Published on
September 22, 2025
By: Rana Pratap
Thousands of passengers are stranded in Hong Kong as Cathay Pacific cancels 50 flights, disrupting travel across major routes, including San Francisco, Vancouver, Zurich, and Narita, due to the approaching Super Typhoon Ragasa. The airline’s decision to suspend these flights comes as Hong Kong braces for the storm, which is expected to severely impact air travel for the next 36 hours. The airline, along with other local carriers, has been forced suspend hundreds of flights in anticipation of the typhoon’s impact, which is expected to severely affect air travel for the next 36 hours. As a result, travelers are facing uncertain delays, cancellations, and limited rebooking options.
Flight Cancellations Across Multiple Routes
Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, announced that flights from Hong Kong to major international destinations, as well as regional flights within Asia, would be suspended starting Tuesday evening, September 23. The cancellations include several key routes between Hong Kong and cities such as San Francisco (KSFO), Vancouver (CYVR), Zurich (ZRH), Los Angeles (KLAX), and Toronto (CYYZ), causing a ripple effect on international travel.
Below is a breakdown of some of the canceled flights:
- San Francisco (KSFO) to Hong Kong (HKG)
Flight CPA870 (A359), scheduled for Monday at 1:35 PM HKT, was among the first to be canceled. This cancellation affected travelers hoping to connect from Hong Kong to San Francisco. - Vancouver (CYVR) to Hong Kong (HKG)
Flight CPA810 (B77W), originally departing on Monday at 4:05 PM HKT, also faced cancellation, leaving travelers without options for flights to Vancouver. - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG)
Flight CPA383 (A359), set for departure on Tuesday at 12:15 AM HKT, was canceled, leaving those with connecting flights to Zurich stranded. - Los Angeles (KLAX) to Hong Kong (HKG)
Flights from Los Angeles have been severely disrupted, with Flight CPA880 (B77W), scheduled for Tuesday at 12:15 AM HKT, canceled due to the ongoing weather threat. - Toronto (CYYZ) to Hong Kong (HKG)
Flight CPA805 (A35K), departing from Toronto at 3:40 PM EDT on Monday, was also affected, forcing travelers to find alternative connections.
Cathay Pacific has also canceled additional flights to other destinations, including New York (JFK), Boston (KBOS), and even regional routes within Asia such as flights to Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The Impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa
Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is rapidly strengthening as it moves across the South China Sea, is expected to make landfall in Hong Kong late Tuesday or early Wednesday. In anticipation of this extreme weather event, Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has been preparing for widespread disruptions. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the city will raise the T8 typhoon warning signal, signaling the severity of the storm, which will force the suspension of flights starting at 6:00 PM on Tuesday.
The airport has confirmed that operations will be severely limited for a period of 36 hours, with most international and regional flights expected to be grounded until conditions improve on Thursday morning. Cathay Pacific, alongside other local airlines such as Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express, has already taken measures to minimize passenger inconvenience, including the free rescheduling of affected flights.
Airline and Airport Response
Cathay Pacific has assured travelers that they will be allowed to reschedule their flights without any extra charges. In addition to flight cancellations, the airline has offered full refunds for those who no longer wish to travel.
Passengers stranded at Hong Kong International Airport will still have access to basic amenities, such as charging stations, seating areas, and food supplies. Restaurants within the airport will remain open, and some will even operate around the clock to accommodate passengers during the lengthy disruption.
Additionally, Cathay Pacific has worked closely with the Hong Kong Airport Authority to ensure that affected passengers are supported throughout the storm’s passage. Passengers are being advised to stay in touch with the airline for real-time updates on flight status, which could change depending on the typhoon’s trajectory.
Hong Kong Airport Response
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), a major global hub, is at the center of the disruption caused by the cancellation of 50 Cathay Pacific flights. As the airline braces for the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa, more than 500 flights are expected to be canceled, severely affecting travel across key international routes, including San Francisco, Vancouver, Zurich, Narita, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, and London. The typhoon’s impact is also expected to ripple across flights to destinations in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania, including cities like Sydney, Frankfurt, Paris, and Bangkok.
“We have waived rebooking/rerouting/refund fees for all confirmed tickets issued for the affected flights. Passengers are encouraged to submit requests via our Special Ticketing Arrangement service. For those who booked through a travel agent, or those travelling as part of a tour group, should contact their agent directly for assistance.”
The airport, known for its efficiency and state-of-the-art facilities, is working closely with airlines to manage the disruptions, providing essential services such as seating areas, food outlets, and charging stations for stranded passengers. While the airport remains open during the storm, flight movements will be heavily reduced, and travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses and rescheduling options.
Other Airlines Affected
Cathay Pacific’s budget subsidiary, HK Express, also announced that over 100 flights between Tuesday and Thursday would be canceled or rescheduled due to the typhoon. Similarly, Hong Kong Airlines has canceled flights between 6:00 PM on Tuesday and 6:00 AM on Thursday, further affecting travelers in the region.
These disruptions are likely to affect not only direct flights between Hong Kong and the aforementioned cities but also connecting flights from other international carriers.
Passenger Advice and Safety
For those traveling through Hong Kong International Airport or whose flights have been canceled, the airport and Cathay Pacific have issued the following advice:
- Stay Updated – Ensure you have real-time updates from your airline or the airport to monitor the latest developments and rebooking options.
- Flexible Travel Plans – If your flight is canceled, airlines are offering flexible rescheduling. However, space on subsequent flights may be limited, so it’s advised to make adjustments as soon as possible.
- Consider Alternative Routes – If you’re facing severe delays or cancellations, consider rerouting via other cities. Some travelers may opt for connecting flights through nearby cities in Asia or Europe.
- Stay Safe – Keep track of weather alerts and ensure you stay indoors and safe as the storm approaches Hong Kong.
ChatGPT said:
Thousands of passengers are stranded in Hong Kong after Cathay Pacific cancels 50 flights, disrupting travel to key cities including San Francisco, Vancouver, Zurich, Narita, and others. The cancellations are due to the imminent arrival of Super Typhoon Ragasa, forcing the airline to suspend operations and leaving travelers facing significant delays.
Conclusion
As Super Typhoon Ragasa continues to approach, Cathay Pacific and other airlines are doing everything they can to mitigate the effects of the storm on passengers. However, the scale of flight cancellations across Hong Kong, the US, Canada, Switzerland, and other regions is inevitable. Passengers should remain patient and flexible during this period of severe disruption. With continued storm warnings and the anticipated 36-hour halt in flight operations, travelers should expect considerable delays, with some routes potentially grounded for a longer duration.
