Aircraft occupants endured over a decade-long stretch without nourishment or hydration.
Cathay Pacific Flight CX883, which departed from Los Angeles on August 4, 2025, faced an unexpected challenge during its journey to Hong Kong. A severe "Black" rainstorm warning in Hong Kong disrupted the flight, causing an extended delay and a diversion to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.
The Boeing 777 approached Hong Kong after about 13 hours of flight, but the pilots were forced to abort the landing at around 5,000 feet altitude due to the extreme rainfall and dangerous conditions. The flight entered a holding pattern at 1,500 meters above ground, unable to land in Hong Kong.
After landing in Taipei, passengers were kept on board the plane for over 10 hours without clear explanation from the airline. The weather in Hong Kong eventually cleared, and a relief crew flew the aircraft from Taipei to Hong Kong, completing the journey nearly 28 hours after the original departure.
During this ordeal, passengers faced limited food, drink, and comfort, which drew criticism of Cathay Pacific’s handling of the situation. The total journey for the 294 passengers on board lasted 28 hours, making it an unusually long and difficult experience.
The storm in Hong Kong on August 5, 2025, recorded over 350 mm of rainfall, breaking the August rainfall record set in 1884. The flight's original scheduled duration was 13.5 hours, but due to the diversion and prolonged delay, the flight duration extended to 16 hours. Regrettably, food and water supplies on the flight ran out quickly, and passengers were not allowed to disembark during the 28-hour period.
In summary, the severe storm forced a diversion and a prolonged delay on board the Cathay Pacific flight, resulting in an unusually long, difficult experience for passengers with a total travel time of 28 hours.
Amid the prolonged diversion and delay, the general-news outlets reported on the unsettling travel conditions faced by Cathay Pacific Flight CX883 passengers, discussing the challenges posed by the severe 'Black' rainstorm in Hong Kong. As a result of the diversion to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, the travelers' lifestyle was significantly disrupted, with limited food, drink, and comfort causing frustration and criticism towards the airline's management.
