#MindBuzzer: Flight Leaves In 2026, Lands 2025!

Ever dreamed of hopping in a time machine? No need—book a flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles instead. Cathay Pacific’s CX880 routinely pulls off this trick around New Year’s, departing after midnight on January 1, 2026 (Hong Kong time) and touching down at LAX on December 31, 2025 (LA time).​

Hong Kong sits 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles due to time zones. The 12-hour flight crosses the International Date Line, flipping the calendar back a day. Picture this: You board at 12:30 AM January 1 in HK, fly west, and land at 8:55 PM December 31 in LA—back “in time” locally, ready to ring in 2026 twice if timed right.​

This viral phenomenon happens yearly on transpacific routes like CX880 or ANA’s Tokyo-LA flights, baffling passengers and sparking social media buzz. No sci-fi required—just Earth’s spin and clever geography.

If you ask me, I say “Fly west, defy time!”

Catch this segment daily @12h45 on The Crossover with CHANTE. 99FM, We Love Music!