How Cathay Pacific aircraft landed in 2024 after taking off in 2025

This incredible feat was made possible by crossing the International Date Line

Cathay Pacific Flight 880 made history by taking off from Hong Kong International Airport in 2025 and landing at Los Angeles International Airport in 2024.

This incredible feat was made possible by crossing the International Date Line and traversing nine time zones during its 12-hour trans-Pacific flight.

As the Boeing 777-300ER Cathay flight took off at 12:21 am on January 1, 2025, passengers were in for a unique experience.

After flying for 12 hours, they landed at LAX at 8:33 pm on December 31, 2024, effectively traveling back in time.

This phenomenon is known as the “date line effect”

The International Date Line, established in 1884, is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Pacific Ocean.

When crossed from west to east, travelers gain a day, while those traveling from east to west lose a day.

In this case, Flight 880’s passengers gained an extra day, celebrating New Year’s Eve twice.

This anomaly isn’t unique to Cathay Pacific Flight 880.

Other eastbound trans-Pacific flights, such as those operated by Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Fiji Airways, also crossed the International Date Line, allowing passengers to “travel back in time”

The “date line effect” has continued to trigger interest in the world of aviation, highlighting the fascinating consequences of global timekeeping.

Similar incidences

Flights crossing the International Date Line and resulting in passengers “traveling back in time” are not uncommon.

Here are some notable incidents as compiled by Diaspora Digital Media:

Hawaiian Airlines Flight 50 departed from Honolulu, Hawaii, at 12:05 am on January 1, 2019, and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, at 6:35 am on December 31, 2018.

This flight effectively allowed passengers to celebrate New Year’s Eve twice.

Air New Zealand Flight 901 took off from Auckland, New Zealand, at 12:30 am on January 1, 2017, and landed in Los Angeles, California, at 6:30 pm on December 31, 2016.

Passengers on this flight experienced a unique journey, crossing the International Date Line and “traveling back in time.”

Fiji Airways Flight 811 departed from Nadi, Fiji, at 12:05 am on January 1, 2019, and arrived in Los Angeles, California, at 10:30 am on December 31, 2018.

This flight also allowed passengers to experience the phenomenon of crossing the International Date Line.

Qantas Flight 32 took off from Sydney, Australia, at 12:30 am on January 1, 2018, and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 4:30 pm on December 31, 2017.

Passengers on this flight enjoyed a unique New Year’s Eve experience, celebrating the start of 2018 before “traveling back in time” to December 31, 2017.

Singapore Airlines Flight 52 departed from Singapore at 12:05 am on January 1, 2017, and arrived in San Francisco, California, at 8:30 am on December 31, 2016.

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