Cathay Pacific marks 80 years of aviation heritage – with Australia at the heart of its history
In 2026, Cathay Pacific marks 80 years of continuous operations, celebrating a brand that began in 1946 and has since evolved into one of the world’s most respected premium airlines. While the anniversary is global in scale, Australia occupies a meaningful place in Cathay Pacific’s story, with its first flight taking off from Sydney. Australia is not merely a destination, but a foundational chapter in the airline’s early growth.
Over the same period, Cathay Pacific grew alongside Hong Kong itself, expanding from a post-war cargo carrier into a global airline as the city developed into one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.
Since its inception, Cathay Pacific has consistently evolved. From its premium offering inflight and on the ground to its sustained investment in aircraft, Cathay continues to bring a world-class experience to its customers. Today, that evolution is embodied in a modern fleet of Airbus A350s, Boeing B777s, and Boeing B747 freighters serving Australian destinations.
Cathay Pacific operated the Boeing 747-400 until 2016
From Betsy to jet age ambition: Australia in Cathay Pacific’s early years
Cathay Pacific’s origins are inseparable from Australia. In 1946, founders American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow began operations using a Douglas DC-3 named Betsy, which operated an early service between Hong Kong and Sydney. This laid the fundamental groundwork for what would become one of the most important air links in the Asia-Pacific region. Early flights primarily carried essential cargo, a role that continues today through Cathay’s extensive freighter operations.
As aircraft technology advanced, so too did Cathay Pacific and its ambition to build a lasting connection with Australia. The arrival of the Convair 880 marked a new era, facilitating early jet services out of Perth and enabling faster, longer-range travel that strengthened ties between Western Australia and Asia.
More than half a century later, Cathay Pacific’s pioneering spirit remains central to its presence in Australia. The airline has served Perth for 56 years, and Sydney for 52, with each route being key milestones in its fleet network development.
The Douglas DC-3 ‘Betsy’ was retired in 1961 and now displayed in the Hong Kong Science Museum
A modern fleet driven by legacy and luxury
From its propeller beginnings, Cathay Pacific has evolved into a modern long-haul operator with a fleet built around efficiency, comfort, and consistency. Today, Australian passenger services are operated by the Airbus A350 and Boeing B777, delivering a refined onboard experience across cabins, reinforcing the airline’s premium reputation.
This focus on passenger experience dates back decades, including the opening of its first airport lounge at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport in 1970, establishing a lounge concept that would later become central to long-haul premium travel. Cathay Pacific now has six First and Business class lounges in Hong Kong International Airport, with more found around its global network.
The airline is equally as impressive in the air. Most recently, Cathay Pacific has launched its retrofitted 777-300ER with a new refined Business class, the Aria Suite, and an all-new Premium Economy cabin. Bringing together sophisticated design, enhanced privacy and considered details that redefine the inflight experience, this latest evolution underscores the airline’s enduring commitment to premium travel.
Beyond passenger services, Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 747 freighter fleet continues to play a pivotal role in Australia’s air cargo market, supporting trade, logistics and supply chains with two dedicated flights per week.
Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite leaves no detail unexamined, displaying refined luxury
80 Years Together: a livery bound by history
The centrepiece of Cathay Pacific’s anniversary is its commemorative retro livery, a design that honours the airline’s heritage.
The revived ‘Lettuce Leaf’ livery references the airline’s Boeing 747 passenger era, often considered a golden period of expansion across Asia-Pacific long-haul routes. Featured on Cathay Pacific aircraft between 1971 to 1994, the green-and-white striped paint scheme preceded the now widely recognisable ‘brushwing’ design.
Seen arriving at Australian airports, the livery is more than a visual statement. It is a reminder of the airline’s enduring relationship with Australia and the role the country has played in shaping its global identity.
The iconic ‘Lettuce Leaf’ livery on the A350 celebrates its routes from the TriStar and B747 in the 1990s
A future built on heritage and advanced aircraft
Eighty years on, Cathay Pacific remains defined by the same principles that guided its earliest flights – commitment to quality, innovation, and meaningful global connections. In recent years, Cathay Pacific has expanded beyond traditional aviation, positioning itself as a premium travel lifestyle brand offering travel, loyalty, dining, and retail experiences through its wider Cathay ecosystem.
As premium travel continues to evolve, the airline’s investment in modern aircraft, onboard refinement, and operational excellence ensures it remains among the world’s leading airlines for decades ahead.
For Australia, the anniversary is not only a celebration of longevity but a reflection of a partnership that continues to connect travellers, businesses, and communities across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
