Cathay Pacific: A bit of history
Cathay Pacific (IATA:CX & ICAO:CPA) was founded in 1946 by Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow, two ex-Air Force pilots who served during World War II. Although the airline was originally based in Shanghai, Cathay Pacific moved to Hong Kong after the first few months of operation. Cathay Pacific’s first aircraft was a Douglas DC-3 nicknamed Betsy, running commercial freight services between China and Australia. You can visit Betsy at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
Cathay Pacific´s business expanded rapidly and by 1947 the airline added 4 new planes and was operating passenger flights to Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. Business continued growing and by 1973 Cathay Pacific was carrying more than one million passengers per year.
Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong, has the honour to have been named the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2014 – more than any other airline. The reputation of Cathay Pacific for its in-flight entertainment, delicious food, friendly service and luxurious Business – and First-Class experience make this airline the favourite for most locals who refuse to fly on any other airline.
At present, Cathay Pacific flies to over 200 destinations in 43 countries with a modern and fuel-efficient fleet that carries over two million passengers each year.
Cathay Pacific is one of the founding airlines of Oneworld alliance, an alliance with 13 major airlines that connect more than 1.000 destinations around the globe.