Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific maintains a robust safety record and is recognized as one of the safest airlines globally. Its most recent major accident involving fatalities occurred in 1972, attributed to a terrorist attack. A notable incident in 2010 involved an engine failure that led to a severe landing, resulting in passenger injuries but no fatalities. More recent reported incidents from early 2025 include an in-flight engine shutdown, a hydraulic failure on a freighter, and a fire onboard an aircraft.

The airline holds high regulatory certifications, having achieved the prestigious 7-Star PLUS safety rating from AirlineRatings. This is the highest accolade in their safety ranking system and signifies the airline's commitment to maintaining exceptional operational and regulatory safety standards, including participation in the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and audits from local governing bodies.

Cathay Pacific operates a modern fleet, with its wide-body aircraft having an average age of less than 8.5 years. While some older Boeing 777-300s in its passenger fleet have an average age of around 23.6 years as of March 2025, the airline is committed to continuous investment in a fuel-efficient and modern fleet. Its adherence to rigorous safety practices contributes to its strong maintenance reputation.

Based on available data, Cathay Pacific is consistently assessed as a very safe airline. It was ranked the third safest full-service airline for 2025 by AirlineRatings, a ranking that considers factors such as fleet age, pilot skill, safety practices, fleet size, and incident history. The airline has received significant safety awards and recognitions, most notably being the first full-service airline to achieve the 7-Star PLUS safety rating by AirlineRatings. It was also recognized as the 9th safest airline globally by AirlineRatings in 2023.