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Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong's flag carrier, connecting Asia and the world

  • Hong KongCountry
  • CXIATA Code
  • CPAICAO Code
  • oneworldAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong’s flag carrier and a founding member of oneworld, flying from one of Asia’s busiest hubs to Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. Economy includes a 7 kg carry-on, and Essential fares usually include two 23 kg checked bags. This guide covers each fare’s baggage, bag fees, Hong Kong’s power bank ban, in-town check-in, Asia Miles and how Cathay compares with Singapore Airlines and Japan Airlines.

Cathay Pacific was founded in 1946 and is based at Cathay City, beside Hong Kong International Airport. It is a founding member of oneworld, one of the world’s biggest cargo airlines, and owns the low-cost airline HK Express.

Cathay Pacific flights to Hong Kong
Photo: Sébastien Goldberg / Unsplash

Power Bank Rules on Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department introduced strict rules, which apply on all Cathay Pacific flights:

  • A maximum of two power banks per person, in carry-on baggage only.
  • Using or recharging power banks on board is not allowed at any time during the flight.
  • Extra power banks are confiscated at Hong Kong airport security.

Check-In and In-Town Check-In

Online check-in is available on the website and app. In-town check-in at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Airport Express stations lets you drop bags in the city on many flights.

Hong Kong International Airport is large but efficient. Some gates are reached by train, so allow time after security.

Families, Special Assistance and Pets

Families can request bassinets on long-haul flights and order children’s meals in advance. Infants under two can travel on an adult’s lap.

Special assistance should be requested before travel. Pets travel in the hold, not the cabin.

How to Find Cheap Cathay Pacific Flights

Cheap Cathay Pacific flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Compare Light and Essential: Essential adds a second bag and free seats.
  • Avoid peaks: Chinese New Year, Easter and Golden Week push fares up.
  • Try HK Express: for short regional trips with hand luggage only.
  • Watch long-haul sales: Cathay often runs sales to Europe and North America.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Cathay Pacific next to Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and others.

Cathay Pacific vs Singapore Airlines vs Japan Airlines

All three are premium Asian airlines with strong long-haul networks.

Cathay PacificSingapore AirlinesJapan Airlines
HubHong KongSingaporeTokyo
AllianceoneworldStar Allianceoneworld
Economy carry-on7 kg7 kg10 kg
Power banks2, no use on board2, no use on board2, no charging on board
Best forHong Kong and China connectionsSoutheast Asia and AustraliaJapan and North Asia

See our Singapore Airlines guide and Japan Airlines guide to compare.

Arriving in Hong Kong

The Airport Express train reaches Kowloon in about 20 minutes and Hong Kong Station in about 24 minutes. Buses and taxis are also available.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Cathay Pacific a Good Airline?

Yes. Cathay Pacific is one of Asia’s leading airlines, with excellent premium cabins, well-known lounges and an efficient hub. Check what your Light fare includes, and remember you cannot use power banks on board.

For more options, see our HK Express guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against the Cathay Pacific power bank notice and published Cathay baggage rules. Rules change, so check the official Cathay Pacific website before you travel.

oneworld & Airline Partnerships

Cathay Pacific is a founding member of oneworld (1999). You can connect in Hong Kong onto partners such as British Airways, American, Japan Airlines and Qantas on one ticket and earn Asia Miles across the alliance.

Learn more about oneworld

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Cathay Pacific codeshares with oneworld and other partners, and its low-cost sister HK Express flies short routes across Asia from Hong Kong.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is Cathay Pacific's hub, one of the busiest international connecting airports in Asia.

Popular Cathay Pacific Routes

Cathay Pacific's busiest routes link Hong Kong with Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul, and long-haul with London, Sydney and Los Angeles. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Cathay Pacific Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Cathay Pacific sells Economy as Light, Essential and Flex, with Premium Economy, Business and First above. Light is the cheapest, with paid seat selection and the strictest change rules. Essential adds more baggage and free seat selection, and Flex adds the most flexibility for changes.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type. For flights to or from the USA, the US 24-hour cancellation rule applies.

  • Economy Light Lowest price, paid seat selection and the strictest rules.
  • Economy Essential More baggage and free seat selection.
  • Economy Flex The most flexible Economy fare.
  • Premium Economy, Business and First More flexible conditions.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on cathaypacific.com or the Cathay Pacific app.

Cathay Pacific Seat Selection & Additional Services

On Economy Light, seat selection costs extra; Essential and Flex include it. Premium Economy has wider seats, and Business Class has lie-flat seats, including the new Aria Suite with a privacy door on the Boeing 777.

Cathay Pacific's lounges in Hong Kong, such as The Pier and The Wing, are among the best-known in the world.

  • Economy Light Seat selection for a fee.
  • Essential and Flex Seat selection included.
  • Premium Economy Wider seats on long-haul flights.
  • Business Class Lie-flat seats, including the Aria Suite on the 777.
  • Lounges The Pier and The Wing in Hong Kong.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance

In Economy and Premium Economy you can bring one carry-on bag of up to 7 kg (56 × 36 × 23 cm) plus a personal item of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Business allows 10 kg and First 15 kg, each plus a personal item.

Checked baggage depends on fare and route: Economy Light includes from one 23 kg bag, while Essential, Flex and Premium Economy usually include two 23 kg bags. Business includes two 32 kg bags and First three. Checked bags can measure up to 158 cm, and no bag over 32 kg is accepted. Overweight bags cost about USD 60–150 per piece on most routes, and bags over 158 cm cost USD 200.

  • Carry-on (Economy and Premium Economy) 7 kg, 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus a personal item.
  • Carry-on (Business / First) 10 kg / 15 kg, plus a personal item.
  • Economy Light From 1 × 23 kg; check your route.
  • Economy Essential and Flex Usually 2 × 23 kg.
  • Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg.
  • Business 2 × 32 kg.
  • First 3 × 32 kg.
  • Overweight / oversized About USD 60–150 per piece; USD 200 over 158 cm.

Cathay: Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programme

Cathay is Cathay Pacific's free loyalty programme. Members collect Asia Miles on Cathay Pacific, HK Express and oneworld flights and with partners, and spend them on award flights, upgrades and more.

Status is earned through Status Points, with Green, Silver, Gold and Diamond tiers recognised as oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

  • Green Free entry level for all members.
  • Silver Priority services and oneworld Ruby status.
  • Gold Lounge access and oneworld Sapphire status.
  • Diamond The highest benefits and oneworld Emerald status.
  • Asia Miles Collected and spent across oneworld and partners.
Join or log in on the Cathay Pacific website

Cathay Pacific: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Cathay Pacific’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is CX. It appears in flight numbers (for example CX 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is CPA, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Cathay Pacific part of?

It is a member of oneworld. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is Cathay Pacific headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Hong Kong.

04When was Cathay Pacific founded?

The airline was founded in 1946.

05What are Cathay Pacific’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Hong Kong (HKG) – Main Hub.

06What are Cathay Pacific's Economy fares?

Economy Light, Essential and Flex. Light is the cheapest with paid seat selection; Essential adds more baggage and free seats; Flex is the most flexible.

07What is Cathay Pacific's carry-on allowance?

In Economy and Premium Economy, one carry-on bag of up to 7 kg plus a personal item. Business allows 10 kg and First 15 kg.

08How many checked bags does Cathay Pacific Economy include?

Economy Light includes from one 23 kg bag depending on the route, while Essential and Flex usually include two 23 kg bags.

09What is the Cathay Pacific Aria Suite?

Aria Suite is Cathay's new Business Class seat with a privacy door, rolling out on the Boeing 777.

Cathay Pacific, its logo and trademarks are the property of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cathay Pacific unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.