LOS ANGELES (June 30, 2010) - Cathay Pacific Airways' celebration of 20 years of nonstop flights between Hong Kong and the United States culminates tonight in a customer appreciation reception for more than 100 guests.  Among the highlights of the evening will be awarding the airline's 20th Anniversary Giveaway package to Education Through Music - Los Angeles.

Charities from throughout the greater Los Angeles area were invited to participate in the "Giveaway" by submitting something creative that shared how they could benefit from receiving a Volunteer of the Year Hong Kong air and hotel package, 200,000 Asia Miles, a Business Class dinner for 20 volunteers, and US$2,000 in cash.

"Education Through Music - Los Angeles hit the right chord," said Dennis Owen, Cathay Pacific's vice president, marketing, Americas.  "While all of the submissions we received were from worthy organizations, Education Through Music - Los Angeles tailored a DVD presentation for the judges that detailed their work and how each part of the giveaway would benefit the organization.  A specially created airline poster challenging us to help children 'soar to new heights' helped win the judges' over."

A three-person panel of judges, including two outside individuals and one Cathay Pacific employee, selected the winner from all submissions based on previously announced criteria.

"We are so honored to receive this tremendous gift from Cathay Pacific. This truly helps our organization deepen our impact on the lives of underserved Los Angeles youth, giving them the necessary tools for a brighter future," said Education Through Music - Los Angeles executive director Victoria Lanier. "We are so grateful for this unique and wonderful opportunity."

Education Through Music - Los Angeles provides quality in-school music education to support both creative and academic achievement.  Through its sequential and comprehensive model, children can build increasingly deeper skills and knowledge, becoming more proficient in music and boosting achievement in other subjects and self-esteem.  More information on Education Through Music - Los Angeles can be found at its Web site … www.etmla.org.

Cathay Pacific Airways launched nonstop flights from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on July 1, 1990.  Although the airline had been serving the United States since 1986 with a tag off its Hong Kong to Vancouver flight, the nonstop service ushered in a new era of convenience for its customers.

Cathay Pacific now offers 17 nonstop flights a week from Los Angeles to Hong Kong.  It also offers 14 nonstop flights a week from San Francisco to Hong Kong as well as 14 nonstop flights a week from New York's JFK to Hong Kong and seven nonstop flights a week from New York's JFK to Vancouver, Canada, with continuing service onto Hong Kong.

ABOUT CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways has been named Airline of the Year three times by the Skytrax World Airline Awards. From North America, Cathay Pacific offers nearly 70 nonstop flights a week to Hong Kong from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver.  Daily nonstop service is also offered from New York's JFK to Vancouver, Canada, and return. The airline is a member of the oneworld™ alliance and a partner in Asia Miles, a leading Travel Reward program. For more information, visit www.cathaypacific.com/us.

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