Meet the Cathay partners elevating your travel experience

At Cathay, we pride ourselves on offering a premium travel experience, and our partnerships with exceptional brands play a key role in that. Over the years, we’ve teamed up with Mott 32, JING Tea, and Bamford to bring world-class dining, premium teas and mindful skincare to our lounges and aircraft cabins.

We sat down with the founders and senior managers of these three brands to delve into their heritage and discover why they’re proud to partner with Cathay. 

Mott 32’s Chinese fine dining at The Pier, First 

Founded in Hong Kong in 2014, Mott 32 takes its name from New York’s historic 32 Mott Street, where the city’s first Chinese convenience store opened in 1891 and which eventually became the nucleus of what is now Chinatown. Since then, the brand has expanded internationally with locations in major cities worldwide including Vancouver, Dubai, Los Angeles and Bangkok. Known for its innovative take on traditional Chinese cuisine – from Peking duck smoked with applewood to authentic dim sum crafted with heritage techniques – Mott 32 has scooped up award after award to become one of the world’s most acclaimed Chinese restaurants. 

“Mott 32 is all about honouring the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine while presenting it in a way that feels fresh, elegant, and relevant today. From sourcing the finest ingredients to staying true to traditional cooking methods, every dish we create reflects a deep respect for the culture and history behind it. Our goal is to create a dining experience that tells a story,” says Mott 32 co-founder Xuan Mu.  

“Partnering with Cathay allows us to share our passion for authentic flavours with travellers from around the world and is something we take great pride in. Cathay is not just one of the most respected airlines globally; it’s a brand that truly understands excellence and the importance of delivering exceptional experiences,” he explains. “This shared focus on quality and attention to detail is what makes our partnership so successful. Cathay’s team is incredibly professional and collaborative, which enables us to work seamlessly together to bring something unique to their guests." 

Travellers now have a chance to indulge in a taste of home before takeoff. Cathay’s partnership with the world-renowned restaurant launched in January this year, bringing a refined Cantonese dining experience to The Pier, First lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. 

JING Tea: sustainable brews 

JING Tea transforms the simple act of drinking tea into a moment of calm. Since 2004, this premium tea brand has provided single-origin, whole-leaf teas, prioritising terroir, sustainability, and the artisans behind each harvest. Served at Cathay’s lounges at Hong Kong, Singapore Changi, Shanghai Pudong and London Heathrow airports, as well as in Cathay Pacific’s First class cabins, JING Tea sources the finest tea leaves directly from single gardens across the world, from Darjeeling to Hangzhou and beyond, to curate the perfect cup of brew.  

“Direct sourcing whole leaf teas from single gardens takes much more time, expertise and effort but means guests can enjoy remarkable quality teas from gardens that look after their environment.  We can also tell the intriguing stories of the people and places that create the teas.” says Melanie Tricklebank, CEO of JING Tea Limited. 

Next year marks 10-years of partnership between JING Tea and Cathay, a relationship built on “aligned business purpose and goals.” She adds “Cathay consistently strives to deliver an exceptional, luxury guest experiences and we are a luxury tea brand focused on serving remarkable teas and tea experiences. We offer a curated range of teas and tailored training to Cathay staff to ensure the perfect tea service, from lounges to inflight, elevating the whole tea experience for Cathay’s guests.” 

Wellness in the skies with Bamford

Carole Bamford founded her eponymous brand in 2006, blending organic skincare with sustainable sourcing and farming practices, and the belief that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put into it. Bamford’s products – such as the award-winning pillow mist and a multi-purpose balm – are formulated with botanicals grown on her Daylesford Estate in the UK, and are offered to First class and Business passengers on Cathay Pacific flights.  

“Flying can be a chance to disconnect – to engage with our senses, to move consciously and to nourish body and mind inside and out. Cathay Pacific and Bamford are brands rooted in connection: connecting others, growing a community of kindred minds and our connection to nature. With this partnership, we’ve been able to do something a little different — working together to rethink what luxury amenities can be, in a way that feels both meaningful and modern,” says Bamford’s UK and International Sales Director, Tony Stack.

From the ground to the air, these partnerships reflect Cathay’s ongoing efforts to elevate every aspect of your travels, no matter how small. It’s the minute details – often subtle, always intentional – that transform a flight into an experience to be savoured. We look forward to sharing these experiences with you on your next journey – one cup of tea, one delicious meal, one relaxing spritz at a time.

Want to experience it yourself? Learn more about Cathay’s partnerships here.