---
type: "Article"
title: "Himalayas from on high"
description: "Flying over the Himalaya was like looking down at a 3D relief map with all the detail of mountains, lakes, rivers, valleys, deserts, roads and settlements."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/china/himalayas-cathay-pacific-flight"
author: "Justine Tyerman"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
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tags: ["Flight", "Nature", "China"]
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sources:
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    title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman"
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timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:33:40+00:00
---

# Himalayas from on high

> A personal account of flying Cathay Pacific from Paris to Hong Kong via CX 278, highlighted by an extraordinary clear-day aerial view of the Himalayas from 35,000 feet.

## Destination
Himalayas, viewed from aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX 278 (Paris to Hong Kong)

## Getting there
Cathay Pacific flight CX 278 (B777-300ER) from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Hong Kong, with onward connections to Auckland. The airline offered daily Paris–Auckland service via Hong Kong and was set to commence Zurich–Hong Kong flights from 29 March 2015.

## When to go
The flight took place in mid-winter on a crystal-clear day, providing perfect visibility over the Himalayas.

## Why visit
On a clear day the flight path over the Himalayas offers a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the roof of the world — mountains, frozen lakes, desert plains, river slivers and remote human settlements laid out like a 3D relief map.

## What to see
- **The Himalayas from 35,000 feet** — Crystal-clear visibility revealed mountain ranges, frozen lakes, desert plains, river valleys, terraced hillsides and remote settlements far below.
- **Paris by night** — The aircraft circled Paris at departure, with the Eiffel Tower beam, Notre Dame lit in blue, and the Seine visible below.

## What to do
- **Watch from the rear door windows** — The author moved to the back of the plane to access unobstructed rear door windows for extended Himalaya viewing during the shade-down period.

## Good to know
Cathay Pacific was voted World's Best Airline for the fourth time at the 2014 Skytrax Awards. The Wing Lounge is available at Hong Kong Airport for eligible passengers.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Paris-by-Night.jpg"
    caption: "Paris by night"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Himalayas-2.jpg"
    caption: "Himalayas from on high"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Janice-and-Rita-Cathay-Pacific-Paris-Hong-Kong.jpg"
    caption: "Janice and Rita on Cathay Pacific, Paris to Hong Kong, CX 278"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Himalayas-3.jpg"
    caption: "Breathtaking..."
```