Cathay Pacific currently operate to two destinations in New Zealand, Auckland and Christchurch. The carrier operates the A350-900 aircraft on both routes. From November however, 3 services from Auckland will be operated by the -1000 variant.

Cathay’s A350-900 aircraft feature 38 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats and 214 Economy seats while the -1000 variant has 46 Business Class suites, 32 Premium Economy seats and 256 Economy seats.

Cathay have announced that they will be expanding their Christchurch service from 3 to 4 times weekly from December 2019.

Via Routesonline.com,

CX129 HKG1450 – 0715+1CHC 359 5
CX123 HKG2045 – 1310+1CHC 359 347

CX124 CHC0835 – 1510HKG 359 6
CX126 CHC1430 – 2110HKG 359 145

This route for Cathay isn’t year round but instead, seasonally from the 15th of November until the 28th of February. The 4th service will commence on December 5th of this year.

As a reference, if you’re wanting to use miles and points on this route, here’s your best options:

Asia Miles – Asia Miles charge 45,000 miles roundtrip in Economy, 54,000 miles round trip in Premium Economy and 80,000 in Business Class.
Alaska Milage Plan – Alaska Milage Plan charges 30,000 miles roundtrip in Economy, 45,000 miles round trip in Premium Economy and 60,000 miles roundtrip in Business Class.
American Airlines AAdvantage – American Airlines AAdvantage charge 60,000 miles roundtrip in Economy and 80,000 miles in Business Class.
Qantas – Qantas charge 70,000 miles roundtrip in Economy, 105,000 miles in Premium Economy and 130,000 miles in Business Class.

Overall

It’s fantastic to see Cathay expanding their frequencies to New Zealand, this is great news for travellers and especially ones who travel with points, there’ll be more open availability and choice which is fantastic.

Have you flown on Cathay’s A350?