Life Well Travelled
Founded
1946
Headquarters
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR of China
Alliance
oneworld
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, offering international passenger and cargo services to over 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Founded in 1946, the airline has grown from a small regional operator into one of the world's most respected premium carriers, renowned for its service quality and connectivity through Hong Kong International Airport.
The airline is majority-owned by Swire Group, with additional stakes held by Air China and Qatar Airways. Cathay Pacific has weathered significant challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to major restructuring, the dissolution of its sister brand Cathay Dragon, and a substantial reduction in workforce before a gradual recovery began in 2022 and 2023.
Cathay Pacific is a founding member of the oneworld alliance and consistently ranks among the top airlines globally for cabin service, business class products, and lounges. Its Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles loyalty programs are among the most widely used frequent flyer schemes in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hubs & network
Cathay Pacific's primary hub is Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which serves as its sole main hub for both passenger and cargo operations.
Fleet
Cathay Pacific operates a wide-body fleet consisting primarily of Airbus A320-family, A330, A350-900, A350-1000, and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with older 747 freighters in its cargo division.
Notable facts
- ›Cathay Pacific was founded on September 24, 1946, by American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow.
- ›The airline dissolved its regional subsidiary Cathay Dragon in October 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ›Cathay Pacific is a founding member of the oneworld airline alliance, established in 1999.
- ›The carrier operates one of Asia's largest cargo networks through Cathay Pacific Cargo, utilizing dedicated freighter aircraft.
- ›Cathay Pacific has been repeatedly named one of the world's top five airlines by Skytrax.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
