Cathay brought its “80 Years Together” anniversary celebrations to the Philippines on 3 September with a special gala at The Manila Hotel, bringing together more than 200 guests – including government representatives, business partners, Cathay members, media friends and key stakeholders – to mark eight decades of service, partnership and global connectivity.

Anchored by the theme “80 Years Together,” the event highlighted Cathay’s milestone through a distinctly Philippine lens, recognizing the airline’s longstanding ties with Manila and the generations of Filipino colleagues, customers and partners who have been part of Cathay’s story. Cathay Pacific’s first commercial flight to Manila took off in November 1946, making Manila one of the airline’s oldest outports outside Hong Kong.

A key moment of the evening was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque honoring a cherished part of Cathay’s early history. It is widely believed that the name “Cathay Pacific” was coined at the Tropicana Bar of The Manila Hotel by one of the airline’s founders. The plaque, which will be permanently displayed at the hotel, commemorates the venue’s connection with a pivotal moment in Cathay’s rich heritage.

“Cathay’s 80-year journey has always been about moving people forward in life, and as one of our first destinations, the Philippines has been an important part of our story from the very beginning,” said Lavinia Lau, Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer. “It is therefore especially meaningful to celebrate this milestone with our colleagues, customers and partners in the Philippines and thank them for their support over the years. Looking ahead, we remain committed to elevating the travel experience and creating even more meaningful journeys for our customers as we strive towards our vision of becoming their most loved service brand.”

“The Philippines holds a special place in Cathay’s history and in the journeys of so many of our customers,” said Vishnu Rajendran, Cathay Country Head, Philippines. “Holding this celebration at The Manila Hotel allows us to honor those meaningful connections while thanking everyone who has been part of Cathay’s journey in the Philippines. We are truly grateful to celebrate this milestone with those who have shaped our journey and continue to move forward with us.”

The celebration also brought Cathay’s 80-year journey to life through a shadow play performance by Asia’s Got Talent winner El Gamma Penumbra and a “Runway of Eras” showcase that featured cabin crew in vintage uniforms from different eras, highlighting the evolution of the Cathay brand and its enduring spirit of service.

The celebratory event was part of Cathay’s wider 80th anniversary initiatives in 2026, honoring the people, places and experiences that have shaped the brand across eight decades. As it looks to the future, Cathay remains committed to connecting Filipino travelers, partners and communities to Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond.

For more information on Cathay’s 80th anniversary, visit this link.