Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), the flag carrier of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is one of the leading airlines in the aviation industry and widely recognized as one of the best airlines in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline is majority-owned by Swire Holdings, Air China (CA) and Qatar Airways (QR) and operates flights to 83 destinations with a fleet of 180 aircraft.
Cathay Pacific operates from Hong Kong International Airport, providing efficient connections for passengers within Asia as well as to Europe, North America, Oceania and South Africa. One of the founders of the oneworld alliance has been praised for its excellent service across these routes, which are also the best flights for several pilots in the APAC region as well as around the world.
Cathay Pacific pilot salary
Cathay Pacific second officer salary
Cathay Pacific’s second officer position is the youngest category of pilots. These are typically deployed on long-distance intercontinental flights and are monitored by the captain and co-pilot in the process of recording flight time. CX second officers tend to be graduates of their own cadet programs or graduates of independent flight schools.
Cathay pays deputy officers annual salaries starting at HK$585,000 (approximately US$75,000) and guarantees them a minimum of 50 hours of flight time per month. This number should increase with flying hours and experience with the airline.
In addition, you will be provided with an allowance of HKD 14,000 (approximately USD 1,800) per month.
Cathay Pacific First Officer Salary
A Cathay Pacific co-pilot assists the captain in flying the aircraft from point A to point B. Responsible for conducting pre-flight safety inspections of aircraft, confirming flight plans with commanders, and communicating with air traffic controllers. An experienced co-pilot also serves as temporary captain during the main pilot’s rest period.
The annual salary for a Cathay First Officer starts from HK$897,000 (approximately US$115,000), with a guaranteed 50 hours of flight time each month. As with all other categories of pilots, pay scales based on flight hours and seniority with the airline.
Deputy officers are also paid a monthly allowance of HK$20,000 (approximately US$2,600).
Cathay Pacific Captain Salary
A Cathay Pacific captain is responsible for commanding an aircraft from its origin to its destination. In addition to managing cabin crew and cockpit colleagues, they make important decisions about navigation, routes, and safety during flights, along with senior personnel tasked with training second officers and co-pilots. .
Cathay Pacific captains earn the highest annual base salary, starting at HK$1,112,500 (approximately US$145,000). As with co-pilots and co-pilots, you are given a minimum guaranteed flight time of 50 hours per month, but your base salary can increase depending on seniority, flight hours, and type of aircraft you fly. .
Captains are also entitled to a maximum monthly salary of HK$28,000 (approximately US$3,600).
Check out our other pilot salary articles.
Benefits available to Cathay Pacific pilots
Cathay Pacific offers its pilots an excellent pay package, but also offers non-monetary benefits such as:
Annual Vacation – CX offers 21 annual holidays for Second Officers and 28 annual holidays for First Officers, while Captains receive 35 days of paid vacation per year. In addition to paid holidays, pilots are entitled to 12 days of sick leave per year and are entitled to public holidays (with compensatory days off if working) according to the Hong Kong calendar. Discounted Travel – Pilots and their dependents enjoy discounted fares with Cathay Pacific’s network and codeshare partners. This includes premium class travel and unlimited ticket allocation. Medical Coverage – Cathay Pacific pilots and their families are provided with a comprehensive medical insurance plan. The aviators themselves receive comprehensive, globally valid compensation, and all medical expenses away from the Hong Kong base are covered. Education allowance – Pilots with children up to the age of 21 receive an education allowance in addition to their salary package. This ensures that tuition and university fees are covered for all students in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Bonus Scheme – Cathay Pacific has a bonus pool that entitles all pilots to performance-related payments at the end of the financial year. It is calculated according to the progress of the individual and the company, and in most cases a sizeable packet is paid. Pension Plan – Pilots employed by Cathay Pacific have the opportunity to agree a pension plan with the airline. This will require you to sacrifice your current compensation, but it will ensure that your salary continues to be paid after you retire.
What kind of aircraft do CX pilots fly?
Cathay Pacific operates a diverse fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, but most of its aircraft are wide-body. CX pilots have the opportunity to fly the following models:
Airbus A321neo – 16 Airbus A330-300 – 40 Airbus A350-900 – 30 Airbus A350-1000 – 18 Boeing 777-300 – 17 Boeing 777-300ER – 36
In addition to our existing fleet, the Cathay Group owns the following aircraft:
Airbus A320neo – 8 Airbus A321neo – 24 Airbus A330-900 – 30 Boeing 777-9 – 21
Cathay Pacific Cargo operates the following aircraft:
Boeing 747-400ERF – 6 Boeing 747-8F – 14
CX’s cargo division has also ordered six Airbus A350F aircraft.
How do I become a Cathay Pacific pilot?
Cathay Pacific Second Officers must meet the following requirements:
ICAO Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Multi-Equipment Instrument Rating (MEIR) and state ATPL exam credits – available without exemption or conversion Minimum 250 hours of flight experience ( (1000 hours and multiple crews) cooperation preferred) Must be HKCPL eligible at the time of conversion according to DCA607 (see HKCAD for details on specific requirements) Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate ICAO English Proficiency Level 4 or above
Cathay Pacific First Officers must meet the following criteria:
ICAO Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Multi-Equipment Instrument Rating (MEIR) and state ATPL exam credits – obtained without exemption or conversion Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate ICAO English Minimum total flight time at skill level 4 or above is 1500 hours (3000 hours preferred) and includes:
A minimum of 500 hours as a P1, with a maximum of 250 hours as a P1 U/S.
Cathay Pacific Captains must meet the following requirements:
4,000 hours of flight experience, including 1,500 hours in multi-engine aircraft, military high-speed jets, or heavy turbine aircraft. P2X experience with Cathay Pacific will count towards these hours – calculated as 50% of the time spent in the cockpit as a cruise pilot A minimum of 500 hours onboard a Cathay Pacific or Cathay Pacific cargo operating aircraft Hong Kong Aviation Transport Pilot License with Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) and Test Credit (ATPL) – Obtainable without Waiver or Conversion Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate ICAO English proficiency level 4 or above
Successful candidates will be considered for positions on all types of aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific, including the A321neo, A330, A350, Boeing 777, and 747.
Must read: Cathay Pacific highlights new widebody order for Boeing 787, 777X
Cathay Pilot Recruitment Process
Cathay Pacific uses the following recruitment process for pilots:
Apply – Cathay Pacific invites applications for all positions on our careers page and may occasionally announce walk-in drives in several cities around the world. Interview – Cathay will interview successful candidates to test their past experience and psychometric skills to successfully perform the role. Testing – Cathay requires all successful candidates to take a simulator test while their medical records and background are also checked. Offer – A conditional offer will be made, which is dependent on the successful provision of legal flight documents such as a license. For candidates based overseas, this process also requires successfully obtaining a Hong Kong work permit.
Cathay Pacific Frequently Asked Questions
The starting salary for a Cathay Pacific pilot is US$75,000, and the number increases rapidly depending on factors such as seniority and flight hours.
Cathay Pacific flies to more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania from its base at Hong Kong International Airport.
Cathay Pacific pilots fly the Airbus A320 series, Airbus A330, Airbus A350, Boeing 747, and Boeing 777, depending on past experience, airline requirements, and type rating.
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