Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific was born in Hong Kong on September 24, 1946. Its founders were Roy Farrell, an American, and Sydney de Kantzow, an Australian. Both were former military pilots who flew 'The Hump' over the Himalayas in World War II. Their first plane was a war-surplus DC-3 nicknamed 'Betsy.' It carried freight and passengers around Asia. The Swire Group bought control in 1948 and still leads the airline today.

Cathay grew as Hong Kong grew, adding jets in the 1960s and long routes to Europe and North America in the 1980s. Polished service made it one of the world's best-rated carriers. In 1999 it helped start oneworld, a partnership of airlines. Cathay bought rival Dragonair in 2006 and later renamed it Cathay Dragon. It also runs one of the world's largest international air freight businesses.

In 1998 the airline left famous Kai Tak airport for Chek Lap Kok. The pandemic hit Cathay harder than almost any big airline. Long quarantine rules in Hong Kong parked its planes, and Cathay Dragon was closed. Still, the airline rebuilt and had its full network back by 2025. The group also owns budget airline HK Express and has long shared ownership ties with Air China.

Cathay Pacific flies around 180 aircraft. Long routes use Boeing 777-300ERs, Airbus A350-900s, and A350-1000s. Airbus A330-300s handle busy Asian routes. Single-aisle jets, meaning smaller planes with one aisle, are Airbus A321neos, and budget arm HK Express flies A320-family jets.

Cathay Cargo operates Boeing 747-8F and 747-400ERF freighters, keeping the 747 in Hong Kong skies. Orders include Boeing 777-9s, A350F freighters, more A330neos, and extra A321neos. That spending also covers new cabins, such as the Aria Suite business class on the 777.