The evolution of Cathay Pacific’s inflight entertainment
Time can feel like it’s passing slowly when you’re keen to get to your destination. But when you’re engaged, the hours slip by. That’s why each aspect of your journey with Cathay Pacific is crafted with care, from nourishing meals to seats designed for proper rest. At the centre of this service sits our inflight entertainment, named World’s Best at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards . We’ve continued to refine it, so whatever the length of your journey, you remain enthralled from take-off to landing.
“In the past, inflight entertainment was an added feature for many airlines; today, it’s a core element of the travel experience,” says Guillaume Vivet, General Manager Customer Experience Design at Cathay. “This is where our passengers spend the most time during their flight, and it’s where we deliver the most personalisation outside of the cabin crew service.”
Before today’s seatback TV screens, time aloft was spent with books and magazines. Our inflight publication Discovery, which launched in 1973, brought Hong Kong and the wider region to life through distinctive design, photography and editorial. In 1991, we moved into audio, becoming the first airline to launch live radio on board – from global news to classical music and Cantopop, delivered directly to personal headsets. Screen-based entertainment soon followed. In 1994, we debuted personal screens in the armrests of Business class seats on our Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets. This early inflight entertainment system played Cantonese, Putonghua and Japanese movies across six channels. By 1996, seatback entertainment extended to Economy cabins, just as we launched our longest route between Hong Kong and New York.
The evolution of Cathay Pacific’s inflight entertainment
In 2025, we raised the bar again as the first airline to offer 100 per cent seatback inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity across our fleet. Whether on short- or long-haul journeys, we bring you more than 4,500 hours of entertainment, including the latest global blockbusters and independent pictures; hit TV series, including acclaimed Chinese dramas; and live sports and news, through partnerships with A24, Disney+, MAX and Paramount+. It’s all presented with high-definition visuals on generously sized screens.
Looking ahead, Bluetooth audio connectivity will be introduced across our fleet, while our new Airbus A321neo aircraft will bring you the world’s first inflight 4K HDR10+ content, delivering a cinematic experience in the skies.
Connectivity, content and passenger choice
Among our members, the range of things to watch, listen to and read in flight has long impressed. “It’s streaks ahead of the competition,” says one Green member, who especially enjoys independent studio A24’s off-beat films. “You’ll never be bored.” Meanwhile, a Silver member, who regularly travels to Toronto, adds: “The onboard Wi-Fi makes long-haul flights feel much shorter, as I can stay connected, scroll my phone and chat with friends.”
“People’s expectations around entertainment have changed with the advent of smartphones and digital on-demand streaming platforms,” says Vivet. “We’re bringing the digital experience on board, with an intuitive interface that allows passengers to decide how to interact with our system, whether they want to watch movies, listen to music or personalise their environment.”
Designing a personalised travel companion
Our inflight entertainment system has also evolved to include other capabilities based on passenger feedback. “Our approach is always centred on our passengers’ needs,” says Claire Gombault, Head of Customer Experience, IFE and Connectivity at Cathay. “It’s less about introducing new technology for its own sake and more about understanding how we can leverage innovation to continually refine and elevate your journey.”
Features such as Watch Together allow passengers to synchronise viewing, while flight information and inflight services are integrated into the interface. The result is a platform that feels like a personalised travel companion.
So next time you fly with us, settle in and explore all that’s on offer. With the right film, series or soundtrack, the journey unfolds differently – and before long, arrival is in sight.