Cathay Pacific is the main airline in Hong Kong and has its headquarters and main hub at Hong Kong International Airport. It was founded in 1946 by an American by the name of Roy C. Farrell and an Australian, Sydney H. de Kantzow. Cathay Pacific is part of the Oneworld Alliance along with British Airways and American Airlines. They have secondary hubs in Taiwan and Bangkok, and fly to 76 destinations in 33 countries worldwide.

Cathay Pacific flights have a codeshare agreement with Air Astana for flights to and from Kazakhstan, and Malaysia Airlines for flights from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, New York JFK and San Francisco. They have an airline reward scheme for frequent flyers known as Asia Miles, and a loyalty programme called The Marco Polo Club with four-tiered membership depending on points earned with Cathay or its Oneworld partners. Frequent fliers and members of the loyalty programme can benefit from priority check-in and boarding, and use of business or first-class lounges depending on their membership level.

How do I check-in online with Cathay Pacific?

Cathay Pacific check-in is available in English and French as well as Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean, and the system is available from 48 hours to 90 minutes before your plane is due to leave. It is possible to select or change your seat using this service and add or update your Frequent Flyer Number. Once this has been completed successfully, you can download your boarding pass to a digital device, print it out yourself or request for it to be picked up at the self-service check-in kiosks at the airport. On arrival at the airport, you just need to take your hold baggage to the Self Check-in Bag Drop Counter before proceeding to the gate.

What is my checked baggage allowance on Cathay Pacific?

The Cathay Pacific baggage policy varies depending on the class of travel you have booked. For Economy fares the allowance is for two items that can add up to 30 kg, or for flights including any city in the Americas this allowance increases to 23 kg for each bag. For Premium Economy, the policy allows an increase to 35 kg for two bags on most flights, and 25 kg per bag for any flight including a city in the Americas.

Business and First Class flights are different again. A Business fare allows two bags to be checked in with a maximum weight of 40 kg when combined, or 32 kg each on the American flights. First Class is the most generous with a three bag allowance as long as they don’t exceed 50 kg, but remains the same as Business for the American flights at a two bag limit of 32 kg each. Additionally, on most flights any sports equipment that you take will be counted as part of your luggage allowance, but if the dimensions or weight exceed the limits you will be charged excess baggage fees.

What hand luggage can I take on Cathay Pacific?

All passengers are allowed to bring one item of cabin baggage onto the plane as well as one small item. The main item should be no larger than 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm, which includes any extra parts like the handles or wheels. You should also be able to fit it into the overhead compartments yourself. The smaller item is usually something like a handbag, laptop, camera bag or small briefcase, and this should be tucked under the chair in front of you. The dimensions of this item cannot exceed 15 cm x 30 cm x 40 cm.

The Cathay Pacific hand luggage allowance is also different depending on which class fare you have purchased. For Economy and Premium Economy the weight of both items of luggage may not exceed 7 kg. For Business Class this is increased to 10 kg, and for First Class they may add up to 15 kg. If you are travelling with an infant, you are also allowed a fold-up stroller, an approved car safety seat, and a bag containing sufficient food and nappies for the journey. Please also note that any duty-free products should be included as part of your baggage allowance and cannot be brought on to the plane separately.

Airlines are subject to restrictions for passengers wanting to transport liquids in their cabin baggage, and this extends to gels and aerosols as well. Ideally, liquids should be placed in the hold, but if you have to take liquids onboard they can only be accepted in bottles of 100ml or smaller. These bottles should be placed in a clear, re-sealable plastic bag which has to be fastened securely when closed. This plastic bag must be 20 cm x 20 cm or smaller, and security will need to see it separately from your bags when you are at the airport.

Where does Cathay Pacific fly from?

Here are some of the more popular Cathay Pacific routes:

Latest customer reviews on Cathay Pacific flights

3.8 /5

Total reviews based on: 102

London

Manila

Gatwick - Ninoy Aquino (Manila) International Airport ( LGW - MNL )

5.0 /5

Dave

Date 2019-09-24 Location UK Age 51-70 Class Business Class

Airport checking was quick and smooth, lounge was good as was the information provided. Flight departed on time and was slightly early into Hong Kong. Transfer was ok and flight to Manila was good except for the usual delay after landing getting to the gate.

5.0 /5

1 reviews

London

Hong Kong

Gatwick - Hong Kong International Airport ( LGW - HKG )

5.0 /5

Johnny

Date 2019-04-05 Location London Age Over 70 Class Economy

All good

4.5 /5

11 reviews

London

Sydney

Heathrow - Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport) ( LHR - SYD )

5.0 /5

Lyz

Date 2020-02-21 Location Worcestershire Age 31-50 Class Economy

Quiet flights both ways and lots of legroom with Cathay

5.0 /5

4 reviews

London

Manila

Heathrow - Ninoy Aquino (Manila) International Airport ( LHR - MNL )

5.0 /5

Date 2020-02-10 Location Uk Age Over 70 Class Economy

Good flight

5.0 /5

2 reviews

Manchester

Manila

Manchester International - Ninoy Aquino (Manila) International Airport ( MAN - MNL )

5.0 /5

Marietta

Date 2019-12-06 Location Manchester Age 51-70 Class Economy

Great service

5.0 /5

1 reviews

London

Auckland

Heathrow - Auckland Airport ( LHR - AKL )

5.0 /5

lyndy_lou

Date 2019-12-25 Location United Kingdom Age 51-70 Class Economy

The airplane was packed but the cabin crew were amazing always polite and willing to help

4.5 /5

2 reviews

Manchester

Sydney

Manchester International - Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport) ( MAN - SYD )

5.0 /5

Stuie

Date 2019-12-15 Location Age 51-70 Class Economy

Good exoerience

5.0 /5

1 reviews

Manchester

Bali

Manchester International - Ngurah Rai Airport (Bali International Airport) ( MAN - DPS )

5.0 /5

Aisoares

Date 2019-11-21 Location Portugal Age 31-50 Class Economy

Good experiente but the check in online didn’t work so needs improvement

5.0 /5

1 reviews

Busan

Frankfurt

Kimhae - Frankfurt International ( PUS - FRA )

5.0 /5

Andy

Date 2019-11-20 Location Germany Age 51-70 Class Economy

Nice and helpful staff, best food in a plane since quite a while.

5.0 /5

1 reviews

Hong Kong

Edinburgh

Hong Kong International Airport - Turnhouse ( HKG - EDI )

5.0 /5

Dave

Date 2019-01-21 Location Falkirk Age Under 30 Class Economy

Very impressed with Cathay Pacific's care and quality for an economy passenger. No problems what so ever. I will definitely use them again and recommend to others.

5.0 /5

1 reviews

Manchester

Hanoi

Manchester International - Noibai Airport ( MAN - HAN )

4.0 /5

Kerrie

Date 2018-12-27 Location Buxton Age Under 30 Class Economy

Very nice flight and staff were great. Very disappointed with my suitcase... Really badly damaged. Was brand new. Would not accept liability.

4.0 /5

1 reviews

Manchester

Melbourne

Manchester International - Melbourne Airport ( MAN - MEL )

4.0 /5

Mrs Chaudhry

Date 2019-12-15 Location UK Age 31-50 Class Economy

Really good and very helpful staff m

4.0 /5

1 reviews

London

Sydney

Gatwick - Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport) ( LGW - SYD )

4.0 /5

John

Date 2020-01-01 Location Uk Age 51-70 Class Economy

Short stopover with good cabin service

4.0 /5

1 reviews

Qingdao

London

Qingdao - Heathrow ( TAO - LHR )

3.0 /5

Kauser

Date 2019-06-07 Location Uk Age 31-50 Class Economy

They forgot to give me a meal. They provided our chosen meal on 1st flight but on second flight didn’t give me a meal and my help button and screen were not working. They didn’t even have a vegetarian option. I was given some fruit for a 12.hour 55 minutes flight. No veg option breakfast either. So my family and I had no breakfast

3.0 /5

1 reviews

Tokyo

Hong Kong

Narita - Hong Kong International Airport ( NRT - HKG )

2.0 /5

Date 2019-07-30 Location Age 31-50 Class Economy

2 stars

2.0 /5

1 reviews

Best offer £177 The best offer we have found is £177

Fidelity programme Asia Miles, The Marco Polo Club If you are a frequent flyer, you can benefit from the Cathay Pacific fidelity programme.