On January 6, 2026, Cathay Pacific officially launched its "80 Years Together" anniversary campaign with a spectacular nod to its golden era. The highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of a specially commissioned Airbus A350-900 (registration B-LRJ) featuring the legendary "lettuce leaf sandwich" livery. This iconic green-and-white striped design, which defined the airline’s fleet from 1971 to 1994, has been meticulously adapted for the modern flagship, complete with a commemorative "80" year mark on the fuselage to signal eight decades of connecting Hong Kong to the world.

The revival of the Brunswick green stripes is more than just a nostalgic stunt; it is a tribute to the period when Cathay Pacific truly became a global aviation powerhouse. Fondly nicknamed by enthusiasts for its salad-like layered appearance on the tailfin, the livery is inseparable from the memories of the old Kai Tak Airport, where Boeing 747s and Lockheed TriStars in these exact colors made their dramatic, low-altitude heart-of-the-city landings. By bringing this aesthetic to the state-of-the-art A350, Cathay is bridging the gap between its storied heritage and its future-focused sustainability goals.

The celebrations took to the skies immediately, with the retro-liveried A350 performing its maiden anniversary flight as CX870 from Hong Kong to San Francisco on Tuesday. Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam, speaking at the launch event at Hong Kong International Airport, emphasized the deep bond between the carrier and its home city. He noted that the "80 Years Together" theme reflects a shared journey of resilience and growth, moving from a single Douglas DC-3 in 1946 to an international hub at Chek Lap Kok today.

Adding to the historical flair, the airline announced that between 1,000 and 2,000 cabin crew and ground staff will don vintage uniforms throughout 2026. Travelers will see staff in classic designs from various decades, showcasing the stylish evolution of Cathay’s signature service. This "living history" initiative aims to bring the brand’s legacy to life for passengers, turning every flight into a celebration of the generations of people who have built the airline’s world-class reputation.

The fleet expansion doesn't stop with a single aircraft. Cathay confirmed that a second "lettuce leaf" livery will be applied to a Boeing 747-8 freighter later in January, ensuring the anniversary message reaches global cargo hubs. There are even whispers of a third special livery to be revealed later in the year, keeping aviation geeks and frequent flyers on high alert. This multi-aircraft approach ensures that the 80th-anniversary colors will be visible across all continents in the airline’s vast network.

Beyond the aesthetics, the anniversary serves as a launchpad for a massive HK$100 billion investment into the passenger experience. Over the next few years, travelers can look forward to the reopening of "The Wing" First Class lounge, new regional business class products on select A330s, and continued digital innovation. Cathay is using this milestone to pivot from the challenges of the past few years toward a refreshed vision of becoming the world’s "most loved service brand," backed by top-tier hardware and software upgrades.

For fans wanting to take a piece of history home, Cathay is launching a curated collection of 80th-anniversary merchandise. This includes limited-edition 1:200 scale models of the retro A350, lifestyle accessories reimagined from four iconic eras, and a special Breitling Avenger GMT timepiece. As 2026 unfolds, Cathay Pacific is proving that while it is looking ahead to the next century of flight, it will never forget the classic green-and-white stripes that first made it a household name.