Championing Green Skies: Cathay Pacific’s Award-Winning Sustainability Journey

As a responsible travel blogger, there is genuine satisfaction in highlighting airlines, cruise lines, and hospitality brands that not only promise sustainability but deliver on those commitments in ways that echo throughout the industry. Seeing companies like Cathay Pacific win the 2025 Sustainability Award from Airline Ratings in the Full Service Carriers category is uplifting — a reminder that meaningful change is happening, and travellers everywhere can be part of it.

Leading Innovation for a Better Planet

Cathay Pacific’s inspiring drive goes far beyond surface gestures. The airline’s vision is bold — achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reimagining its operations for circular resource use, all while moving people and cargo safely across continents. At the heart of this journey is the belief in collective action. “Only with our collective efforts can we go further together,” says Grace Cheung, General Manager Sustainability, echoing the collaborative spirit that sets Cathay apart.

Practical Progress and Everyday Impact

Travellers are seeing the real-world results onboard. From the moment guests step onto a Cathay Pacific flight, they’re part of a journey where sustainability touches every detail. In 2024, the airline had already reduced single-use plastics (SUP) down to 2.6 pieces per passenger — and remains on track to cut this down even further to just 1.5 pieces by the end of 2025.

• Water bottles on Hong Kong departures are now made from 100% recycled plastic, enhancing circularity.
• Over 1.4 million bottles have been recycled, thanks to thoughtful inflight initiatives.
• New materials and reusable service ware are being trialled, making every journey lighter on the planet.

Pioneering Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Cathay Pacific’s commitment to the future of flying is perhaps best evidenced by its pioneering work with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Through its Corporate SAF Programme, the airline is accelerating decarbonization, forging new partnerships with leaders like Sinopec, SK Energy, and DHL Express, making blended SAF a tangible reality on key routes across Asia. This is more than innovation — it’s about reimagining what responsible air travel means on a global scale.

On the Ground: Cargo With Care

Sustainability doesn’t stop in the sky. On the ground, Cathay Cargo Terminal is shaping the future with Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for tractors, and fully recycled plastic cover sheets for cargo shipments. Each step, however small, moves aviation towards the kind of responsible stewardship the planet deserves.

A Collective Journey Forward

For those of us who prize luxury experiences that also honour our connection to the earth, Cathay Pacific stands as a remarkable model — one that proves award-winning hospitality can go hand in hand with pioneering sustainability. As Cathay charts this thoughtful path, travellers have every reason to feel proud when choosing greener skies.

Explore Cathay’s full sustainability story and initiatives in their latest official Sustainability Reports.