Cathay’s iconic ‘lettuce leaf sandwich’ livery lands in Singapore for the first time
Celebrating Cathay’s 80th anniversary with Singapore, honouring eight decades of rich heritage and shared progress
Cathay’s Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, adorned with its classic ‘lettuce leaf sandwich’ livery, touched down at Singapore Changi Airport for the first time yesterday, marking a special moment in the airline’s “80 Years Together” anniversary celebrations. Paying homage to the much-loved green-and-white striped design, the iconic livery pays tribute to Cathay’s earlier years and the legacy it has built over eight decades. The debut appearance in Singapore marked another milestone in showcasing Cathay’s heritage in one of its most important markets in Southeast Asia.
“Singapore has been part of Cathay’s journey from the very beginning, starting with our first scheduled flight in 1946, and it continues to be one of our most important markets in Southeast Asia,” said Cathay Regional General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania, Frosti Lau. He continued, “The special livery honours Cathay’s legacy while symbolising our continued progress to connecting the world via our Hong Kong hub. It bridges where we’ve been and where we’re headed, and is a tribute to everyone who has been part of this 80-year journey—our people, our customers, our partners, and the communities we serve worldwide.”
The occasion also highlighted Cathay’s longstanding relationship with Singapore, which has played an important role in the airline’s network and regional presence and seen many firsts over the decades. When Changi International Airport first opened its doors in 1981, a Cathay Pacific flight was the first commercially scheduled flight to depart, and in 2015, the airline was recognised as one of 12 pioneer airlines that contributed to the growth and development of Singapore's air hub. Cathay Pacific again made history by becoming the launch airline at Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 4, pioneering a suite of self-service options designed to support more personalised service through technology.
During the event, the special livery aircraft made its way to Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 4, where it was greeted by special guests and Cathay representatives. The aircraft will continue to operate on international routes throughout 2026, extending the visibility of Cathay's "80 Years Together" anniversary celebrations to customers and communities worldwide.
As the brand embarks on its “80 Years Together” anniversary celebrations, Cathay will continue to roll out a range of celebrations, experiences and initiatives throughout 2026, celebrating the people, partnerships and journeys that have shaped its story.
For more information, visit this link. More information on the special livery and highlights of Cathay’s key milestones with Singapore can be found below.
Key milestones in Singapore
These milestones highlight Singapore’s long-standing role as a core destination in Cathay Pacific’s network
Year | Key happenings |
1946 | Cathay Pacific’s first-ever scheduled service was to Singapore, via Bangkok, operating once weekly. |
1955 | Cathay Pacific inaugurated its non-stop Hong Kong–Singapore service with the DC-6 aircraft. |
1964 | Cathay Pacific's Convair jet flight on 20 October 1964 from Singapore to Bangkok and Hong Kong carried the airline's one millionth passenger onboard a flight from Singapore to Bangkok. |
1981 | On 1 July 1981, a Cathay Pacific flight became the first commercially scheduled flight to depart from the newly opened Singapore Changi International Airport. |
1994 | Singapore became Cathay Pacific’s first fully automated port, supporting improved customer experience across reservations, ticketing and airport operations. |
1995 | Cathay Pacific’s first Airbus A330 operated its first commercial flight to Singapore. |
1998 | Singapore was the first port in Cathay Pacific’s network to introduce electronic ticketing, enabling ticketless travel between Hong Kong and Singapore. Cathay Pacific also became the first airline in Asia to offer a fully electronic ticketing product on a major international route. |
2015 | Cathay Pacific was honoured as one of the 12 pioneer airlines that contributed to the growth and development of the Singapore air hub. |
2017 | Cathay Pacific became the launch airline at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4, pioneering a suite of self-service options designed to support more personalised service through technology. That very same day, the Cathay Pacific Business class lounge at Terminal 4 opened. |
Now | Cathay Pacific operates eight daily flights between Singapore and Hong Kong. |
