Cathay Pacific Logo PNG
The Cathay Pacific logo symbolizes many years of history and culture. The flying bird, placed in front of the brand name, symbolizes freedom, speed, grace, and superiority, qualities that reflect its high level of service.
Cathay Pacific was founded in Hong Kong on September 24, 1946, by American Roy Farrell and Australian Sydney de Kantzow. The airline began with one old Douglas DC-3, operating charter flights to Manila, Saigon, Singapore, and Shanghai. Its name combined “Cathay,” an old name for China, with “Pacific,” reflecting the founders’ focus on the Pacific region.
The airline expanded with Douglas DC-4 and DC-6 aircraft. Flights from Hong Kong to Sydney began in 1948, while transpacific services via the United States followed in the 1950s. In 1959, using Lockheed L-188 Electra aircraft, Cathay Pacific became the first Asian airline to launch international services. In 1964, Convair 880 jets joined the fleet, enabling nonstop service to Japan and Australia.
In 1972, Cathay Pacific acquired Hong Kong Airways, strengthening its local market position. During the 1970s and 1980s, it added wide-body aircraft, including the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar and Boeing 747, while opening routes to Europe and the Middle East. In 1986, the airline was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. By the mid-1990s, Swire Group controlled most of the company, and the fleet later grew to include Airbus A330S, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 777-300ERs.
In 2007, Cathay Pacific joined Oneworld and expanded its cargo business with Boeing freighters. In 2011, it served over 110 destinations in 37 countries with more than 130 aircraft. From 2016 to 2017, competition from Chinese low-cost carriers led to its first losses in over 20 years. In 2020, passenger traffic fell 87%, and losses reached $2.8 billion. In 2021, the airline raised $650 million through new shares backed by Hong Kong, Swire Group, and Air China, then continued fleet renewal with Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-9 aircraft in 2022.
Meaning and History
Interestingly, despite Cathay Pacific’s founding in 1946, its first known logo did not appear until 1960, after it absorbed its main competitor, Hong Kong Airways. Becoming a true regional carrier, the company created a superb sign that reflected its scope and support from the famous parent group. Since then, the emblem has changed several times, but the aircraft symbol has remained.
What is Cathay Pacific?
It’s an airline based in Hong Kong, ranking second in cargo transportation and ninth in passenger flights. It serves routes to 81 destinations. It holds the highest five-star rating from Skytrax for service quality. Since 2001, it has topped the list as the world’s best airline 11 times. The carrier employs over 21,000 staff.
1960 – 1983
The first logo featured a large red name and a drawn airplane silhouette. Blue inscriptions above and below Cathay Pacific explain what the emblem represents.
The carrier has been owned by the British corporation Swire Group (then John Swire & Sons) since 1948, which absorbed the original Cathay Pacific Airways. The former owner was renamed Cathay Pacific Holdings and only received 10% of the updated airline. Therefore, the Sign used the wire Group name and its logo: a red-and-white flag with a blue stripe in the middle, made in the style of British heraldic canvases and symbolizing the connection between the colonies and Britain across the ocean.
Cathay Pacific’s founder, American Air Force pilot Roy Farrell, coined the name in 1946. Cathay is an ancient name for China. It was chosen to avoid the popular word “China”. Pacific implies that the company’s planes would fly over the Pacific Ocean, a route that was flown 25 years later. Interestingly, the name wasn’t used in China itself until 1950. The phrase is a well-known idiom meaning “peace and prosperity.”
The Swire Group logo is surrounded by lines that form an aerial view. The contours resemble the Douglas DC-3, Cathay Pacific’s first cargo liner. The aircraft’s nose is pointed forward, symbolizing ambition for growth and leadership.
1983 – 1994
The company established itself in intercontinental flights, launching routes to Sydney, Dubai, and London in the late 70s and Vancouver in 1983. The aircraft’s name and tail represent an international carrier’s visual identity.
The keel and rudder ensure the aircraft stays on course. The emblem therefore demonstrates reliability and precise coordination, which are important for long-haul flights. Two white stripes on a green background, the liners’ main coloring since the company’s foundation, are their distinctive feature.
All previous inscriptions about the Swire Group and Hong Kong Airlines were removed to focus attention on the name. Cathay Pacific is executed in bold red capital letters, emphasizing the carrier’s scale.
1994 – 2014
In 1994, Cathay Pacific acquired Air Hong Kong, expanding beyond passenger transportation. An updated image and the launch of a multimillion-dollar customer service improvement program highlighted this growth.
The company’s new logo features a green flag with a red stripe at the bottom and a white bird taking off. The image was designed by the American branding firm Landor Associates and was named the Brush Wing.
The bird symbolizes airplanes and evokes flight and travel. As a symbol of freedom, the bird ascends into the clouds and flies in any direction. The choice represents Cathay Pacific’s numerous flights worldwide. It resembles a white Japanese crane. In Chinese mythology, the bird travels between the spirit and human worlds. Its image predicts longevity.
The green color represents the changes and growth awaiting the carrier. The red color conveys:
- The dawn or the sunset line. The bird flies higher than the Sun, guiding the company into the future.
- Hong Kong, whose flag is red. The planes depart from Hong Kong and go to other countries.
- Lights surround the runway. After rushing down the runway, the plane soars into the sky.
The bird’s wings extend beyond the background, enhancing the feeling of freedom and the boundless sky. The green inscription “Cathay Pacific” follows the image, with serifs at the ends. The pointed elements added clarity and sophistication to the name.
2014 – 2023
In 2014, the company expanded its routes to Europe and the USA. The expansion was emphasized by rebranding. The emblem moved toward minimalism, a trend common among global corporations. The logo includes a monochrome image of a bird taking off and the company name. The Hong Kong-based brand-consulting firm Eight Partnership handled the rebranding. The glyphs in the new logo’s inscription became thicker, reflecting the growing number of flights.
2023 – today
Font and Colors
Aquamarine is the logo color that emphasizes flying over the ocean, which the founders aspired to. Routes to Australia and the USA are firmly part of Cathay Pacific’s schedule, reflected in the color palette. The shade suggests growth and expansion.
The font recalls LP Saturnia Pro Bold. Sharp and small protrusions embody precision and punctuality.