80 years together | BBC StoryWorks

#Ad paid and presented by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Discover Cathay's 80-year journey — defined by moments of progress and passionate dedication to moving customers forward in life. As Cathay Pacific marks its 80th anniversary in 2026, the milestone is being celebrated not only in the growth of routes and aircraft, but in the generations of people who have built their lives around the airline. Founded in Hong Kong in 1946 with a single aircraft, Cathay Pacific has grown into one of the world's most recognised international airlines. Today, it connects Asia to a global network spanning destinations across the Chinese mainland, Europe, North America, Africa and beyond. The scale of that expansion is significant, and the story of how it was achieved is, in large part, a story of its people. Generations of pilots, cabin crew, engineers and more have shaped Cathay Pacific from within. Some have spent decades, or even their entire working lives, with the airline. Others have followed parents into the same profession years apart, continuing a family connection to the carrier. That continuity is reflected in the culture that has grown alongside the organisation: a sense of belonging, of family and of pride in the airline's role helping to connect Asia with the rest of the world. From the early years of operations at Kai Tak Airport to the modern flight deck, the aircraft have evolved but the spirit that defined the airline remains. As Cathay Pacific looks ahead to its next chapter, with new aircraft, new routes, new ventures and a new generation of crew already taking flight, the hope is that what shaped the first 80 years will continue to shape the next. A company that bridges worlds and still, somehow, feels like a family.