Cathay Pacific Airways is the flag carrier of Hong Kong. Based at Hong Kong International Airport, the airline's operations include scheduled passenger and cargo services to 115 destinations in 36 countries worldwide. Cathay Pacific is one of only six airlines worldwide to carry a five-star rating from Skytrax. Cathay Pacific has also won three "Airline of the Year" awards by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2009. Cathay Pacific is accredited by the IATA with the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) for safety practices. It is also a member of the oneworld global alliance.

Cathay Pacific Cargo has launched daily freighter services from Hong Kong to Shanghai using Boeing 747-200F aircraft, making it the second mainland China city served after it resumed passenger services to Beijing in December 2003, after a 13 year break (ref: Airliner World, March 2005).

Cathay Pacific operates twice daily return non-stop flights from Hong Kong to New York JFK that fly approximately over the North Pole CX830 & CX840 operate From HKG to JFK; CX831 & CX841 operate JFK to HKG. It is Cathay Pacific's longest non-stop flight, as well as one of the longest non-stop flights by distance in the world at 8,055 mi (12,963 km), lasting for approximately 16 hours. Continental Airlines also operates on this route, departing from Newark Liberty International Airport. In addition, Cathay Pacific operates daily return Hong Kong-Toronto non-stop flights, (CX826/827) which are also operated via polar routes. These routes are now flown using Cathay Pacific's B777-300ERs.

During 2008, Cathay Pacific increased frequencies to India, Middle East and Australia, while cutting flights to Canada and the United States.

During 2009, Cathay Pacific increased frequencies to Paris, Shanghai and Jakarta in the airline's summer schedule.