Cathay Pacific has launched a new four-times-weekly link from Boston Logan International Airport to Hong Kong.

The new non-stop service links New England and Hong Kong directly for the first time, and marks the airline’s sixth gateway in the United States, and its eighth in North America. The airline already serves Chicago, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Newark, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver.

The first flight celebrations included a traditional lion dance and roast pig cutting ceremony, which is meant to bless and wish the new flight good luck.

"The importance of the only nonstop Boston - Hong Kong service goes beyond just linking Boston with this key Asian business and tourism World City," said Cathay Pacific Senior Vice President, Americas, Tom Owen. "We are also opening up the greater New England region to connect with numerous Asian cities, including over 23 destinations in Mainland China, as well as key economic and tourism hubs throughout Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bali, and Hanoi.”

The new service cuts over four hours from the current one-stop flight time to Hong Kong via JFK or Chicago, and even more to some of the key Asian cities.

"In addition to passenger demand, there is also an opportunity for increased freight from New England to Asia, due to the Boeing 777-300ER belly capacity, and connectivity through our new Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong to Cathay's extensive Asian freighter network," Owen added.

In the summer season, flights will depart Boston at 01:45am, arriving into Hong Kong at 05:35am (+1 day) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return flights will depart Hong Kong at 10:00pm, arriving into Boston at 21:30pm, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Boston is the largest US-Hong Kong market without nonstop service, with more than 53,000 passengers flying between Logan and Hong Kong in 2013.

"By adding this flight and this prestigious airline to our roster, it proves that Boston Logan has become a player on the world stage," Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn said. "The entire New England region will benefit, as this nonstop flight to Hong Kong opens the door to Asia and can create new business connections and improve existing ones. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Cathay Pacific."

The international flag carrier of Hong Kong operates 115 flights per week to Hong Kong and beyond, including over 23 destinations in Mainland China, from six cities in the USA and two in Canada.