【September 12, 2026 update】 Cathay Pacific-operated long-range award flights between North America and Hong Kong for July and August 2027 have been released again. This update lists business-class award dates and seat counts for Vancouver and Toronto round trips booked with Cathay’s own miles.
- Vancouver round trip to Hong Kong
- Toronto round trip to Hong Kong
For award flights on Cathay Pacific, those of us based in Canada can generally book through CX, BA, AA, AY, or AS.
A Detailed Guide to Cathay Pacific and Asia Miles
Introduction to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
A Detailed Guide to British Airways Executive Club / Avios
American Airlines AAdvantage Overview
Hong Kong airport lounges: Chase Sapphire Lounge, The Pier, Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge
For other large airline award releases tracked by the blog, see the “Series articles” dropdown menu at the top of the page.
⚠️ In general, Cathay’s own programme has the easiest access to its award space. Typical mileage requirements for common routes are:
- Toronto to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Urumqi, and similar cities: 119,000 Cathay miles.
- Vancouver to Hong Kong or Shanghai: 91,000 Cathay miles; Vancouver to Beijing: 119,000 Cathay miles.
⚠️ Cathay has operated Vancouver flights with its Aria Suite business-class aircraft since early June 2025. Look for flights 865 and 888 when redeeming. ⚠️
【August 12, 2026 update】 Vancouver and Toronto–Hong Kong, both directions, April–June 2027
The Cathay flights from Hong Kong to Toronto were listed in detail in the August 8 update. This section lists only Vancouver–Hong Kong round trips and Toronto–Hong Kong business-class awards for the second quarter of next year that can be booked with Cathay miles.
【August 8, 2026 update】 North America–Hong Kong, both directions, June–July 2027
Business-class space has been released between Hong Kong and major North American cities. This section lists seat counts for Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles, and New York.
【July 1, 2026 update】 Vancouver and Toronto–Hong Kong, both directions, March–May 2027
- Vancouver–Hong Kong: Plenty of Aria Suite business-class awards are available; look for 888 and 865.
- Toronto–Hong Kong.
【May 8, 2026 update】 Last-minute Vancouver–Hong Kong, both directions, May 2026
Vancouver connections through Hong Kong are available onward to Shanghai and Beijing.
There is also award space from Hong Kong to Vancouver.
There are also scattered dates available from Toronto.
【March 26, 2026 update】 Toronto and Vancouver–Hong Kong, both directions, February 2027
Cathay miles show award space on many dates. Use them before the devaluation; February has space almost every day, which works well for travelling home for Lunar New Year. There are also a few dates in January. From Vancouver, be sure to select the Aria Suite business cabin.
- Vancouver outbound.
- Vancouver return.
- Toronto return.
【November 18, 2025 update】 Toronto and Vancouver–Hong Kong, both directions, many dates in mid-2026
There is availability on many dates in July and August, with some on other days as well. AA and AS Atmos can book it, and Cathay’s own miles work too.
【September 29, 2025 update】 Hong Kong–Toronto, one way, more October 2025 dates
Compared with the September 23 update, today there is award space every day in early October on the one-way Hong Kong–Toronto route. AY can book it, with several flights daily.
There is also occasional availability far into the schedule.
【September 23, 2025 update】 Hong Kong–Vancouver and Toronto, one way, October 2025
- Hong Kong–Vancouver: Finnair can book almost every date in early October.
- Hong Kong–Toronto: Also in early October, but there are fewer dates visible through Finnair.
I shared these tickets earlier in the post on scattered award availability.
【July 7, 2025 update】 Toronto–Hong Kong, both directions, November and December 2025
Plenty of YYZ–HKG award seats were released in late November and early December, in both directions.
【May 31, 2025 update】 Toronto and Vancouver–Hong Kong, both directions, almost every day in April and May 2026
From late March to late May 2026, award space was available almost every day in both directions between Toronto/Vancouver and Hong Kong. Happily, AY also showed plenty of award space. When booking, remember to look for the Aria Suite.
【April 15, 2025 update】 New award chart takes effect today (a slight devaluation; business class increases by four or five thousand miles), and Cathay has released plenty of awards
Toronto–Hong Kong–mainland China: A one-way business-class ticket costs 115,000 miles and can continue to cities in mainland China. Availability was open in May and June.
Connect through Hong Kong from Toronto to Shanghai, Beijing, or Urumqi.
- Vancouver–Hong Kong–mainland China: A one-way business-class ticket costs 88,000 miles and can continue to cities in mainland China. Availability was open in April, May, and June.
Connect through Hong Kong from Vancouver to Shanghai or Beijing.
Hong Kong–Vancouver and Toronto had availability in April, May, June, July, and August.
【March 3, 2025 update】 Long-range January and February 2026: Toronto and Vancouver to Hong Kong, both directions; multiple seats on many dates; bookable with Cathay Asia Miles and Finnair Avios
🙋♂️ Cathay’s own miles follow its award chart strictly.
Theoretical Asia Miles required one way | East: Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago; West: Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles.
| Route / cabin / miles required | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East–Hong Kong | 38,000 | 75,000 | 110,000 | 160,000 |
| West–Hong Kong | 27,000 | 50,000 | 84,000 | 125,000 |
🙋♂️ You can also redeem through AY, but Finnair does not show Hong Kong–Shanghai award space; it does show quite a lot to Beijing.
- Toronto–Hong Kong: Multiple seats on many dates.
- Toronto–Beijing.
【December 10, 2024 update】 Thanks to group member Tony: Cathay released some YYZ–HKG business-class awards for July–September 2025 (with scattered seats in April, May, and June as well), bookable through AY
Connecting through Hong Kong to other cities in mainland China is also convenient, making this an excellent option for returning home from Eastern Canada. Book quickly.
【September 30, 2024 update】 Cathay released last-minute Premium Economy awards: from October 16–31, most dates have two PE seats, both directions between Vancouver/Toronto and Hong Kong; bookable with AS or AA, with occasional business-class availability
Keep in mind that Cathay can include connecting mainland-China flights; when redeeming AS, you can stop over in Hong Kong on a one-way award.
【September 29, 2024 update】 A large amount of business-class space to return home for August and September 2025, both directions from Toronto and Vancouver; bookable with Cathay’s own miles
The first draft of this post was published in early May, when it reported Cathay releasing a large number of business-class awards for the second and third months of the following year. This update covers its long-range release, concentrated mainly in the summer months, particularly August and September, in both directions.
【May 3, 2024 update】 A large release of business-class awards for travel home in January, February, and March 2025, bookable with Cathay’s own miles
First, a refresher on the Hong Kong–North America award chart.
Theoretical Asia Miles required one way | East: Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago; West: Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles.
| Route / cabin / miles required | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East–Hong Kong | 38,000 | 75,000 | 110,000 | 160,000 |
| West–Hong Kong | 27,000 | 50,000 | 84,000 | 125,000 |
Search directly on Cathay’s website by selecting “Redeem flights,” for example:
- Hong Kong–Vancouver, February 2025.
- Toronto–Hong Kong, March 2025.
- Hong Kong–San Francisco, February 2025.
- New York–Hong Kong, January 2025.
You can also add a mainland-China segment, for example:
- Toronto–Hong Kong–Shanghai.
- Shanghai–Hong Kong–Vancouver.
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