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== Awards ==
== Awards ==


Cathay Pacific was named '''World's Best Overall Airline''' in 2003 and 2005 by [[Skytrax]] survey. The airline was also awarded with Best First Class, Best First Class Lounge (Hong Kong), and Best Business Class Lounge (Hong Kong) by [[Skytrax]].
Cathay Pacific was named '''World's Best Overall Airline''' in 2003 and 2005 by [[Skytrax]] survey. The airline was also awarded with Best First Class, Best First Class Lounge (Hong Kong), and Best Business Class Lounge (Hong Kong) by [[Skytrax]].It is classified as a tier one airline ahead of Qantas and has better quality, food, and service than Qantas.
[http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/02/pf/goodlife/best_airlines/index.htm Source]
[http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/02/pf/goodlife/best_airlines/index.htm Source]
The airline was named '''Airline of the Year 2006''' by Air Transport World (ATW).
The airline was named '''Airline of the Year 2006''' by Air Transport World (ATW).

Revision as of 22:31, 25 June 2007

Cathay Pacific Airways
國泰航空公司
File:CX Logo.PNG
IATA ICAO Call sign
CX CPA CATHAY
Founded1946
HubsHong Kong International Airport
Focus citiesBangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Singapore Changi Airport
Frequent-flyer programAsia Miles
The Marco Polo Club
AllianceOneworld
Fleet size104 (+33 orders)
Destinations104
Parent companySwire Group (Swire Pacific)
HeadquartersHong Kong
Key peoplePhilip Chen(CEO)
Christopher Dale Pratt (Chairman)
Henry Fan (Deputy Chairman)
Tony Tyler (COO)
Websitehttp://www.cathaypacific.com

Cathay Pacific Airways (Chinese: 國泰航空有限公司; pinyin: Guótài Hángkōng Yŏuxiàn Gōngsī; abbreviation: 國泰) (SEHK: 293) is an airline based in Hong Kong, operating scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 104 destinations world-wide. It is the flag carrier of Hong Kong with its main base at Hong Kong International Airport[1].

It is one of the five airlines to carry a "five star" rating from Skytrax besides Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. Cathay Pacific Airways also accredited by the IATA with the IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit) for its safety practices.[2]

In 2006 the airline celebrated its 60th anniversary, holding a year of roadshows named the "Cathay Pacific 60th Anniversary Skyshow" where the public could see the developments of the airline through the last 60 years, play games, meet some of the airline's staff and view vintage uniforms. Cathay Pacific also introduced 60th anniversary merchandise and inflight meals served by famous restaurants in Hong Kong in collaboration with the celebrations.

Acquisition of Dragonair

On 9th June 2006, Cathay Pacific, Swire Pacific, Air China, CNAC and CITIC Pacific reached an agreement to change the shareholder structure of Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Air China. The shareholding realignment was officially completed on 28th September 2006 after government approval and necessary financial transaction. Under the agreement, which was approved by four companies' shareholders on August 22, Dragonair will be wholly owned by Cathay Pacific. Air China will acquire a 17.5% stake in Cathay Pacific, and Cathay Pacific will double its shareholding in Air China to 20%.

Swire will remain the principal, long-term shareholder in Cathay Pacific. Dragonair will continue to operate under its own brand, but under Cathay Pacific's management.

Cathay Pacific and Air China will continue to develop closer cooperation on many fronts, including establishing an air cargo joint venture in Shanghai.

Under the agreement:

1. Dragonair will become the wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific - Cathay Pacific has offered to acquire the remaining 82.21% shareholding in Dragonair that it does not already own for HK$8.22 billion, turning it into a wholly owned subsidiary. - The consideration for the Dragonair shares will be a combination of the issue of new Cathay Pacific shares at HK$13.50 each and cash.

2. Air China will become a substantial shareholder of Cathay Pacific - Air China will acquire Cathay Pacific shares from Swire Pacific and CITIC Pacific at HK$13.50 each. Air China will therefore become a shareholder of Cathay Pacific with a 10.16% equity interest for a total consideration of HK$5.39 billion. In aggregate, Air China and its subsidiary CNAC Limited will own an aggregate 17.5% of Cathay Pacific. - Both Swire and CITIC have also undertaken to further reduce their respective shareholding in Cathay Pacific to 40% and 17.5% within 12 months of the completion of the agreement by selling Cathay Pacific shares in the open market.

3. Cathay Pacific will increase its shareholding in Air China - Cathay Pacific has agreed to subscribe in cash for 1,179 million Air China H shares at HK$3.45 per each Air China H share, increasing its shareholding in Air China to 20% from 10% at a total cost of HK$4.1 billion. - Reflecting its confidence in the benefits and synergies from acquiring Dragonair, Cathay Pacific has agreed to pay a special dividend of HK$0.32 per share upon completion of the transaction.

Reference: Cathay Pacific Website


Awards

Cathay Pacific was named World's Best Overall Airline in 2003 and 2005 by Skytrax survey. The airline was also awarded with Best First Class, Best First Class Lounge (Hong Kong), and Best Business Class Lounge (Hong Kong) by Skytrax.It is classified as a tier one airline ahead of Qantas and has better quality, food, and service than Qantas. Source The airline was named Airline of the Year 2006 by Air Transport World (ATW). Source

It was also named Airline of the Year 2006 by OAG. Source

Destinations

Further information: Cathay Pacific destinations
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo has launched daily freighter services from Hong Kong to Shanghai using Boeing 747-200F aircraft, making it the second mainland China city served after it resumed passenger services to Beijing in December 2003, after a 13 year break (ref: Airliner World, March 2005).
  • The JFK-HKG flight path has now become the main route from the U.S. East Coast to Asia. The non-stop route from Hong Kong to New York JFK over the North Pole (CX830/831) became fully operational on 1 July 2004 with A340-600 aircraft. It is Cathay Pacific's longest direct flight, as well as one of the longest direct flights by distance in the world at 8055mi or 12968 km, lasting for approximately 16 hours. Continental Airlines also operates on this route, departing from Newark Liberty International Airport.
  • After 25 years of operating flights to London, Cathay Pacific announced on June 27 2005 the addition of a fourth daily non-stop flight to the British capital. The new service began on December 1 2005 and is operated by an Airbus A340-300 in a three class configuration. The four daily London flights are operated by an Airbus A340-600, an Airbus A340-300 and two Boeing 747-400's.
  • On August 1 2005, Cathay Pacific added a third daily non-stop service to Los Angeles with a B747-400. All three LAX-HKG flights are operated by 747's.
  • On November 1 2005, Cathay Pacific added a second daily non-stop flight to and from Jakarta. This new service is operated by an Airbus A330-300 (two class configuration). The current one-stop service to Jakarta via Singapore have been discontinued.
  • On December 7 2005 Cathay Pacific announced it will strengthen Hong Kong and Europe's connections with a daily service to Rome, starting March 27 2006. Cathay Pacific is the only airline that operates direct flights to Italy from Hong Kong.
  • On 25 September 2006, Cathay Pacific announced that Shanghai will return to the airline’s passenger network on December 1st with a daily return service between Hong Kong International Airport and Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport after a 16-year hiatus.

Fleet

[citation needed]

Cathay Pacific has a fleet of 103 planes, 36 of which are fitted with 3 classes of service (First, Long-haul Business, and Economy) for long-haul flights and 47 are fitted with 2 classes of service (Long-haul/Regional Business and Economy) for short-haul flights and some long-haul flights. The fleet also includes 19 freighters.

Cathay Pacific Fleet
Aircraft Total Passengers Notes
Airbus A330-300 27
(5 orders) 		311 (44/267)
251 (8/32/211) 		New Regional Business Class on select aircraft New interior will be added in 2007

Seven A330s are in 3-class configuration.

Airbus A340-300 15 287 (30/257)
243 (8/30/205) 		With Long Haul Business Class
Replacement aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER Standard

Five A340s are in 3-class configuration. New interior will be added in 2007

Airbus A340-600 3 286 (8/60/218) With First, Long Haul Business Class and Enhanced Economy Class. New interior will be added in 2007
Boeing 747-400 4 (Premium)
17 (Standard) 		Premium:
345 (12/65/268)
Standard:
383 (12/47/324) 		With First and Long Haul Business Class

New interior will be added in 2007

Boeing 777-200 5 336 (45/291) New interior will be added in 2007
Boeing 777-300 12 385 (59/326) New Regional Business Class on select aircraft New interior will be added in 2007
Boeing 777-300ER (18 orders) To be delivered between 2007 and 2010 with new interior
Total number of aircraft 84
(23 orders) 		Updated: March 2007
File:CX777-300ER.jpg
Cathay Pacific's B777-300ER

At April 2006 the average age of the Cathay Pacific fleet was 7.0 years.

On July 29 2005, Cathay Pacific took delivery of its 95th aircraft, an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which is equipped with new-generation entertainment system. Cathay Pacific has 5 more Airbus A330-300s on firm order and will also be adding to its fleet 13 747-400s, some new and some reconfigured from the fleet. By September 2006, Cathay's 60th anniversary, the fleet size reached 100 aircraft.

On December 1, 2005, Cathay Pacific announced one of the biggest aircraft order in its history, ordering 16 777-300ER aircraft (12 from Boeing and 4 on lease from ILFC) to be delivered between September 2007 and July 2010, plus options on 20 more of the type, 2 of which were converted to orders on June 1, 2006. The airline intends to use the 777-300ERs to displace existing A340s, some of which are early models with payload limitations. Cathay Pacific also ordered 3 more Airbus A330-300 from Airbus the same day, with the delivery of the aircraft in 2008. Cathay Pacific may soon reach a decision regarding the issue of how the airline's future high-capacity long-haul requirements are to be fulfilled by ordering either the A380-800 or the 747-8.

On July 27, 2006, Cathay Pacific received its 99th aircraft, a 777-367 with the registration B-HNQ. On August 29, 2006, Cathay Pacific took delivery of its 100th aircraft, an Airbus A330-300 with the registration B-LAD. For the aircraft acceptance ceremony in Toulouse, the aircraft was painted in a 60th anniversary livery with a 60th anniversary sticker behind the second doors (2L and 2R) and the letters '100th aircraft' at the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft was named 'Progress Hong Kong', a name that was chosen from a naming competition by the staff.

Cathay Pacific Airways Boeing 747-400 taking off

Cargo

[citation needed]

Cathay Pacific Cargo Fleet
Aircraft Total Notes
Boeing 747-200F 7
Boeing 747-400F 6
Boeing 747-400BCF 6
Boeing 747-400ERF (6 orders)
Total Number of Aircraft 84
(23 orders) 		Updated: March 2007

Previously operated

Since its foundation in 1946, Cathay Pacific had operated many types. The first two Cathay Pacific aircraft were two World War II surplus Douglas DC-3 named Betsy and Nikki. Aircraft that have been in service with Cathay Pacific are:

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Cathay Pacific was the largest operator of Lockheed TriStar outside the USA.

Services

In-flight entertainment

Cathay Pacific's onboard entertainment system is called StudioCX. All seats in all classes are equipped with Personal TVs (PTVs), but the content comes in two versions:

  • In all classes on all flights there are more than 20 video channels and more than 20 audio channels, all running on a 2 hour cycle. The primary language of the content is English; Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese content is also always available along with a variety of other languages (Korean, Thai, Hindi, Tagalog and Bahasa Malaysia) depending on the route being flown. On selected routes there are also English-language movies with alternative soundtracks in a range of European and Asian languages.
  • In addition, in First Class and Long-Haul Business Class (including on short-haul and regional flights flown by planes with this configuration) StudioCX includes an Audio/Video On Demand (AVOD) system. An enhanced version of the StudioCX AVOD was rolled out from February 2006 and it now provides a choice of 50 movies, 100 TV programmes and 120 audio CDs (in 11 genres). Seats which have the AVOD system are also equipped with headphones which Cathay Pacific has labelled in their marketing as "noise cancelling". However, whilst these headphones are significantly superior to those at seats without AVOD, they do not appear to have an active noise cancellation system in the same sense as those on other airlines such as American Airlines.

Ten interactive games are available in all classes on all flights where the AVOD is available on the aircraft.

AVOD is available in First and Business Class on Boeing B747-400s, Airbus A340s (both -300s and -600s) and selected A330-300s (long-haul, 3-class configuration). The system is not yet available on any aircraft in Economy Class, nor in the Regional Business Class of the Boeing 777-200s and -300s, and selected A330-300s (regional, 2-class configuration). However, passengers travelling in the newly-enhanced Economy Class will be able to use the AVOD system when it is introduced some time during 2007 on selected long-haul flights. [1]

Catering

Food and beverages on board flights leaving Hong Kong are provided by Cathay Pacific Catering Services in facilities in Hong Kong. CSL Catering Services Limited is a joint venture with LSG Sky Chefs and offers inflight catering from airports in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Inflight magazine

Further information: Discovery (Magazine)

Reference: Cathay Pacific Website

New seats

Starting in May 2007, Cathay Pacific is phasing in new seat designs and cabin interiors with enhanced inflight entertainment options. One of the most important features common to the business and economy classes is the new three-point seatbelt design, which was previously used on business jets only. This design will offer increased stability at take-off and landing. The 3-point design only has to be used during take-off and landing and can be converted back to a common 2-point lap belt during the flight if desired.

The first aircraft with the new seats installed is B-HKT, a Boeing 747-400, which made its first commercial flight with them on CX 460 between Hong Kong and Taipei on 11 May 2007. However, only New First and Business Class seats are installed. The new Economy Class seats will be installed on B-HOT, the second Boeing 747-400 to undergo the conversion in Xiamen. It will be the first plane to feature the new seats and cabin in all three classes.

First class

The New First Class seats are fully adjustable with massage function. The new seats can be easily converted into a 36” x 81” bed, believed to be the largest provided on any commercial airline. Additional stowage space and a personal closet will also be provided as well as an Ottoman for others to "visit". In total, the seat can actually seat up to three people, and the seat can also be used as a chaise. The new First Class will also feature a new extendable meal table and an enhanced personal entertainment system with a fully adjustable 17" 16:9 TV screen.

Business class

The New Business Class will feature suites with luxurious seats that can be converted into a 6-foot 6-inch horizontal flat bed in herring-bone configuration. The new seats also offer four-way lumbar support and a relaxing massage. The angle of the seat, leg-rest, and footrest can all be adjusted to provide extra comfort. The New Business class will also offer a new 110 V AC power socket. The enhanced inflight personal entertainment system will offer a large 15" 16:9 personal TV and Audio Video On Demand. The handset doubles as a personal phone. The new design also offers more privacy for business class passengers than previous layouts.

Economy class

The New Economy Class seats, designed by B/E Aerospace, will have a fixed back design, which allows passengers to recline their seats without intruding on those seated behind. The new Live Back Upholstered Seats uses office chair technology to provide extra support for the spine. A larger 9" personal TV screen will be able to offer Audio Video On Demand. Other features of the New Economy Class include: a larger tray table, a coat hook and a literature pocket that has been relocated to below the seat cushion which creates more leg room for passengers.

Frequent flyer programmes

Main articles: The Marco Polo Club, Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific has two loyalty programmes, The Marco Polo Club ("The Club") and Asia Miles. Members of "The Club" are automatically enrolled as Asia Miles members.

The Club, with a history of over 36 years, divides members into four tiers based on past travel. Higher tiered members are provided with increasing travel benefits on future flights such as upgrades, additional baggage allowance, priority flight booking and lounge access.

Asia Miles is a more traditional travel rewards programme in which "miles" are accumulated by flying on Cathay Pacific or a partner airline. Miles can also be earned by spending through a number of hotels, credit card companies, car rental agencies, telecommunication companies and other non-airline channels. These miles can then be redeemed for flights or other products and services.

Codeshare agreements

Cathay Pacific's network is expanding rapidly with codeshare links from Oneworld hubs such as American Airlines' Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami International Airport, Los Angeles, and British Airways' London Heathrow.

Cathay Pacific has also started to codeshare on France SNCF TGV Trains from Aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle TGV Station to ten French cities.

Cathay Pacific has codeshare agreements with the following airlines as of March 2007:

Incidents and accidents

  • On June 16 1948, "Miss Macao", from Macau to Hong Kong. Four men hijacked this plane and they killed the pilot after take off. The plane crashed in Pearl River Delta near Zhuhai, 26 people died, only 1 person survived (the leader of the hijackers). This was the first hijacking of a commercial liner in the world. (This plane was operated by a Cathay Pacific subsidiary.)
  • On July 23 1954, DC-4, NO:VR-HEU, from Bangkok to Hong Kong. This plane was shot down by the People's Liberation Army Air Force in South China Sea near Hainan Island, 10 people died, 8 people survived. After the incident, Cathay Pacific received an apology and compensation from the People's Liberation Army Air Force.
  • On June 15 1972, Convair 880, Flight 700Z, from Bangkok to Hong Kong. A bomb exploded in a suitcase placed under a seat in the cabin while the aircraft was flying at 29,000 feet over Pleiku, Vietnam; the aircraft disintegrated and crashed. The 81 people on board were all killed. It was later confirmed that the bomb was put on the aircraft by a royal Thai police officer whose daughter and fiancé were aboard.

Trivia

Cathay Pacific's 'Nikki' model
  • The Boeing customer code of Cathay Pacific is 67. Therefore the number of a Boeing 747-400 for Cathay Pacific is 747-467.
  • One of the two Douglas DC-3s, 'Betsy', which is the first aircraft for Cathay Pacific, is now a permanent exhibit in the Hong Kong Science Museum. Its registration code is VR-HDB.
  • The other Douglas DC-3, 'Nikki' (VR-HDA) was lost, but a similar DC-3 has been purchased by Cathay Pacific. It was renovated and repainted by CX Engineering and the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company and it now wears the original Cathay Pacific color scheme. This aircraft received 'Nikki's' old VR-HDA registration and is now on public view in the car park outside the Flight Training Centre of Cathay City.
  • There is a discrepancy between the literal English and Chinese names for the company. The Chinese name for the company comes from a Chinese idiom meaning "Grand and Peaceful State", whilst the English name refers to the Medieval name for China, "Cathay" having derived from "Khitan", the ethnic group who ruled Northern China in the 10th century AD.
  • Cathay Pacific operated the first commercial flight to arrive at the new Hong Kong International Airport, the CX6889 from John F. Kennedy International Airport, and also the last commercial flight to leave Hong Kong's old Kai Tak Airport, the CX251 to London Heathrow Airport.
  • Cathay Pacific, along with Singapore Airlines, Middle East Airlines, JetBlue, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, and Oasis Hong Kong have personal TVs (PTVs) on every seat of every aircraft in their fleet.
  • On the DVD Jackie Chan: My Stunts, which contains English and Chinese versions of the documentary, there is an advertisement for Cathay Pacific (one in English, one in Chinese), advertising that "personal TV's are progressively being added to our entire fleet." The company slogan, at the time the advertisement was made, was "Cathay Pacific: The Heart of Asia."
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cathay Pacific.

References

  1. ^ Flight International 3 April 2007
  2. ^ Cathay Pacific Airways IOSA Operators Profile

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