MANILA, Philippines— As Cathay Pacific (Cathay) marks its 80th anniversary in 2026, it looks back on a meaningful Philippine chapter in its early history: a conversation in September 1946 at The Manila Hotel believed to have helped shape the idea behind the airline.
Cathay was established in Hong Kong that same year, but that moment in Manila remains part of its broader early story. It came at a time when Asia was rebuilding from war, and regional links were being restored — a period when aviation played an important role in reconnecting cities, moving essential goods, and opening new pathways across markets.
That early spirit can be traced to Cathay’s founders, former wartime pilots Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow, who saw how aviation could help bridge distance at a time when movement across the region was being rebuilt. From a single Douglas DC-3 aircraft known as “Betsy,” Cathay began an 80-year journey that would grow from early regional services into a global network.
For the Philippines, that history carries a particular resonance. Cathay’s early records note that on the airline’s maiden voyage, Sydney de Kantzow and his fellow pilot Peter Hoskins flew from Sydney to Hong Kong via Manila — placing the Philippines within one of the earliest movements in Cathay’s 80-year journey. It is an important detail that gives the anniversary a clear sense of continuity: from an early passage through Manila to the generations of Filipino travelers who have since flown with Cathay for work, study, business, and personal journeys.
“What makes this anniversary meaningful for us in the Philippines is the sense of continuity,” said Vishnu Rajendran, Country Head, Philippines, Cathay Pacific. “Our story has always been about connection, and the Philippines has been part of that story from our formative years. For Filipino travelers, that connection has grown from a regional link into a bridge to family, opportunity, and the world.”
Cathay is marking the milestone through its “80 Years Together” celebrations, a theme that recognizes the people, places, and shared journeys that have shaped the airline across eight decades. In the Philippines, that theme finds a natural expression in the country’s relationship with travel: the first flight abroad, the route to a new opportunity, the visit to loved ones, and the long-awaited return home.
Today, the Philippine chapter of Cathay’s story is not only reflected in dates, aircraft, or route history. It is seen in the continuity of movement between Manila, Hong Kong, and the world — and in the generations of Filipino travelers whose lives have been shaped by the ability to go farther while staying connected to what matters most.
Eighty years on, Cathay’s connection with Manila offers more than a look back. It shows how early beginnings can become a part of a larger story of mobility, opportunity, and shared journeys across Asia and beyond.
