Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific turns 80 this year, and it chose to mark the milestone in Manila, the very city where, as the airline’s own history tells it, the name “Cathay Pacific” was reportedly coined in 1946.
Where the Cathay Pacific name was born
The origin story runs that in 1946, co-founder Roy Farrell sat with foreign journalists at The Manila Hotel’s Tropicana Bar settling on a name for the new venture. “Cathay Pacific Airways” reportedly emerged from that conversation: “Cathay,” an old name for China, and “Pacific” for the ambition to eventually fly across that ocean.
Cathay Pacific was founded on Sept. 24, 1946 by Farrell and fellow former wartime pilot Sydney de Kantzow, growing into a regional heavyweight with more than 190 destinations worldwide.
A Manila homecoming for the 80th
On Sept. 3, 2026, Cathay Pacific held its 80th anniversary gathering at The Manila Hotel, where executives unveiled a historical marker at the hotel commemorating the airline’s Manila connection. Philippines country manager Vishnu Rajendran, regional general manager Aldric Chau, and chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau joined The Manila Hotel’s Jose D. Lina for the event.
Chau summed up why Manila mattered so much to the milestone. “I couldn’t think of a better place than Manila to celebrate this very special milestone. The Philippines has long been a very important market for Cathay,” he said. Rajendran echoed the point, citing the airline’s decades-long bond with the Filipino community.
Manila was there from the start
The Manila tie runs deep. The city ranked among the airline’s earliest international destinations, and Philippine routes have grown steadily ever since.
| Year | Cathay Pacific and the Philippines |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Name reportedly coined at The Manila Hotel’s Tropicana Bar; airline founded Sept. 24 |
| Early years | Manila among the carrier’s earliest international destinations |
| 1962 | Daily Hong Kong-Manila service begins |
| 1992 | Hong Kong-Cebu service launched together with Philippine Airlines |
| 2026 | 80th anniversary celebrated in Manila with a historical marker at The Manila Hotel |
What the 80th means for Filipino travelers
For travelers, the anniversary comes with perks. Cathay Pacific has been rolling out anniversary offers and bonus-mile promotions, so it is worth checking current fares if Hong Kong or onward connections are on your list.
- Hong Kong remains a hub for flights to mainland China, Japan, Europe and North America.
- The carrier keeps expanding its network, with regular service between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
- Anniversary fares and offers are subject to availability and booking windows.
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