Cathay Pacific has made its much-anticipated return to Adelaide with the launch of its thrice-weekly seasonal service connecting Hong Kong with the South Australian capital.

The carrier’s new service reestablishes an important direct connection between these two vibrant cities, supporting enhanced travel, trade and cultural exchange between Asia and Australia.

“We are delighted to return to Adelaide, a city we have a long history with having first launched flights in 1992,” said Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau.

“Adelaide is a dynamic city on the South Australia coast that offers visitors incredible culinary delights, world-renowned wines, stunning natural attractions, and much more.

“We look forward to welcoming customers onboard to experience our signature Cathay Pacific service, whether they are flying to this dynamic city, our home hub, or beyond,” she said.

Travellers can enjoy the comfort of Cathay Pacific’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft when flying between Hong Kong and Adelaide.

The aircraft is equipped to deliver a premium experience in every cabin with fully flat beds in Business, spacious seats in Premium Economy, and comfort in the airline’s awarding-winning Economy cabin.

Customers can also enjoy the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment experience during their journey, along with inflight menus developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurants on flights departing Hong Kong.

Wi-Fi connectivity is available across Cathay Pacific’s entire fleet, with the service currently complimentary for Business class customers and Cathay Diamond members, and soon Cathay Gold members starting 15 November and Cathay members travelling in Premium Economy by the end of this year.

Cathay Pacific now flies to six destinations in Australia, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Together with its flights to Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand, the airline is operating a total of close to 100 return flights per week to Oceania during the winter season.

South Australia Tourism Minister, Zoe Bettison, said: “Reinstating Cathay Pacific flights direct from Hong Kong to Adelaide has been a key priority for the State Government and marks a significant milestone for South Australia’s tourism industry.

“The Cathay Pacific service connects our State with key international visitor markets, making it even easier for not just our growing Asian market, but also Europe and North American travellers.

“All international carriers flying into Adelaide prior to the pandemic are now back further driving South Australia’s economic growth – boosting our tourism and freight exports.

“The suite of new airline arrivals and routes into Adelaide in recent weeks means our State is more globally connected than ever before and will further grow international visitor expenditure, currently worth a record $1.7 billion to South Australia’s economy,” she said.