Cathay Pacific is a member of oneworld and a partner of airlines like American, British Airways, and Alaska. They also generally have good business class availability between the U.S. and Hong Kong and beyond to destinations in Asia.

Cathay has scheduled service to 8 US cities including New York JFK, Newark, Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. They fly to Toronto and Vancouver as well. That’s a lot of options for getting to Asia.

Cathay Pacific U.S. Routes

I find that booking six months out gives great options for award redemption. Booking towards the ‘end of the schedule’ around 11 months out is even better if you want to redeem for four or more seats. Right now there’s a great example of the theory from several of Cathay Pacific’s U.S. gateways.

Here’s Washington Dulles – Hong Kong for four passengers in business class in July:

Here’s San Francisco – Hong Kong for four passengers in business class in August:

Here’s Los Angeles – Hong Kong for four passengers in business class in August:

Flights between the US and ‘Asia 2’ are 70,000 American AAdvantage miles in business class. Alaska Airlines charges 50,000 miles — or if you connect to Australia it’s 60,000 — 62,500 to Africa or India. And you can transfer American Express or Citi points to Cathay Pacific directly.

Searching for two passengers is much easier of course but the ability to redeem a top flight business class product for four or more passengers is worth noting when availability is this good.