Cathay Pacific Awarded 7-Star PLUS Safety Rating

Cathay Pacific has today been awarded as the first full-service airline to achieve the 7-Star PLUS safety rating by AirlineRatings – the highest accolade in its internationally respected safety ranking system. 

 On top of being already a 7-Star airline for maintaining the highest operational and regulatory safety standards at all times, the new initiative introduces a comprehensive 70 point onboard safety audit that brings the “face of safety” directly into the cabin where passengers experience it most.

 CEO of AirlineRatings, Sharon Petersen, said, “For many years, our 7-Star Safety Ratings have guided millions of travellers in assessing which airline they choose to fly with for both value and safety. Now, we are taking this a step further by evaluating onboard safety.

 “These comprehensive audits assess performance across 70 measurable criteria over six flights, providing airlines with an in-depth, independent evaluation of their onboard safety standards. It enables airlines to swiftly address any identified gaps and demonstrate transparency by opening their operations to external review. These assessments not only highlight areas for improvement but also celebrate and acknowledge those who excel in the critical area of onboard safety.

 “Increasingly, we are seeing inflight incidents arising in areas such as turbulence and lithium battery-related events, underscoring that now, more than ever, onboard safety must remain at the forefront for both airlines and passengers alike.

 “We are delighted to confirm Cathay Pacific as our first 7-Star PLUS Safety Rated full-service airline, and we look forward to announcing additional 7-Star PLUS rated airlines in the near future.”

Josh Wood Safety and Service Quality Manager, AirlineRatings commented, “It has been a great pleasure to audit Cathay Pacific and now be able to award them as a 7-Star PLUS safety rated airline . Cathay not only make safety a top priority in the flight deck, but they also go above and beyond to complement their operational integrity with world class and consistent safety protocols. From adhering to a strict lithium battery policy to conducting thorough cabin checks, delivering professional safety briefings, providing high-quality inflight announcements and maintaining overall customer service excellence, Cathay Pacific excelled on every flight. I congratulate all at Cathay for their continued efforts in upholding the highest integrity of safety and service standards and in the air and on the ground.”

 Alex McGowan, Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer at Cathay Pacific, said of the accolade, “Safety guides everything we do at Cathay. It is a deep commitment we make to each other, our customers and our business partners to ensure their time with us is safe, healthy and secure - as well as thoroughly enjoyable. We are grateful for this recognition, which reflects the consistent dedication of our teams around the world.  Of course we will never stop looking for ways to improve and will continue to strengthen efforts across our operation.”

 What Is the 7- Star PLUS Rating?

The 7-Star PLUS rating is awarded to airlines that:

• Already hold a 7-Star safety rating which is determined by participation in IOSA, audits from local governing bodies as well as the airline’s own safety or incident history.

• Successfully complete six anonymous onboard audits across a mix of domestic, international, short-haul, long-haul, day, and overnight flights.

• Demonstrate consistent excellence across all 70 audit points across each of the six audit flights.

 These audits are conducted by Airline Ratings’ own team, independent of airline influence, and designed to reflect real-world passenger experiences.

Why It Matters

With nearly 40% of passengers reporting anxiety or fear of flying, 7-Star PLUS provides a new level of reassurance. While traditional safety metrics focus on aircraft maintenance, operational excellence and regulatory compliance, this new rating highlights the human element specifically how safety is communicated, enacted, and felt onboard.

 Airlines not yet at 7-Stars can still undergo reviews, receiving tailored feedback to help close safety gaps and improve their standing.

 This initiative complements AirlineRatings mission: “Guiding you to the safest and best value airline for every journey.”

 For enquiries on participating in Airline Ratings safety ratings, please contact Safety and Quality Manager Josh Wood at [email protected].