Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), the flag carrier of Hong Kong, is one of Asia’s oldest airlines and will complete 80 years in 2026. Renowned for its hospitality and leading hard products in the sky, the airline operates a fleet of over 150 aircraft and flies to more than 50 countries around the world in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.
To aid its leading cabin offerings and fantastic service across the globe, Cathay hires over 4,000 cabin crew members, mainly from Asia, who have been instrumental in helping the airline achieve and maintain its reputed status. With its latest business class product launched by the Aria Suite brand name, CX is hopeful of restoring its glorious pre-COVID days, to which mission, its cabin crew will be as vital as ever.
Having said that, here is everything you need to know about how much they get paid as well as the other benefits they enjoy, and much more.
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Cathay Pacific Cabin Crew Salary
Despite being on course to restore its pre-COVID numbers in 2025, Cathay Pacific pays a reasonably lower salary to its cabin crew than several of its competitors in Asia, though fairly in line with Singapore Airlines (SQ).
Interestingly, entry-level crew members make up only about one-third of Hong Kong’s national salary average per capita although, with appraisals and allowances, senior members can earn a respectable wage with a few years of employment with the carrier.
Cathay Pacific’s flight attendants are paid a salary ranging from HK$10,000 per month to an upper limit of HK$30,000 monthly (approx. US$1,280 to US$3,750). This amount equates to HK$120,000 to HK$360,000 in a year, or US$15,360 to US$45,000 annually. Those consistently rostered on long-haul routes can earn up to HK$390,000/US$50,000 in a year.
The salary of the cabin crew members on CX ranges on several factors, most importantly their seniority and flying hours. Those operating as pursers on long-haul flights end up making the most money in a year, while the junior-most crew earns closer to the lower end.
In addition to their basic salaries, flight attendants are paid other allowances in cash, which results in the final compensation being a few thousand dollars higher.
MUST READ: Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew Salary in 2025
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Benefits enjoyed by Cathay cabin crew
Apart from their salaries, Cathay Pacific cabin crew enjoy the following benefits.
- ALLOWANCES – Apart from their basic salaries, Cathay Pacific Airways pays its cabin crew additional allowances subject to the the destination they operate too. Mainly, this amount is the layover allowance, while in some cases, additional payouts might be made for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
- DISCOUNTED TRAVEL – Cathay Pacific’s cabin crew members, as well as their families and friends, are entitled to discounted fares on the airline and its codeshare partners, including fellow Oneworld members. There is no limit on the number of discounted tickets the nominated individuals can avail in a year.
- RETIREMENT PLAN – Cathay Pacific’s cabin crew can decide to allocate a portion of their salary to a retirement scheme, which can be encashed along with a handsome interest rate once they reach a certain age. Although the airline does not have a pension scheme, this acts like one with mutually agreed contributions.
- MEDICAL COVERAGE – As with several other airlines around the world, Cathay Pacific offers its cabin crew a well-rounded medical insurance valid globally, thus alleviating potential expenses away from Hong Kong too. In addition to the respective employee, the insurance coverage is extended to dependents as well.
- CAREER DIVERSIFICATION – Besides having the opportunity to work in a cosmopolitan environment, Cathay’s robust training and development of its employees enables them to pursue roles aside from being the cabin crew. A number of individuals pursue careers in other travel companies in various capacities.
- FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES – Cathay Pacific’s cabin crew must work a minimum of 70 hours a month, although the airline offers them a decent amount of flexibility. The personnel can ask for specific days off before their rosters are released, while requests to operate to specific destinations and swap shifts are also considered.
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How to become a cabin crew at Cathay Pacific?
Cathay Pacific Airways requires its cabin crew to fulfill the following criteria.
- Minimum age of 18
- High school graduate or above
- With a minimum of 1-year flight attendant experience in any airline
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English and at least one of the following additional languages: Cantonese, Putonghua, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia, Filipino, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, or Sinhala
- Proficiency in Putonghua is an added advantage
- Good communication skills
- Minimum arm-reach of 208cm on tiptoe
- Previous experience in an airline, hospitality, or service industry is advantageous
The successful candidate will be required to meet the following criteria in addition to the appended requirements for application:
- Successfully complete a comprehensive pre-employment background check, including criminal records
- Demonstrate physical fitness to meet the requirements of the pre-employment medical assessment
- Pass a pre-employment drug test.
Exemption from English Assessment is available for candidates with either:
- TOEIC: Valid score of 325 or above in both Reading and Listening
- IELTS (Academic): Valid overall Band Score of 6.0 or above
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Cathay Pacific’s hiring process for cabin crew
Cathay Pacific has adopted the following steps in its hiring process for cabin crew.
- APPLICATION – The interested individuals must apply on the airline’s careers portal. Though Cathay Pacific might not be actively hiring, applicants are welcome to apply for their records to be kept on file with the carrier.
- INTERVIEW – An interview is held to understand the individual’s past work experience as well as education better. The recruitment team seeks to get a better understanding of the candidate’s psychometric personality and customer service values too.
- OFFER – A conditional offer is made by Cathay Pacific Airways to the successful candidates, who must perform a few additional background checks, and medical tests and produce necessary documents. In addition, a training program is also held to acquaint them with CX’s operations. In cases where valid, a visa must also be obtained successfully for employment in Hong Kong for the employment to be confirmed.
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Cathay Pacific cabin crew FAQ
Cathay Pacific Airways has only one operating base – Hong Kong, so all cabin crew members are required to live or be willing to relocate to the city.
Cathay Pacific pays its cabin attendants a salary ranging from US$15,360 to US$45,000 per year, which can rise by approximately 20%, depending on allowances for layovers and miscellaneous purposes.
While it is not clear whether the airline is hiring immediately, interested individuals can read through the job description and submit their resume, as well as supporting documents, on the Cathay Pacific Careers Portal.
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