Cathay Pacific San Francisco to India: Complete Flight Guide
Cathay Pacific brings a distinctly Asian routing into the San Francisco–India market, funneling passengers through Hong Kong International Airport rather than the Middle Eastern or European gateways most one-stop carriers on this corridor rely on. It's also an airline in the middle of a genuine product upgrade right now, with a new Business Class cabin recently introduced on this very route. This guide breaks down how the Hong Kong connection works, which Indian cities it reaches, what's changed in the cabin experience, baggage rules, lounge access, and rough fare expectations across all four travel classes.
For anyone comparing this option against other one-stop carriers, it helps to compareSan Francisco to India fares across airlines before booking, and the wider India flight options for US travelers are worth a look if Hong Kong isn't the routing you had in mind.
The New Aria Suite: Why This Is a Good Moment to Look at Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific has been rolling out a redesigned long-haul cabin called the Aria Suite across select international routes, and San Francisco is one of the first US gateways to get it. The retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER flying this route now features the new Aria Suite Business Class, a redesigned Premium Economy cabin, and a refreshed Economy product—all fairly recent additions to this specific city pair. Not every SFO–Hong Kong departure runs on the retrofitted aircraft yet, since Cathay is phasing the rollout in gradually, so it's worth checking the specific aircraft type at booking if flying the newest cabin is the point of the trip.
Which Indian Cities Cathay Pacific Reaches From San Francisco
Every Cathay Pacific itinerary between San Francisco and India connects through Hong Kong, with onward service currently reaching:
- Delhi — Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
- Mumbai — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
- Hyderabad — Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)
- Bengaluru — Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
- Chennai — Chennai International Airport (MAA)
All five routings share the same SFO–Hong Kong transpacific sector, with the connecting Hong Kong–India flight and layover length varying by destination. Total journey time generally runs between 21 and 24 hours depending on the city and direction of travel. Anyone wanting a city-by-city breakdown can check current USA to India ticket prices rather than relying on a single blended average.
Route Summary: Flight Numbers & Duration
The tables below cover typical flight numbers and durations for each city pair. Schedules shift by season, so treat this as a structural reference and confirm exact timings closer to your travel dates.
Outbound: San Francisco to India (via Hong Kong)
| Destination | Flight 1 (SFO–HKG) | HKG Layover | Flight 2 (HKG–City) | Total Outbound Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi (DEL) | CX879 – 15h 35m | 1h 15m | CX679 – 6h 25m | 23h 15m |
| Mumbai (BOM) | CX879 – 15h 35m | 1h 10m | CX663 – 6h 35m | 23h 20m |
| Hyderabad (HYD) | CX879 – 15h 35m | 2h 35m | CX627 – 5h 45m | 23h 55m |
| Bengaluru (BLR) | CX879 – 15h 35m | 1h 40m | CX623 – 6h 10m | 23h 25m |
| Chennai (MAA) | CX879 – 15h 35m | 2h 20m | CX641 – 5h 45m | 23h 40m |
Return: India to San Francisco (via Hong Kong)
| Origin | Flight 1 (City–HKG) | HKG Layover | Flight 2 (HKG–SFO) | Total Return Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi (DEL) | CX694 – 5h 25m | 4h 5m | CX870 – 12h 15m | 21h 45m |
| Mumbai (BOM) | CX660 – 5h 25m | 3h 55m | CX870 – 12h 15m | 21h 35m |
| Hyderabad (HYD) | CX672 – 5h 5m | 4h 0m | CX870 – 12h 15m | 21h 20m |
| Bengaluru (BLR) | CX624 – 5h 35m | 4h 0m | CX870 – 12h 15m | 21h 50m |
| Chennai (MAA) | CX632 – 5h 20m | 3h 40m | CX870 – 12h 15m | 21h 15m |
A clear pattern emerges here: CX879 outbound and CX870 return anchor every one of these itineraries as the shared transpacific pair, while the connecting flight number and Hong Kong layover shift by destination. Every return connection at Hong Kong runs close to 4 hours, considerably more relaxed than the outbound connections, which range from just over an hour on the Delhi and Mumbai routings up to nearly 2 hours 35 minutes on the Hyderabad routing. Notably, the return flight is consistently shorter than the outbound across every city here, reflecting favorable tailwinds on the eastbound Hong Kong–San Francisco crossing.
Baggage Allowance on This Route
Cathay Pacific sets baggage limits by fare bundle (Economy Light, Classic, Flex; equivalent tiers in higher cabins), so treat the figures below as general guidance:
Economy Class
- Checked baggage: typically 1 to 2 pieces up to 23 kg each, depending on fare
- Cabin baggage: 1 piece up to 7 kg, plus a small personal item
Premium Economy Class
- Checked baggage: typically 2 pieces up to 23 kg each
- Cabin baggage: 2 pieces up to 7 kg each
Business Class (Aria Suite)
- Checked baggage: typically 2 pieces up to 32 kg each
- Cabin baggage: 2 pieces up to 7 kg each
First Class
- Checked baggage: typically 3 pieces up to 32 kg each, in line with Cathay's broader First Class allowance
- Cabin baggage: 2 pieces up to 7 kg each
One thing worth flagging: Cathay Pacific's genuine First Class—widely regarded as having some of the widest seats in the industry—is currently limited to a small number of routes flown by specific, non-retrofitted 777-300ER aircraft. The recent Aria Suite rollout on San Francisco brought a new Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabin to this route, but First Class isn't part of the current SFO–Hong Kong cabin lineup. The First Class baggage figures above reflect Cathay's policy on the routes where that cabin does fly, shown here for comparison purposes. Marco Polo Club Diamond and Gold members typically receive an additional baggage allowance on top of whatever the fare includes.
Cabin Experience Across All Four Classes
Economy Class
Cathay Pacific's Economy cabin on this route now includes the refreshed seat design introduced alongside the Aria Suite rollout, along with the airline's StudioCX entertainment system, USB power, and a full meal service across both flight segments.
Premium Economy Class
Premium Economy sits between Economy and Business with a noticeably wider seat, more recline, a footrest, and an elevated dining service. The redesigned Premium Economy cabin introduced with the Aria Suite retrofit brings this product to San Francisco travelers for the first time on this specific aircraft type.
Business Class (Aria Suite)
The Aria Suite is Cathay Pacific's newest long-haul Business Class product, and San Francisco is among the first US routes to receive it. It's built around a human-centered design approach, with a more private, spacious suite than the airline's older reverse-herringbone Business seat still flying on other aircraft serving this route on non-retrofitted days. Both versions offer fully lie-flat seating, so it's less about comfort level and more about which specific seat design you'll get—worth checking the aircraft type if the newest cabin matters to you. For current pricing, it's worth taking time to reviewpremium cabin fares to India across carriers before choosing a fare.
First Class
Cathay Pacific's First Class has a strong reputation industry-wide, with some of the widest seats of any airline's First cabin, flown on a handful of non-retrofitted 777-300ER aircraft on select global routes. It is not currently part of the standard cabin lineup on the San Francisco–Hong Kong sector, so travelers specifically seeking Cathay's First Class experience on this corridor would need to build it into a different leg of their itinerary elsewhere in the airline's network, or consider whether that changes with future aircraft rotations.
Lounge Access at San Francisco and Hong Kong
San Francisco International Airport
Cathay Pacific operates its own lounge at SFO for Business and First Class passengers, along with eligible Marco Polo Club and oneworld Sapphire/Emerald members.
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong is where Cathay Pacific's lounge network really shows its scale, including The Wing (undergoing its own redesign as part of the broader cabin refresh) and The Pier, both offering separate Business and First Class sections with full dining, shower facilities, and quiet workspaces. Given that every return connection through Hong Kong on this route runs close to 4 hours, Business and First Class passengers get meaningful use out of these lounges on the way home.
Economy and Premium Economy Passengers
Passengers without Business or First Class tickets, or elite Marco Polo Club/oneworld status, generally don't have included lounge access at either airport, though Premium Economy occasionally comes bundled with limited access depending on the specific fare.
How Fares Tend to Move on This Route
Pricing between San Francisco and India on Cathay Pacific follows familiar seasonal patterns:
- Late October through January tends to be the priciest window, driven by Diwali travel, North Indian wedding season, and Christmas/New Year holiday demand
- February through April and September generally bring more moderate fares and better seat availability
- Summer months often see a secondary bump from school-break family travel
- Since the Aria Suite retrofit is still rolling out gradually across SFO departures, demand for that specific cabin experience can push Business Class fares higher on the dates it's confirmed to operate
Approximate Fare Ranges by Destination and Cabin (USD)
The figures below are planning-stage estimates rather than live pricing. Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class reflect the cabins actually flown on this route; First Class is shown for comparison purposes only, since it isn't currently part of the SFO–Hong Kong cabin lineup.
| Destination | Economy | Premium Economy | Business Class | First Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi (DEL) | $950 – $1,350 | $1,800 – $2,600 | $4,200 – $7,200 | $9,200 – $15,200 |
| Mumbai (BOM) | $1,000 – $1,400 | $1,850 – $2,650 | $4,260 – $7,260 | $9,260 – $15,260 |
| Hyderabad (HYD) | $1,030 – $1,430 | $1,880 – $2,680 | $4,300 – $7,300 | $9,300 – $15,300 |
| Bengaluru (BLR) | $1,010 – $1,410 | $1,860 – $2,660 | $4,280 – $7,280 | $9,280 – $15,280 |
| Chennai (MAA) | $980 – $1,380 | $1,830 – $2,630 | $4,240 – $7,240 | $9,240 – $15,240 |
Delhi and Mumbai sit toward the lower end of the range here, reflecting stronger overall demand and competition on those two markets, while Hyderabad trends slightly higher given its longer Hong Kong layover. For live, date-specific pricing, it helps to compare San Francisco to India fares across airlines rather than relying on a fixed range.
Booking Notes for Cathay Pacific From San Francisco
- If flying the new Aria Suite matters to you, confirm the specific aircraft type at booking, since the retrofit is still rolling out across SFO departures gradually
- Hyderabad currently has the longest outbound Hong Kong layover of the five cities covered here, while Delhi and Mumbai have the tightest outbound connections
- Every return connection through Hong Kong runs close to 4 hours, which is worth planning around if you want to use the lounge or grab a meal before the long flight home
- Marco Polo Club membership is worth setting up before booking, even for a single trip, since accumulated Status Points can unlock lounge access and baggage allowance on future travel
- Compare this itinerary against Gulf and other Asian one-stop carriers before finalizing, since total journey time, layover comfort, and cabin product can vary meaningfully by airline
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Cathay Pacific flies nonstop from San Francisco to Hong Kong, then connects onward to India through its Hong Kong hub. There is no direct SFO–India service on this airline.
Via Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific connects San Francisco to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
The Aria Suite is Cathay Pacific's newest long-haul Business Class product, recently introduced on a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER serving the San Francisco–Hong Kong route. It comes paired with a redesigned Premium Economy and refreshed Economy cabin. Since the retrofit is still rolling out gradually, not every departure runs on the upgraded aircraft, so it's worth confirming the specific aircraft type at booking.
Not on this specific route. Cathay Pacific's First Class is flown only on a small number of non-retrofitted 777-300ER aircraft on select global routes, and it is not currently part of the standard cabin lineup on the San Francisco–Hong Kong sector.
It varies by destination and direction. Outbound connections range from about 1 hour 10 minutes on the Mumbai routing to roughly 2 hours 35 minutes on the Hyderabad routing. Return connections are more consistent, running close to 4 hours across all five cities.
Allowance depends on fare type. Economy passengers typically get 1 to 2 checked bags up to 23 kg each, Premium Economy and Business Class passengers typically get 2 bags up to 23 to 32 kg each depending on cabin, and Marco Polo Club elite members typically receive an additional allowance on top of the fare-based limit.
Booking a few months ahead generally offers better fares and availability, particularly if you want to confirm a seat on the Aria Suite-equipped aircraft. Fares tend to peak from late October through January due to festival and holiday travel, with more moderate pricing in the February to April and September shoulder periods.
Planning Your Cathay Pacific Trip From San Francisco to India
Whether you're drawn to Cathay Pacific for its Hong Kong stopover, its new Aria Suite Business cabin, or simply a different routing than the Gulf carriers dominating this corridor, this airline offers a genuinely distinct experience among the one-stop options out of San Francisco. Reach our travel desk at 1-888-413-5701 for help choosing the right fare, cabin, and routing for your trip, or compare San Francisco to India fares across airlines before you book.
If you already know which city you're headed to, these route-specific breakdowns cover pricing and connection details without needing a broader search: San Francisco to Delhi flights, San Francisco to Mumbai flights, San Francisco to Hyderabad flights, San Francisco to Bangalore flights, San Francisco to Chennai flights, and San Francisco to Ahmedabad flights.
Before you fly out, it's also worth reviewing this San Francisco Airport terminal guide for check-in counters, security wait times, and gate layouts.
