Cathay Pacific began in 1946 by operating passenger flights to Manila, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. Between 1962 and 1967 it grew at an average rate of 20 percent a year, and around this time also started running international flights starting with Japan. It is based in Hong Kong and currently services approximately 177 destinations around the world. It is a legacy airline, and since 2010, has also been the world’s largest international cargo airline. Cathay Pacific has won the “World’s Best Airline” award four times, more than any other airline.

What are the Cathy Pacific Check-In Options?
What are the Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance Limits and Fees?
What Additional Fees does Cathay Pacific Charge?
What Amenities does Cathay Pacific Offer?
How do I Contact Cathay Pacific Customer Service?

What are the Cathy Pacific Check-In Options?

Mobile Boarding Passes and Priority Boarding
Flying with Children
Unaccompanied Children
Flying While Pregnant
Senior Fares
Group Bookings
Disabled Access
Pets
Guide Dogs

Mobile Boarding Passes and Priority Boarding

You can check-in online using this portal by entering your booking details ahead of your flight.

You can choose to receive your boarding pass via SMS, Email, Passbook (where applicable), or print it ready to hand in at the check-in counter. Web check-in is also available here.

Flying with Children

No lap fees are charged on international flights, meaning an infant ticket (where the child is not occupying a seat) will be charged 10% of the full fare (taxes and surcharges not included).  Please note the following:

• Babies and toddlers must be held on the lap during taking off and landing.
• Newborns are not permitted to travel.

All Cathay Pacific aircraft are equipped with special baby bassinets and packs as well as a wide range of baby food. Bassinets measure 76.20cm (30″) x 38.10cm (15″) x 20.32cm (8″) and can carry up to 12kgs.

An appropriate personal infant/child car safety seat can be taken on board as well, although some safety seats may not be used on some aircraft passenger seats due to safety requirements. In these instances, specifically designed Child Restraint Seat (CRS) may be offered for use on the applicable aircraft type and class of travel instead, with prior reservation.

Contact the airline’s local Reservations office for queries about this or any special requirements you may have.

Unaccompanied Children

Between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, Europe, Middle East, North America, Southwest Pacific and South Asia Subcontinent (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), and between Bangkok and Dubai, the fee for flying an unaccompanied minor is USD64 (or equivalent in local currency).

An unaccompanied minor is classified as follows:

• Children aged 6 to under 12 years, travelling alone
• Children aged 12 to under 18 years can also travel as unaccompanied minors only at the request of their parent or guardian.

Arrangements and services for unaccompanied minors must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Note that children from 3 months of age up to their 6th birthday are not permitted to travel unless they are accompanied by a person of 18 years of age or above.

Flying While Pregnant

Cathay Pacific has a policy specifying the latest stage that pregnant woman can take flights:

• Expectant mothers need a medical certificate issued by their doctor stating the number of weeks of pregnancy and estimated date of delivery if they wish to fly after the 28th week of pregnancy. The medical certificate issued by the doctor must be issued no later than 10 days prior to departure. This must be carried with the expectant mother when boarding the flight.
• Travel is permitted up to the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy for uncomplicated multiple pregnancies.
• Travel is permitted up to the end of the 36th week of pregnancy for uncomplicated single pregnancies.
• Expectant mothers whose pregnancy has entered beyond the 36th week of pregnancy are not permitted to travel.

Note that certain countries, such as Malaysia, have restrictions regarding expectant mothers of other nationalities from entering.

Senior Fares

Cathay Pacific occasionally offers senior discounts on certain domestic flights at special times of the year, for example on Senior Citizen’s Day in November. On this day, the airline has in the past offered Hong Kong and Macau residents aged 65 or above a special 25 per cent discount on tickets to selected hot destinations. Valid document/ID must be presented at the time of purchase. In 2015, the offer has been repeated.

Group Bookings

If you are planning to fly with a group and wish to be seated together, you can do so by requesting a quote through Cathay Pacific’s local offices. Online group bookings are not possible. In your request, you will need to give the following information:

• Name of the person to be contacted.
• A daytime telephone number.
• Number of passengers (including children).
• Flight dates.
• Destination.

Disabled Access

Mobility aids are carried free of charge when required for personal use by a guest who is travelling.

Mobility aids are defined as devices that are used by individuals with mobility impairments such as cane and walker, crutch and wheelchair.

An Assistive Device is defined as any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability to cope with the effects of his or her disability. Such devices are intended to assist a passenger with a disability to hear, see, communicate, manoeuvre or perform other functions of daily life and may include medical devices and medications.

Equipment used by a service animal (e.g. hamess, leash, vest) in conjunction with its work as a service animal is also an assistive device.

Mobility aids and assistive devices that are carried by the passenger can be accepted without charge in addition to the baggage allowance, provided that the equipment is necessary for the journey.

Note for passengers travelling from or to destinations in the USA there is no limit on assistive devices and mobility aids in addition to the free baggage allowance. For passenger travelling to or from other destinations there is a limit of one assistive device and two pieces of mobility aids per passenger in addition to the free baggage allowance.

Pets

Cathay Pacific accepts dogs and cats for pet travel on international flights, but they must fly in the hold. Pets as checked baggage are not included in the free baggage allowance and must be checked-in separately.

Baggage charges for carriage of an accompanied pet will be assessed on the basis of the total weight of the pet and its container within the zone (for zoning information see the table below in Baggage Charges)  they are travelling in. These are as follows:

All Locations Except the Americas

Central, North and South Americas

Charges for total weight and size of the pet and its container must be within 23kg and 158 cm:

Guide Dogs

Dogs cannot be brought into or transit through Hong Kong unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department  (AFCD). Additional prior approval from AFCD is also required for in-cabin transport of a Disability Assistance Dog. In light of these regulations, Cathay Pacific currently only accept service animals for travel on aircraft if:

• They meet the AFCD definition of Disability Assistance Dog (DAD).
• The passenger has obtained a Special Permit for the Importation/Transit/Transhipment of the dog.
• The passenger has obtained prior written approval from AFCD for in-cabin transportation of the Disability Assistance Dog.

•  Original copies of all documentation required by AFCD is presented at check-in and on arrival into Hong Kong.

What are the Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance Limits and Fees?

Cathay Pacific Hand Luggage Size
Cathay Pacific Checked Luggage Size
Baggage Charges
Musical and Sport Equipment

Cathay Pacific Hand Luggage Size

Hand luggage allowance varies depending on the class of ticket booked. The following allowances are for customers with a reserved seat, flying on most Cathay Pacific routes:

Economy: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 7kg /15lbs and maximum dimensions of 23cm  (height) X 36cm  (width) X 56cm  (length).

Premium Economy: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 7kg /15lbs and maximum dimensions of 23cm  (height) X 36cm  (width) X 56cm  (length).

Business: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10kg /22lbs and maximum dimensions of 23cm  (height) X 36cm  (width) X 56cm  (length).

Cathay Pacific Checked Luggage Size

The amount of items and their respective weight allowance differs slightly depending on your international fare type. The following allowances are for customers with a reserved seat, flying on most Cathay Pacific routes:

Economy: 20kg /44lbs. There are no restrictions on the number of bags you may check in, as long as they meet the weight requirements, except those flying from Hong Kong to the Americas where a 2 piece limit applies, or New Zealand where a 1 piece limit applies.  

Premium Economy: 25kg /55lbs. There are no restrictions on the number of bags you may check in, as long as they meet the weight requirements, except those flying from Hong Kong to the Americas where a 2 piece limit applies, or New Zealand where a 2 piece limit applies.  

Business: 30kg /66lbs. There are no restrictions on the number of bags you may check in, as long as they meet the weight requirements, except those flying from Hong Kong to the Americas where a 2 piece limit applies, or New Zealand where a 3 piece limit applies.  

First Class: 40kg /88lbs. There are no restrictions on the number of bags you may check in, as long as they meet the weight requirements, except those flying from Hong Kong to the Americas where a 2 piece limit applies.

Note that any baggage that weighs more than 32kg / 70lbs or measures more than 203cm / 80in in total dimension must be repacked into split-up units that meet these limits. Your bag’s total dimension is the sum of its width, height and length. If your bag cannot be split,  you must contact your local reservation office before flying. Bags that exceed these limits will not be accepted without prior approval.

This does not apply to sporting equipment, musical instruments, pets as baggage, mobility aids, medical equipment and diplomatic baggage.

Baggage Charges

The tables below show the extra bag charge per kilo depending on which zones are travelled. Zoning information is contained in the third table.

All countries except the Americas

To and from the Americas

Musical and Sport Equipment

Music Equipment

You can bring small musical instruments (like flutes or violins) onto the plane as part of your hand baggage allowance, but will need to store them in a hard case that can be safely stowed inside the overhead locker.  Weight must not exceed 7kg including the case and Dimensions must not exceed:

• 78 x 25 x 15cm (height x width x depth) including the case.

If there is no stowage space, the instrument will have to be checked in.

Large musical instruments, like a guitar or cello, which exceed the above limits for cabin baggage allowance, must be checked as part of checked baggage allowance.

Sport Equipment

When flying to most destinations, your sports equipment is counted as your checked-in luggage, so you will need to see the checked-in luggage guidance above for weight and dimensions.

If your sport equipment exceeds these amounts, you will be charged for having excess baggage.

Note that bicycles must be non-motorized and a single-seat. Its handlebars must be either fixed, tightened sideways, tightened parallel to the frame or enclosed in plastic foam or similar material. Pedals need to be either removed, fixed inwards or enclosed in plastic foam or similar material. You will also need to deflate the tires and pack the bike in a strong and protective hard case or recognised bicycle box.

What Additional Fees does Cathay Pacific Charge?

Booking Fees
Flight Change Fees
Flight Cancellation Policy
Travel Insurance

Booking Fees

A booking fee of $55AUD (or equivalent in local currency) is applied per person per transaction except for transactions made in Hong Kong, where a HKD300 fee applies.

Flight Change Fees

A Flight Change Fee may apply if you plan to alter your departure date or time (per passenger, per flight) on a Saver ticket. The fee depends on the departure point and arrival point, and can be determined by entering your route here.

Flight Cancellation Policy

Should your flight be cancelled, you can either:

• Change or move on to another Cathay Pacific flight free of charge.
• Be refunded if you no longer wish to fly at all. Cathay Pacific will waive cancellation fees and provide you with a credit.
• Re-route to your destination on another carrier under comparable conditions.

Cathay Pacific will pay for hotel accommodation as well as transport to and from the hotel for you. Contact a member of staff in the airport to arrange this.

Travel Insurance

Cathay Pacific offers a range of travel insurance products via ACE Insurance, including cover for:

• Tickets and Baggage
• Domestic flights
• International Flights
• Multi Trip
• Unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation
• Broad medical expense reimbursement cover etc.

For more details, click here.

What Amenities does Cathay Pacific Offer?

In-Flight Entertainment
Food
Seating
Cathay Pacific Frequent Flyer Program
Lounges

In-Flight Entertainment and Refreshments

Cathay Pacific offers in-flight entertainment on short-haul and long-haul international flights. Free kids gifts are also available, and toys for children are available on board (limited in number).

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices must not be used throughout the flight. Although Cathay Pacific is planning on  installing Wi-Fi on their new Airbus A350 aircraft in 2016.

Food

Complimentary in-flight meals and drinks are available.

Passenger with dietary requirements can order special meals if a request is placed at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight. Requests can be made via  Manage My Booking or by contacting your  local Cathay Pacific reservations office.

Seating

A fee of $180AUD (or equivalent in local currency) is applied for long haul flights in cases where you wish to book an extra legroom seat. Short haul flights require a fee of $50AUD(or equivalent in local currency) for the same service.

Silver, Gold and Diamond members of Marco Polo have the option for a seat with extra legroom included in their plan.

Cathay Pacific Frequent Flyer Program

Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo frequent flyer program offers members a number of benefits, ranging from advance seat reservation, extra legroom, lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage redemption and allowances, and more. For details, click here.

Lounges

If you are a member of the Marco Polo frequent flyer scheme, and depending on your tier level, you may be able to access lounges at various ports around the world. Lounges offer a la carte dining, showers, snacks, massage services and workstations.

How do I Contact Cathay Pacific Customer Service?

Cathay Pacific Customer Service
Delayed, Missing or Damaged Luggage
Cathay Pacific Airline Compensation

Cathay Pacific Customer Service

Worldwide Toll-Free Number: +800 2747 3333

• When using this number use the international prefix of the country you are dialling from.

Hong Kong Number Toll-Free Number: +852 2747 3333

Mainland China Local Toll-Free Number: 400 861 3333

For your local Cathay Pacific office, click here.

Delayed, Missing or Damaged Luggage

If your baggage is delayed or missing, Cathay Pacific will enter the baggage details into the WorldTracer Tracing System, and you can trace the luggage online with your 10-character reference code.

A Baggage Claim Form is available for download for the purpose. You will need to report missing baggage at the airport of arrival.

Cathay Pacific Airline Compensation

The liability for any loss, delay or damage to baggage is limited unless a higher value is declared in advance and additional charges are paid. You will need to file a report at the Baggage Services Counter located at the Arrivals Hall prior to customs clearance in case of a baggage delay or damage.

Check the Baggage Information for more details regarding delayed or damaged baggage. For many international journeys (including domestic portions of international journeys), the Warsaw Convention may apply with liability limits of 17 Special drawing rights per kilo for checked baggage and 332 Special drawing rights per passenger for unchecked baggage.

In cases where the Montreal Convention applies to your journey, the applicable liability limit is 1,131 Special drawing rights per passenger for checked and unchecked baggage. Note that the value of Special drawing rights can fluctuate, so you will need to check current exchange rates.

Also note that except during international carriage as defined by the Warsaw or Montreal Conventions, Cathay Pacific does not assume liability for any loss of, damage to or delay in the delivery of any valuable items contained in checked or cabin baggage.