HONG KONG- Cathay Pacific (CX) is preparing to unveil three aircraft painted in retro liveries as the airline marks its 80th anniversary in 2026 from Hong Kong (HKG). The project includes an Airbus A350 that has already been spotted in a maintenance hangar in Xiamen.
The classic green-striped scheme, once known to aviation fans worldwide, will return across three aircraft types to celebrate the milestone year.
Cathay Pacific Plans Retro Livery
Cathay Pacific first introduced the famous green livery in 1971 during a period of major growth for the airline.
The design featured a bold green stripe running the length of the fuselage and a matching tail with twin white stripes. It became one of the airline’s most photographed looks, especially during the Kai Tak Airport era, where jets made dramatic approaches over Kowloon.
To mark the 80th anniversary, the airline is applying a refreshed version of this heritage livery to three aircraft.
The confirmed lineup includes an Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, a Boeing 777-300 passenger aircraft, and a Boeing 747 freighter. The new design closely follows the original retro scheme, with the addition of an 80 logo on the rear fuselage to signify the anniversary.
All three aircraft are currently undergoing paint work in Xiamen. Formal confirmation from Cathay Pacific is expected once the jets rejoin the fleet, PYOK reported.
From Early Simplicity To Global Identity
Cathay Pacific began operations in 1946 with a simple dark blue livery and branded oval emblem. Over time, the airline continued to refresh its visual identity as its network expanded across Asia and beyond.
The 1971 livery became closely linked to the airline’s Boeing 747 fleet and the iconic Kai Tak approach. Images of aircraft passing low over apartment buildings helped cement the design in aviation history.
The Brushwing Redesign
In 1994, design agency Landor Associates introduced the brushwing tail logo and softer green palette. This identity evolved further in 2015 into the cleaner look seen today across the Cathay Pacific fleet.
Fleet repainting is a precise task. That said, human error occasionally slips through. In 2018, one Boeing 777-300 left the paint shop with Cathay Pacific written on the fuselage, missing the letter F. Earlier, another aircraft briefly appeared with the brushwing logo applied in reverse.
A Milestone Moment For An Asian Flag Carrier
The return of the retro livery highlights the airline’s heritage and long connection with Hong Kong. It also signals a forward-looking anniversary year while honoring the visual identity that helped define the brand for more than two decades.
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