Cathay Pacific returning to heights with awards
- Latest industry accolade for Hong Kong’s flagship carrier is well deserved, but airline must continue to refine services as it navigates post-pandemic recovery
Cathay Pacific Airways is heading back up where it belongs. It was good to see Hong Kong’s flagship carrier in the top five of a global industry ranking that also acknowledged it as the cleanest airline and best for economy class. It is important that it now stays on track and aims to reclaim the top position it once held.
The “independent and impartial” rankings, under the latest Skytrax awards, identified the top 100 airlines based on data from an online traveller satisfaction survey. Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways was voted the best for the eighth time in the 25-year history of the awards – followed by Singapore Airlines, Emirates and ANA, or All Nippon Airways.
Cathay rose three positions from last year to clinch fifth place, hot on the heels of last month’s improved showing with Airline Ratings, where it was named third best premium airline, up six places from last year.
The new accolades are a welcome change from the negative attention Cathay has drawn in recent years as it fought to rebuild a reputation battered by the pandemic and economic headwinds.
The airline has struggled with staffing and flight capacity problems, and in May 2023 was embroiled in controversy when crew members were sacked for insulting passengers from the mainland. Pilots were also accused of deliberately slowing down while taxiing on the runway in what was suspected to be a pay-related action.
Cathay management has pledged to continue to invest in product and service innovations to better serve its customers. It plans to launch new seat categories in each of the coming three years, beginning with a new business class, a new premium economy seat and a refreshed economy service later this year. Starting this month, it will employ more cabin crew on selected flights to improve its service. Complimentary in-flight Wi-fi for business-class customers and diamond members are also on the horizon.
Cathay has been named Skytrax airline of the year four times in the past, most recently in 2014. The decade since has undoubtedly been challenging. Awards are not only an important measure of progress, but also they should be a motivation to work harder.
