If you are looking to head to South Asia, Cathay Pacific has dropped a solid round-trip fare from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) for $796 in Economy Class.Long-haul tickets from the Midwest to Sri Lanka frequently top $1,200+, so catching a sub-$800 fare on a world-class carrier like Cathay is a fantastic deal.
Key Deal Details
- Route: Chicago (ORD) Hong Kong (HKG) Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB)
- Airline: Cathay Pacific
- Fare Class: Q (Discounted Economy)
- Travel Window: Late August through November, or January through early May (Monday through Thursday departures and returns).
- Advance Purchase: Must book at least 3 days before departure.
- Stopover Option: Up to two stopovers in Hong Kong are allowed for $100 each if you want to turn your layover into a multi-day trip.
Frequent Flyer Miles & Earnings
If you like stacking partner miles, keep in mind how this specific “Q” fare class credits to partner programs:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Earns 25% of actual miles flown (approx. 5,134 Elite Qualifying Miles and Redeemable Miles out of the 20,538-mile round-trip distance).
- American Airlines AAdvantage: 0 miles earned. American does not award AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points for Cathay Pacific Q-class fares.
Why Visit Sri Lanka During These Months?
Late summer and autumn are great times to explore different regions of the island. While the southwest coast experiences monsoon rains in early autumn, the eastern coast (like Trincomalee and Pasikudah) and the cultural heartland (Kandy, Sigiriya, and Ella) offer fantastic weather for hiking tea plantations, visiting ancient temples, and going on wildlife safaris.
How to Lock It In
- Find Dates: Use Google Flights or ITA Matrix to search for mid-week departures (Monday through Thursday) between late August and November.
- Set the Routing: Filter for Cathay Pacific connecting through Hong Kong (HKG).
- Book Direct: Head directly to Cathay Pacific’s website or a trusted online travel agency (like Priceline) to book the dates you found.
Cathay Pacific
Pro Tip: Promos like this usually sell out or get repriced within 24 to 48 hours. If your dates align, lock it in sooner rather than later!
