Cathay Pacific Airways

Our history

From a single plane to a world-leading airline and premium lifestyle brand, we celebrate the highlights of our journey so far.

Where it all began

1946 – The Cathay story begins. At the end of the Second World War, Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow – two ex-Air Force pilots known for flying ‘The Hump’ over the Himalayas – spot an opportunity to fly much-needed goods from Australia into China. They buy a Douglas DC-3 plane, nicknamed ‘Betsy’, and Cathay Pacific is officially born: an airline fuelled by its founders’ passion for flying, progressive thinking and drive to connect the world and its people.

In fact, our very name originates from Roy Farrell’s sense of ambition – that the new airline would one day cross the vast Pacific Ocean from China. We officially achieve this milestone less than 30 years later.