Cathay Pacific has been operating flights for nearly 80 years. The airline has faced numerous challenges over the years, yet it remains one of the world’s top carriers, maintaining its position as a leader in the industry.
Ready for takeoff? Let’s depart into the world of this leading airline. In no particular order, here are 20 key facts about Cathay Pacific, covering topics such as its history and current operations.
Cathay Pacific Facts
1. When was Cathay Pacific founded?
According to Cathay Pacific’s official website, the airline was founded in September 1946 by two former Air Force pilots, Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow, shortly after the end of the Second World War.
2. The airline is the flag carrier of Hong Kong
Hong Kong currently has four active commercial airlines, with Cathay Pacific holding the distinction of being the national flag carrier.
3. Its headquarters is based at Hong Kong International Airport
Cathay Pacific is headquartered at Cathay City, Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong.
4. The airline’s main hub
In addition to serving as its headquarters, Hong Kong International Airport is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific.
5. The airline’s slogan
Cathay Pacific’s slogan, “Move Beyond,” was introduced in 2019.
According to the airline, the slogan represents the airline’s aspiration to transcend expectations and blaze new trails in service and operational excellence.
6. Cathay Pacific is a member of a leading airline alliance
Cathay Pacific has been a member of the oneworld alliance since February 1999, having been a founding member along with American Airlines, British Airways, the now-defunct Canadian Airlines, and Qantas.
7. The airline has two subsidiaries
Cathay Pacific’s two subsidiaries are Air Hong Kong and HK Express. Air Hong Kong is an all-cargo airline, while HK Express is a low-cost carrier.
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8. It used to have a subsidiary called Cathay Dragon
Between 1985 and 2020, Cathay Pacific had a subsidiary called Cathay Dragon, which was an international regional airline.
Cathay Dragon merged into Cathay Pacific during the COVID-19 pandemic. The merger was part of a broader restructuring effort by Cathay Pacific to streamline operations amid the financial challenges posed by the pandemic.
9. Cathay Pacific owns a major freight carrier
Cathay Cargo is the air freight division of Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong. It provides a range of cargo services, including the transportation of goods, express shipping, and logistics solutions.
Earlier this year, Hong Kong retained its status as the world’s busiest cargo hub, with Cathay Cargo being the biggest contributor. Notably, the Cathay Cargo fleet consists of Boeing 747-400ERFs and Boeing 747-8Fs.
10. How many aircraft are in Cathay Pacific’s fleet?
According to Airfleets, Cathay Pacific currently has 172 aircraft – including Cathay Cargo aircraft – in its fleet.
The fleet includes models such as the Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350-900, and Boeing 777-300.
11. It serves over 80 destinations around the world
Cathay Pacific operates services to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America.
12. The airline is ranked as a 5-star airline
Cathay Pacific is currently ranked as a 5-star airline by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization.
13. It has been awarded the World’s Best Airline numerous times
As of 2024, Cathay Pacific has been named Skytrax’s World’s Best Airline four times.
14. The airline has a frequent flyer program
Cathay Pacific’s loyalty program is known as Cathay. Through this program, travelers can accumulate Asia Miles by flying, renting cars, staying at hotels, and spending on partner credit cards.
Furthermore, members can also achieve different status levels: Green, Silver, Gold, and Diamond.
15. Cathay Pacific has three major shareholders
Cathay Pacific’s four major shareholders are Swire Pacific (45%), Air China (29.99%) and Qatar Airways (9.61%).
16. Cathay holds a 29.9% stake in a Chinese airline
Currently, Cathay holds a 29.9% stake in Air China, the national flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China.
17. Cathay Pacific offers various cabin classes
The airline provides four cabin classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class.
The available classes may differ based on the route and aircraft used.
18. Cathay is known for its strong safety record
Throughout its history, the airline has encountered only a limited number of incidents.
The last time it recorded any fatalities was in 1972, when a bomb ripped apart one of its aircraft above Vietnam.
19. Cathay Pacific was the first airline to fly a transpolar route
In 1998, Cathay Pacific operated the world’s inaugural non-stop transpolar flight, flying over the North Pole to reach Hong Kong from New York.
20. The Hong Kong government’s bailout package
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong government provided Cathay Pacific with a HK$39 billion (US$5 billion) bailout package. The package also gave the Hong Kong government a 6% stake in the airline.
However, in the summer of 2024, it was announced that Cathay had bought back all the remaining preference shares from the Hong Kong government.
This article was updated on October 9, 2024.
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