Cathay Pacific Launches '80 Years Together' Celebration for 2026 Milestone.

January 6, 2026 at 06:05 PM•2 min read

Cathay Pacific has launched its '80 Years Together' program, celebrating the airline's 80th anniversary in 2026, highlighted by a special livery aircraft.

Key Points

1Cathay Pacific's 80th anniversary in 2026 is themed '80 Years Together'.
2A special 'Lettuce Leaf Sandwich' retro livery was unveiled on an Airbus A350, with a Boeing 747 freighter to follow.
3Up to 2,000 staff will wear vintage uniforms throughout 2026 as part of the celebration program.
4The airline is committing over HK$100 billion to fleet, cabin, and digital system enhancements.

The Hong Kong flag carrier, Cathay Pacific, has officially begun its 80th-anniversary celebrations. The airline was founded in 1946. This milestone marks eight decades of service. The year-long program is titled '80 Years Together' theme.

Heritage and Fleet

The biggest celebration feature is a special livery aircraft. Cathay Pacific unveiled this commemorative design in Hong Kong. The livery is on a long-haul Airbus A350 passenger jet. This design revives the iconic 'Lettuce Leaf Sandwich' scheme. This classic green-and-white look was used from 1971 to 1994. The livery connects the airline's past with its modern fleet.

A second special livery aircraft will follow soon. This livery will be applied to a Boeing 747 freighter. This move extends the anniversary theme across cargo operations. The Airbus A350 Boeing 747 pair symbolizes heritage and continuity.

Service and Customer Experience

The anniversary extends beyond the aircraft. Between 1,000 and 2,000 staff will wear vintage cabin uniforms. Cabin crew and ground staff will showcase these designs. This highlights the airline's evolving service identity. The initiative pays tribute to past generations of employees.

Cathay Pacific is also enhancing its customer offerings. The airline will open a new lounge at New York JFK Terminal 6. Additionally, The Wing First Class lounge will reopen mid-year. A curated merchandise collection is also being released.

Future Outlook and Industry Impact

Group CEO Ronald Lam spoke at the launch event. He stressed the shared history with Hong Kong. He emphasized Cathay's role as an international aviation hub. The airline confirmed a significant investment plan. This investment exceeds HK$100 billion. Funds will enhance the fleet, cabins, and digital systems. This commitment signals strong confidence in future growth. The anniversary is a forward-looking statement for the brand.

This celebration reinforces Cathay Pacific's legacy. It positions the airline for its next chapter of growth. The campaign uses nostalgia to strengthen brand recall. This is a key strategy in today's competitive commercial aviation news market. Read more about global aviation trends on commercial aviation news.