Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Airways is Hong Kong’s flag carrier. Its main hub is at Hong Kong International Airport while its focus cities are Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
Cathay Pacific Airways is one of only six airlines that are awarded a five-star rating by Skytrax. In 2003 and 2005, “World's Best Overall Airline” was conferred to Cathay Pacific by Skytrax and in 2006, Air Transport World and OAG (Official Airline Guide) named it “Airline of the Year.” Skytrax is a UK-based consultancy firm that conducts research for commercial airlines, initiates airline forums for passengers and potential passengers and carries out international traveller surveys to find out the most preferred airlines based on important factors.
Cathay Pacific was formed in 1946 by Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow, both shelling out HK$1 each to register the airline. “Cathay” was derived from “Khitan” the medieval name of China and “Pacific” because Farrell hoped that the airline will fly across the Pacific.
Its maiden voyage was from Hong Kong to Manila and then to Shanghai. Initial flight routes included those between Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai, Canton and Manila. It also had scheduled services to Bangkok, Manila and Singapore.
Butterfield and Swire bought 45% of Cathay Pacific in 1948 while Australian National Airways held 35% and Farrell and de Kantzow with 10% each. With the addition of new owners Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd was established the same year. The Swire Group still holds 40% stake with the airline through Swire Pacific.
Cathay Pacific is a founding member of Oneworld, world’s third largest airline alliance.
Domestic and International Destinations
Cathay Pacific has a passenger fleet of 117 planes, 51 of which offer three travel classes: First, Long-haul Business and Economy while 44 have two classes: Long-haul or Regional Business and Economy. It presently services 46 destinations to Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.
It operates flights to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai in People’s Republic of China; Taipei in Taiwan: Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo and Tokyo in Japan; Seoul in South Korea; Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi in India; Karachi in Pakistan; Colombo in Sri Lanka; Denpasar, Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia; Cebu and Manila in the Philippines; Singapore; Bangkok in Thailand; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Bahrain; Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; Dubai in United Arab Emirates; Brussels in Belgium; Paris in France; Frankfurt and Munich in Germany; Milan and Rome in Italy; Amsterdam in Netherlands; Stockholm in Sweden; Zurich in Switzerland; London and Manchester in United Kingdom; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston (cargo only), Los Angeles, Miami (cargo for the meantime) New York City and San Francisco in the United States; Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in Australia; and Auckland in New Zealand.
Loyalty Programmes
Cathay Pacific rewards its loyal customers in two ways, through The Marco Polo Club (The Club) and Asia Miles. These are the two frequent flyer programmes of the airline. The Club members automatically become members of Asia Miles.
The Club has four-tier membership namely Green (lowest level), Silver (requires at least 30,000 club miles), Gold (when the member earned 60,000 miles) and Diamond (the highest level that requires 120,000 miles).
Benefits of membership depend on status achieved which may include upgrades, additional baggage allowance, priority flight booking, lounge access guaranteed business class check in, guaranteed economy class seats and Oneworld alliance awards.
Asia Miles can be earned by flying with Cathay Pacific or Oneworld airlines on eligible flights and fares.
Oneworld
Cathay Pacific is one of the founding members of Oneworld airline alliance, the third largest of such kind in the world. Oneworld’s benefits complement the member airlines’ frequent flyer program. Its statuses have equivalent membership status on member airlines. Oneworld airlines fly to 675 destinations worldwide.
Other Oneworld members include American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian Airlines. Benefits of flying with Oneworld and reaching premium statuses Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are dependent on the member airline’s frequent flyer programme.
In-flight Services
Whether you fly with Cathay Pacific’s First Class, Business Class or Economy Class, you can expect excellent services and first-rate amenities that will make your travel an enjoyable experience.
All classes are fitted with Personal TVs (PTVs) that feature several audio and video channels. Its contents come in different languages. There are also interactive games to be enjoyed if you’re flying first- or long-haul business class on all flights that offer AVOD (Audio/Video on Demand).
Food and beverages are specially prepared by CLS Catering Services Limited, a joint venture with LSG Sky Chefs for flights emanating from Canada while those from Hong Kong are provided by Cathay Pacific Catering Services. Special meals may be ordered 24 hours before flight departure.