CATHAY PACIFIC
ROUTE Hong Kong–Madrid
LAUNCH June 2, 2016
INFO Cathay Pacific’s new four-times weekly service will represent the only direct link between Hong Kong and Spain, providing greater convenience for both business and leisure customers travelling between the two destinations.
Likewise, the new route will make it easier for passengers from Southern Europe to access key destinations in mainland China and Asia.
Read full story here or visit cathaypacific.com
UNITED AIRLINES
ROUTE San Francisco–Xian
LAUNCH May 2016
INFO United Airlines made headlines last year when it became the first US carrier to launch flights to Chengdu. This move appears to have been a precursor for the airline to expand its presence in the second-tier Chinese markets, as the carrier has now targeted Xian as its next destination. This will put United even further ahead of the other US carriers, in terms of the number of mainland destinations in its network.
Read full story here or visit united.com
EMIRATES
ROUTE Dubai–Panama City
LAUNCH February 2016
INFO Clocking in at 17 hours and 35 minutes (when flying westbound), Emirates new service to Panama City will become the world's longest non-stop flight in the world when it launches next year, thereby stealing the crown from current title holder Qantas for its 16 hour 55 minute service to Dallas.
Read the full story here or visit emirates.com
JAPAN AIRLINES
ROUTE Tokyo Narita–Dallas
LAUNCH November 30, 2015
INFO Aviation aficionados will remember that Japan Airlines (JAL) first launched a three-weekly Tokyo–Dallas service back in March 1999. Due to popular demand, this soon expanded into a daily operation. However, following the September 11, 2001 attacks the carrier announced a temporary suspension of the route that was never resumed – until now.
Read full story here or visit jal.com
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
ROUTE Cebu–Los Angeles
LAUNCH March 16, 2016
INFO Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) new route is a testament to PAL’s upgraded safety standards, as until April last year the carrier was blacklisted by the US, which prevented it from expanding services to the country. Since then, the airline has been steadily increasing operations stateside. With the launch of the new service, PAL will operate a total of 38 flights between the Philippines and the US.
Read full story here or visit philippineairlines.com
