Full History Of Cathay Pacific In Timeline From 1945

2 days ago : Cathay Pacific Faces Price Target Cut and Upgrades Wi-Fi, Offers Tokyo-Sydney Flights.

Morgan Stanley decreased Cathay Pacific's price target. Cathay Pacific offered business class airfare from Tokyo to Sydney. The airline announced improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity starting in August.

1945: Purchase of First Aircraft in 1945

In 1945, Roy Farrell purchased the airline's first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3, nicknamed Betsy, at Bush Field, New York City.

May 1946: Relocation to Hong Kong in May 1946

On 11 May 1946, the company relocated, flying its two planes to Hong Kong.

August 1946: Incorporation of The Roy Farrell Export Import Company

On 28 August 1946, The Roy Farrell Export Import Company (Hong Kong) Limited was incorporated and chartered some flights from Cathay.

September 1946: Cathay Pacific Founded

On 24 September 1946, Cathay Pacific was founded by Australian Sydney H. de Kantzow and American Roy C. Farrell.

September 1946: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited is Re-registered

On 24 September 1946, Farrell and de Kantzow re-registered their business in Hong Kong as Cathay Pacific Airways Limited.

1947: Fleet Expansion in 1947

By 1947, Cathay Pacific had added another five DC-3s and two Vickers Catalina seaplanes to its fleet.

1948: New Shareholders in 1948

In 1948, a new legal person of Cathay Pacific Airways was incorporated, with John Swire & Sons (now known as Swire Group), China Navigation Company, Australian National Airways being the new shareholders.

January 1950: Freight Services Begin in 1950

On 28 January 1950, the company began freight services from Sydney to Shanghai, after Farrell and Russell obtained a licence to carry freight earlier that month. Its first commercial flight was a shipment of Australian goods.

1950: Establishment of HAECO in 1950

In 1950, HAECO, an aeroplane repair service company, was established.

1951: De Kantzow Leaves the Airline in 1951

De Kantzow remained in the airline until 1951 under Swire's management.

July 1, 1959: Acquisition of Hong Kong Airways

Cathay Pacific acquired Hong Kong Airways on July 1, 1959.

1959: Acquisition of Hong Kong Airways in 1959

In 1959, Cathay Pacific acquired Hong Kong Airways, becoming the dominant airline in Hong Kong.

1962: Double Digit Growth in 1962

Between 1962 and 1967, the airline recorded double digit growth on average every year and became one of the world's first airlines to operate international services to Fukuoka, Nagoya and Osaka in Japan.

1964: Millionth Passenger and First Jet Engine Aircraft in 1964

In 1964, Cathay Pacific carried its one millionth passenger and acquired its first jet engine aircraft, the Convair 880.

1967: All Jet Airline in 1967

In 1967, Cathay Pacific became an all jet airline with the replacement of its last Lockheed L-188 Electra with a Convair 880.

June 1971: "Lettuce Leaf Sandwich" Livery Introduced in June 1971

From June 1971, Cathay Pacific aircraft featured a "lettuce leaf sandwich" livery in Brunswick green and white over bare metal, along with the British flag on the empennage.

1971: Receiving the First Boeing 707-320B in 1971

In 1971, Cathay Pacific Airways received the first Boeing aircraft 707-320B.

1972: Fleet Size in 1972

By 1972, Cathay Pacific had five 707s. The new aircraft color was known as Brunswick green.

1972: No Hull Loss or Loss of Life Since 1972

Since 1972, Cathay Pacific has not had any incidents or accidents resulting in a hull loss or loss of life and has maintained a good safety reputation.

1974: Almost Purchasing McDonnell Douglas DC-10 in 1974

In 1974, Cathay Pacific almost purchased the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 to open a new flight route.

July 1976: Operating Boeing 707 Freighter in July 1976

In July 1976, Cathay Pacific began operating a Boeing 707 freighter from Hong Kong to Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore.

1979: Acquisition of First Boeing 747 in 1979

In 1979, Cathay Pacific acquired its first Boeing 747 and applied for traffic rights to fly to London in 1980.

1980: First Flight to London in 1980

Cathay Pacific's first flight to London took place on 16 July 1980.

1982: Introduction of Cathay Pacific Cargo in 1982

In 1982, Cathay Pacific Airways introduced Cathay Pacific Cargo, providing cargo service. The airline's long-haul dedicated cargo services started twice a week with Hong Kong-Frankfurt-London service operated jointly with Lufthansa.

1983: Service to Vancouver in 1983

Cathay Pacific kept its service to Vancouver in 1983.

May 1986: Public Listing in May 1986

On 15 May 1986, Cathay Pacific went public and was listed in the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.

1986: Service to San Francisco in 1986

Cathay Pacific added service to San Francisco in 1986, when an industry-wide boom encouraged route growth to many European and North American centers.

January 1990: Acquisition of Dragonair Stake in January 1990

In January 1990, Cathay Pacific and Swire Pacific acquired a significant shareholding in Dragonair.

November 1994: "Lettuce Leaf Sandwich" Livery Retired in November 1994

Until November 1994, Cathay Pacific aircraft used a "lettuce leaf sandwich" livery in Brunswick green and white over bare metal and carried the British flag on the empennage.

1994: Previous Logo Update

In 1994 Cathay Pacific had a logo consisting of green and white stripes that were in place from the early 1970s until 1994.

1994: Acquisition of Air Hong Kong Stake and Passenger Service Upgrade in 1994

In 1994, Cathay Pacific acquired a 75% stake in cargo airline Air Hong Kong and launched a program to upgrade its passenger service.

1996: CITIC Pacific Increases Holdings in 1996

In 1996, CITIC Pacific increased its holdings in Cathay Pacific from 10% to 25%, while the Swire Group holding was reduced to 44%.

1997: Registration Numbers and Flags Updated in 1997

In 1997, Cathay Pacific updated the registration numbers and flags on its fleet in conjunction with the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China.

May 1998: First Delivery of Boeing 777-300 in May 1998

On 21 May 1998, Cathay Pacific took the first delivery of the Boeing 777-300.

July 1998: Managing Directors Before July 1998

Before July 1998, Cathay Pacific's chief executive officers were referred to as Managing Directors.

July 1998: Last Flight from Kai Tak and First Transpolar Flight in July 1998

On 5 July 1998, Cathay Pacific operated its last flight from Kai Tak International Airport. The next day, Cathay Pacific began flights from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport to the new Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport, with the world's first nonstop transpolar flight from New York to Hong Kong.

September 1998: Cathay City Construction in September 1998

Cathay City, Cathay Pacific's head office located at Hong Kong International Airport, was scheduled to be built in increments between April and September 1998.

September 1998: Co-founding Oneworld Airline Alliance in September 1998

On 21 September 1998, Cathay Pacific, together with American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Qantas, co-founded Oneworld airline alliance.

October 1998: Taking Over Philippine Airlines Operations in October 1998

From 26 September to 7 October 1998, Cathay Pacific temporarily took over the domestic and international operations of Philippine Airlines during its two-week shutdown.

2000: Record Profit in 2000

Cathay Pacific recorded a record HK$5 billion profit in 2000.

2000: Labour Relations Issues in 2000

The year 2000 saw Cathay Pacific experience labour relations issues while completing the acquisition of Dragonair.

July 2001: Firing of Pilots in July 2001

On 9 July 2001, Cathay Pacific fired 49 of its 1,500 pilots, a group known as "the 49ers," following a review of employment histories.

2001: Labor Disputes in 2001

In 2001, the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA) launched a "work to rule" campaign, leading to flight cancellations due to pilots calling in sick and the airline refusing to negotiate under threat of industrial action.

2001: Legal Challenges and Reapplication Offers in 2001

In 2001, the dismissals were challenged in legal proceedings. The airline later offered terminated pilots the chance to reapply for positions with its cargo division.

September 2006: Shareholding Realignment and Acquisition of Dragonair

In September 2006, Cathay Pacific underwent a shareholding realignment, acquiring Dragonair as a wholly owned subsidiary. CNAC and Air China acquired a 17.5 percent stake in Cathay Pacific, and Cathay Pacific doubled its shareholding in Air China to 17.5 percent. CITIC Pacific and Swire Group reduced their shareholdings to 17.5 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

2006: "Cathay Pacific 60th Anniversary Skyshow"

In 2006, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Cathay Pacific held a year of roadshows named the "Cathay Pacific 60th Anniversary Skyshow". Anniversary merchandise and in-flight meals served by restaurants in Hong Kong were also introduced.

2007: Introduction of New Check-in Methods and Mobile App in 2007

Beginning in 2007, Cathay Pacific introduced self-check-in kiosks at Hong Kong International Airport and other locations, along with mobile phone check-in. Cathay Pacific also launched a mobile application on App Store and Google Play, formerly named CX Mobile.

2007: Multiple Economy Class Types

Cathay Pacific had five types of Economy Class in 2021, different on each aircraft. From the oldest 2007 type to the newest 2021 type, each had its own unique features.

June 2008: Cathay Pacific Fined for Air Cargo Price-Fixing Agreements

In June 2008, Cathay Pacific entered into a plea bargain with the United States Department of Justice in respect of antitrust investigations over air cargo price-fixing agreements and was fined US$60 million. The airline then set up an internal Competition Compliance Office.

July 2008: Old Economy Class Seats Introduced in July 2008

In July 2008, Cathay Pacific introduced old Economy Class seats designed by B/E Aerospace, featuring a fixed back design, a 9-inch PTV, AC power, and a relocated literature pocket.

September 2008: Financial Troubles for Top Global Accounts

In September 2008, three of Cathay Pacific's top ten global accounts, Lehmann Brothers, AIG and Merrill Lynch, faced financial trouble.

March 2009: Cathay Pacific Reports Record Full-Year Loss

In March 2009, Cathay Pacific reported a record full-year loss of HK$8.56 billion for 2008, including fuel-hedging losses of HK$7.6 billion and a HK$468 million charge for a price-fixing fine in the US. The airline had to scrap its final dividend.

November 2009: Court Success for the 49ers in November 2009

On 11 November 2009, 18 of the 49ers succeeded in the Hong Kong Court of First Instance concerning their joint claims for breach of contract, breach of the Employment Ordinance, and defamation.

2009: Dragonair's Planned Expansion

By 2009, Dragonair planned to have a dedicated cargo fleet of nine Boeing 747-400BCF aircraft operating to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Columbus. Dragonair had also acquired three Airbus A330-300 aircraft to commence services to Sydney and Seoul.

2009: Cathay Pacific Records Paper Fuel Hedging Gain

In 2009, Cathay Pacific recorded a paper fuel hedging gain but reported an operating loss due to the global economic situation. Frequencies were reduced, capital expenditure deferred, aircraft parked, and a Special Leave Scheme for staff was introduced.

March 2010: Tony Tyler Leaves CEO Position

In March 2010, Tony Tyler left his position as CEO at Cathay Pacific to pursue his new job at the IATA. John Slosar had succeeded as the new CEO.

December 2010: Court of Appeal Overturns Part of Lower Court Judgment

In December 2010, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court's judgment dismissing the claim for wrongful termination, but upheld the finding that Cathay Pacific wrongly sacked the 18 pilots for their union activities. The court also upheld the defamation claim, reduced damages, and modified the judgment on legal costs.

2010: Passenger and Cargo Volume in 2010

In 2010, Cathay Pacific, together with Cathay Dragon, transported nearly 27 million passengers and more than 1.8 million tons of cargo and mail.

January 2011: Switch to E-Air Waybill in January 2011

On January 4, 2011, Cathay Pacific Cargo became the first airline operating out of Hong Kong to fully switch to e-air waybills, eliminating the need for paper documents. Cathay Pacific was selected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to run the e-AWB pilot program.

March 2011: Captain John Warham launches "The 49ers – The True Story"

On March 2011, Captain John Warham, the leader of the 49er Plaintiffs, launched a book titled 'The 49ers – The True Story'.

October 2011: Pilots Awarded Leave to Take Case to Court of Final Appeal

In October 2011, the pilots were awarded leave to take their case to the Court of Final Appeal, with the matters to be decided concerning wrongful termination of contract and the level of damages for defamation.

2011: New Business Class Seat Introduced in 2011

In 2011, Cathay Pacific introduced a new business class seat featuring reverse herringbone seating in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat converts into a fully flat bed, with a small side cabinet and an adjustable 18.5-inch personal television.

March 2012: Premium Economy Class Introduced in March 2012

Cathay Pacific introduced a premium economy class in March 2012 on all Airbus A350s and Boeing 777-300ERs, as well as selected Airbus A330-300s. The seat has greater pitch, and is wider with a bigger recline. It also includes a 10.6-inch personal television, an in-seat power outlet, a multi-port connector for personal devices, and extra personal storage space.

March 2012: Updated Economy Class Seats in March 2012

In March 2012, Cathay Pacific updated its economy class seats, replacing the older fixed back design with seats that have a six-inch recline. These seats are 17.5 inches in width and have 32 inches of pitch.

August 2012: Case Heard by the Court of Final Appeal

In August 2012, the case regarding wrongful termination of contract and defamation damages was heard by the Court of Final Appeal.

September 2012: 49ers Judged to Have Won Legal Case

In September 2012, after 11 years since being sacked, the 49ers were judged to have won the 3 prime issues of their legal case: breach of contract, breach of the Employment Ordinance, and defamation. The Court of Final Appeal agreed with the Court of Appeal's methodology for reducing the defamation damages, and reinstated one month's salary for each of the 49ers.

2012: Old Economy Class Seats Replaced by 2012

By 2012, The phased-out old Economy Class seats introduced in July 2008, were replaced with an updated Economy Class seat on aircraft receiving Cathay Pacific's updated long-haul interior configuration.

2012: StudioCX system launched

In 2012, Cathay Pacific launched the StudioCX system, featuring movies, TV, music, an inflight map, and games, which is now found on unrefurbished A330s. The system is identical to Cathay Dragon's Entertainment (StudioKA).

2014: Logo Updated in 2014

Cathay Pacific's logo was updated in 2014.

2014: Network Expansion

In 2014, Cathay Pacific underwent the largest network expansion in recent years, adding links to Manchester, Zurich and Boston.

November 1, 2015: Refreshed Livery Revealed in November 2015

On November 1, 2015, Cathay Pacific unveiled a refreshed version of its previous livery, featuring a simpler paint scheme while maintaining its trademark brushwing on an all-green tail. It was first unveiled on a Boeing 777-300ER (B-KPM).

January 2016: Cathay Pacific Rebrands Dragonair as Cathay Dragon

In January 2016, Cathay Pacific announced it was rebranding Dragonair as Cathay Dragon.

September 2016: Cathay Pacific Reintroduces Fuel Surcharge

From September 15, 2016, Cathay Pacific decided to reintroduce fuel surcharge on many flights after its half-year net profits dropped more than 80% and it suffered HK$4.5 billion loss from wrong bets on fuel prices.

October 2016: Cathay Pacific Retires Last Passenger Boeing 747

On October 8, 2016, Cathay Pacific retired their last passenger Boeing 747 (a 747–400 with reg B-HUJ) with a farewell scenic flight around Hong Kong after more than 35 years of service. Cathay operated the 747 since August 1979, when it was inaugurated on services to Australia.

2016: Passenger Yields Fell and Profit Forecast Scrapped

During the first half of 2016, Cathay Pacific's passenger yields fell 10 per cent. In October 2016, Cathay Pacific scrapped its profit forecast for the second half of the year.

2016: 70th Anniversary

In 2016, Cathay Pacific celebrated its 70th anniversary.

2016: New Entertainment System Launched

In 2016, Cathay Pacific launched a new entertainment system with the new A350-900, featuring a modern design, new content, a moving map, live TV, reading materials, magazines, news, shopping, and more movies. The resolution is 4K on A321s.

2016: New Premium Economy Seat Introduced in 2016

In 2016, on delivery of the Airbus A350-900 fleet, Cathay Pacific introduced a new Premium Economy seat, which features a 12.1 in (31 cm) HD PTV, and improved pitch of 40 inches (100 cm).

2016: Refreshed Business Class Seat Introduced in 2016

In 2016, upon delivery of the Airbus A350s, Cathay Pacific introduced a refreshed reverse herringbone business class seat designed by Porsche Design, with HD personal televisions and additional enclosed storage space on the side.

December 2017: Ownership as of December 2017

As of 31 December 2017, Swire Group owns 45% of Cathay Pacific Airways through its subsidiary Swire Pacific Limited, making it the largest shareholder.

2017: Investment in Hard Product and Digital Offerings

In 2017, Cathay Pacific invested in an upgraded website and new lounges. Wi-Fi was introduced in 2017 and planned to be retrofitted across its fleet by 2020.

2017: Cathay Pacific Restructures and Launches New Routes

In 2017, Cathay Pacific restructured its organisation and launched 13 new routes. It also brought back hot meals on the Hong Kong-Taipei route, designed an inflight menu featuring famous Hong Kong dishes, and revamped its Business Class service.

2017: StudioCX introduction updated

In 2017, Cathay Pacific updated the introduction for the StudioCX entertainment system.

2017: Boeing 777 Retrofitted in 2017

Since 2017, all Boeing 777s were retrofitted with the long-haul economy product Recaro CL3710 seat. In addition, the fleet featured a change in configuration from 9 abreast to 10 abreast.

March 2018: Data Breach Suspected

In March 2018, a data breach was suspected. Data of around 9.4 million passengers were compromised during the breach, with passport numbers, Hong Kong identity card numbers and credit card numbers being accessed.

May 2018: Data Breach Confirmed

In May 2018, the data breach which was suspected in March 2018 was confirmed. The data breach compromised the data of around 9.4 million passengers.

2018: Ranking in 2018

In 2018, Cathay Pacific was ranked as the 19th-largest airline group in the world by traffic.

2018: Economy Class design

In 2018, the Economy Class featured the HAECO Vector Y+ design.

February 2019: Profit Alert Signalling Transformation Success

In February 2019, Cathay Pacific issued a profit alert to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange indicating a profit of HK$2.3 billion for the 2018 financial year, signaling early signs of success of its transformation.

March 2019: Cathay Pacific Announces Acquisition of HK Express

On March 27, 2019, Cathay Pacific officially announced it would acquire HK Express for HK$4.93 billion.

July 2019: HK Express Becomes Cathay Pacific's Subsidiary

In July 2019, the transaction of the acquisition of HK Express was closed, and HK Express became Cathay Pacific's wholly owned subsidiary.

2019: Employees Participate in Hong Kong Protests

During the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Cathay Pacific employees participated in protests. The Beijing government ordered Cathay to suspend any employees who participated in the protest. CEO Rupert Hogg declared his support of the government. Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon terminated the employment of 31 aviation professionals, or forced their resignations.

March 2020: Fine by the British Information Commissioner's Office

In March 2020, Cathay Pacific was fined £500,000 by the British Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for the 2018 data breach.

April 2020: HKExpress Suspends Flight Operations

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020, Cathay Pacific's subsidiary HKExpress suspended all flight operations from March 23 to April 30, 2020, due to reduced demand. At one point during the crisis, only 582 passengers flew with Cathay Pacific in an entire day.

June 2020: Recapitalisation Plan and Rescue Package Announced

On June 10, 2020, Cathay Pacific and the Government of Hong Kong jointly announced a HK$39 billion recapitalisation plan and rescue package for Cathay Pacific. The Government of Hong Kong would be issued HK$19.5 billion dividend-paying preference shares and HK$1.95 billion of warrants, giving it a 6% stake.

June 2020: Aircraft Withdrawn From Service in June 2020

On November 1, 2015, the airline revealed a refreshed version of its previous livery, featuring a simpler paint scheme while maintaining its trademark brushwing on an all-green tail. It was first unveiled on a Boeing 777-300ER (B-KPM). The aircraft was withdrawn from service in June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

October 2020: Cathay Pacific Shuts Down Cathay Dragon

On October 21, 2020, Cathay Pacific announced it would shut down all operations of Cathay Dragon and merge it with its parent company due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cathay Pacific and HK Express would take over Cathay Dragon's existing routes.

December 2020: Expected Losses in Second Half of 2020

In December 2020, Cathay Pacific announced that it anticipated higher losses in the second half of the year compared to the first half, attributing the expected losses to low demand, restructuring costs, and fleet impairments.

2020: Wi-Fi Retrofitted Across Fleet

By 2020, Cathay Pacific planned to have Wi-Fi retrofitted across its entire fleet.

2020: Cathay Dragon Ceases Operations

In 2020, Cathay Pacific's defunct wholly-owned subsidiary airline Cathay Dragon, ceased operations.

2020: Record Annual Loss and Job Cuts in 2021

In 2021, Cathay Pacific reported a record annual loss of US$2.8 billion for the year 2020 and announced the reduction of an additional 8,500 jobs.

2020: Expected Lower Losses in 1H 2021 Compared to 2020

In June 2021, Cathay Pacific announced that its losses in the first half of 2021 were expected to be lower than the US$1.27 billion loss in 2020, due to cost-saving measures and strong demand for cargo flights.

April 2021: Job Cuts and Base Closures Begin in April 2021

On April 22, 2021, Cathay Pacific started job cuts by closing its Canada pilot base. The airline also began consultations with pilots at its Australia and New Zealand bases regarding potential base closures. Pilots with Hong Kong work rights were offered employment, while others faced redundancy. Additionally, the company announced plans to review its bases in Europe and the United States later in 2021.

May 2021: Frankfurt Pilot Base Closing in May 2021

On May 12, 2021, Cathay Pacific declared the closure of its Frankfurt pilot base, putting approximately 50 pilots' jobs at risk. Similar to the earlier announcement regarding the Canada base, pilots with the right to live and work in Hong Kong were offered jobs, while those without such rights faced redundancy.

June 2021: Expected Lower Losses in 1H 2021

In June 2021, Cathay Pacific announced that its losses in the first half of 2021 were expected to be lower than the US$1.27 billion loss in 2020, due to cost-saving measures and strong demand for cargo flights.

September 2021: Aircraft Returned to Lessor in September 2021

On November 1, 2015, the airline revealed a refreshed version of its previous livery, featuring a simpler paint scheme while maintaining its trademark brushwing on an all-green tail. It was first unveiled on a Boeing 777-300ER (B-KPM). The aircraft was withdrawn from service in June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to its lessor in September 2021 at the expiration of its lease.

2021: Multiple Economy Class Types

Cathay Pacific had five types of Economy Class in 2021, different on each aircraft. From the oldest 2007 type to the newest 2021 type, each had its own unique features.

2021: Record Annual Loss and Job Cuts in 2021

In 2021, Cathay Pacific reported a record annual loss of US$2.8 billion for the year 2020 and announced the reduction of an additional 8,500 jobs.

2021: New Business Class Seat on Airbus A321neo Updated in 2021

In 2021, Cathay Pacific updated the cabin on the Airbus A321neo aircraft with a new business class seat design, featuring hard-shell recliner seats with divider screens and a 15.6-inch PTV.

2021: Economy Class with Upgrades

In 2021, Cathay Pacific's Economy Class design, identical to the 2018 version, received upgrades including a 4K resolution in-flight entertainment system and a smaller LCD screen for flight information. The privacy screen was removed due to user feedback. The aircraft, originally intended for Cathay Dragon, features a Cordova red color scheme.

August 2022: Two Loyalty Programs

Before August 2022, the airline had two separate loyalty programs: The frequent flyer program called Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles, the travel reward program. Members of Cathay are automatically enrolled as Asia Miles members.

August 2022: Loyalty Programs Merged in August 2022

In August 2022, Cathay Pacific merged its Asia Miles and Marco Polo Club loyalty programs, providing members with a single membership for both.

June 18, 2023: Freighter Livery Updated in June 2023

On June 18, 2023, Cathay Pacific updated its freighter livery, replacing the "Cathay Pacific Cargo" text with the larger "Cathay Cargo" text, as part of Cathay Pacific's rebranding. It was first unveiled on a Boeing 747-8F (B-LJN).

December 2023: Schedule Trimming to Avoid Flight Cancellations in December 2023

From December 2023, Cathay Pacific began trimming its schedules by an average of twelve flights per day through to the end of February to avoid significant flight cancellations over the peak Lunar New Year period, due to a significant pilot shortage.

December 2023: Flight Cancellations and Scrutiny in December 2023

Since December 24, 2023, Cathay Pacific faced scrutiny in Hong Kong due to a series of flight cancellations, including forty flights over four days. The cancellations primarily affected routes with multiple daily services, enabling the airline to transfer booked passengers to same-day services.

2023: Aria Suite Announced in 2023

In 2023, Cathay Pacific announced their “Aria Suite” business class seating option.

2023: Participation in "World of Winners" Campaign in 2023

In 2023, Cathay Pacific collaborated with the Airport Authority Hong Kong's "World of Winners" campaign to promote tourism in Hong Kong. The airline provided some of the 500,000 tickets for the campaign, releasing them in tranches for each region. Participants were required to register for the airline's frequent flyer program and complete a registration form.

2023: Difficulties Recruiting Pilots in 2023

In 2023, Cathay Pacific faced significant difficulties recruiting pilots, especially senior pilots, after slashing its workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hong Kong Free Post reported that Cathay only recruited 100 new pilots in 2023.

January 2024: Schedule Trimming to Avoid Flight Cancellations in January 2024

From December 2023 to January 2024, Cathay Pacific trimmed its schedules by an average of twelve flights per day through to the end of February to avoid significant flight cancellations over the peak Lunar New Year period, due to a significant pilot shortage.

March 2024: Major Shareholders in March 2024

As of March 2024, Cathay Pacific's major shareholders are Swire Pacific with a 45% stake, Air China with 30%, and Qatar Airways with 9.9%.

June 2024: Voted World's Best Economy Class

On June 24, 2024, Cathay Pacific was voted the 2024 World's Best Economy Class by Skytrax.

November 2024: Last Aircraft Repainted in November 2024

An Airbus A330-300 (B-HLV) was the last remaining aircraft that had the classic "Brushwing" livery until it was repainted in November 2024 after Cathay Pacific updated its freighter livery, which replaced the "Cathay Pacific Cargo" text with the larger "Cathay Cargo" text, as part of Cathay Pacific's rebranding on June 18, 2023.

November 2024: Repainting Completed in November 2024

Repainting for the refreshed livery that was unveiled on November 1, 2015, was completed in November 2024, with the second aircraft being a freighter aircraft, Boeing 747-400ERF (B-LIA).

December 2024: Cathay Pacific Met Pilot Hiring Target in December 2024

On December 12, 2024, it was reported that Cathay Pacific had met its target of hiring 3,400 pilots, restoring the airline's capacity to pre-pandemic levels. The airline also planned to add another 100 pilots in January 2025.

December 2024: New Direct Flights Announced in December 2024

On December 5, 2024, it was reported that Cathay Pacific would launch two direct flights to Munich, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium, in the summer of 2025. Additionally, a new route between Hong Kong and Dallas/Fort Worth was planned to commence in April 2025, becoming the airline's longest route operated four times weekly on its Airbus A350-1000.

2024: Ranking in 2024

As of 2024, Cathay Pacific is ranked as the fifth best airline in the world.

2024: Aria Suite Installation Began in 2024

Cathay Pacific has been installing the Aria Suite on their Boeing 777-300ERs since 2024.

January 2025: Planned Addition of Pilots in January 2025

On December 12, 2024, it was reported that Cathay Pacific had met its target of hiring 3,400 pilots, restoring the airline's capacity to pre-pandemic levels. The airline also planned to add another 100 pilots in January 2025.

January 2025: Return to Rome Announced in January 2025

On January 8, 2025, Cathay Pacific announced its return to Rome, marking its 12th destination in Europe and second in Italy after Milan. The flight will commence on June 5, 2025, using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

April 2025: New Direct Flights Announced in December 2024

On December 5, 2024, it was reported that Cathay Pacific would launch two direct flights to Munich, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium, in the summer of 2025. Additionally, a new route between Hong Kong and Dallas/Fort Worth was planned to commence in April 2025, becoming the airline's longest route operated four times weekly on its Airbus A350-1000.

June 2025: Inaugural Flight to Rome in June 2025

On January 8, 2025, Cathay Pacific announced its return to Rome, marking its 12th destination in Europe and second in Italy after Milan. The flight will commence on June 5, 2025, using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft.