Cathay Pacific unarchives eight decades of uniform designs for its anniversary year
As Hong Kong’s flag carrier celebrates 80 years in operation, the airline has resurrected its heritage uniforms, including its original military-inspired design.
As part of Cathay Pacific’s 80th anniversary celebrations, more than 1,000 employees are sporting heritage uniforms until the end of 2026. The design that’s most likely to turn heads is the oldest: a blue, military-inspired two-piece and a box hat from 1946. The airline introduced its first red jacket for female crew in 1962. “Over time, red has become identifiable as one of our colours,” Eva Ng, Cathay Pacific’s general manager of inflight service delivery, tells Monocle.
From the 1970s to the 1990s, the airline collaborated with French luxury houses on uniforms to bring a high-fashion flourish to the world of aviation. Hermès added a vibrant tailplane-print blouse, while Nina Ricci introduced the power suit, reflecting the carrier’s confidence and sophistication.
It wasn’t until 1999 that Cathay Pacific started looking to native designers rather than Western houses, commissioning Hong Kong couturier Eddie Lau to create a look that embodied the company’s cultural identity. No stranger to working with stars such as actor and Cantopop icon Leslie Cheung, Lau brought his panache for sharp runway looks to the aeroplane aisle. He created a sleek, red jacket with an open collar and paired it with a white blouse bearing the classic brushwing logo.
Lau’s landmark design has since been a mainstay of the airline’s wardrobe, albeit with refinements. In 2011 the couturier came out of retirement to swap out the male crew’s navy-blue fits for olive-toned waistcoats, striped ties and a new take on the mandarin-collar jackets.
Today, 15 years on, Lau’s design remains a point of pride for Cathay Pacific. “Every time I meet new joiners, I see how excited they are to put on the uniform,” says Ng. More than just workwear, it has become a polished mark of distinction.
cathaypacific.com
