We’ve all seen the photos of lantern-lit streets, bamboo forests, bustling night markets, and viral matcha ice cream too pretty to eat. 

Asia has long held that magnetic travel pull. But for Texans? It hasn’t exactly been the easiest getaway. Between limited flight options, long layovers, and the kind of multi-leg routes that make you think it would be easier to get a direct flight to Europe, Asia has felt like a bucket list trip for only the most seasoned travelers.

Historically, Texas hasn’t had many direct routes to Asia. You could count them on one hand. We’ve had Tokyo via American or Japan Airlines, South Korea, and occasionally Beijing or Shanghai. If you wanted anything else? Pack every travel pillow possible because you’re in for multiple days of flights and that elusive search for a comfortable sleeping position. Jet lag is hard enough. You don’t want to add multiple uncomfortable flights on top of that.

But that’s changing. Right now, three new and revived routes are making it easier than ever for Texans to explore Asia and each offers something unique.

Three New Routes Opening the Door to Asia

In the last year, Texans have gained three major updates that make Asia far more accessible. Whether you’re budget-hopping to Tokyo or eyeing a seamless layover in Hong Kong, your travel dreams just became a lot more possible.

1. Zipair: Houston to Tokyo, Starting at $333 One Way

If you hate the price tag of international travel and are willing to give up most comforts, this one’s for you. Zipair, a low-cost carrier from Japan Airlines, now offers direct flights from Houston to Tokyo with fares starting around $333 one way in economy.

Yes, you’ll want to read the fine print because this is very no-frills flying. Meals, bags, and even seat selections cost extra. Yep, even food, so pack your own meals. But for travelers who’ve dreamed of walking under cherry blossoms in Kyoto or exploring the food stalls of Osaka, Zipair might be the most affordable way to make that happen. Even their full-flat business class seats are often cheaper than a standard coach ticket to NYC during peak season.

It’s part of the growing shift of people who want to travel more while being cost-conscious, and Zipair is making it possible.

2. Cathay Pacific: DFW to Hong Kong – With a Bonus Trip Built In

If Zipair is the backpacker’s dream, Cathay Pacific’s return to Dallas-Fort Worth is the golden ticket for travelers who treat the plane ride as part of the vacation.

This award-winning airline relaunched its nonstop DFW–Hong Kong route, giving Texans direct access to one of Asia’s most vibrant cities while delivering that Hong Kong experience in the sky.

What makes it even better? Cathay’s extended layover program. You can schedule a few days in Hong Kong on your way to your final destination without buying a second ticket. That means you can explore temples, night markets, rooftop bars, and waterfront views before continuing on to Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, or wherever your passport takes you next.

From a wellness perspective, this can be the difference between hitting the ground running or stumbling through it in a daze. Rather than going straight from jet lag into a packed itinerary, you can recharge with a milk tea in Mong Kok, take a tram up Victoria Peak, and ease into Asia one city at a time.

3. EVA Air: Nonstop Flights from Texas to Taipei (Coming October 2025)

Looking a little further ahead, EVA Air has announced a new nonstop route to Taipei launching from Texas in October 2025. The exact airport hasn’t been publicly confirmed yet, but whether it’s Houston or Dallas, this will be a major upgrade for travelers heading to Taiwan or connecting beyond.

My Experience on Cathay Pacific

When I boarded Cathay Pacific’s A350 at DFW, I might have actually pinched myself to make sure it was real. That whole cliché — it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey — actually held true. 

Cathay Pacific has earned a long list of prestigious awards, including:

• Eco-Airline of the Year (the first in Asia – ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards) 
• World’s Best Design Airline (TheDesignAir) 
• World’s Best Economy Class and Best In-Flight Entertainment (Skytrax) 
• World’s Cleanest Airline (Skytrax and AirlineRatings) 
• Ranked among the Top Three Airlines in the World (Skytrax) 

All of these honors translate into a flight experience that feels both elevated and intentional. We opted for Business Class since we had a packed itinerary as soon as we landed, but Cathay might be one of the few airlines where I’d genuinely consider flying economy (a chronic health issue makes anything less than a lie-flat seat a nightmare that follows me the whole trip).

We boarded and were welcomed with the Cathay Delight, their exclusive non-alcoholic drink made with kiwi, coconut milk, and mint. The entertainment lineup featured over 1,500 movies and 500 shows, including Marvel hits, anime, HBO, and international films. It’s a rare opportunity to dig into Asian cinema you might never find on U.S. platforms. As I scrolled through the selection of critically acclaimed films, I couldn’t shake the thought — why was it only now that I was discovering these stories?

We had dishes infused with Hong Kong flavors, copious cups of Hong Kong Milk Tea, and a cabin environment designed to reduce jet lag. All of this and the other thoughtful touches made it clear: with Cathay Pacific, the flight is part of the destination.

But what really made this flight special was the ease. No layovers. No terminal sprints. Just one smooth, comfortable flight that brought me straight to Asia rested, well-fed, and ready to go.

Landing in Hong Kong

If you haven’t been, Hong Kong is a city that blends fast-paced modern life with moments of serenity and deep tradition. Truthfully, I’d spent far more time watching travel content about Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam (all worthy destinations), but knew little about what Hong Kong had to offer.

We wandered neon-lit streets, ducked into hidden temples tucked between skyscrapers, and took in the panoramic skyline from Victoria Peak. One day we were sipping milk tea and browsing boutiques, the next we were marveling at 10,000 golden Buddhas. And let’s not forget the Michelin-recommended dim sum and buzzing street food alleys.

While we didn’t take advantage of their layover program, if we had chosen to, it would’ve acted as the perfect buffer to explore and slowly adjust to a new time zone without the burnout of a tight connection or back-to-back travel days.

Crossing Into Mainland China

Despite not testing out the layover program, we did opt for another trip! From Hong Kong, we crossed into Shenzhen which is just a 15-minute high-speed train ride away. Thanks to the same-day Shenzhen visa program, we were across the border in no time. 

It’s wild how crossing a border can transform your surroundings. While Hong Kong felt like East-meets-West, Shenzhen had a completely different energy. It was futuristic, fast-growing, and bursting with surprises. We explored sprawling shopping districts that would put stateside malls to shame, enjoyed massages for a fraction of U.S. prices, and even did a hanfu photoshoot in a recreated historic village. 

Despite being just minutes apart, the contrast between the two cities made the trip feel like two journeys in one that was all possible because of a single direct flight.

What This Means for Texans: Now and in the Future

For Texans, the ability to hop on a plane in Dallas or Houston and land in Asia without layovers is a major leap forward in accessibility.

And it’s not just about convenience. More flight options mean more opportunities for students, business travelers, families visiting loved ones, and those of us simply chasing new experiences.

But as we celebrate how much easier it’s become to reach these incredible places, we also have a responsibility to travel thoughtfully. Tourism is growing quickly across Asia — especially in places like Japan — and not all the growth has been welcomed. We’ve seen stories of travelers ignoring etiquette or forgetting that these places are more than just a backdrop for our adventures.

So book the trip and savor the experience but also take time to learn the customs, follow local rules, and represent Texas with respect and care.

Related IG links:

Why Texans Should Travel to Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific direct flight from DFW to Hong Kong

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 Cover photo Jessica Serna

Jessica Serna is the Creative Mind and Face of My Curly Adventures, a Texas based travel brand inspiring people to find magic in the everyday and live a travel lifestyle. Often touted as the Texas Travel Expert, she takes readers on colorful adventures across Texas, the US, and beyond. Her creative and fun content has inspired millions to travel and support local communities.