Soaring Higher: From Fifth to Top Three Globally
Cathay Pacific has earned a prestigious spot among the top three airlines globally in the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, climbing two spots from its previous fifth-place ranking. The airline also secured World’s Best Economy Class Airline for the second consecutive year and was honored with World’s Best Inflight Entertainment, its second win in three years in the category. These accolades underscore Cathay Pacific’s dedication to elevating the passenger experience amid a bold transformation of its services, infrastructure, and brand identity.
CEO Ronald Lam: A Testament to Service Excellence
Reacting to the achievement, Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam expressed immense pride in the recognition. “Being voted among the top three best airlines in the world, and receiving top honors for our Economy Class and inflight entertainment, is extremely encouraging,” said Lam.
“These accolades underscore our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and enhancing the customer experience across every part of their journey. We are deeply grateful for the incredible support from our customers and the hard work of our dedicated team. These awards will further motivate us to keep raising the bar as we strive to become one of the world’s greatest service brands,” he added.
Lavinia Lau Accepts Awards in Paris
Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau was present at the Skytrax Awards ceremony in Paris to accept the honors on behalf of Cathay Pacific. Her presence highlighted the company’s focus on customer-centric transformation and international recognition of its evolving service offerings.
Over HK$100 Billion Investment Fuels Transformation
The awards come as Cathay Pacific continues to execute a bold transformation strategy, involving more than HK$100 billion in investments. These efforts focus on:
- Fleet modernization
- Cabin redesign and upgrades
- Enhanced digital services
- Revitalized premium lounges
These sweeping developments are part of Cathay’s broader mission to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a premier global aviation hub.
New Cabins Enhance Long-Haul Travel
Cathay Pacific introduced its new Aria Suite Business Class, upgraded Premium Economy, and refreshed Economy cabins aboard its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in October 2024. These new cabins feature state-of-the-art comfort, personalized services, and advanced inflight entertainment systems. Currently available on routes between Hong Kong and London, Sydney, and Vancouver, the airline plans to gradually extend these upgraded cabins to more destinations in the coming months.
Gourmet Partnerships with Michelin-Starred Chefs
Enhancing the culinary experience onboard, Cathay Pacific has partnered with renowned Michelin-starred restaurants, introducing:
- Modern French menus by Louise
- Elevated Cantonese cuisine by Duddell’s for First and Business Class
- Refined regional dishes by Yat Tung Heen for Premium Economy and Economy cabins
These collaborations aim to provide a gourmet journey in the sky and reflect the diverse tastes of global travelers.
Inflight Dining Goes Deeper into Chinese Cuisine
In April 2025, Cathay Pacific launched its new “Chinese Classics” inflight dining series, spotlighting traditional Chinese culinary heritage. This series complements existing menus under “Hong Kong Flavours” and “International Favourites”. Initially available in Business Class on select routes to Mainland China, the dishes feature time-honored recipes and regional specialties, enhancing the inflight gastronomic experience.
Industry-Leading Inflight Entertainment
Cathay Pacific’s inflight entertainment system is winning global praise and was recognized again with the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment award. The airline:
- Offers complete seatback entertainment and onboard Wi-Fi across all cabins and aircraft starting August 2025
- Was the first airline globally to feature 4K and 4K HDR10 content onboard
- Features an intuitive, passenger-friendly interface praised for comfort and innovation
With the largest inflight entertainment library in the Asia-Pacific, Cathay Pacific updates its media monthly. Content includes:
- Hollywood blockbusters and Asian cinema
- Paramount+ and iQiyi exclusives
- Disney+ Originals
- Cathay’s own productions
- Music albums, podcasts, and games
This unmatched diversity makes long-haul journeys more immersive and enjoyable.
Lounge Experience Gets a Premium Makeover
On the ground, Cathay Pacific is revamping its lounge experience worldwide. In May 2025, the airline reopened its renovated lounge The Bridge at Hong Kong International Airport, featuring a modern design, expanded seating, and enhanced dining facilities.
Looking ahead, new flagship lounges are in the pipeline for:
- Hong Kong
- Beijing
- New York (first-ever U.S. flagship lounge)
These lounges will reflect the airline’s signature “Joy of Travel” experience, offering travelers premium hospitality and comfort before takeoff.
A Benchmark for Future Aviation
With continued innovation in products and services, Cathay Pacific is setting a new standard in global aviation. The 2025 Skytrax Awards solidify its reputation as a world leader in travel experience, particularly in economy comfort, entertainment quality, and premium services. As it climbs toward its goal of becoming one of the world’s greatest service brands, Cathay Pacific stands out as a model of transformation, elegance, and commitment to customer satisfaction in the airline industry.
