Hong Kong, Jan 07: Stepping into 2026, Cathay Pacific proudly announces the official launch of its 80th anniversary celebrations, marking eight decades of connecting its home city, people, and global customers since 1946. Under the unifying theme of “80 Years Together”, Cathay will host a series of special events, initiatives, and activations throughout the year to celebrate its enduring legacy of bringing people together.
As a prelude to the celebrations, Cathay unveiled a special aircraft livery on one of its long-haul Airbus A350 passenger aircraft. The livery features the airline’s iconic “lettuce leaf sandwich” design alongside the 80th anniversary year mark, paying tribute to the beloved green-and-white striped paint scheme and reflecting Cathay’s rich heritage while symbolising its ongoing growth and progress. A second “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery on one of Cathay’s Boeing 747 freighters will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Ronald Lam, Cathay Group CEO, commented on the milestone:
“Today marks not just an important milestone for Cathay, but a celebration of our ‘80 Years Together’ with Hong Kong. Guided by our purpose to move people forward in life, Cathay and Hong Kong have grown together over the past eight decades, supporting each other through thick and thin. From Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok, whether it’s studying abroad, conducting business, exploring the world, reuniting with family, or delivering vital supplies, Cathay has always stood with the people of Hong Kong through countless shared journeys and memories.”
“Looking ahead, through our investment of well over HK$100 billion into our fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital innovation, Cathay will continue to elevate the customer experience as we strive towards our refreshed vision to become our customers’ most loved service brand. At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a leading international aviation hub. With the continued support of our people, customers, and partners, I am confident that Cathay, as an iconic Hong Kong brand, will soar to even greater heights in the years to come.”
As part of the celebrations, cabin crew will don vintage uniforms from various eras of Cathay’s history, paying tribute to the generations of employees who have defined the airline’s signature service in the skies. Throughout 2026, around 1,000 to 2,000 cabin crew and ground staff will showcase these uniforms, bringing the evolution of the Cathay brand to life.
In addition, Cathay will launch a curated collection of merchandise inspired by the special liveries and iconic designs from different eras of its history. The collection reimagines these elements across aviation, travel, and lifestyle products, allowing customers to engage with Cathay’s rich heritage in a tangible and modern way.
With these initiatives, Cathay Pacific’s “80 Years Together” celebrations promise to honour the airline’s legacy, celebrate its people, and inspire the next generation of journeys for customers around the world.
