The airline's operations and its subsidiaries have scheduled passenger and cargo services to more than 190[5][6] destinations and more than 60 countries worldwide including codeshares and joint ventures.

Sydney "Syd" de Kantzow, Roy Farrell,[11][12][13] Neil Buchanan, Donald Brittan Evans and Robert "Bob" Stanley Russell were the initial shareholders.

[14]: 53  The airline initially flew routes between Hong Kong, Sydney, Manila, Singapore, Shanghai, Saigon, Bangkok,[14]: 58  with additional chartered destinations.

[49] Then-HKAOA president Captain Nigel Demery took the view that "the firing was pure intimidation, a union-bust straight up, designed to be random enough to put the fear in all pilots that they might be next, no reason given".

Judge Anselmo Reyes ruled that the airline had contravened the Employment Ordinance by dismissing the pilots without a valid reason, adding that they had been sacked primarily because of union activities.

He also held that remarks by then-chief operating officer Philip Chen Nanlok and current chief executive Tony Tyler after the sackings were defamatory.

[63] In June 2008, Cathay Pacific entered into a plea bargain with the United States Department of Justice in respect of antitrust investigations over air cargo price-fixing agreements.

[64][65] In September 2008, three of Cathay Pacific's top ten global accounts, Lehmann Brothers, AIG and Merrill Lynch, hit financial trouble.

The airline at the time estimated that it would face no further cash costs from the hedges if the average market price stood at US$75, enabling it to recoup provisions it made in 2008.

This has resulted in frequencies being reduced to certain destinations, ad hoc cancellations on other routes, deferred capital expenditure, parked aircraft and introduced a Special Leave Scheme for staff to conserve money.

On 8 October 2016, Cathay Pacific retired their last passenger Boeing 747 (a 747–400 with reg B-HUJ) with a farewell scenic flight around Hong Kong after more than 35 years of service of the type.

[73] During the first half of 2016, Cathay Pacific's passenger yields fell 10 per cent, to the lowest in seven years as competing airlines from mainland China increased direct service to the U.S. and Europe, hurting the company's revenue from its Hong Kong hub.

It has also launched 13 new routes since 2017, introduced a wide range of changes to its service, including bringing back hot meals on its most busy route between Hong Kong and Taipei,[79] designed an inflight menu that features famous Hong Kong dishes[80] served in all cabins, and revamped its Business Class service proposition[81] to provide more choice, more personalisation, better presentation and improved quality in its food and beverages offerings.

[86][87] In March 2020, the company was fined £500,000 (U.S. $639,600) by the British Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and avoided the heftier penalty of U.S. $564 million under the European Union's GDPR-derived data privacy laws, which were not in force during the discovery of the breach.

[88] On 27 March 2019, Cathay Pacific officially announced it would acquire HK Express, the only low-cost carrier in Hong Kong, citing to "expect synergies in generating a new business model and is a practical way to support long-term development and to enhance competitiveness".

"[91] Cathay Pacific later suspended a pilot who was arrested during a protest, and CEO Rupert Hogg declared his support of the government, and reiterated that employees who violated the company's code of conduct could be dismissed.

[109] Following claims of degradation of its service over the late 2010s and the COVID-19 pandemic, Cathay set out to rebuild customer trust and loyalty by debuting its new brand identity: Moving Beyond.

This involved a new Singapore Airlines-inspired safety video shot on the streets of Hong Kong,[110] renewed corporate aesthetics leaning into the fast-moving pace of urban Hong Kong, and introducing a custom-composed piece "Song of Cathay" that is to be played during boarding, after landing, and within lounges,[111] as well as bringing back service elements previously phased out, such as metal cutlery in economy class[112] in an effort to re-establish the brand as an elevated carrier of world-class service.

[113] On 2 January 2025, Cathay Pacific announced on its website that the airline has transported 100,856 passengers in a single day on 15 December 2024, a milestone completed for the first time post-pandemic and signalling a robust resurgence in travel demand.

[138] On November 1, 2015, the airline revealed a refreshed version of its previous livery, featuring a simpler paint scheme while maintaining its trademark brushwing on an all-green tail.

[141] An Airbus A330-300 (B-HLV) was the last remaining aircraft that had the classic "Brushwing" livery until it was repainted in November 2024. chief executive officers were referred to as Managing Directors before 1 July 1998.

Higher-tiered members are provided with increased travel benefits such as guaranteed Economy Class seat, additional baggage allowance, priority flight booking and airport lounge access.

Two Business Class lounge vouchers will be issued for their travelling companions or members on their Asia Miles Redemption List at reaching 800 Status Points.

At reaching 1000 Status Points, four Cabin Upgrade vouchers (for Cathay Pacific-operated short-haul or medium-haul routes) will be issued to members and their travelling companions.

[169] The airline now uses a range of social media tools including Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and blogging to share ideas with customers.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) selected nine countries and territories and airlines in which to run the e-AWB pilot program, including Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific.

The phased-out old Economy Class seats, previously offered on aircraft outfitted with the refurbished long-haul interiors, were designed by B/E Aerospace and introduced in July 2008.

[188][189] Cathay Pacific released their new economy class on the A350-900, featuring dark green seats with a 11.1 inch touch screen, USB ports and a tablet tray.

[203][204][205][206] StudioCX, Cathay Pacific's in-flight entertainment system, equipped with personal televisions in every seat, offers movies, Asian and Western TV programs, music and games.

[207] StudioCX provides Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) for every passenger and offers up to 100 movies, 350 TV programs, about 1000 CD albums in 25 different genres, 25 radio channels and more than 70 interactive games.