United Will Be the First Airline To Resume U.S.-Hong Kong Flights

After more than 2 years, United Airlines will be the first airline to resume nonstop passenger flights to Hong Kong (HKG) from the U.S.

San Francisco (SFO) will see flights return first, from May 28, 2022. Flights from Newark (EWR) are expected to resume in August.

Hong Kong flights are some of United’s last routes to return to its network, thanks to the city’s strict border and immigration policies that it’s maintained throughout the pandemic.

The U.S. remains on the list of countries that are banned from operating flights to Hong Kong. This restriction is set to be lifted on April 20, 2022, meaning United can resume flights to one of Asia’s most important cities.

When its flights resume, United will be the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service to Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific is also planning to resume flights to the U.S. in the coming months.

Let’s take a look at the details.

United Reconnects the U.S. With Hong Kong

As restrictions on tourism and international travel finally start to ease in Hong Kong, United plans to send its Boeing 777s from both San Francisco (SFO) and Newark (EWR) to the Southeast Asian financial hub once again.

Hot Tip: Flying from the U.S. to Hong Kong isn’t exactly inexpensive. Instead of breaking the bank, you could consider using United MileagePlus miles that can be earned in so many ways!

From May 28, 2022, daily service between San Francisco and Hong Kong will resume with the following schedule:

• Depart San Francisco (SFO) 1:50 p.m. — Arrive Hong Kong (HKG) 6:45 p.m. (+1)
• Depart Hong Kong (HKG) 11:15 a.m. — Arrive San Francisco (SFO) 9:10 a.m.

And from August 1, 2022, United’s daily service from Newark to Hong Kong is set to take to the skies once again with the following schedule:

• Depart Newark (EWR) 2:30 p.m. — Arrive Hong Kong (HKG) 6:10 p.m. (+1)
• Depart Hong Kong (HKG) 10:20 a.m. — Arrive Newark (EWR) 1:45 p.m. 

Cathay Pacific To Follow Suit

Cathay Pacific’s route network continues to be a shell of its former, pre-pandemic self.

Hong Kong’s rules and regulations resulted in the airline’s crews facing an unbearable 200 combined years spent in quarantine upon returning to the city throughout 2021.

However, things are starting to look up for the beleaguered carrier, as it plans to resume the following routes to the U.S. throughout the summer, though note that this information is subject to change:

Final Thoughts

We’re excited to learn that United will resume flights to Hong Kong after the U.S. is removed from a list of banned countries at the end of April. Adding to the good news, Cathay Pacific also plans to restore much of its U.S. network shortly after United resumes flights.

We can only hope that Hong Kong continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic so we can get back to enjoying one of our favorite cities on the planet!