafood for in-flight meals. These efforts, along with the fuel-efficient Airbus A350-1000, demonstrate Cathay Pacific’s commitment to a more environmentally conscious air travel
Cathay Pacific Business Class Review: FAQs
Is Cathay Pacific good business class?
Yes, Cathay Pacific’s Business Class is generally considered very good, offering lie-flat seats, good food and drinks, and excellent service.
Is the Cathay Pacific business class flat bed?
Yes, Cathay Pacific’s Business Class on the A350-1000 features lie-flat beds.
Cathay Pacific Business Class Review: Final Thoughts
While the classic Business Class cabin lacked a few features I was excited about like the closing door, I was overall happy. My body felt more refreshed thanks to that lower cabin pressure and the duvet was so fluffy. The entertainment, wellness options, and food were some of the highlights for this trip.
I can’t wait to try the Aria Suite once it becomes available on routes to the Americas later this year. It’s sure to elevate the entire travel experience to a whole new level!
And don’t forget to sign up for Cathay Pacific’s membership to enjoy exclusive benefits and rewards on future flights.
Last Updated 3 hours ago by Jessica Serna | Published: April 27, 2025
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