Cathay Pacific has been expanding their route map nicely these days, and has proceeded to make nice additions to their route map. In the past month Cathay Pacific has announced that they would start direct flights to Brussels, Copenhagen and Dublin, and decided to cut flights to Dusseldorf from their system. All of these routes are commitments that Cathay Pacific plans to operate on a few-times weekly basis.
Cathay Pacific’s next announcement is slightly different, however. Cathay Dragon has announced that they will operate a one-time flight from Hong Kong to Guam, departing Hong Kong on November 19, 2017 and departing Guam on November 23, 2017.
Cathay Dragon Airbus A330-300 Hong Kong Airport
On one hand that’s very exciting news, as I’d never envisioned that Cathay Dragon would expand into U.S. territory. 😉
All kidding aside, I’m presuming that this route is being operated due to increased demand on these specific days between Hong Kong and Guam. The route is currently only being operated by a United 737. Furthermore, Hong Kong Express canceled their route sometime last year, and announced a delay for the Hong Kong to Nagoya to Guam route that they plan to operate. I couldn’t find anything regarding an event happening in the area this November, so I don’t have a direct explanation for the route.
The route will be operated by an A320, under the following schedule:
19/11 Cathay Dragon 8120 Hong Kong to Guam dep 16:05 arr 23:35
23/11 Cathay Dragon 8121 Guam to Hong Kong dep 12:35 arr 15:50
Cathay Dragon Airbus A320 Hong Kong Airport
The A320 is Cathay Dragon’s lowest capacity plane, so I’m really interested to know why they’re operating the route at all. Currently guesses are that a large group has chartered the plane, and Cathay Dragon wants to sell off the remaining seats (this is further supported by the fact that calling Cathay Pacific is the only way you can ticket yourself on this route).
For a five hour flight, Cathay Dragon’s A320 doesn’t have the most inspiring hard product. These planes feature their regional business class product, except they don’t even feature personal TVs in business class. I believe that Cathay Dragon hands out tablets to business class passengers on their A320s, though that can be an inconvenience for both crew and passengers (and I’m not sure how much weight that would save), so I’m not sure why they didn’t install PTVs to start with.
Cathay Dragon Airbus A320 Business Class
Economy class doesn’t feature PTVs either, so this isn’t the best product in which you can spend a five-hour flight. In comparison, United’s 737s feature PTVs and more seat pitch.
Cathay Dragon Airbus A320 Economy Class
Currently the only way to book is to call Cathay Pacific and book through there. I also can’t pull up the seatmaps on ExpertFlyer, for what it’s worth. However, Cathay Dragon suggests on their website that prices can be found from HK$4120, and ashsong on FlyerTalk has also shared some package economy companion fares for four-night stays.
Cathay Dragon Airbus A320 Economy Class
Prices are quoted as:
- An Outrigger Guam Resort Ocean Deluxe Room can be purchased for HK$9,197, for four nights, including roundtrip economy tickets for two
- Breakfast for two inclusive will come at HK$10,616
- The Hyatt Regency Guam Guest Room with Ocean View goes for HK$10,048 including two roundtrip economy tickets
- Breakfast for two inclusive will come at HK$11,821
- The Dusit Thani Guam Resort Deluxe Ocean Front rooms go for HK$11,041 including two roundtrip economy tickets
- Breakfast for two inclusive will come at HK$13,727
- You can upgrade to a Premium Ocean Front room for HK$12,247 (room only) or HK$14,233 (with breakfast)
Stay at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort at a package rate from HK$11,041
Bottom Line
I’m interested to find out the reason Cathay Dragon is operating this route, as it’s not everyday that they announce a one-off route to a destination they’ve never operated to before. Last time this happened (Cathay Pacific to the Maldives) the route ended up launching, so Cathay Dragon may very well be testing the market waters and seeing if this route is viable. If the Hong Kong to Guam route does launch, I sure hope they consider switching to an A321, at least, which features a much better economy class product, as well as PTVs in business class.