Cathay Pacific to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in January

AdvertisementHong Kong transportHong KongHong Kong EconomyCathay Pacific to launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in JanuaryAirline will operate the only non-stop service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan’s largest city three times a week, with economy fares from HK$2,296 1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenWynna WongPublished: 1:49pm, 20 Aug 2026Updated: 1:51pm, 20 Aug 2026Cathay Pacific Airways will launch direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, in January, making it the airline’s first Central Asian destination and establishing the only non-stop service between the two. The three-times-weekly service will begin on January 9 next year. Flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, subject to regulatory approval, the airline said. The outbound flight will depart Hong Kong at 4.25pm and arrive in Almaty at 8.30pm local time. The return flight will leave the Kazakh city at 9.50pm and land in Hong Kong at 7am the following day. Operated by Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft, the flights will take about six to seven hours each way, compared with the usual journey time of 10 to 14 hours, depending on the length of the layover. Flights are already available for purchase on Cathay’s website. The new Almaty route will be the only non-stop passenger service linking Hong Kong with Kazakhstan. Photo: Elson LiA check by the South China Morning Post found that one-way fares from Hong Kong to Almaty on January 9 started at HK$2,296 (US$293) in economy class and HK$14,476 in business class. The flight is scheduled to take seven hours and five minutes. AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x