Cathay Pacific Thursday launched a new non-stop service between Hong Kong and New York, making it the only airline to offer a daily non-stop and second daily one-stop service between the two cities.

The new service will further strengthen Hong Kong's position as Asia's leading aviation hub.

Flight CX830, operated by the ultra-long-haul Airbus 340-600, departed Hong Kong International Airport at 10:15 a.m. (local time) to follow a direct route over the North Pole.

Cathay Pacific is the first airline to operate this new aircraft non-stop to the far side of the world. The flight's captain, Mark Micallef-Eynaud, estimated the journey time to New York's Kennedy Airport would be 14 hours 35 minutes.

The service is expected to be popular with business travelers as it offers greater flexibility and choice of when to travel, a valuable saving on the journey time and the benefit of not being disturbed by stopping mid-way through the flight. Bookings for the first flight from Hong Kong to New York are full and are very strong in the coming months.

"The non-stop flight is very exciting and I am very happy to have this choice," said Business Class passenger Peter Dunne, a resident of both Hong Kong and New York.

"I fly maybe 250,000 miles a year, and to save a few hours on my journey time is terrific. When I get to New York I have to drive a couple of hours and this flight's early arrival means I will avoid the city traffic," he said.

Sheri Witthoft, traveling with her three children, Andrew, Annaand Olin, said she flies with her family to New York at least once a year. "I've lived in Hong Kong for 13 years and traveled with kids for 13 years and I am very glad I can now fly non-stop. Before, we might go via Tokyo and end up changing planes maybe three times. We're also thrilled about flying over the North Pole."

Cathay Pacific's Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said: "Our new non-stop service to New York underlines our commitment to growing the airline and building connections from Hong Kong to other major global centers."

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2004)