Image: British_Airways_757.jpg : scott wright Boeing_757-256_-_Iberia_-_EC-HIS_-_LEMD_- · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Cathay Pacific Adds Latin America Destinations via Iberia Codeshares through Madrid
Starting late October 2026, Cathay Pacific expands reach to four Latin American cities with new Iberia codeshares and daily Madrid flights.
The gist
Cathay Pacific boosts Latin America links with Iberia codeshares to Brazil, Argentina, and Dominican Republic from October 2026.
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Cathay Pacific is significantly enhancing its Latin America network by introducing new codeshare agreements with Iberia Airlines, effective late October 2026. This initiative enables seamless travel to four additional destinations: Fortaleza and Recife in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Notably, this marks the first time Buenos Aires and Santo Domingo are included in Cathay's codeshare offerings, broadening the carrier's presence in the region.
These new routes complement Cathay Pacific's existing codeshare services in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile, extending the airline’s reach across Latin America's vibrant markets. Iberia serves as the gateway hub via Madrid, facilitating efficient connections from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Passengers benefit from through-checked baggage and single-ticket itineraries, enhancing travel convenience.
Latin America is a strategic focus for Cathay due to its dynamic growth and integration with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which promotes cross-continental trade and tourism. Cathay Pacific currently operates nearly 600 weekly flights to 33 BRI destinations and collaborates with partner airlines to expand its network further. These new codeshare flights reflect a concerted effort to strengthen ties between Asia and emerging Latin American markets.
In response to this expansion, Cathay Pacific will also increase its non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Madrid to daily services starting 25 October 2026, up from four times weekly. This frequency increase supports the augmented Latin American connections and offers more flexibility to travelers, including convenient late-night European departures. The additional flights solidify Cathay as the sole carrier providing non-stop service between these two global cities.
Popular destinations on this new network include Buenos Aires, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and tango, as well as Santo Domingo, a Caribbean hotspot for beachgoers. Fortaleza and Recife, situated in Brazil's northeast, attract tourists with their beaches and adventurous outdoor activities. These destinations present fresh tourism and business opportunities for travelers from Asia.
Cathay Pacific’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau emphasized the move's significance, noting the enhancement of Madrid service to daily flights strengthens the airline’s unique non-stop connectivity between Hong Kong and Spain. This strategy underlines Cathay's commitment to broadening passenger choice and fostering Hong Kong’s role as a key international aviation hub.
The expanded connectivity offers tangible advantages for both leisure and business travelers. Frequent flyer benefits via the oneworld alliance, seamless booking experiences on cathaypacific.com, and increased schedule options cater to the diverse needs of long-haul travelers. Business sectors gain improved access to emerging Latin American economies, while tourists enjoy newfound ease visiting iconic cities and beach destinations.
This network growth is part of Cathay Pacific’s broader post-pandemic strategy to maximize global reach and partnership synergies. By deepening cooperation with Iberia and ramping up core routes like Hong Kong–Madrid, Cathay reinforces its leading position as a global connector. Travelers planning to visit Latin America should review the updated schedules and make early reservations to benefit from the expanded service.
Frequently asked questions
- Which new Latin American destinations has Cathay Pacific added via Iberia codeshares?
- Cathay Pacific added Fortaleza and Recife in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic as new Iberia codeshare destinations starting October 2026.
- How will Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong–Madrid flight schedule change to support the expansion?
- Cathay Pacific is increasing its Hong Kong–Madrid service from four weekly flights to daily flights beginning 25 October 2026 to accommodate new Latin America connections.
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